If you’ve never had red pepper jelly ice cream, this is your sign. I used to keep red pepper jelly strictly in the “crackers and cream cheese” lane, but one random Creami experiment later, and here we are.
This Ninja Creami sweet red pepper jelly ice cream is creamy, lightly tangy, and just sweet enough, with that familiar pepper jelly flavor that somehow works shockingly well in a frozen dessert.
If you like unexpected-but-not-weird flavors, you’ll also love my Hot Honey Ice Cream.
I’ll never forget the day I tried Sriracha ice cream at the Sriracha factory — it was unexpected but surprisingly good. That’s when I realized peppers can totally work in ice cream.
This version isn’t spicy like my Hot Honey Ice Cream — it’s made with sweet red pepper jelly, the kind I usually grab from Target to spread on bagels with cream cheese. One day I decided to toss it into my Ninja Creami mix, and the flavor just clicked. Sweet, creamy, and a little tangy — it somehow works perfectly.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This One
- What is Red Pepper Jelly?
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Red Pepper Jelly Ice Cream
- 🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- 👪Serving Size
- 🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Quick Tips for Best Texture
- Recipe FAQ
- Artisan Ice Cream Flavor
- Floral Inspired Ice Cream Flavors
- Did you try this recipe?
- Ninja Creami Sweet Red Pepper Jelly Ice Cream
Why You’ll Love This One
This flavor sounds bold, but it’s way more approachable than you think.
- Sweet and tangy — not spicy
- Creamy, smooth texture thanks to cream cheese + half-and-half
- No gums, pudding mix, or stabilizers
- Uses easy, store-bought ingredients (Target run friendly)
- Works beautifully in the Ninja Creami with minimal respins
- A fun “wait…why is this good?” flavor people keep talking about
What is Red Pepper Jelly?
Red pepper jelly is a sweet, slightly tangy spread made from red bell peppers, sugar, and vinegar. It’s usually served over cream cheese with crackers or used as a glaze, sweet first, with just a gentle pepper warmth.
In ice cream form, that tang balances the dairy really well, giving you a flavor that’s bright and creamy instead of flat or overly sweet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This is just an overview—jump down to the full recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions!
- Half and half — gives body and richness without being too heavy
- Cream cheese — adds a silky texture and mellow tang to balance the pepper. You can swap with cottage cheese or greek yogurt.
- Sweetened condensed milk — for sweetness and creamy consistency
- Red pepper jelly — the star flavor; I use store-bought from Target
- Honey (optional) — in case your jelly isn’t sweet enough, this helps round out flavor
Easy Swaps & Notes
- You can swap the cream cheese for cottage cheese or Greek yogurt for a slightly lighter texture.
- If your jelly has visible pepper bits, blending well is key for a smooth finish.
How to Make Red Pepper Jelly Ice Cream
- Blend everything (half & half, cream cheese, condensed milk, red pepper jelly) until very smooth.
- Pour mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container and freeze for at least 24 hours (make sure it’s completely solid).
- Insert the frozen pint into the Ninja Creami and run the “Ice Cream / Lite Ice Cream” setting. If the texture is too icy or crumbly, respin (add a tablespoon of milk if needed).
- Scoop and serve immediately (or re-spin briefly just before serving if it's been in the freezer).
🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
If you want to lean into the sweet-savory thing, try one of these:
- Honey drizzle for extra shine and sweetness
- Candied bacon bits (wild, but amazing)
- Chopped pistachios or pecans for crunch
- Crushed pretzels for a salty contrast
👪Serving Size
This recipe is written for the Ninja Creami Deluxe and yields about 4 servings per pint. It scoops cleanly after a quick rest at room temp.
🌀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.
Quick Tips for Best Texture
- Chill the base briefly before freezing to reduce ice crystals
- Always level the pint before freezing
- Blend longer if your jelly has chunks
- If it’s too dense after spinning, add 1 tablespoon of liquid and respin
- Let it sit 2–3 minutes before scooping
- If your Creami ever turns out crumbly or icy, don’t panic — it’s easy to fix. Check out my Ninja Creami FAQ & Troubleshooting Guide (Real Fixes That Work) for real fixes that actually work.
Recipe FAQ
Not really. My jelly is mild, with just a sweet pepper flavor. If yours is spicy, you can reduce the amount or use a sweeter jelly.
You can try with a regular ice cream maker, but texture may differ. The Creami’s spin + respin helps with creaminess.
You can store it in the freezer up to 2–3 weeks. Before serving, you may need to respin or let it soften a bit.
Floral Inspired Ice Cream Flavors
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 Sweet Red Pepper Jelly Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Deluxe
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint Container
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1½ cup half and half
- ½ cup cream cheese
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- ¼ cup red pepper jelly
- 1 tablespoon honey or adjust if jelly isn’t sweet enough
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.1½ cup half and half, ½ cup cream cheese, ½ cup sweetened condensed milk, ¼ cup red pepper jelly, 1 tablespoon honey
- Pour into Ninja Creami pint; freeze at least 24 hours.
- Process on “Ice Cream / Lite Ice Cream” setting.
- If texture is too icy, add 1 tablespoon half & half and respin.
- Scoop and serve (or respin again just before serving).
Notes
- If your red pepper jelly has seeds or bits, blend extra to get smooth texture
- Always level your pint container so freezing is even
- If batch is too thick after spin, a splash of milk helps
- Let sit 2–3 min before scooping for easier scooping
Rose says
Wasn’t sure what to expect, but wow — the sweet, roasted pepper flavor in ice cream actually works. Totally surprised in the best way! Hope you guys give it a try!