This chocolate hazelnut Ninja Creami ice cream is thick and smooth with a rich hazelnut and chocolate flavor. It's made with dry roasted hazelnuts, almond milk and cocoa powder and sweetened with maple syrup. This Ninja Creami recipe is dairy free, paleo and refined sugar free.
I'm here with another Ninja Creami recipe, as homemade ice cream has become a weekly (sometimes daily) treat for my family. This particular recipe was a huge hit with my boys. They must love chocolate and hazelnut as much as their mother 😉
This chocolate hazelnut ice cream has a base made with almond milk and coconut cream. It's flavored with dry roasted hazelnuts, cocoa powder and maple syrup. I added collagen peptides to make the ice cream creamy, but you can swap it with protein powder or leave it out all together.
Like all of my recipes, this ice cream is dairy free, refined sugar free and paleo friendly!
Why You'll Love this Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Crem
- dairy free and paleo - made with almond milk and coconut cream
- refined sugar free - sweetened with maple syrup
- made with real hazelnuts - whole hazelnuts are blended in a blender, along with the other ice cream ingredients.
- no cream cheese or pudding - this recipe does not use cream cheese or pudding, but still has a thick, creamy texture.
Ingredients
The full recipe for this chocolate hazelnut ice cream can be found in the recipe card below, but here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need:
- almond milk - the base of this ice cream is made with almond milk, but you can swap this for any other milk of choice.
- coconut cream - you'll need just the thick white cream from a can of full fat coconut milk. The coconut cream creates a creamier, thicker texture. If you need to leave this ingredient out, you can, but it will change the texture.
- maple syrup - to sweeten the ice cream. This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, but you can add 1-2 tablespoons more if you want a sweeter flavor.
- vanilla extract - just a little for added flavor.
- hazelnuts - I recommend using dry roasted hazelnuts, as I feel that they have more flavor than raw ones. However, you can use raw or roast your own.
- collagen peptides - added for a creamier texture. The best swap is an animal based protein powder like a beef protein isolate.
- cocoa powder - or cacao powder.
- salt - brings out more flavor.
How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream in a Ninja Creami
This ice cream is made in a Ninja Creami machine. The ingredients are blended, frozen in a Creami pint and then blended in the Creami machine. Here are the steps:
- Place all ice cream ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint. Place the lid on top and freeze on a level surface.
- Once fully frozen, remove the lid and level the top of your ice cream using a metal spoon.
- Place the pint in your Creami machine and blend on "Lite Ice Cream".
- If needed, blend again on the "Re-Spin" setting, until you get your desired texture.
Tips and Tricks
- Don't fill above the max fill line: make sure not to overfill the container, as the ice cream expands when it's blended. You shouldn't have any issues if following this recipe exactly.
- Fully freeze: You want your pint to be fully frozen for the best texture.
- Level: Before blending, make sure the top of the frozen ice cream is level. You can use a spoon to scrape off the hump and smooth the top.
- Re-spins: If your ice cream isn’t smooth and creamy, re-spin the pint until you get your desired consistency.
Storage
Store leftovers in the creami pint, with the lid on top. Be sure to level off the ice cream before freezing so that you can re-spin it for next time.
FAQ
I recommend using either collagen or protein powder in this recipe because they give the ice cream a creamier texture.
No, but it does help with the texture of the ice cream. If you don't want to use coconut cream, then swap it for more almond milk (or milk of choice).
More Recipes You'll Love
Looking for more dairy free Ninja Creami recipes? Try these:
Chocolate Hazelnut Ninja Creami (Dairy Free)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 pint 1x
Description
Rich and creamy chocolate hazelnut ice cream made in the Ninja Creami.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup coconut cream*
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup dry roasted hazelnuts
- ¼ cup collagen peptides
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender. Blend, starting at a low speed and then gradually increasing the speed until your mixture is smooth.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into your Ninja Creami pint.
- Place the lid on the Creami pint and set it in the freezer for 24 hours.
- Remove the pint from the freezer. If there's a hump in the middle of the pint, level it off with a spoon.
- Plug in the Ninja Creami. Place the pint in the outer bowl and lock the lid, then place the bowl on the motor base and twist into position.
- Turn on the Creami and select "Lite Ice Cream".
- If your ice cream isn't creamy enough, place it back in the Creami machine and blend again on "Re-spin".
- Store leftovers in the Creami pint, with the lid on top. Be sure to level off the ice cream before freezing so that you can re-spin it for next time.
Notes
*Just the thick white cream from a can of full fat coconut milk or coconut cream.
Katie
My boys adore this hazelnut ice cream recipe. Hope you all love it too!