Intro: A Cool Dessert with a Keto Kick
Craving a festive dessert that fits your keto lifestyle but still feels indulgent? You’re not alone. When the holiday season rolls around, most people find it tough to resist sweet peppermint treats and creamy ice creams—especially when peppermint bark starts appearing everywhere.
But what if you didn’t have to resist at all? What if there was a way to enjoy a rich, velvety bowl of peppermint bark ice cream—without the sugar crash? That’s exactly what this Ninja Creami Keto Peppermint Bark Ice Cream recipe is all about. It delivers the nostalgia of the holidays with none of the guilt.
Ready to create a dessert that’s creamy, chocolatey, minty, and totally low-carb? Let’s get into it.
1. What Makes This Recipe So Special?
Let’s be honest. Most store-bought keto ice creams either taste bland, feel icy, or come with a hefty price tag. So why is Ninja Creami the game-changer here?
Because it churns out ice cream with a soft-serve-like texture, giving you that premium feel at home. Combine that with the festive flavors of peppermint and chocolate, and you’ve got a holiday-worthy dessert without breaking your macros.
Here’s what makes this recipe a win:
- Keto-friendly (just 3–4g net carbs per serving)
- Made with real ingredients (no artificial aftertaste)
- Customizable for different sweeteners and dairy preferences
- Packed with seasonal flavors like peppermint and dark chocolate
So yes, it’s delicious—but more importantly, it’s doable.
2. Ingredients: What You’ll Need for the Perfect Peppermint Bark Ice Cream
Before diving into the process, let’s make sure you have everything in your kitchen.
Base Ice Cream Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk for creamier texture)
- 3 tbsp allulose (or erythritol/monk fruit blend)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp peppermint extract (food-grade)
- Pinch of salt
Peppermint Bark Add-Ins:
- 2 tbsp sugar-free dark chocolate chips (chopped finely)
- 1 tbsp crushed sugar-free peppermint candies or peppermint-flavored stevia bark
- Optional: few drops of red food coloring for festive swirls
You can easily swap almond milk for macadamia or coconut milk based on your flavor preference.
3. Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make It Like a Pro
Step 1: Prepare Your Ice Cream Mixture
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, almond milk, sweetener, vanilla, peppermint extract, and salt until the sweetener fully dissolves.
- Want a pink swirl effect? Add just one drop of red food coloring and gently stir. Don’t overmix.
Step 2: Freeze the Base
- Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container.
- Secure the lid and freeze upright for 24 hours until completely solid.
- This step is non-negotiable—soft freeze won’t work in the Ninja Creami.
Step 3: Creamify It
- Remove the container from the freezer.
- Place it into the Ninja Creami outer bowl and insert it into the machine.
- Select the “Ice Cream” function and let the magic begin.
Step 4: Add the Mix-Ins
- After the first spin, check the texture. If it’s too crumbly, use the “Re-spin” function.
- Once it’s smooth, scoop out 2 tablespoons of the mixture into a small bowl.
- Mix the chopped chocolate chips and crushed peppermint into that small portion.
- Return it to the main pint and use the “Mix-In” function to blend everything in.
And just like that—you’ve got yourself a creamy, keto peppermint bark ice cream!
4. Tips to Get It Extra Creamy (Even on Keto!)
Ever wonder why some homemade ice creams turn out icy or grainy? Keto ice cream can be especially tricky because we’re not using sugar or stabilizers.
Here are some pro tips:
- Allulose over erythritol: Allulose makes for a smoother texture and doesn’t crystallize when frozen.
- Use a stabilizer like ¼ tsp of xanthan gum if you want extra creaminess.
- Let the pint sit at room temp for 5 minutes before spinning if it’s rock-solid.
- Don’t overdo peppermint extract—it’s strong. Half a teaspoon is more than enough.
These tips will make your keto ice cream smooth, scoopable, and 100% satisfying.
5. Nutrition Breakdown: Is It Really Keto?
You might be wondering—how “keto” is this recipe, really?
Let’s take a closer look:
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1/2 cup) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 20g |
| Net Carbs | 3–4g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Sugar Alcohols | ~3g |
(Based on using allulose and unsweetened almond milk. Actual values may vary slightly depending on your brands.)
So yes, it’s keto—with enough fat to keep you full and enough flavor to keep you happy.
6. Can You Make This Dairy-Free or Vegan?
Absolutely! Just because it’s keto doesn’t mean you can’t tweak it for other diets.
Here’s how:
- Swap heavy cream with coconut cream
- Replace almond milk with unsweetened macadamia or cashew milk
- Use dairy-free chocolate chips like Lily’s or Hu
- Make sure your peppermint candies are vegan and sugar-free
The texture might be slightly less rich without dairy, but the flavor still hits all the festive notes.
7. Storing and Re-Spinning: What If You Don’t Eat It All at Once?
Let’s say you didn’t finish the whole pint (strong willpower!). Can you store it and enjoy it later?
Yes—but there’s a trick.
- Store it in the same Ninja Creami pint with the lid on.
- When ready to eat again, remove from the freezer and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Re-spin it in the Ninja Creami if needed.
You can even add extra toppings during your second spin for a fun twist. Think crushed pecans, cocoa nibs, or a drizzle of keto chocolate syrup.
Video:
8. Why Ninja Creami Beats Other Ice Cream Makers for Keto
You might wonder—why not use a traditional churner or just freeze a no-churn mix?
Because the Ninja Creami reshapes frozen bases into ultra-smooth ice cream using its blade system. This makes a huge difference for keto recipes that lack sugar and stabilizers.
With Ninja Creami:
- You skip the churn-freezing-waiting cycle.
- You get creamy, scoopable ice cream on demand.
- You control every ingredient—perfect for keto, paleo, dairy-free, or allergy-friendly versions.
So if you’re serious about your keto desserts, investing in this machine is worth every penny.
9. Creative Variations: Want to Get Fancy?
Already mastered the peppermint bark version? Let’s take things up a notch. Here are some variations you’ll love:
Mint Chocolate Cookie Crumble
- Add crushed keto chocolate cookies instead of peppermint candies.
- Use a few drops of green food coloring for a mint chip vibe.
Mocha Peppermint Ice Cream
- Add ½ tsp espresso powder to the base.
- Mix in keto chocolate chunks and a swirl of peppermint mocha syrup.
White Chocolate Peppermint Swirl
- Add melted sugar-free white chocolate chips to the base before freezing.
- Swirl in crushed pink peppermint pieces for a stunning visual.
Each version keeps the carbs low but gives you a whole new flavor experience.
10. Final Thoughts: A Keto Holiday Favorite You’ll Want All Year Long
Let’s be real—holiday desserts are often sugar bombs. But with the Ninja Creami and this keto peppermint bark ice cream recipe, you’re getting all the joy with none of the regret.
This dessert:
- Keeps you in ketosis
- Delivers on texture and taste
- Is totally customizable
Whether you’re sharing it with family or just treating yourself on a quiet winter night, this recipe brings comfort food vibes to a carb-conscious lifestyle.
And the best part? You don’t have to wait for December to enjoy it. Whip it up any time your sweet tooth calls.
Ready to give it a try?
Get your Ninja Creami spinning and your peppermint candies crushed. Your next favorite keto dessert is just one spin away.
