Scoop&Churn
Menu

Tool

Creami program picker

The base decides the button. Pick your model and what is in the pint, and the picker names the program and the steps around it.

Short answer

Full-fat dairy goes on Ice Cream, protein, low sugar or low fat bases on Lite Ice Cream, custards with yolks on Gelato and fruit with sugar on Sorbet. Fill to the MAX line, freeze level for 24 hours, and Re-spin if the pint comes out powdery.

Pick your model and base

1. Your Creami

NC299, NC300, NC301 and similar. The model name is on the base of the motor unit.

2. What is in the pint

Press

Ice Cream

Full-fat dairy has the fat and sugar to spin smooth on the standard program.

  1. 1Fill the pint no higher than the MAX line.
  2. 2Lid it and freeze it level for 24 hours. Ninja's guidance is a freezer between -7 F and 9 F.
  3. 3Lock the pint in and press Ice Cream.

Powdery or crumbly?

Press Re-spin. Still powdery? Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk or base and Re-spin again.

Icy?

The base is high in water. Next time add a little fat or sugar, and freeze the pint level. More fixes

Program lists follow Ninja's published manuals and can change between versions. Your control panel and quick start guide are the final word.

Which programs each model has

Ninja has released several Creami models, and the buttons differ between them. The table shows what the published manuals list. If your panel differs, trust the panel.

  • Original (NC299, NC300, NC301)
    ProgramsIce Cream, Lite Ice Cream, Sorbet, Milkshake, Mix-in, Re-spin; Gelato and Smoothie Bowl on most versions
    NotesSome versions lack Gelato or Smoothie Bowl. Use Ice Cream in place of Gelato.
  • Deluxe (NC501 and similar)
    ProgramsThe original programs plus Frozen Yogurt, Italian Ice, Slushi, Frozen Drink and Creamiccino
    NotesLarger pints. Fill and freeze guidance can differ by program; see the manual.
  • Swirl
    ProgramsScoop programs plus soft serve versions
    NotesNames differ from the scoop models; check the quick start guide.
From Ninja's published manuals. Versions sold by different retailers can differ.
Creami programs grouped by model, each with the base type it suitsORIGINAL MODELSIce Creamfull-fat dairyLite Ice Creamprotein, low sugarGelatocustard (most versions)Sorbetfruit with sugarMilkshakespun pint plus milkMix-incookies, nuts, candyRe-spinpowdery pintDELUXE ADDSFrozen Yogurtyogurt baseItalian Icethin, high waterSlushidrinkable slushSWIRL ADDSsoft servefrom the handle
Programs as listed in Ninja's manuals. Names and buttons vary by model and version; your control panel is the final word.

The freeze matters more than the button

Fill the pint no higher than the MAX line and freeze it level for 24 hours. A pint frozen on a slant or filled too high freezes with a hump, and the paddle meets the hard part first.

A pint filled to the MAX line and frozen level, an overfilled pint with a hump, and a pint frozen on a slantLevel, at MAX24 hours, flat shelfOverfilledfreezes with a humpOn a slantuneven, hard ridgeMAX linehumplevel surface
Fill to the MAX line at most and freeze the pint level for 24 hours. Humps and ridges spin unevenly.

The paddle starts at the top of the frozen block and works down while the pint stays still. A very cold or very lean block shaves into powder on the first pass, which is why Re-spin exists.

Side view of a Creami pint with the spinning paddle moving down through the frozen baseDirection of travel:down, while it spinsMAX fill lineSpun, creamyFrozen base(pint stays still)ShaftPaddleOuter bowl and lid lock the pint in place
The pint stays still while the spinning paddle works down from the top of the frozen block. Fill no higher than the MAX line.