I have been very busy with my new little toy, the Ninja Swirl machine. I have published a Ninja Swirl frozen yogurt and Ninja Swirl Dole Whip. Next on the menu? This easy and delicious Ninja Swirl açai soft serve.

This recipe uses açai blocks, frozen blueberries, banana and a few other simple ingredients for a smooth and delicious açai soft serve. Let’s get right into it!

Ingredient notes

First and foremost, let’s discuss the frozen açai blocks. I haven’t tested this recipe with açai powder so I cannot advise there, but I can speak to the blocks.

Most supermarket purchased blocks will contain sugar. How much sugar depends on the brand you are using and will have an impact on the consistency of your soft serve (see more in the ‘sugar and soft serve’ section.

I used the Amazonia frozen açai cubes which I got from an Australian supermarket. According to the label, they contain 13.6g sugars per 100g (assumedly both from the açai berries and the added cane sugar). If your packet contains significantly more sugar than this, consider omitting the added maple syrup.

Frozen blueberries add that classic açai colour without adding too much flavour. Banana adds creaminess, sweetness and creates a nice ice cream-like texture. I use a just-ripe banana rather than a super ripe one as I find ripe banana overpowers the açai.

Finally, we’re adding a small amount of maple syrup (if needed) peanut butter and your milk of choice or water.

You can use any sweetener, nut or seed butter and milk that you prefer. Choose whatever works best for your dietaries.

A silver dessert coupe filled with Ninja Swirl açai soft serve on a white marble table against a dark backdrop. The açai is topped with strawberries and pumpkin seeds.

Sugar and soft serve

The most important ingredient in an ice cream recipe is the sugar. Specifically, how much of it you are choosing to add. Sugar lowers the freezing point of an ice cream. This means that the more sugar you add, the less the mixture is able to set.

This recipe contains sugar from the açai cubes, the banana, the frozen blueberries and the (optional) maple syrup. How much sugar depends on the brand of açai you use and how ripe your fruit is.

For best results, try to choose a brand that contains around 13.6g sugar per 100g. This is what the brand I have tested, Amazonia, contains. If your brand contains significantly more sugar, you might find that it doesn’t set up as firmly. Sambazon brand seems to have a similar sugar content.

You can lower the sugar from other ingredients by omitting the maple syrup and using a firmer ripe banana rather than a ripe banana.

On the other hand, a few brands I looked at contain no added sugar at all. If that is the case, you will need to add more maple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice to suit. I’d suggest maybe 2-3 tablespoons (50-75g) for a no added sugar açai with firm banana. Taste and adjust as needed but err on the side of caution when adding sugar. You can always drizzle some on top, but a sugary soft serve will never set in the freezer.

Can I add protein powder?

Yes, with a caveat. Whey protein tends to become very fluffy when processed, both when blending the mixture and sometimes when processing the Swirl (particularly with the CreamiFit function). I would recommend adding 20-30g whey protein (if that’s what you use) and 20-50g milk or water. Blend the mixture, pour it into the tub and add extra milk or water to the fill line if needed/desired.

Something else to keep in mind is the sweetness of whatever protein powder you choose. Not many protein powders I know of contain pure sugar, but we are adding sugar in the açai cubes and the fruit. With a very sweet protein powder, this might be too much sweetness. If your protein powder has sweetener, I would omit the maple syrup.

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