Ninja Creami Strawberry Matcha Ice Cream Recipe

Are you craving the viral strawberry matcha ice cream but don’t want to pay $10+ for a scoop? This homemade recipe recreates the beautiful green and pink swirls, balancing earthy matcha with bright strawberry sweetness — all for a fraction of the cost and easy to make at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Unique, refreshing flavor: savory matcha balanced by sweet, fruity strawberries.
• More affordable than store-bought or shop scoops and you get larger portions.
• Striking colors: vibrant green and pink swirls make an impressive dessert.
• Both flavors can be made and enjoyed separately if you prefer.
• Simple, easy-to-find ingredients — this version uses kefir for extra creaminess and probiotics.
• The Ninja Creami (regular or Swirl) produces a consistently smooth texture.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll prepare two pint bases: one strawberry and one matcha. Use the ingredient list below and see the notes for options and substitutions.

Ingredient Notes

• Frozen strawberries work well year-round and are convenient, but fresh berries can be used when in season.
• Strawberry-flavored kefir adds both strawberry flavor and a creamy, slightly tangy base. If you prefer, use plain kefir and add extra strawberry puree or sweetener.
• Culinary-grade matcha is ideal here — it’s more cost-effective than ceremonial matcha and provides good flavor for baking and ice cream.
• Use 2% milk for a balanced creaminess. Heavy cream adds richness to the matcha base.

See the recipe card below for exact measurements and the full ingredient list.

Substitutions & Variations

• Taste the liquid mixtures before freezing and adjust sugar to your preference — some brands of matcha and kefir are sweeter than others.
• If you only have skim or 1% milk, swap 1/4 cup of that milk for heavy cream to keep good texture.
• If using whole milk, dilute a small portion with water if you worry the base will be too heavy.
• For a vegan or dairy-free version, try testing non-dairy milk and cream alternatives, though this recipe has not been validated with those swaps.

Equipment

Have these ready before you begin:

• Two Ninja Creami pints (one for each flavor).
• Ninja Creami machine — regular or Swirl model will both work.
• Immersion blender or food processor to puree the strawberries.
• Fine mesh sieve to strain the matcha mixture and remove any lumps.
• Standard kitchen tools: measuring cups, whisk, microwave-safe measuring cup or small pot for heating.

How to Make Strawberry Matcha Ice Cream

Step 1: Heat the strawberries until warm and soft (about 60–90 seconds in the microwave). Add the sugar and blend with an immersion blender or food processor until mostly smooth. Small chunks are fine for texture.

Step 2: Pour the strawberry puree into a Creami pint and stir in the strawberry kefir until combined. Tap the pint gently on the counter to release air bubbles, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours.

Step 3: Warm the milk (30–60 seconds), then whisk in the matcha and sugar until smooth. Avoid frothing the matcha too much; you want it fully dissolved but not foamy.

Step 4: Strain the matcha mixture through a fine mesh sieve into the second Creami pint to remove any clumps. Stir in the heavy cream, tap the pint to release air, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours.

Step 5: When both pints are fully frozen, remove lids and process each pint in the Ninja Creami. For regular Creami units, use the Lite Ice Cream setting, then Re-Spin if the texture is crumbly.

Step 6 (Swirl model): To create a swirled pint in the Swirl model, divide the strawberry and matcha ice creams evenly at the swirl spout: press half the strawberry to one side, scoop matcha into the other half, secure the swirl lid, and run the dispenser to swirl into a cone or dish.

Ninja Ice Cream Tips

1. Always strain the matcha mixture to remove tiny lumps for a smooth final texture.
2. Warm the strawberries and milk before mixing so sugar and matcha dissolve more easily.
3. Tap the pints gently on the counter before freezing to release trapped air bubbles.
4. Freeze the pints at least 8 hours (overnight is ideal) for best results.
5. Store leftover flavors separately to preserve color and flavor — recombining frozen leftovers can create muddy colors.

Common Questions

Can I make this without a Ninja Creami?

These exact steps are designed for the Ninja Creami system. If you use a traditional ice cream maker, the ingredients and freezing times will be similar, but processing instructions will differ. If you try another method, note any changes in the texture or timing.

What type of matcha should I use?

Culinary-grade matcha works best here — it offers good flavor at a reasonable price and stands up well to mixing into a milk base. Reserve ceremonial matcha for drinking.

Storage

Store leftover ice cream in separate freezer-safe containers for up to two weeks. Keep the flavors separate to preserve their distinct colors and taste. To re-serve, allow the ice cream to soften at room temperature briefly or run it through the Creami Re-Spin setting to restore creaminess.

📖 Recipe

Strawberry Matcha Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

Author: Kayla Burton

Prep time: 30 mins | Freeze time: 8 hrs | Total time: 8 hrs 30 mins | Servings: 4

Strawberry Ice Cream

• ¾ cup (108 g) frozen strawberries (fresh works too)
• 2 tablespoons (25 g) granulated sugar
• 1¼ cups (300 g) strawberry kefir

Matcha Ice Cream

• 1 cup (240 g) 2% milk
• 2 tablespoons (12 g) culinary matcha
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (120 g) heavy cream

Equipment

• 2 Ninja Creami pints
• Ninja Creami machine (Regular or Swirl)
• Immersion blender or food processor
• Fine mesh sieve
• Measuring tools and whisk

Basic Instructions (Summary)

1. Warm and blend strawberries with sugar, mix with kefir, tap to remove air, freeze in a pint for 8+ hours.
2. Warm milk, whisk in matcha and sugar, strain, add cream, tap, freeze in a separate pint for 8+ hours.
3. Process each pint in the Ninja Creami (Lite Ice Cream then Re-Spin if needed). For Swirl model, assemble both flavors into one pint divided at the swirl spout and run the swirl dispenser.

Notes

Milk options: if using skim or 1% milk substitute ¼ cup of the milk with heavy cream. If using whole milk, replace 2 tablespoons of milk with water. If you prefer stove-top heating, warm the milk and strawberries over low-medium heat while stirring.

Sponsorship note: This recipe was developed using strawberry kefir for creaminess; the author has collaborated with kefir producers, but the instructions and measurements above reflect practical home-cooking guidance.