Refreshing and sweet watermelon sorbet with a hint of lime! Could life get any better? This sweet summer treat is so simple to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can feel good about enjoying this Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet!
This is a perfect way to use leftover watermelon when you don’t want it to go to waste. Because of its high water content, when you freeze watermelon, you typically need to use it in a recipe instead of enjoying it again on its own once it thaws. Once you thaw the watermelon, it will have a different texture, and you won’t be able to use it in the same way you can use fresh watermelon. It is perfect for things like smoothies and mocktails. It is also amazing in the ninja creami machine! And it is a perfect treat for hot summer days! If you are a fan of watermelon, this is a fun way to enjoy that fresh watermelon flavor but as a frozen treat!
If you are looking for other ninja creami recipes, try this pineapple dole whip, or a ninja creami smoothie bowl.
Ingredients
- Watermelon - If you want to just use watermelon in your ninja creami, you can. We have done so several times! If I have a little extra time I will add the extra ingredients to give it a little…extra!
- Maple Syrup - Once watermelon (and almost all fruit) freezes, it tastes less sweet. To make sure that your sorbet is the perfect amount of sweet, try adding some maple syrup or other sweetener! Fun fact, it isn’t actually less sweet, but the cold affects how our taste neurons work, here is a fun article about how things taste different when cold. If you have a particularly sweet watermelon, you might not want to add extra sweetener. I will leave it up to you!
- Lime Juice - A small amount of lime juice brightens up the flavors of this sorbet and balances the sweetness in a delicious way! If you don’t have lime juice, you can use lemon juice, or just leave it out! If you taste the sorbet at the end and want more lime juice, you can add some before respinning.
- Salt - You can throw a pinch of salt in the sorbet to help bring out the flavors better!
Instructions
Step 1: Fill the ninja pint to the fill line with fresh watermelon.
Step 2: Using an immersion blender, blend the watermelon until smooth.
Step 3: Add additional ingredients and blend again.
Step 4: If there is space below your fill line, you can add more watermelon and blend again. Repeat until you reach the max fill line.
Step 5: Taste mixture and adjust if needed.
Step 6: Place the pint in the freezer on a level surface and allow to freeze for 12-24 hours.
Step 7: Process in the ninja creami with the 'lite ice cream' or 'sorbet' setting.
Step 8: If the mixture is crumbly, respin (using the re-spin button) until it reaches your desired consistency. Remember, that the more you spin it the faster it will melt.
Step 9: Enjoy!
Variations
This watermelon sorbet recipe is an easy recipe to tweak and play around with. Here are some fun ideas of things to try:
- Feel free to add any type of plant-milk to give this a creamy consistency. This will be closer to a watermelon sherbet and is delicious!
- You can also blend mint leaves into the mixture for a refreshing addition.
- Add a little tajin on top for a spicy kick.
- Pour some sweetened condensed coconut or oat milk on top of the creami. We love doing this! It reminds me of when we would have snow cones with sweetened condensed milk on top. So good!!
Mix in ideas
This sorbet watermelon recipe is delicious on its own, but here are some fun mix-in ideas if you want an easy way to elevate your sweet treat!
- Fresh Fruit - you can use any type of fruit as a mix-in. Some fun ideas are: strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries.
- Freeze Dried Fruit - for a fun texture freeze-dried strawberries would be delicious! Or freeze-dried peaches.
- Mint Leaves - you can either blend these into the mixture or mix them into the finished sorbet for a refreshing mint flavor.
- Mini Chocolate Chips - There aren’t many ninja creami flavors that these wouldn’t be a great addition to! They can look like watermelon seeds once mixed in which is fun!
- Vegan White Chocolate Chunk
- Pistachios
- Chili lime-flavored pepitas
- Natural sprinkles
What if I don't have an immersion blender?
No problem! You can use a regular blender or a food processor and just transfer the mixture to the ninja creami pint container after it is blended.
How to Prevent Ice Walls in Your Ninja Creami
To keep your Creami pints smooth and scoopable, here are a few tricks to avoid ice walls and chunks:
- Let your pint sit on the counter for about 10 minutes before spinning.
- Run the sealed pint under warm water for a minute or two before processing.
- Scrape down the sides of the pint between spins with a spatula or chopstick.
I usually combine the warm water trick with scraping down the sides. Scraping is my go-to, but adding a little warmth often means I don’t need to respin. It’s a simple combo that works really well!
Top Tips for Using the Ninja Creami
- Freeze your pints for 12–24 hours for the best texture. If they aren’t fully frozen, they won’t spin right.
- Don’t worry if it needs a respin—especially for dairy-free bases, the ‘lite ice cream’ setting works great. You can add a splash of plant milk between spins if needed, but it’s usually not necessary.
- If possible, freeze your pint without the lid so the top freezes more evenly. Also, keep it on a flat surface.
- Scraping the sides before respinning helps break up any icy bits that form around the edges.
I hope you enjoy this watermelon sorbet ninja creami recipe as much as we do! It is just an easy and delicious treat.
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami
Ingredients
- 300 grams watermelon 500 grams for deluxe pint
- 1 tabespoon maple syrup more or less to taste (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice about half a lime (more or less to taste)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Put about half of your watermelon in the ninja creami pint.
- Blend watermelon with an immersion blender. (see notes)
- Add remaining watermelon and blend. If it passes the fill line of your container take some out.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to your pint container.
- Stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust ingredients if needed.
- Freeze on a level surface for 12-24 hours.
- Place pint container in the outer bowl of the ninja creami machine. (Make sure the pint lid is removed)
- Place outer bowl lid with blade attached on the outer bowl and click it into place.
- Attach bowl to creami machine.
- Process the watermelon sorbet either on the 'lite ice cream' or 'sorbet' setting.
- Check the creamy. If it is crumbly process it again with the 're-spin' setting, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- If you want to use a mix in add those in now and process with the 'mix-in' setting.
- Enjoy as is or add some toppings.
Notes
- The amount of sweetener used depends on the sweetness of your watermelon and your taste. You may not want to add any or you may want to add more than is called for. The nutrition facts are based on 1 Tablespoon
- If you do not have an immersion blender you are welcome to blend the watermelon in a normal blender. You can also use a potato masher, fork, or any other tool that you have around.
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