If you ask me, homemade ice cream from the Ninja Creami is pretty much life-changing.
This peachy frozen treat brings back memories of summer afternoons, combining fresh, ripe peaches with smooth, creamy sweetness. The Ninja Creami works its magic by turning simple ingredients into perfectly scoopable ice cream.
The natural sweetness of peaches shines through, while the machine’s special churning process creates that smooth, rich texture you’d expect from your favorite ice cream shop. A touch of vanilla and a hint of cream round out the flavors.
It’s a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for hot days, and the best part? You can make it whenever the craving hits.
Why You’ll Love This Peach Ice Cream
- Homemade freshness – Using real peaches gives this ice cream an authentic fruit flavor that store-bought versions just can’t match.
- Simple ingredients – With just 6 basic ingredients you probably already have (except maybe the peaches), this recipe keeps things wonderfully uncomplicated.
- Creamy texture – The combination of heavy cream and instant pudding mix creates an incredibly smooth, rich ice cream that’s better than what you’d get at an ice cream shop.
- Ninja Creami convenience – While it needs freezing time, the actual hands-on prep takes just 15-20 minutes, and your Ninja Creami does all the hard work of churning.
What Kind of Peaches Should I Use?
For homemade ice cream, fresh peaches are going to give you the best flavor, but you’ve got options here. The most common varieties you’ll find at the grocery store – yellow peaches or white peaches – will both work great in this recipe. Yellow peaches tend to be a bit more tart and traditional, while white peaches offer a milder, sweeter taste. If fresh peaches aren’t in season, you can use frozen peaches – just thaw and drain them well before using to avoid excess ice crystals in your ice cream. When picking fresh peaches, look for ones that yield slightly when pressed and have a sweet aroma at the stem end – these are signs that they’re perfectly ripe and ready to use.
Options for Substitutions
Making this ice cream but missing some ingredients? Here are some helpful swaps you can try:
- Fresh peaches: If fresh peaches aren’t in season, you can use frozen peaches (thawed and drained) or canned peaches (drained well). For a fun twist, try using nectarines or mangoes instead.
- White sugar: Feel free to swap white sugar with honey or maple syrup – just use 1.5 tablespoons instead of 2, as these liquid sweeteners are a bit sweeter. Brown sugar works too and adds a nice caramel note.
- Instant vanilla pudding: This ingredient helps create a creamy texture, but you can substitute with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 1 extra tablespoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Heavy whipping cream: For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half, though your ice cream won’t be quite as rich. Avoid using milk as a substitute here – the fat content in cream is needed for proper freezing.
- Milk: Any type of milk works here – whole, 2%, or even non-dairy options like oat or almond milk. Just note that using non-dairy milk might make the final texture slightly less creamy.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making Ninja Creami ice cream is using peaches that are too watery, which can create ice crystals and affect the smooth texture – make sure to drain your diced peaches well and pat them dry with paper towels before using.
Another common mistake is not freezing the base mixture long enough – your container needs at least 24 hours in the freezer (at 0°F or below) to achieve the right consistency for processing, and rushing this step will result in a slushy rather than creamy texture.
When processing in your Ninja Creami, don’t skip the re-spin cycle if your ice cream seems grainy after the first spin – this extra step helps break down any remaining ice crystals for that perfectly smooth, creamy finish.
For the best peachy flavor, choose ripe but firm peaches, as overripe ones can become mushy and affect the final texture of your ice cream.
What to Serve With Peach Ice Cream?
This homemade peach ice cream is perfect for dressing up with some simple but tasty toppings! A drizzle of warm caramel sauce or honey adds a nice sweetness that works really well with the fresh peach flavor. I love serving this ice cream alongside a slice of warm butter pound cake or between two soft sugar cookies for an amazing ice cream sandwich. For a fruity twist, try topping your scoop with some fresh berries or additional diced peaches – the combination of fresh and frozen fruit creates a really nice contrast of textures and temperatures.
Storage Instructions
Keep Frozen: Your homemade peach ice cream needs to stay in the freezer to maintain its creamy texture. Place it in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent freezer burn. It will keep its best quality for about 2 weeks, though it’s safe to eat for up to 2 months.
Container Tips: I recommend using a shallow, wide container rather than a deep one – this makes it easier to scoop later! If you’re using the Ninja CREAMi pint container, you can keep it right in there with its lid. You might want to press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the ice cream to prevent ice crystals from forming.
Serving: When you’re ready to enjoy your ice cream, let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before scooping. If it’s too hard, you can always re-spin it in your Ninja CREAMi to bring back that perfectly creamy texture.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 3-5 minutes |
| Total Time | 24 hours 15-20 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 600-650
- Protein: 10-15 g
- Fat: 30-35 g
- Carbohydrates: 70-75 g
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh peaches, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding powder
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Step 1: Cook the Peach Mixture
In a small saucepan, combine the peaches, sugar, and cinnamon.
Mix the ingredients to combine.
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring often, for about 3-5 minutes.
You’ll know it’s ready when the peaches have softened and released their juices, creating a syrup.
This mixture should reduce down to roughly 1/2 cup of peaches and syrup.
Step 2: Blend with Pudding Mix
Transfer the cooked peaches and syrup mixture to a small mixing bowl or a large liquid measuring cup.
Add milk and instant vanilla pudding mix to the peach mixture.
Use an immersion blender to blend until the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Add Cream and Freeze
Stir in the heavy cream to the blended peach mixture.
Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure not to exceed the max fill line.
Secure the container with its lid and place it on a level surface in your freezer.
Freeze the mixture for 24 hours, ensuring it sets properly.
Step 4: Process in the Ninja Creami
After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer and take off the lid.
Insert the pint into the outer bowl and secure the outer bowl lid.
Place the outer bowl assembly into the Ninja Creami machine and lock it into place.
Press the Ice Cream button and allow the machine to run through the cycle completely.
Step 5: Perfect the Texture
Once the cycle is complete, remove the pint and check the ice cream’s texture.
If it appears crumbly, insert the pint back into the machine and use the Re-spin cycle.
If it’s still not to your desired consistency after the Re-spin, add a tablespoon of milk and Re-spin once more.
Enjoy your creamy and smooth peach ice cream!
