Sweet, creamy, and then BAM. A warm, spicy kick that sneaks up on you and keeps you coming back for another scoop.
This Ninja Creami Hot Honey Ice Cream is inspired by the trendy flavors from Van Leeuwen and Cold Stone Creamery, but made at home with simple ingredients and no fancy equipment beyond your trusty Creami. It's the perfect balance of rich dairy, golden honey sweetness, and that signature slow-building chili heat.
I'll be honest. I bought a bottle of Trader Joe's Hot Honey for a holiday brie recipe, then kept finding excuses to drizzle it on everything: avocado toast, pizza, fried chicken. And since I turn almost everything in my kitchen into ice cream, this was inevitable.
The result? A creamy, cottage-cheese-based ice cream with a caramelized honey sweetness that gives way to a gentle chili warmth.
If you love unique flavor combinations, you'll also want to try my Lavender Honey Ice Cream and Cinnamon Churro Ice Cream.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Hot Honey Ice Cream
- What is Hot Honey Ice Cream?
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitution and Additions
- How to Make Hot Honey Ice Cream
- 🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- 🌟Flavor Variations to Try
- 🥄What Goes Well with Hot Honey Ice Cream?
- How to Store Leftovers
- 👪Serving Size
- 🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Tips for Success
- Recipe FAQs
- More Classic Ice Cream
- Fun Flavors To Try
- Did you try this recipe?
- Ninja Creami Hot Honey Ice Cream
Why You'll Love This Hot Honey Ice Cream
- Sweet-heat combo - That trending "swicy" flavor everyone's obsessed with.
- Real hot honey - No fake flavoring, just quality hot honey in every scoop.
- Cottage cheese base - Ultra creamy texture with a protein boost.
- No pudding mix or gums - Just simple, real ingredients.
- Perfect for Valentine's Day - Sweet, spicy, and fun. Just like love should be!
- Amazing pairings - Goes with everything from fried chicken to brownies.
- Cheaper than the brands - Van Leeuwen and Cold Stone charge a premium for this flavor.
What is Hot Honey Ice Cream?
Hot honey ice cream is sweet, creamy, and slightly spicy.
The base is smooth and rich, with hot honey adding warmth.
It’s the perfect mix of dessert and adventure!
Each bite is unexpected yet addictive, making you want more.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Half-and-Half – Makes the ice cream rich and creamy.
- Hot Honey – Adds sweet heat and caramelized depth. I used Trader Joe's Spicy Honey Sauce
- 2% Milkfat Cottage Cheese – Gives a protein boost and smooth texture.
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste – Enhances the overall flavor.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Swap Cottage Cheese for Greek Yogurt – Similar protein boost, different tangy flavor.
- Use Heavy Cream Instead of Half-and-Half – For an extra rich texture.
- Add a Dash of Cinnamon – Enhances the warmth of the hot honey.
- Substitute Hot Honey with Maple Syrup & Chili Flakes – A DIY spicy-sweet twist.
How to Make Hot Honey Ice Cream
- Blend the ingredients: In a blender, combine half-and-half, hot honey, cottage cheese, vanilla, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Freeze: Pour the mixture into a Ninja CREAMi pint container. Freeze for 12-24 hours.
- Spin in Ninja CREAMi: Insert the pint into the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe and select the “Ice Cream” setting.
- Re-spin if needed: If the texture is crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon of milk and re-spin until creamy.
- Enjoy! Serve plain or with fun toppings!
🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Amp up the heat!
- Candied Pecans – A crunchy, caramelized topping.
- Dark Chocolate Chunks – Sweet and slightly bitter contrast.
- Sea Salt Flakes – Enhances the hot honey flavor.
- Chili Powder Dusting – For a smoky depth of spice.
- Crushed Biscotti – Adds crunch and complements the honey.
- Caramel Drizzle – Extra indulgence!
🌟Flavor Variations to Try
- Honey Lavender – Add dried lavender for a floral touch.
- Chili Chocolate Honey – Mix in cocoa powder and extra chili.
- Hot Honey & Cinnamon Swirl – Swirl in cinnamon sugar.
- Spicy Peanut Butter Honey – Add peanut butter for a nutty kick.
- Maple Hot Honey – Replace honey with maple syrup.
- Lemon Honey Spice – Add a touch of lemon zest.
- Chai Honey – Infuse with chai spices like cardamom and cloves.
- Hot Honey Espresso – A coffee-infused twist!
🥄What Goes Well with Hot Honey Ice Cream?
- Warm Apple Pie – A spicy-sweet contrast.
- Fried Chicken – Southern-style sweet heat pairing.
- Grilled Peaches – Smoky and caramelized goodness.
- Buttermilk Waffles – Perfect sweet-savory breakfast treat.
- Dark Chocolate Brownies – Deep, rich flavors complement the spice.
- Spicy Candied Bacon – Sweet, smoky, and slightly salty.
- Chili-Spiced Nuts – Extra crunch and heat.
- Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies – Buttery balance to the spice.
How to Store Leftovers
Store in a Ninja CREAMi pint container and freeze.
Tip: Flatten the top so when you re-spin, the Ninja CREAMi blade won’t get damaged. Re-spin as needed before serving.
👪Serving Size
This recipe makes 4 servings using the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe.
🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Blender: For blending the ingredients before freezing.
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The key to a perfect texture.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: For easy freezing and storage.
Tips for Success
- If too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon of milk and re-spin.
- Use high-quality hot honey for the best flavor.
- Let the pint sit at room temp for 5 minutes before spinning.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! It adds a sweet heat that makes every bite exciting.
Overheating honey can destroy beneficial enzymes and alter flavor.
Everything from pizza to fried chicken, biscuits, and even salads!
It’s popular in Southern cuisine, but it’s now loved worldwide!
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it lasts months!
More Classic Ice Cream
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Fun Flavors To Try
Did you try this recipe?
Share how it turned out in the comments below, and if you loved it, share it on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram.
Thank you! - Rose
Ninja Creami Hot Honey Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream maker
- 24 oz Ninja Creami Container Pint
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1¾ cup Half-and-Half
- ¼ cup Hot Honey
- ½ cup Cottage Cheese
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract or vanilla bean paste
- Pinch Salt
Instructions
- Blend the ingredients: In a blender, combine half-and-half, hot honey, cottage cheese, vanilla, and salt. Blend until smooth.
- Freeze: Pour the mixture into a Ninja CREAMi pint container. Freeze for 12-24 hours.
- Spin in Ninja CREAMi: Insert the pint into the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe and select the “Ice Cream” setting.
- Re-spin if needed: If the texture is crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon of milk and re-spin until creamy.
- Enjoy! Serve plain or with fun toppings!
Notes
- If too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon of milk and re-spin.
- Use high-quality hot honey for the best flavor.
- Let the pint sit at room temp for 5 minutes before spinning.
Rose says
Sweet, spicy, and totally addictive! The hot honey adds such a fun kick, and it’s a unique flavor combo I’ll definitely make again. I hope you all enjoy it just as much. Let me know if you try it!