As the adage declares, you scream for it, we do, I do… etc. But homemade ice cream can be a tricky thing to nail without the right tools. Enter the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi, which you’ve no doubt seen taking over your social-media feed in the lead up to summer.
In the interests of journalism, I gave it a trial. Oh, it’s a tough gig sometimes.
Hot tip: For today only, Sunday 19 July 2026, Ninja is offering 40% off the Ninja CREAMi ice cream maker range, including the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi, for just $389.99 (RRP $649.99). Available for 24 hour or while stocks last, shop the viral ice cream maker at ninjakitchen.co.nz.
What’s the elevator pitch?
The Ninja CREAMi is an ice-cream maker that will do traditional ice cream, gelato, frozen yoghurt and sorbet. It can make them all soft serve, too. Ooh, soft serve. That is the absolute best.
I couldn’t agree more. So how do you use the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi?
It’s not complicated at all. I’m used to traditional ice cream makers, which have you freeze a steel-lined bowl, then add your ice cream mixture to that and churn. So, it took me a while to understand that you do the opposite by adding your ingredients, then freezing. I know this because my son read the instructions and told me to do it that way. I didn’t believe him, so I googled videos of people using it. Anyway, the machine comes with a book of recipes. I chose the simple vanilla soft serve, then had to rush out and buy milk powder. Otherwise, all you do is throw that, cream, vanilla and sugar into a bowl and freeze for 24 hours.
Wow, it’s that easy?
Well, that’s the first part. You then put it in the outer bowl with the paddle, then press one of the Ninja CREAMi’s 13 one-touch programmes and wait for it to churn. When it’s done, you transfer it to the soft serve bit, position your cone underneath and pull the lever.
Does the icecream look as good as the ones in the shops?
Mine didn’t because my freezer was too cold, so I kind of churned it to butter the first time. Undaunted, I froze mango yoghurt. This time, it was utterly magnificent. I’m calling it: it’s the best frozen dessert I’ve ever had, and it’s so easy.
So, it was more your fault than the Ninja Swirl?
I blame the overachieving freezer. But yes, in truth, so long as you follow the instructions (something I seem incapable of doing), it’s effortless. I’m levelling up this weekend and making my own strawberry and basil gelato recipe.
Any cons to the Ninja CREAMi?
The Ninja CREAMi is big, occupying the space where my kettle and toaster once stood. Who needs tea and toast for breakfast when you could have soft serve ice cream, anyway?
What’s the cost of the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi?
The Ninja Swirl by CREAMi retails for $599.99 from Shark.
Does the Ninja CREAMi go on sale?
Yes, it does. For today only, Sunday 19 July 2026, in celebration of International Ice Cream Day, Ninja Kitchen is offering 40% off the Ninja Swirl by CREAMi, reducing the price from $649.99 to $389.99. Available for 24 hours or while stocks last, shop it here.
Savvy shoppers should also look out for key sale moments like Afterpay Day, EOFY, Black Friday, and Boxing Day to snag their favourite Ninja appliances for less. Take 23-year-old Abigail Manthel-Brown and her busy flat of seven, who realised they were spending far too much on frozen yoghurt. The most cost-effective solution? Investing in a Ninja CREAMi during the Afterpay Day sale season.
“It’s definitely one of those purchases that feels easier to justify when you know the sales are coming up,” Abigail says.
“Plus, if it stops us spending so much money at the froyo place down the road, it’ll probably pay for itself pretty quickly.”
She adds, “I figured it’s one of those things that will get heaps of use while we’re all living together, but it’s also something I’ll take with me when I move into my own place in a couple of years,” she says.
Read next:
- Soft serve or sorbet? These ice cream makers are worth the hype
- Upgrade your kitchen with these life-changing Ninja appliances
- From Frosé to Frappés: The viral Ninja Slushi Machine is back in stock
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