This Ninja Creami Chai Ice Cream has all the warm, sweet spice of your favorite chai latte, only frozen and ultra creamy. Made with just five simple ingredients, it's quick to prep and spins into a rich, smooth dessert with notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and clove in every creamy bite.
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If you love your Ninja Creami machine, try my Ninja Creami Pumpkin Ice Cream, Ninja Creami Eggnog Ice Cream, and Ninja Creami Hot Chocolate Ice Cream next!
I've always loved the warm, comforting spices of chai and usually keep chai concentrate on hand for homemade lattes. One day, with a little extra in the fridge, I decided to churn it into ice cream in my Ninja Creami, and it turned out even better than I expected.
I tested this recipe using both Tazo chai concentrate and my homemade version, and both produced a bold, well-balanced spice flavor after spinning.
Recipe at a Glance
- Makes: 1 pint for sharing or enjoying by yourself!
- Minimal Ingredients: 5 easy-to-find ingredients are all you need.
- Easy: Mix, freeze, churn, and serve.
- Texture: Thick, smooth, and perfectly scoopable, just like classic ice cream.
Jump to:
- Recipe at a Glance
- Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Chai Ice Cream
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Can I use chai tea instead of concentrate?
- How to Make Ninja Creami Chai Ice Cream
- Can I Make This in the Ninja Swirl?
- Substitutions and Variations
- Jeri's Top Tips
- Serving Suggestions
- How to Store Homemade Chai Ice Cream
- The One I Use
- Why is my Ninja Creami chai ice cream crumbly after the first spin?
- More Ninja Creami Recipes to Try
- Printable Recipe
- Comments
Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Chai Ice Cream
- Creamy texture without pudding mix.
- Real chai latte flavor.
- No-cook method.
- Works in both Ninja Creami and Swirl.
- Easily customizable.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Milk. Use whole milk for the richest flavor and creamiest consistency. For a protein boost, Fairlife 2% milk also works well. NOTE: Fairlife milk produces a creamier texture with less iciness due to its ultra-filtered protein content. If using Fairlife Whole (3.25%) milk, the ice cream often comes out smooth after the first spin, making the RE-SPIN unnecessary.
- Heavy Whipping Cream. Adds richness and creates a silkier consistency.
- Chai Concentrate. Used in most chai latte recipes, this creates the spiced flavor we want. I recommend Tazo chai concentrate, but any brand will work.
- Brown Sugar. Adjust the amount included, depending on your preferences and the sweetness of your concentrate. NOTE: Chai concentrates vary in sweetness. If your concentrate is quite sweet, reduce the brown sugar to ¼ cup.
- Vanilla Extract. Adds depth and enhances the flavor of the rest of the ingredients.
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Can I use chai tea instead of concentrate?
I find that chai concentrate gives the best results. However, you can use brewed chai tea instead of chai concentrate, but it needs to be strongly brewed so the flavor still comes through once frozen.
To substitute brewed chai tea:
- Brew 2-3 chai tea bags in ¾ cup hot milk instead of water.
- Let it steep for 5-10 minutes to create a stronger chai flavor.
- Cool completely before mixing it into the ice cream base.
NOTE: Because chai concentrate is usually sweetened, you may need to increase the amount of brown sugar. Also, keep in mind that ice cream made with brewed tea will have a lighter, more subtle spice flavor than versions made with chai concentrate.
How to Make Ninja Creami Chai Ice Cream
Mix the base. Add all the ingredients directly to a Ninja Creami pint container. TIP: Do not fill past the MAX FILL line! Use a whisk or electric milk frother to mix until the brown sugar is fully dissolved and the ingredients are well combined.
Freeze. Secure the lid, and freeze the pint on a level surface for 24 hours.
Spin. Take the lid off the pint, place the container into the outer bowl attachment of the Ninja Creami, attach the outer bowl lid, and lock it into the machine. Select the ICE CREAM function to spin the pint for the first cycle.
Re-spin. If the ice cream looks crumbly or powdery, make a small well in the center, and add 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Re-attach the lid, and use the RE-SPIN function to blend the ingredients again.
Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Can I Make This in the Ninja Swirl?
Absolutely! Use a Swirl container, top up to the MAX FILL line if needed, and process on SOFT SERVE Ice Cream or SCOOP Ice Cream. The extra milk and RE-SPIN step are usually not needed.
Substitutions and Variations
Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk.
Sweeteners: Substitute the brown sugar with coconut sugar for a more natural sweetener, or use a keto-friendly sweetener for a low-carb option.
Mix-Ins: Add chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, white chocolate chips, or caramel sauce.
Jeri's Top Tips
- Blend Thoroughly: Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved before freezing, or your chai ice cream may turn out grainy.
- Freeze Time: Freeze the ice cream mixture for at least 24 hours before spinning for the best consistency.
- Warm the Pint: If your freezer runs extremely cold, let the pint sit out for 1-2 minutes before spinning to avoid any icy chunks.
- Adjust the Settings: If using low-sugar sweeteners or dairy alternative milks, you may need to use the LITE ICE CREAM button to prevent an icy, sorbet-like consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Toppings: Serve your Ninja Creami chai ice cream topped with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg, or crumbled cookies. Or, enjoy it affogato-style by pouring a hot shot of espresso on top.
Pairings: Serve your ice cream alongside apple crisp, Easy Air Fryer Baked Apples, Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting, or spice cake for the ultimate fall-inspired dessert. You can also spoon it between snickerdoodles or oatmeal cookies for ice cream sandwiches, or scoop it into cones.
How to Store Homemade Chai Ice Cream
Store: Leftovers can be stored in the Ninja Creami pint container, with the top smoothed flat and the lid securely fastened, in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.
Re-churn: Let the ice cream sit at room temperature for a few minutes before churning it using the RE-SPIN button.
Ninja Creami Machine
The One I Use
Click below on the affiliate link to get the same Ninja Creami machine I use and love.
Why is my Ninja Creami chai ice cream crumbly after the first spin?
It's completely normal. High-protein milk and lower sugar content can cause a dry, crumbly texture after the first cycle. Simply add 1 tablespoon of milk or cream and use the RE-SPIN function.
More Ninja Creami Recipes to Try
- Ninja Creami Chocolate Ice Cream - Five ingredients and rich flavor.
- Ninja Creami Banana Ice Cream - Smooth, creamy, and naturally sweetened.
- Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream - No artificial flavoring and no pudding mix.
- Ninja Creami Apple Pie Ice Cream - The classic flavors of apple pie in a cold, refreshing treat.
- Ninja Creami Maple Walnut Ice Cream - Rich, nutty, maple flavor that rivals any store-bought brand.
➡️Click the link for more easy Ninja Creami Recipes
Printable Recipe
Ninja Creami Chai Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk (or Fairlife 2% or whole milk)
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup chai concentrate (such as Tazo)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar (reduce to ¼ cup if concentrate is quite sweet.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix the Base. Add 1 cup of milk, ½ cup of heavy cream, ¾ cup of chai concentrate, ⅓ cup of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract directly to a Ninja Creami pint container. Do not fill past the MAX FILL line. Whisk or use a milk frother until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Freeze. Secure the lid and place the pint on a level surface in the freezer. Freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Spin. Remove the lid and place the frozen pint into the outer bowl. Attach the outer bowl lid and lock it into the Ninja Creami machine. Select the ICE CREAM function and process.
- Re-Spin if Needed. If the texture looks crumbly or powdery, make a small well in the center and add 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Process using the RE-SPIN function until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
- Using Fairlife Milk: Fairlife often produces a smoother texture after the first spin and may not require a RE-SPIN.
- Freezer Runs Cold? Let the pint sit on the counter for 1-2 minutes before spinning.
- Sweeter or Less Sweet: Adjust brown sugar depending on the sweetness of your chai concentrate.
- Storage: Smooth the top flat, secure the lid, and store in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Re-spin before serving.
- Optional Mix-Ins: ¼ cup white chocolate chips, ¼ cup chopped pecans, 2 tablespoons caramel sauce, crushed graham crackers.
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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