We secured an exclusive look at the new Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker. Here's how it works—and how it holds up to the other machines we've tried.
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I’d consider myself an ice cream superfan. It’s been my favorite dessert for over 30 years, consistently coming out ahead of pies, cakes and cookies. What can I say? Ice cream is nostalgic, serves as the base for so many delicious frozen dessert recipes, and offers almost endless customization options. It’s the perfect finishing touch to a warm day and always leaves me satisfied.
As someone who has tried almost all the “spin and go” ice cream makers on the market, I was ecstatic to get an exclusive first peek at the new Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker. I recently gifted my Ninja Creami to a friend since it took up too much counter space and was difficult to store. And while I love my trusty Cuisinart FastFreeze, the serving sizes are pretty meager. As someone who decimates entire pints of Jeni’s in a single sitting (don’t judge, please), I was looking for a machine that yields larger batches, yet still tucks away easily into a cupboard.
So, how does the Nutribullet Chill measure up to my admittedly high demands? I tested every single setting to find out. Here’s what I discovered.
Nutribullet Chill Ice Cream Maker
Sorbet, smoothies, ice cream and froyo—oh, my! This easy peasy countertop ice cream maker is capable of almost any frozen treat you can think of.
What is the Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker?
The Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker is the latest release from Nutribullet, a kitchen appliance brand best known for its powerful personal blenders. Like other “spin and go” ice cream makers, the Nutribullet Chill uses pre-frozen bases and a powerful blending paddle to churn frozen treats and smoothies in mere minutes.
It’s capable of a range of treats, including ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowls and frozen yogurt. It also comes in several cool colors, including Black, White, Cotton Candy Pink, Mint Chip Green and Latte Beige. It even boasts a handsome LED touch screen wheel with simple controls.
Where the Nutribullet Chill really differs is in its construction. Like most other Nutribullet products—particularly the brand’s personal blenders—the blending mechanism is inverted, meaning that the upside-down cup clicks into the top of the motor base. This arrangement consolidates the machine into two main components, making it one of the simpler ice cream machines we’ve tested.
How We Tested the Nutribullet Chill
Upon unboxing the Nutribullet Chill, I was surprised by the pint cups’ large size. Unlike the Cuisinart FastFreeze (my usual go-to ice cream maker), each pint can easily serve at least two people, which I love. The machine arrives in two main parts: a large motor base that sits on the counter and a blade/blade block/blade shaft mechanism that screws onto the pint cup and sits snugly in the motor base.
One thing to note is that the pint cups are also compatible with some Nutribullet blending machines, including the Turbo, Ultra and SmartSense, which further simplifies prep for existing Nutribullet users.
Set Up and Use
Setup is exceptionally simple, especially if you’re familiar with the brand’s personal blenders. First, pop the motor base onto a countertop and press down to engage the suction cups on the bottom—this prevents slippage. Then, simply screw the blade (which is permanently attached to the blade shaft) onto the pint cup filled with your frozen base. Next, insert the shaft into the motor base with the pint cup pointing up. Give the cup a twist to the left until you hear a click, and you’re ready to make your frozen treat!
There are five programs available on the touch-screen wheel: ice cream, sorbet, gelato, smoothie bowl and frozen yogurt. Touching any of the options, then pushing the start/stop button in the center of the wheel, automatically runs a pre-programmed cycle that takes around two minutes. A ring of light surrounds the start/stop button, indicating the program’s progress. During any cycle, press the center button to pause and resume, or hold it for two seconds to cancel and reset the machine to its home position.
Once the machine finishes the cycle, press the release button on the front just above the control panel to release the blade shaft and cup. Turn the cup back over and carefully untwist the blade to check your consistency. Sometimes, you may need to pop the cup back on for an additional spin. Once it’s your desired consistency, voila! Near-instant ice cream.
Ice Cream and Gelato
My experience making ice cream in the Nutribullet Chill was overall positive. I began with a simple ice cream base recipe that comes with the unit, consisting of the following:
- 1-1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
In addition, I also added a tablespoon of instant coffee for a fun flavor punch. I found that mixing everything together with a milk frother wand sped up the process a bit, but you can also use a spoon or whisk.
From there, I popped the lid onto the pint and froze the base overnight in my freezer. The next day, I pulled out the pint, removed the lid and screwed on the blade and blade shaft. I attached it to the motor base, twisted until it clicked, and selected the ice cream program. To start the program, I simply pressed the central button and let the machine do its thing. I had to repeat this once, as the first spin didn’t quite reach the consistency I liked.
Once finished, the ice cream was an okay texture—scoopable, but not really hard. The motor’s heat melted the frozen base a bit as it spun, creating something closer to soft serve than true ice cream scooped from a carton.
However, this softer, fluffier ice cream does present a unique advantage. Refreezing ice cream from a spinner machine typically requires another spin or two before serving to restore that creamy, decadent texture. With the Nutribullet Chill, I was able to dig right into my second and third day pints—no extra spinning required. Refreezing after your first spin also brings it to a more familiar ice cream-like texture after a few hours, if that’s what you prefer.
Interestingly, the gelato recipe that comes with the unit is pretty much the same as the ice cream recipe. And after using the machine for both ice cream and gelato as defined by the included recipe guide, I feel like the two settings do much of the same thing and could probably be condensed into one setting. I also plan to experiment further with egg-based recipes.
Frozen Yogurt
To test the machine’s frozen yogurt capabilities, I blended together plain Greek yogurt, milk, honey and vanilla with a spoon until I was happy with the consistency. I then froze the pint overnight to spin it the next day. The frozen yogurt ended up quite soft and a bit textured, thanks to some small ice chunks. While it felt much like the kind of fro-yo you’d find in a frozen yogurt parlor, it does require a little experimentation to fully reach that ultra-creamy texture.
Smoothie Bowl
The machine can’t process big chinks of frozen berries, so making smoothies does require some pre-planning. I made my smoothie bowl by blending together frozen berries, orange juice, milk and a little honey with my trusty hand blender. Then, I froze the mixture overnight and popped it into my Nutribullet Chill machine the next day. This would be even easier if I owned one of the compatible Nutribullet blenders.
Much like a regular smoothie, the result was smooth and slightly textured. Personally, I probably won’t use this setting much, as I can get a similar result by blending all these ingredients in my pitcher blender. However, this is a good option for folks who want to make smoothies from fresh fruit that hasn’t been frozen before processing.
Sorbet
For my mango sorbet, I prepared it in much the same way as the smoothie bowl. Using my hand blender, I combined frozen mango, a splash of orange juice, and a little honey until smooth. After freezing it overnight in the pint cup, I used the Nutribullet Chill on the “sorbet” setting.
This setting seems the most intense of all, likely due to the absence of dairy or other emulsifiers in the recipe. Essentially, the machine is processing a big chunk of ice—that takes quite a bit of motor power! The resulting sorbet was delicious. It was on the creamy side, slightly sweet and yielded a similar consistency to store-bought sorbet.
Cleaning
This is one area where the Nutribullet Chill really shines. Each part, except the motor base, is dishwasher safe, making cleanup oh-so-simple. Those without dishwashers can simply rinse the cup and the blade/blade shaft, dry them, and replace them for the next batch.
Safety
As I mentioned before, the blade shaft of the Nutribullet Chill heats up a bit during each cycle, resulting in a softer ice cream. It’s worth noting that this means the blade shaft is slightly warm to the touch after a cycle, so be careful removing it from the machine after each spin. When not in use, there’s a dedicated blade cover that sits over the exposed blade for safety, which is a thoughtful addition.
Overall, the machine’s safety features feel on par with the other ice cream makers I’ve tried, if not a bit better. It won’t operate unless everything is correctly locked into place, which gives me some extra peace of mind when I’m making ice cream with my niece and nephews. The pause and reset controls are easy to use, and I also love that there are four suction cups on the bottom of the motor base that keep it secure as it runs.
Pros
- User-friendly; no complicated settings
- The pint cup is compatible with some Nutribullet blender models
- Everything except the base is dishwasher safe
- Ice cream refreezes well
- Suction cups on the base prevent slipping
- Blade cover included
- Quieter than the Ninja Creami
- Large serving sizes
Cons
- No option for mix-ins
- The ice cream comes out a bit soft
- Requires pre-freezing and prep; not for instant ice cream
Comparison: Nutribullet Chill vs. Cuisinart FastFreeze vs. Ninja Creami vs. GreenPan Frost
I’ve tried my fair share of ice cream makers over the years, including the Ninja Creami, Cuisinart FastFreeze and, now, the Nutribullet Chill. While the Ninja Creami reigns supreme as the original “spin and go” ice cream maker, there are plenty of reasons why folks might opt for the FastFreeze or Chill instead. That said, the Creami base model offers the most programs of all the options we’ve tried. You can also invest in the pricier Creami Swirl if you want to enjoy soft serve as well.
I’d liken the Nutribullet Chill most to the Cuisinart FastFreeze. In the same way that the FastFreeze offers a straightforward build and operation, so does the Nutribullet Chill. Unlike the FastFreeze, however, the Chill doesn’t require any manual effort, making it easier to operate. The serving sizes are also more generous, which is a bonus for me. That said, the FastFreeze offers a few more settings that I personally would love to see future Nutribullet Chill machines adopt, such as its slushie, mix-in and milkshake settings.
Price-wise, the Nutribullet retails for $200, about $30 cheaper than the original Creami and $150 cheaper than the Creami Swirl. The Cuisinart FastFreeze is a bit cheaper at $120, but the Nutribullet is an overall more powerful machine with larger serving sizes.
Like the FastFreeze and Creami, the Nutribullet Chill isn’t a traditional ice cream machine that churns—it requires a frozen base, rather than offering onboard freezing capabilities. The only “spin and go” machine we’ve tested with onboard freezing is the GreenPan Frost, which limits itself primarily to soft serve and slushy drinks.
While it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as some other ice cream makers, the Nutribullet Chill is simple to operate and clean, making it a great pick for folks who want a straightforward machine. Unlike the Ninja Creami, it fits under my kitchen cabinets when fully set up. It also runs a bit quieter from my experience, which was my main gripe with the Ninja Creami. Plus, operation is further simplified for folks who already own a compatible Nutribullet blender system.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, I enjoyed using the Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker. I plan on using it even more this summer once the weather warms up. As much as it hurts me to admit, it might even replace my coveted Cuisinart FastFreeze thanks to its larger serving size and fully automatic operation.
In testing, I found that the Nutribullet Chill truly shines in its user-friendly build. There are no settings, buttons or knobs that confuse me or feel wasteful. Just easy-peasy touch-and-go controls that make it great for kids (with supervision, of course). Plus, the adorable colors make it fun to use and display on the counter.
That said, it’s not without its drawbacks. Unlike the other machines I’ve tried, there’s no “mix-ins” setting. Any toppings are added after preparing and serving the ice cream. For science, I did toss a couple of cookies into my ice cream and gave it another spin to test the machine’s durability. While the machine didn’t break or jam up, it also didn’t distribute the crushed cookies very well. The mix-in feature is the only setting I truly miss from my other machines, so I hope future versions of the machine include it.
Even given that sticking point, this is a great machine for folks who want an easy-to-use, easier-to-store, slightly simpler alternative to a Ninja Creami. While the motor base takes up a bit of counter space, it’s not as tall as the Creami, making it much easier to store. Overall, it’s a good investment for folks seeking their first “spin and go” ice cream maker.
Where to Buy the Nutribullet Chill
Nutribullet Chill Ice Cream Maker
With intuitive controls and a large serving container, the Nutribullet Chill is about to be your new summer BFF.
If you’re ready to craft your first batch of easy homemade ice cream, you can snag the Nutribullet Chill on the brand’s website. It retails for $200. Folks seeking a simple, easy-to-clean “spin and go” machine will be super satisfied with their investment!
FAQ
How long does the Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker take?
It only takes a few minutes to make ice cream with the Nutribullet Chill. However, the ice cream bases require at least 24 hours to freeze prior to use.
Can a Nutribullet make ice cream?
While you need a dedicated Nutribullet Chill ice cream maker for ice cream, the machine’s pint cups are also compatible with some Nutribullet personal blending machines, including the Turbo, Ultra and SmartSense.
Why You Should Trust Us
There are some huge ice cream fans on the Taste of Home team. We’ve not only tried every Ninja Creami model but also reviewed ice cream clubs and some of the best ice cream brands. You can also find plenty of good ice cream recipes. If you want to take your ice cream hobby to the next level, consider investing in a few ice cream accessories for the full parlor experience! As for myself, I’m a huge ice cream fan who has tested multiple “spin and go” ice cream makers and also made ice cream the traditional way.
