Creamy Ninja Creami Frozen Greek Yogurt

I’ve always loved Greek yogurt, but sometimes I want something a little more special than just a bowl with fruit and honey. That’s why I got so excited when I discovered I could make frozen Greek yogurt in my Ninja Creami. It’s like having my own frozen yogurt shop right in my kitchen, but without all the sugar and mystery ingredients.

The best part? It’s really simple to make. Just a few ingredients, and the Ninja Creami does most of the work. My kids think it’s pretty cool watching the machine turn regular yogurt into a creamy frozen treat. Plus, I can control exactly what goes into it, which makes this health-conscious mom pretty happy.

Whether you’re craving something cold and creamy for breakfast or looking for a better-for-you dessert option, this frozen Greek yogurt might become your new go-to treat. I love adding different toppings each time to keep things interesting – sometimes fresh berries, other times a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of granola.

What Kind of Greek Yogurt Should I Use?

For making frozen yogurt, stick with either 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt – the fat content really matters here. Skip the non-fat versions since they tend to get icy and won’t give you that creamy texture you’re after. Regular yogurt won’t work as well as Greek yogurt because it contains too much water and will form ice crystals when frozen. Most major brands like Fage, Chobani, or Oikos will work great, just make sure to check that you’re grabbing actual Greek yogurt and not Greek-style yogurt, which can be thinner and less strained. If you find your yogurt has separated in the container, just give it a good stir before measuring it out for your recipe.

Options for Substitutions

Making this frozen treat is pretty straightforward, but here are some helpful substitution tips:

• Greek yogurt: The thick, creamy texture of Greek yogurt is key here, but you can try regular strained yogurt (strain overnight in cheesecloth). Plant-based yogurts like coconut or almond won’t give you the same creamy results, but they’ll work if you’re dairy-free. Just make sure to use thick, unsweetened versions.
• Honey: Not a honey fan? Try maple syrup, agave nectar, or regular sugar instead. If using granulated sugar, warm it with a tiny bit of water first to help it dissolve completely. Start with the same amount and adjust to taste.
• Vanilla bean paste: Vanilla extract works perfectly fine here – use half the amount of paste called for. You could also scrape a real vanilla bean or skip the vanilla altogether and try other flavors like almond extract or different spices.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making frozen Greek yogurt in your Ninja Creami is using yogurt that’s too low in fat – stick to 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt, as fat-free versions will result in an icy, less creamy texture.

Temperature control is crucial – your mixture needs to freeze completely solid for at least 24 hours before processing, and if you see powdery snow-like texture after processing, simply re-spin the container to achieve that perfect smooth consistency.

Many people make the mistake of over-sweetening their mixture before freezing – remember that very cold temperatures dull our perception of sweetness, so taste your yogurt mixture at room temperature and make it slightly sweeter than you think it needs to be.

For the smoothest results, let your frozen container sit at room temperature for 1-2 minutes before processing, which helps the machine work more effectively with the frozen mixture.

What to Serve With Greek Yogurt Ice Cream?

This creamy frozen treat is super flexible when it comes to toppings and mix-ins! I love adding fresh berries or sliced peaches on top – the fruit’s natural tartness works really well with the tangy yogurt base. A drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of granola adds nice crunch and makes this frozen yogurt perfect for breakfast or dessert. For a dessert-style serving, try adding some dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a spoonful of warm fruit compote on top – the contrast between hot and cold is so good!

Storage Instructions

Keep Frozen: Your homemade Greek yogurt ice cream needs to stay in the freezer to maintain its creamy texture. Keep it in the Ninja CREAMi pint container with its lid on tight, or transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay good for up to 2 weeks in the freezer.

Soften: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen yogurt, let it sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes to soften slightly. If it’s too hard, you can always re-spin it in your Ninja CREAMi to bring back that perfectly smooth consistency.

Prevent Ice Crystals: To keep your frozen yogurt smooth and creamy, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before putting the lid on. This helps prevent those pesky ice crystals from forming on top. If you notice it getting icy after a few days, just re-spin it in your Ninja CREAMi!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	1440 minutes
Total Time	1450-1455 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 600-700
• Protein: 32-36 g
• Fat: 16-20 g
• Carbohydrates: 80-90 g

Ingredients

• 16 oz greek yogurt (2% fat, or whole milk version)
• 2-3 tablespoons honey (adjust to taste)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)

Step 1: Prepare the Yogurt Mixture

In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, honey, and vanilla bean paste.

Stir the ingredients together until they are well combined and have a smooth consistency.

Step 2: Freeze the Mixture

Pour the yogurt mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.

Secure the lid tightly and place the container in the freezer.

Allow it to freeze for at least 24 hours to ensure it firms up properly.

Step 3: Process in the Ninja Creami

After the freezing period, remove the frozen pint container from the freezer and place it in the Ninja Creami machine.

Select the “frozen yogurt” function and process the mixture until it reaches a creamy texture.

Step 4: Adjust Consistency if Needed

If the mixture appears crumbly after the first spin, re-spin the frozen yogurt.

You may need to repeat this a couple of times to achieve the perfect smooth and creamy consistency.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the yogurt reaches your desired consistency, scoop it into bowls.

Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade frozen yogurt.

Feel free to add toppings like fresh berries, nuts, or additional honey for extra flavor.