Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream Recipe

This homemade Pistachio Ice Cream made with the Ninja Creami is irresistibly creamy, nutty, and packed with real pistachios. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have a rich, flavorful treat perfect for any time of the year.

A bowl of pistachio ice cream, garnished with crushed pistachios, showcasing its creamy green color and rich texture.

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Another shopping trip at Costco led me to a big bag of pistachios—perfect for snacking, but even better for ice cream! Inspired by my favorite creations like cookies and cream ice cream, biscoff ice cream, S'mores ice cream, cookie monster and peanut butter ice cream, I knew pistachio ice cream was next.

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 the spread.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
What is Pistachio?
Ingredients
Substitution and Additions
How To Make Pistachio Ice Cream?
Mix-in or Topping Suggestion
💪🏼Make It High Protein
👍🏼Make It Less Sugar
Variations
Equipment Used
Ninja CREAMI FAQs
🍨 More Ninja CREAMi Recipes
Recipe Card
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.

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.

A bag of roasted and salted pistachios, featuring a clear window to showcase the crunchy, green nuts inside.

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)

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitution and Additions

Almonds or cashews can replace pistachios for a different nutty flavor.
Swap Greek yogurt for cottage cheese to give it a tangy twist.
Try almond extract instead of vanilla for a more intense nutty flavor.

How To Make Pistachio Ice Cream?

Finely chopped pistachios inside a blender, ready to be mixed into the ice cream base.

Using a food processor or blender, finely chop pistachios.

Pistachio ice cream mixture in a container, smooth and ready for freezing.

Add the rest of the ingredient - cottage cheese, half and half, condensed milk, and vanilla extract into the blender and blend until smooth.

Pistachio ice cream frozen solid in a container, ready to be churned or scooped.

Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami Pint Container and freeze for 24 hours.

Creamy pistachio ice cream in a container after spinning, with a smooth texture and vibrant green color.

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.

💪🏼Make It High Protein

Add unflavored protein powder to the mix for a protein boost.
Swap cottage cheese for Greek yogurt, which has more protein.
Use protein-rich milk (like Fairlife) instead of regular half and half.

👍🏼Make It Less Sugar

Use sugar-free condensed milk or make your own version with a sugar substitute.
Replace condensed milk with unsweetened coconut milk for a lower-sugar option.
Use a sugar alternative like monk fruit or stevia instead of sugar in the mix.

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.

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

Why is my Ninja Creami not creamy?

If your ice cream is crumbly, rerun the re-spin or mix-in function to achieve a smoother texture. Also, ensure your mixture is frozen for the full 24 hours.

Why isn't pistachio ice cream green anymore?

Many pistachio ice creams no longer use artificial coloring, resulting in a more natural, pale hue from the real nuts.

🍨 More Ninja CREAMi Recipes

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