This creamy lychee ice cream, made with just 4 ingredients using Ninja Creami, promises a delightful tropical twist in every scoop. Enjoy the exotic sweetness oflycheein this easy homemade treat!
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Lychee always brings back memories of a childhood favorite—buko (young coconut) lychee sorbet. When I stumbled upon a bag of lychees on sale at H-Mart, I couldn't resist recreating that nostalgic treat! Along with other favorites like Mango Ice Cream, Ube Ice Cream, Thai Tea Ice Cream, and Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream, this lychee flavor hits all the right notes for a refreshing and tropical twist.
My kids couldn't get enough of the lychees, but luckily, I saved a few to make a fresh batch of ice cream.
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Why You'll Love This
- Tropical Flavor Explosion: The lychee's juicy sweetness gives this ice cream a refreshing, exotic taste.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and the Ninja Creami, this recipe comes together quickly.
- Versatile: You can customize the sweetness and even add extra flavors like vanilla or coconut.
- Fun for the Family: The unique lychee flavor will be a hit with kids and adults alike!
What is Lychee?
Lychee (pronounced “lie-chee” or “lee-chee”) is a tropical fruit with a sweet, juicy flavor. It’s also called "litchi" in some regions, and its flesh is white and aromatic.
Lychees are about the size of a grape, with a rough, reddish outer shell. Once peeled, you’re left with a deliciously fragrant fruit that tastes like a cross between a grape and a pear. You can find lychees fresh, canned, or dried, perfect for snacking or dessert recipes.
What Does Lychee Taste Like?
Lychee tastes like a sweet blend of grapes and pears with a hint of floral aroma. Its juicy, translucent flesh offers a unique, refreshing flavor that's both exotic and mildly fragrant. Perfectly balanced between sweetness and tartness, lychee is a delightful tropical fruit that's hard to resist.
Lychee Benefits
Lychees aren’t just tasty—they’re packed with Vitamin C, which is great for boosting your immune system. These little fruits are also loaded with antioxidants, so they’re not only sweet but also super healthy. Plus, eating lychees always reminds me of a mini tropical vacation!
Ingredients
- Lychee fruits: Fresh or canned, peeled, and seeds removed for a sweet, tropical base.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds creaminess and just the right amount of sweetness.
- Unsweetened soy milk: A light, dairy-free alternative that keeps the ice cream smooth.
- Agave syrup: A natural sweetener to balance out the flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Addition
- Lychee: Use fresh peeled lychee or canned lychee in syrup.
- Milk: Swap soy milk for almond, coconut, or regular whole milk.
- Sweetener: Use any sweetener you like, such as honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit.
How to Make Lychee Ice Cream in Ninja Creami
- In a blender, combine lychee fruit, condensed milk and soy milk. Blend until smooth. Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line.
- Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours. After freezing, remove the pint container from the freezer and place it into the Ninja Creami machine. Attach the pint holder lid and lock it into place. Select the "Lite Ice Cream" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture.
- Scoop the lychee ice cream into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such toasted shredded coconut flakes. (If the mixture is crumbly after the first spin, select the "Respin" function and process again until you achieve a creamy consistency. I did not have to respin on this recipe)
Topping Suggestion
- Shredded coconut: Adds a tropical crunch and complements the lychee flavor.
- Fresh mint: Brightens the flavors and adds a cool contrast to the sweetness.
- Chopped almonds: Adds a nice nutty texture to the creamy ice cream.
- Lychee chunks: Double up on the lychee for extra fruity goodness.
- Drizzle of honey: A simple, sweet finishing touch.
Equipment Used
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The star of the show, perfect for creating creamy, smooth ice cream.
- Blender: To blend the lychee and ingredients into a silky base.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your ice cream mix.
Recipe FAQ
To keep your lychees fresh, store them in the fridge in a breathable bag or container. If you’ve got a lot of lychees, you can freeze them whole, with the peel on, for longer storage. Just make sure to peel them before eating because frozen lychee skins are tough to crack!
A fresh lychee has a reddish or pinkish outer shell, but if it’s brown and mushy, it’s probably past its prime. If the fruit inside is overly soft or has a sour smell, it’s time to toss it out.
Lychee and rambutan are both tropical fruits, but lychee has a smooth, slightly rough skin, while rambutan has hair-like spikes. Rambutan is also a bit sweeter, while lychee is more floral and fragrant.
You can find fresh lychees at Asian markets like H-Mart or 99 Ranch, especially during peak season. Canned lychees are available year-round in the canned fruit section of most grocery stores or online.
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Ninja Creami Lychee Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- 1 Blender
- 1 Ninja Creami Container Pint
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lychee Fruit peeled and seeds removed
- ¼ cup Condensed Milk
- 1 cup Milk: I used soy milk Any type of milk or milk alternative can be used, such as oat milk, or cow's milk, depending on your dietary preferences.
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup Any sweetener of you choice such as honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, monk fruit or regular sugar.
Instructions
- In a blender, combine lychee fruit, condensed milk and soy milk. Blend until smooth. Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, making sure it does not exceed the max fill line.
- Place the pint container in the freezer and freeze for at least 18-24 hours. After freezing, remove the pint container from the freezer and place it into the Ninja Creami machine. Attach the pint holder lid and lock it into place. Select the "Lite Ice Cream" setting and let the Ninja Creami process the mixture.
- Scoop the lychee ice cream into bowls and top with your favorite toppings, such toasted shredded coconut flakes.
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Notes
- When using fresh lychee, be sure to remove any dark brown bits of the seed that might cling to the flesh.
- If you want a chunkier mix-ins, you can mix them by hand.
- If the mixture is crumbly after the first spin, select the "Respin" function and process again until you achieve a creamy consistency.
- The calorie count provided is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used.
