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Ninja’s popular ice cream maker, the Ninja Creami, took over social media with mouthwatering videos of colorful scoops packed with chunky mix-ins when it launched in 2021. Now, the appliance giant has followed up with the Ninja Swirl, a new machine that dispenses soft-serve ice cream along with the scoopable hard-serve that the Creami is famous for. I put the Swirl to the test at home to see how the ice cream tastes, how easy it is to use, and figure out who the Swirl is best for.
Here’s what you need to know about the Ninja Swirl if you’re looking for an at-home solution to your summertime ice cream cravings.
The Swirl looks similar to the Creami with the addition of a soft serve arm. It’s larger and has several more buttons on the control panel. The machine has thirteen built-in programs for various types of hard and soft-serve ice cream, as well as sorbet, fruit whip, and milkshakes. It helpfully comes with a quick-start guide as well as a more in-depth instruction manual, plus a detailed recipe booklet full of inspiration for classic rich and creamy scoops and high-protein, low-carb soft serve swirls.
Rating: 4/5
Ninja Swirl
Soft-Serve Ice Cream at Home
This is not a small appliance; the set-up experience is a bit involved, but the quick-start guide clearly directs you through the process. It took me about 15 minutes to set up the Swirl and to clean all the parts that touch food. The machine comes with two pint containers for freezing and mixing your base (if you already have a Creami, your pints are compatible with the Swirl).
It’s important to read the instructions to understand the various programs and the bases they correspond to. The recipe book is the best way to understand the various bases and their corresponding buttons.
How Easy is the Ninja Swirl to Operate?
The first few times you use the Ninja Swirl, you’ll need to consult the Quick Start guide closely to ensure you’re pulling the right levers and pressing the right buttons. It also takes a bit of preparation, as the base needs to be mixed and completely frozen for at least 24 hours before it’s blended into ice cream.
I had success making creamy soft serve using a protein shake as a base, as well as following the Ninja recipe for classic ice cream. There’s a handy feature to “re-spin” your base if it comes out more powdery than soft and silky, which I had to do a few times for lower-fat bases. Note that this machine will wake up anyone in your home. It’s loud! The blending lasts for several minutes, and you occasionally need to re-blend.
The ice cream I made with the Swirl, particularly the recipes using a full-fat base or custard, were as tasty and creamy as what you’d get at a high-end parlor. This is a fun way to upgrade your dessert game and make your own custom flavors. The Swirl would also make a great gift for a birthday, graduation, housewarming, or a wedding for a couple with a sweet tooth.
Where to Buy the Ninja Swirl
Get the Ninja Swirl at:
Meet the Tester
Lizzy Briskin is a home and kitchen writer with over 8 years of experience testing and reviewing products. Previously, she was an editor at Real Simple, Food Network, and Pioneer Woman Magazines. She contributes to Wirecutter, The Kitchn, Apartment Therapy, and Simply Recipes. She’s a year-round ice cream lover with a special place in her heart for the swirly texture of a perfect soft-serve cone.
