The Ninja Creami ice cream maker has been a game changer for whole food plant-based homemade ice cream, sorbets, smoothie bowls, and milkshakes. The first question that everyone has is do I have to let my mixture freeze for 24 hours before spinning it.

I know many of you are adventurous in the kitchen and love to experiment, just like I do. Lately, many of you have been messaging me about freeze time.

It’s particularly hard to wait those first 24 hours after you finally get your Ninja Creami, to try one of your new frozen treats. But it’s worth it for the creamy consistency you’ll be rewarded with.

But a big help on your ice cream journey is to go ahead and have some vegan ice cream on hand so you can make a milkshake.

Do I Have to Wait 24 Hours to Spin Your Ninja Creami Pint?

One question that’s been popping up in the Ninja Creami community: Do we really need to wait 24 hours to spin yout pint container? Let’s dig into it!

Because the Creami ice cream machine doesn’t just churn in air and remove the ice crystals like a traditional ice cream maker, it needs a solid block to do its job properly and make creamy ice cream.

So, if you have an extra cold freezer and you have to leave it out to thaw to get a creamy product, you probably can cheat on the 24 hours. Trial and error will guide you to have much.

To Wait or Not to Wait: That Is the Question!

Short answer: Yes, that 24-hour wait is typically necessary. However, it can sometimes depend on your freezer’s temperature and the ingredients used in your recipe.

If you have a blend of ingredients that freeze solid faster, then you can shave a little time off – but you will always be looking at more than 12 hours.

If your freeze is extra, almost too cold, you can also cheat on the 24-hour rule. As long as the ice cream mixture is frozen solid down to the center, you are ok.

Your Freezer’s Temperature: A Key Player

The temperature of your freezer has a starring role in deciding when your pint is ready for action. The aim is to have the pint thoroughly frozen at around -18°C (0°F) or even lower.

That’s usually where most home freezers are set, and at that temp it takes about 24 hours to freeze to the center.

If your freezer is a little colder than most, your pint might be ready to spin in less time. On the flip side, you might need to wait even longer if your freezer’s a bit warmer.

Using a freezer thermometer is a smart move. It’ll help you ensure your pint is frozen just right for that dreamy consistency you bought your Ninja Creami to get.

The Role of Recipe Ingredients

What you’re putting in your ice cream can also influence the freeze time. Recipes that have a high amount of sugar or alcohol tend to take longer to freeze compared to those with mostly water or dairy.

Sugar and alcohol are like ice’s kryptonite — they lower the freezing point. So, if you’re going for a boozy or sweet treat, be prepared to wait beyond that 24-hour mark.

FAQS

What Happens if I spin the pint before 24 hours?

If you jump the gun and spin before the pint’s fully frozen, you could have a texture more like a slushie than ice cream.

The Ninja Creami shaves the pint into a creamy delight, but only if it’s frozen enough. So, take a deep breath and have patience!

Can I speed up the freezing?

We all love a good shortcut, but when it comes to ice cream, slow and steady does win the race.

Taking your time with freezing leads to smaller ice crystals, which means a smoother, more delightful texture in your final dish.

What if the pint stays in the freezer for more than 24 hours?

No harm, no foul! You can certainly leave your pint in the freezer beyond the 24-hour mark. But don’t worry about going too much longer — it won’t make a massive difference to the texture or flavor.

The exception to that is if you leave it in the freezer for weeks or even months, the mixture will dry out some. Just know you must respin with some added non-dairy milk or water 1 or 2 times.

Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes to Try

• Get my first Whole Food Plant-Based Ninja Creami e-Cookbook
• Order my newest WFPB Ninja Creami ebook2 here
• Ninja Creami Vegan Banana Split Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
• Creamsicle Vegan Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Smoothie Bowl
• Ninja Creami Vegan Blackberry Lemon Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Cherry Ice Cream
• Plant-Based Cantaloupe Ice Cream Recipe
• Ninja Creami Strawberry Sorbet
• Lemon Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt Recipe
• Blueberry Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream: Vegan Ninja Creami Recipe
• Healthy Ninja Creami Dole Whip Recipe
• Plant-based London Fog Ice Cream: A Healthy Ninja Creami Recipe
• Ninja Creami Creamiccino Recipe with Options for Other Models
• Ninja Creami: Review & Step-by-Step Instructions