This Ninja Creami Lemon Sorbet recipe is the most perfect easy ice cream treat for hot summer days! Made in the Ninja Creami machine with 3 simple ingredients, this easy sorbet recipe is a great way to sneak additional protein into your diet and enjoy something refreshing at the same time.
This easy dairy free lemon sorbet is the perfect sweet and tart treat to beat the summer heat. If any flavor perfectly captures a bright and sunny day, it is hands down a crisp, refreshing glass of lemonade. I am a huge fan of anything with lemon flavor. If you are too, I know you will find this to be the perfect treat to satisfy your cravings.
If you didn't already know, ever since I purchased a Ninja Creami ice cream maker, I have been adding protein into ice cream and fruit sorbets whenever I get the chance and this homemade lemon sorbet recipe is no different. This Lemon Sorbet Ninja Creami recipe uses collagen peptides for that extra protein boost. It also uses a splash of coconut milk to maintain the creamy, thick sorbet texture you expect without added dairy.
If you like this recipe, you may also want to try any of my other easy Ninja Creami ice cream recipes that are all dairy free, gluten free, and often refined sugar free too.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Homemade Lemon Sorbet Recipe
- It is made with simple ingredients. All you need is your favorite lemonade (store-bought or homemade), full fat coconut milk, and a scoop of your favorite collagen powder.
- It is SUPER easy. Since this homemade lemon sorbet is made in the Ninja Creami machine, it is incredibly easy to make this treat at home. No crazy ingredients or equipment needed to make this easy lemon sorbet at home.
- It is the best delicious summer treat. There is something about enjoying a glass of ice cold lemonade on a summer day; lemonade gives this sorbet the best bright refreshing flavor you want in a summer dessert.
Lemon Sorbet Ninja Creami Ingredients (& Substitutions)
Lemonade. Grab your favorite store-bought brand or make your own fresh lemonade. I promise you will want a liquid you already love the taste of. If you don't want just plain lemonade, you could try a strawberry lemonade or watermelon lemonade!
Full-fat Coconut Milk. I love using coconut milk because it adds a rich creaminess to the sorbet base.I find the canned coconut milk that works the best has a little bit of guar gum, which is a plant-based thickener. Thai Kitchen and Whole Foods in house brand coconut milk are my personal favorites, but if you'd like to stay away from gums, Trader Joe's has a great option. I do not recommend using low fat coconut milk as it will make the sorbet ice cream base less creamy. Plus coconut milk balances the tart lemon perfectly.
Collagen Powder. I love adding protein to my desserts and in this case collagen will add 14 grams of protein. It also helps create a thicker sorbet consistency & makes it really creamy.
Lemon Sorbet Recipe Easy Step by Step Instructions
1. Mix the base. Pour lemonade and coconut cream into a Ninja Creami pint container. Using a handheld frother, mix in collagen peptides.
2. Freeze the ice cream base. Place storage lid on the container and freeze for a minimum of 8 hours. Ninja recommends at least 24 hours but I don't have that kind of patience and find that 8 hours is plenty.
3. Mix the ice cream. Once the base is frozen, follow the instructions for placing the pint container in your Ninja Creami. For your first spin you will choose the "Lite Ice Cream" function.
4. Respin. Once the first spin is complete, you will need to respin the ice cream mixture in order for it to become super creamy. My best creami prep tip is to add about 2-3 teaspoons additional lemonade or coconut milk, just enough to cover the top of the pint, before you respin.
5. Top & Enjoy. Top with fresh fruit (like mangos or strawberries) or fresh lemon zest and enjoy your lemon sorbet with a spoon.
Lemon Sorbet Expert Tips & Tricks
- Ninja recommends freezing your creami bases for 24 hours, but I typically freeze mine for 8 and they come out perfect.
- Ninja’s instructions state that you cannot use the “respin” feature followed by the “mix in” feature. I ALWAYS respin my dairy free ninja creami ice cream and sorbet recipes, because it needs this in order to be creamy, and I use the mix in function after with no trouble.
- My best ninja creami tip for this lemon sorbet is, before respinning, I recommend always adding a little bit more lemonade. Just enough to almost cover the top of the pint container is perfect, about 2-3 tsp. This will help ensure the final result is super creamy.
Easy Ninja Creami Sorbet Ice Cream FAQs
Do I have to use full-fat coconut milk?
I highly recommend sticking with the full-fat canned coconut milk! The fats from the milk are what give this dairy-free ice cream that rich, velvety texture we all love. It's not the end of the world to use low-fat coconut milk, but using a low-fat or "lite" version can result in a more icy, less creamy consistency once it’s spun.
Is this lemon sorbet vegan?
This recipe is dairy-free but not vegan, because collagen peptides are sourced from animals. If you want to make a vegan version, you can simply omit the collagen powder altogether or swap it for an unflavored, plant-based protein powder.
Do I have to use a handheld frother to mix the base?
Not at all! I just find a handheld milk frother is the quickest and easiest way to ensure the collagen powder dissolves without any clumps. You can easily whisk the ingredients vigorously in a bowl before pouring them into the pint, or use a standard blender.
Why do I need to "respin" the sorbet?
Dairy-free Ninja Creami recipes can sometimes look a little crumbly or powdery after the first spin. This is totally normal. Adding a 2-3 teaspoons of almond milk and hitting "respin" is my secret trick to transforming that texture into the silky-smooth ice cream you see in the photos.
Do I really have to wait 24 hours for it to freeze?
The Ninja Creami recommends 24 hours because the Ninja Creami blade needs the base to be completely solid to shave it into that creamy consistency. However, I am super impatient when it comes to my sweets so I don't wait the full 24 hours most of the time. I find 8 hours is usually the sweet spot, so if you are anything like me and don't want to wait to enjoy a sweet treat, go with the 8 hours. If you have the patience, freezing it overnight or up to 24 hours, will give you great results as well.
How To Store Lemon Sorbet Protein Sorbet
If you do not finish your pint in one sitting, smooth over the sorbet that is left in the container with the back of a spoon. Place the lid back on the pint container and freeze. You will need to run the leftovers back through the same steps in the Ninja Creami when you are going to enjoy it again.
If you liked this Ninja Creami sorbet recipe, you might also enjoy these healthy ninja creami sorbet recipes:
- Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
- 3 Ingredient Ninja Creami Raspberry Sorbet Recipe
- 3 Ingredient Ninja Creami Cherry Protein Sorbet
- Ninja Creami Dole Whip Recipe (Dairy Free, Protein)
- Ninja Creami Cherry Pineapple Swirl Protein Dole Whip
- Or check out this round up of 20+ dairy free ninja creami protein ice cream & sorbet recipes!
3 Ingredient Ninja Creami Lemon Sorbet with Collagen
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint Container
- 1 Handheld Frother
Ingredients
- 10 oz Lemonade
- 2 oz Full-fat Coconut Milk
- 1 scoop Collagen Peptides
Instructions
- Mix the base. Pour lemonade and coconut cream into a ninja creami pint container. Using a handheld frother, mix in collagen peptides.
- Freeze the sorbet base. Place storage lid on the container and freeze for a minimum of 8 hours. Ninja recommends at least 24 hours but I don't have that kind of patience and find that 8 hours is plenty.
- Mix the sorbet. Once the base is frozen, follow the instructions for placing the pint container in your Ninja Creami. For your first spin you will choose the "Lite Ice Cream" function.
- Respin. Once the first spin is complete, you will need to respin the ice cream mixture in order for it to become super creamy. My best creami prep tip is to add about 2-3 teaspoons additional lemonade or coconut milk, just enough to cover the top of the pint, before you respin.
- Enjoy. Top the sorbet with additional fresh summer fruit (mango, strawberries, and other fresh berries) or fresh lemon zest. Enjoy the lemon sorbet with a spoon.
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