This super creamy Ninja Creami Maple Walnut Ice Cream is full of rich maple flavor, crunchy toasted walnuts, and just the right sweetness! It rivals any premium store-bought brand, has no preservatives, and will remind you of the classic ice cream shop flavor you grew up with. This just might be your new favorite frozen dessert!
If you love this recipe, try my Ninja Creami Coffee Ice Cream, Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, and Ninja Creami Mango Ice Cream next!
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This Ninja Creami maple walnut ice cream is one of my favorite frozen treats to make. It's creamy, scoopable, and has that nostalgic flavor that we all love. Even though I've tested dozens of Creami recipes, this one is always a regular in my freezer.
I've tested this recipe with Fairlife 2% milk, Fairlife 3%, and whole milk. All make a deliciously creamy base when combined with cream and maple syrup. I also toast the walnuts because it brings out their nutty flavor and keeps them crunchy in the ice cream.
Looking for more easy Ninja Creami recipes? Try my Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream, Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream, Ninja Creami Coconut Ice Cream, and Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Chip next!
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Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Maple Walnut Ice Cream
- Classic flavor - Sweet maple ice cream with crunchy walnuts is a timeless favorite, but tastes fresher and better than store-bought.
- Simple ingredients - Just milk, cream, maple syrup, vanilla, and walnuts. No preservatives, no junk.
- Ultra-creamy texture - The Ninja Creami churns it into silky, scoopable ice cream every time.
- Customizable - Swap walnuts for pecans, add chocolate chips, or drizzle with extra maple syrup.
Recipe Ingredients
- Milk - I used Fairlife 2% milk, but whole milk also works.
- Heavy cream - For richness and that premium ice cream texture.
- Maple syrup - Pure maple syrup adds natural sweetness and flavor.
- Vanilla extract - Enhances the maple flavor.
- Maple extract (optional) - Boosts the maple flavor if you want it bolder.
- Walnuts - Toasted for nutty crunch.
Full amounts are in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Ninja Creami Maple Walnut Ice Cream
Step 1: Toast the walnuts
Chop the walnuts into smaller pieces. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350℉ for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant. Let them cool completely before adding to the ice cream.
Step 2: Prepare the ice cream base
In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together the milk (1¼ cups), heavy cream (½ cup), maple syrup (⅓ cup), vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), and maple extract (½ teaspoon, optional). Stir until everything is smooth and combined.
Step 3: Fill and freeze the pint
Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container. Do not go past the MAX FILL line. Snap the lid on tightly and place the pint on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze for at least 24 hours.
Step 4: First spin in the Ninja Creami
Remove the frozen pint from the freezer and take off the lid. Insert the pint into the outer bowl of your Ninja Creami, secure the outer bowl lid assembly, and lock it into the machine. Select the 'Ice Cream' function for the first spin.
Step 5: Re-spin for smoothness
After the first spin, the ice cream may look powdery or crumbly. This is completely normal! Use a spoon to make a small well in the center of the pint and add 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Place the pint back into the Ninja Creami machine and run the 'Re-Spin' cycle.
Step 6: Add walnuts
Make another well in the center of the ice cream and add ¼ cup of chopped walnuts. Secure the lid and run the 'Mix-In' function to fold them evenly throughout the ice cream.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy!
Scoop the ice cream into bowls and sprinkle with extra toasted walnuts. For even more maple flavor, drizzle a little pure maple syrup on top before serving. Enjoy!
Variations
Nut-Free Maple Ice Cream: Skip the walnuts completely, or add 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips as a mix-in after the respin.
Maple Pecan Ice Cream: Replace the walnuts with ⅓ cup toasted pecans.
Extra Maple Flavor: Use both pure maple syrup and 1 teaspoon of maple extract in the base for a stronger maple taste.
High-Protein Maple Ice Cream: Add 2 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder to the liquid ingredients before freezing for a protein-packed version.
Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk or almond milk and unsweetened coconut cream instead of regular milk and heavy cream.
Ninja Creami Machine
The One I Use
Click below on the affiliate link to get the same Ninja Creami machine I use and love.
Storing and Serving Tips
How to Store Homemade Maple Walnut Ice Cream
Store any leftover maple walnut ice cream in the original Ninja Creami pint with the lid secured tightly. Return it to the freezer right away and keep it stored for up to 2 weeks.
How to Serve After Freeze Storage
When you're ready to enjoy it again, let the pint sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. Then process the pint using the Re-spin function to restore that creamy, just-made texture.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, the syrup alone gives plenty of maple flavor. The extract just intensifies it.
No, but toasting makes them more flavorful.
Maple syrup is best here, but honey or brown sugar will work if you use maple extract.
You can use Fairlife 1% milk, but the ice cream will be less creamy. Stick with at least 2% for the best results.
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Printable Recipe
Ninja Creami Maple Walnut Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1¼ cups Fairlife 2% or 3% milk (or regular whole milk)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon maple extract (optional, for stronger maple flavor)
- ⅓ cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
Optional Add-ins or Toppings
- ¼ cup extra toasted walnuts
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Chop the walnuts into small pieces and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, or in the oven at 350℉ for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool, then store in an airtight container until ready to use.
- Add the milk (1 ¼ cups), heavy cream (½ cup), maple syrup (⅓ cup), vanilla extract (1 teaspoon), and maple extract (½ teaspoon, optional) directly into your Ninja Creami pint container. Whisk the mixture right in the pint until smooth and combined. Make sure the liquid does not go past the MAX FILL line.
- Secure the lid tightly on the pint jar. Place the pint on a level surface in your freezer and freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Remove the pint from the freezer and remove the lid. Insert the pint into the outer bowl of your Ninja Creami, secure the lid assembly, and lock it into the machine according to the manufacturer's instructions. Select the 'ICE CREAM' function for the first spin and let it process.
- After the first spin, your ice cream may look crumbly or powdery. This is completely normal! Use a spoon to make a small well in the center of the pint and pour in 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Secure the lid assembly again and process using the 'RE-SPIN' function.
- Make another well in the ice cream and add ¼ cup of the toasted walnuts, saving a few for garnish. Secure the lid and run the 'MIX-IN' function to fold them evenly throughout.
- Use an ice cream scoop or spoon to scoop your maple walnut ice cream into bowls and serve immediately. Top with extra toasted walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired. Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Terrell says
This is my wife and I’s favorite ice cream we’ve made in our cream so far. There’s just something about the cold creamy maple with the walnuts. Making some again right now 🙂
Jeri Walker says
I'm so glad you and your wife like it Terrell! It's definitely one of our favorites too! 😀