Craving the refreshing deliciousness of cookies and cream ice cream? Forget the store-bought stuff! This recipe uses a secret ingredient (kefir 🤫) and the magic of the Ninja Creami (regular or Swirl!) to create the most unbelievably smooth and flavorful homemade ice cream you've ever tasted. It's so easy with only 20 minutes of prep work!
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I'd been debating getting a Ninja Creami for months, and I finally got one! My friends at Lifeway Foods sponsored this kefir ice cream recipe using my new Ninja Creami Swirl.
Once it arrived, I asked my Instagram followers what kind of ice cream recipes they'd like to see, and cookies and cream was a popular request!
Let me tell you, the Creami has completely changed my ice cream game!
I've had my KitchenAid ice cream maker for years (it's what I used for my peach kefir ice cream!), but the Creami is so much faster and takes up less space in my apartment's small freezer! I'll definitely be getting more use out of this one.
I love snacking on ice cream after dinner, and this Cookies and Cream Kefir Ice Cream is a nice healthier option! It's incredibly simple to make, and the kefir adds a tang that gets better with every bite 😋
Jump to:
What is Kefir?
If you're not familiar with kefir, it's a fermented milk drink that's packed with probiotics and mostly lactose-free. It adds an amazing creaminess and a nice tang to the ice cream. Plus, it's super easy to find in most grocery stores!
Kefir makes a great buttermilk substitute in baked goods (try it in these fluffy pancakes & chocolate muffins!). I also use it in my protein fruit smoothie for lunch every day!
Lifeway is my go-to kefir brand. They have a variety of flavors to choose from, and they're based around Chicago!
🌟 Fun Fact
My banana berry protein smoothie can be turned into ice cream with the Ninja Creami, too, and it's so smooth and delicious!!
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make this kefir ice cream:
- Lifeway Organic Plain Kefir gives this recipe more probiotics and less lactose than regular ice cream. Use lowfat or whole fat - either works!
- Milk is used to reduce the tang of the kefir. I recommend 2% or whole milk.
- Vanilla extract is optional if you want to give it a little bit of that warm flavor.
- Honey is a must to balance out the kefir's tang.
- Oreo cookies are mixed in for that classic cookies and cream flavor!
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Tips & Variations
- Sweetness: I like mine lightly sweet, so I only use a few tablespoons of honey. Feel free to add more or less to your liking. You can also substitute the honey with maple syrup, agave, or date syrup.
- Mix-Ins: While Oreos are classic, you can experiment with other cookies or mix-ins like chocolate chips, cookie dough pieces, or even a swirl of fudge!
- Prevent Iciness: If your mixture is super frozen, run the sides of the pint under warm water before taking the lid off and placing it into the outer bowl. This helps prevent icy buildup on the sides of the container.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer, but it's best enjoyed fresh! You may need to re-spin it in the Ninja Creami.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Ninja Creami Parts
There are a lot of parts that come with the Ninja Creami, so I hope this labeled photo helps as you go through the instructions! All parts are easy to use, clean, and assemble.
How to Make Ice Cream with a Ninja Creami
Mix the Ingredients
Combine the kefir, milk, vanilla extract, and honey in a container that can be tightly sealed with a lid (I use my BlenderBottle). Shake it up really well!
Freeze the Mix
Pour the mixture into a Creami pint, place the lid on top, and freeze for at least 8 hours.
"Ice Cream"
Remove the lid and then place the frozen pint into the outer bowl. Make sure the lid has the paddle attached, and then secure it on top!
Get it Creamy
Use the "Ice Cream" setting to mix it initially. You'll likely need to "Re-spin" once or twice after that until it looks mostly creamy.
"Mix-In"
Crush Oreos into the ice cream. I recommend stirring it around & scraping the sides of the pint. Place the outer bowl's lid back on and use the "Mix-In" setting. You may need to give it a stir and "Mix-In" one more time.
No Swirl?
If you're using the regular Ninja Creami, stop here and enjoy your cookies & cream kefir ice cream! If you have the Ninja Creami Swirl, continue to step 6.
Get Ready to Swirl
Take the pint out of the outer bowl and secure the Dispense Lid. Place it into the Swirl part and twist the pint bottom to "open". Don't forget to add the drip tray on the bottom!
Swirl!
Hold a cup or ice cream cone under the swirl opening and pull down on the lever to extract the ice cream!
FAQ
If you prefer less tang, try swapping the amounts of kefir and milk. If you don't have kefir, you can use all milk. In this case, I'd recommend whole milk - lower fat & alternative milks won't be as creamy.
I have not tested this recipe with any other ice cream makers. If you try something else, let us know how it turned out in the comments!
As an ice cream lover who is super indecisive and frugal, I sat on this thought for months. Now that I have one, I can confidently say it's worth it! I'm so impressed by how simple & quick it is to make the ice cream, and the parts are very easy to clean!
Did you try this recipe?
Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, & Pinterest!
Thank you!
-Kayla
📖 Recipe
Easy Cookies and Cream Kefir Ice Cream
Equipment
- Ninja Creami Swirl or regular Creami
Ingredients
- 1 cup Lifeway Organic Plain Kefir lowfat or whole
- ½ cup milk 2% or whole
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2-4 tablespoons honey more/less depending on your preferred sweetness
- 6 whole Oreo cookies crushed; add more if you prefer extra cookie flavor/texture
Instructions
Day 1: Prep the ice cream mixture
- Mix together the kefir, milk, vanilla extract, and honey really well. I add everything to my BlenderBottle and shake until combined.
- Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint, seal it with the lid, and freeze for at least 8 hours.
Day 2: Make the ice cream
- Optional but recommended: run the sides of the sealed Creami pint under hot water for 1-2 minutes. This is to prevent icy build-up in the ice cream.
- Remove the pint's lid and then place the pint into the outer bowl. Secure the outer bowl's lid with the paddle attached.
- Run the ice cream through the Ninja Creami's "Ice Cream" setting (~4 minutes).
- Remove the lid to check the ice cream's texture.If it looks more like shaved ice than ice cream, place the lid back on and run it through the Ninja Creami's "Re-Spin" setting.
- Once it looks like creamy ice cream, crush the Oreos into the ice cream (I like to give it a good mix with a spoon), secure the lid, and run it through the "Mix-In" setting.
- If you're using the regular Ninja Creami, stop here and enjoy!If you have the Ninja Creami Swirl, remove the pint from the outer bowl and attach the swirl lid. Continue with the next steps.
- Secure the pint into the Ninja Creami Swirl dispenser, twist the bottom to "Open", and place the drip tray on the bottom.
- Hold a cup, bowl, or ice cream cone under the dispenser and pull the lever down to swirl out the ice cream!
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