This homemade Creami Pistachio Ice Cream made with the Ninja Creami is irresistibly creamy, nutty, and packed with real roasted pistachios. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you'll have a rich, flavorful treat perfect for any time of the year.
Another shopping trip at Costco led me to a big bag of pistachios -perfect for snacking, but even better for ice cream! I've been dreaming of making this ice cream with pistachio spread, but I haven't seen it anywhere nearby. So, why not use the real thing? Pistachios offer an authentic, nutty flavor that's even better than pudding mix or artificial extracts. Inspired by my favorite creations like peanut butter ice cream and red bean ice cream, I knew Ninja Creami pistachio ice cream was next.
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Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Real Pistachios vs. Pistachio Pudding Mix
- What is Pistachio?
- Ingredients
- Substitution and Additions
- How To Make Pistachio Ice Cream
- Mix-in or Topping Suggestion
- Variations
- Equipment Used
- Ninja CREAMI FAQs
- More Nutty Ninja Creami Recipes
- Did you try this recipe?
- Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Uses real pistachios for a naturally rich, nutty flavor.
- Super easy to make with the Ninja Creami in just a few simple steps.
- Creamy and indulgent, but can be adjusted for lower sugar or higher protein.
- Great for summer days, special occasions, or just a fun weeknight dessert.
- Perfect base to get creative with mix-ins or toppings.
Real Pistachios vs. Pistachio Pudding Mix
You might wonder why this recipe uses real pistachios instead of the easier instant pistachio pudding mix. Here's the difference:
Pistachio Pudding Mix:
- Contains almond extract (not real pistachio flavor!)
- Quick and budget-friendly
- Bright green color from food coloring
- Good for a fast weeknight treat
Real Roasted Pistachios (This Recipe):
- Authentic, nutty pistachio flavor
- Natural pale green color
- More gourmet and impressive
- Worth the extra effort for true pistachio lovers
Think of pudding mix as the shortcut version, and this recipe as the gourmet, restaurant-quality version. If you prefer the pudding mix method, check the FAQ section below for instructions.
What is Pistachio?
Pistachio (pronounced puh-sta-shee-oh) is a nut native to the Middle East and Central Asia. It's known for its unique flavor and vibrant green hue.
Pistachios have become incredibly popular in desserts, especially ice cream, for their rich, nutty flavor. You can even find pistachio spread, though using real pistachios gives a more authentic taste.
Ingredients
Here's what you'll need:
- Pistachio nuts – The star of the show! Toasted pistachios bring out a deeper flavor.
- Cottage cheese – This adds creaminess without overwhelming the flavor, blending perfectly with the pistachios.
- Half and half – Provides the rich, creamy base for your ice cream.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Adds sweetness and ensures smooth texture.
- Vanilla extract – A hint of vanilla brings out the best in pistachios.
- Green Food Color (optional) - Real pistachios create a natural pale green color. Add food coloring if you prefer a brighter hue like store-bought versions.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Pistachio cream or pistachio butter can replace whole pistachios (use ⅓ cup pistachio cream instead of ¾ cup nuts).
- Almonds or cashews can replace pistachios for a different nutty flavor.
- Swap Greek yogurt for cottage cheese to give it a tangy twist and even more protein.
- Try almond extract instead of vanilla for a more intense nutty flavor (use sparingly - ¼ teaspoon is enough).
How To Make Pistachio Ice Cream
- Using a food processor or blender, finely chop pistachios.
- Add the rest of the ingredient - cottage cheese, half and half, condensed milk, and vanilla extract into the blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami Pint Container and freeze for 24 hours.
- After freezing, place the container into your Ninja Creami and run the ice cream function.
Mix-in or Topping Suggestion
- Chopped pistachios – Adds extra crunch and nutty flavor.
- White chocolate chips – Sweet and creamy, they complement the nuttiness.
- Honey drizzle – A light touch of honey enhances the natural flavors.
- Crushed biscotti – Adds texture and a sweet, cookie-like crunch.
- Dried cranberries – For a sweet-tart burst of flavor.
- Dark chocolate chunks – Rich chocolate pairs beautifully with pistachio.
Variations
- Pistachio Chocolate Chip Ice Cream – Stir in chocolate chips for a sweet, nutty combo.
- Pistachio Almond Ice Cream – Mix in toasted almonds for double the nutty goodness.
- Salted Pistachio caramel – Add a swirl of caramel and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Vegan pistachio ice cream – Replace dairy ingredients with coconut milk and cashew milk.
- Pistachio Cardamom – Add ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom for Middle Eastern-inspired flavor.
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 pistachio and ingredients into a silky base.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your pistachio ice cream mix.
Ninja CREAMI FAQs
Yes! For a quicker, budget-friendly version, use 1 box (3.4 oz) instant pistachio pudding mix + 1½ cups milk + ½ cup heavy cream. Whisk together, freeze for 24 hours, and spin as directed. Note that pudding mix uses almond extract (not real pistachio), so the flavor will be different. This recipe uses real roasted pistachios for authentic pistachio taste.
Real pistachios create a natural, pale green color. Store-bought pistachio ice cream often uses artificial food coloring to achieve that bright green hue. If you prefer a brighter color, you can add 1-2 drops of green food coloring to your mixture before freezing.
Roasted pistachios have a deeper, more developed flavor. If you only have raw pistachios, lightly toast them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes before blending to enhance the nutty taste. Let them cool completely before processing.
Substitute the ¾ cup whole pistachios with ⅓ cup pistachio cream or pistachio butter. The ice cream will be slightly sweeter and richer. You may want to reduce the condensed milk slightly to balance the sweetness.
Yes! Replace the half and half with full-fat coconut milk or oat cream, and use dairy-free condensed milk (or blend coconut cream with a sweetener). Swap the cottage cheese for dairy-free yogurt or silken tofu for creaminess.
More Nutty Ninja Creami Recipes
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Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- 1 Blender I used Vitamix
- 1 Ninja Container 24 oz
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pistachio nuts or pistachio cream
- 1½ cups Half and Half
- ½ cup lowfat cottage cheese
- ½ cup condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Blend the pistachios, cottage cheese, half and half, condensed milk, and vanilla extract in a blender until smooth.¾ cup pistachio nuts, 1½ cups Half and Half, ½ cup lowfat cottage cheese, ½ cup condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami Pint Container and freeze for 24 hours.
- After freezing, place the container into your Ninja Creami and run the ice cream function. Enjoy your perfectly creamy pistachio ice cream!
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Notes
- Before freezing, you can either blend or chop pistachios roughly or finely. Avoid using whole pistachios to prevent damaging the Ninja Creami blade.
- If using the mix-in function, dig deep into the center to ensure the mix-in reaches the bottom of the ice cream.
- After freezing, smooth out the top before storing. If necessary, let it sit on the counter for a short time or reprocess before enjoying again.
Joyce says
OMG! This looks AMAZING. Pistachio ice cream is one of my absolute favorites! I might need to buy a Ninja Creami now... 😋
Rose Sioson says
Thanks Joyce! Yes! You wont regret it!!!