If you love creamy, nutty, and rich ice cream, this homemade pistachio ice cream is for you! With simple ingredients and the Ninja CREAMi, you can make this luscious treat easily at home.
Pistachio ice cream is a classic, but homemade? Next level!
My first attempt was pure pistachios—delicious but not as smooth as I’d hoped (thanks, Vitamix).
Then, I found pistachio cream at a Mediterranean store, took a taste, and WOW—game changer!
Now, this version is ultra-creamy, rich, and downright dreamy. Check out the recipe below and get ready to ditch store-bought for good!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This?
- What is Pistacio Cream?
- 🛒Ingredients
- Substitution and Additions
- How to Make Pistachio Ice Cream?
- 🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- Flavor Variations to Try
- How to Store Leftovers
- 👪Serving Size
- 🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Tips for Success
- FAQ: Your Ice Cream Questions Answered
- Related Recipes
- Ninja CREAMi Pistachio Ice Cream Recipe
Why You'll Love This?
- Pure pistachio flavor – No artificial extracts, just real pistachios.
- No pudding mix or gums – A clean and wholesome ice cream recipe.
- Super creamy texture – The perfect blend of dairy and nuts.
- Easy to make – The Ninja CREAMi does all the work!
- Perfectly balanced sweetness – Not too sugary, just right.
What is Pistacio Cream?
Pistachio cream is a smooth, nutty paste made from pistachios. It enhances the ice cream’s flavor.
It’s made by blending shelled pistachios into a buttery consistency. Some versions include sugar or oil for texture.
Think of it as pistachio’s answer to peanut butter!
🛒Ingredients
Here’s what you will need: For this recipe, I use:
- Half-and-half – Creates a creamy ice cream base.
- Pistachio cream – Adds deep pistachio flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk – Provides sweetness and smoothness.
- Cottage cheese – Adds creaminess and protein.
- Vanilla extract/ vanilla bean extract – Enhances the nutty flavor.
- Chopped Pistachio nuts – For a bit of crunch.
- A drop of green food coloring – Optional, for the classic pistachio ice cream look.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Replace half-and-half – Use equal parts heavy cream and whole milk.
- Swap cottage cheese – Use Greek yogurt for a tangy twist.
- Skip condensed milk – Use honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener.
- Add-ins: Dark chocolate chips
How to Make Pistachio Ice Cream?
- Blend Ingredients – Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Freeze – Pour into a Ninja CREAMi pint, cover, and freeze for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Spin – Insert into the Ninja CREAMi and use the “Ice Cream” setting. Respin if needed – If crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and respin. I only have to spin this once.
- Add Mix ins - Stir in chopped pistachios, then return the pint to the Ninja Creami and select the Mix-In function.
- Serve & Enjoy – Scoop, top with extras, and indulge!
🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- Chopped Pistachios – Adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
- White Chocolate Chips – Sweet and creamy contrast to the nutty flavor.
- Mini Marshmallows – For a fun, chewy texture.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream – Add cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
- Pistachio Chocolate Ice Cream – Mix in chocolate chips or a fudge swirl.
- Honey Pistachio Ice Cream – Drizzle honey for a floral sweetness.
- Cardamom Pistachio Ice Cream – Add a pinch of cardamom for Middle Eastern vibes.
- Salted Caramel Pistachio Ice Cream – Swirl in homemade caramel sauce.
- Espresso Pistachio Ice Cream – Add a shot of espresso for a bold twist.
- Coconut Pistachio Ice Cream – Use coconut milk instead of half-and-half.
How to Store Leftovers
- Flatten leftovers – Ensures easy respinning without damaging the blade.
- Re-spin as needed – The Ninja CREAMi makes it creamy again.
- Thaw before serving – Let it sit for a few minutes or microwave for a few seconds.
- Mix-in adjustments – Note that solid mix-ins (nuts, cookies) will be pulverized when respinning.
👪Serving Size
This recipe is made for the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe, which means it serves 4 people.
🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Blender: Makes mixing ingredients effortless.
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The star of the show, perfect for creating creamy, smooth ice cream.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: The pint container is essential for freezing and churning your ice cream mix.
Tips for Success
- If too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Respin until smooth.
- Taste your base before freezing. It should be slightly sweeter than your preference.
- Flatten leftovers before freezing. This helps protect the Ninja CREAMi blade.
FAQ: Your Ice Cream Questions Answered
Use shelled, unsalted pistachios for the best flavor. Salted pistachios can be used but adjust sweetness accordingly.
Traditional pistachio ice cream gets its color from pistachios and sometimes food coloring. Some versions use spinach or spirulina for a natural green hue.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Ninja CREAMi Pistachio Ice Cream Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Deluxe
- 1 Ninja Container Pint
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup half-and-half
- ⅓ cup pistachio cream
- ⅓ cup condensed milk
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A drop of green food coloring
Mixins
- 2 tablespoons pistachio nuts chopped
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients – Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.
- Freeze – Pour into a Ninja CREAMi pint, cover, and freeze for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Spin – Insert into the Ninja CREAMi and use the “Ice Cream” setting.
- Respin if needed – If crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and respin.
- Add Mix-Ins – Stir in chopped pistachios, then return the pint to the Ninja Creami and select the Mix-In function.
- Serve & Enjoy – Scoop, top with extras, and indulge!
Notes
- If too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Respin until smooth.
- Taste your base before freezing. It should be slightly sweeter than your preference.
- Flatten leftovers before freezing. This helps protect the Ninja CREAMi blade.
Rose Sioson says
This pistachio ice cream was absolutely delicious! The rich, nutty flavor combined with the creamy texture made it an instant favorite in our house. It had just the right balance of sweetness and that signature pistachio taste we all love. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. If you try it, let me know what you think!"