Why do recipes use pudding mix?

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The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to change your regular diet. Please consult with your physician before changing your diet.

You do not have to use pudding mix to make ice cream in the Ninja Creami. It is optional. You can use guar gum, cream cheese, xanthan gum or any other stabilizer instead.

Pudding mix adds flavor and makes the ice cream thick and creamy.
Most pudding mixes have some sort of gum in them like guar gum or xanthan gum. The gum helps make the texture thick and creamy. You do not need to use pudding mix and a gum.
You can use sugar free or regular pudding mix.
2 tablespoons per pint is usually a good amount to add to your recipe.
Use instant pudding instead of cook and serve or premade pudding. Just add the dry mix, don’t make the pudding according to the directions on the package.

What kind of pudding mix can be used?

When a recipe calls for pudding, it usually means INSTANT pudding powder. Do not use cook and serve pudding powder or Jell-O gelatin powder in place of instant pudding powder. They will not achieve the same results.

You can use any brand that you would like.
You can use regular or sugar-free. The measurements are usually pretty close.
Any flavor works. Vanilla and chocolate are the most common. But, you can use any flavor that you would like.
Generally, 2 tablespoons of instant pudding powder does the trick for a 16 ounce recipe.

What is instant pudding mix outside of the U.S.?

Argentina: Royal Flan or Pronto Postre
Austria: Haas Pudding Pulver
Brazil: Dr. Oetker Pudim or Royal Pudim
Chile: Royal Flan or Marco Polo Postre
China: Dr. Oetker 布丁粉 (Pudding Powder)
Colombia: Royal Flan or D'Gari Pudín
Costa Rica: Royal Flan or Pronto Postre
Ecuador: Royal Flan or Negrita Pudín
Egypt: Green’s Pudding Mix or Jellyland Pudding Mix
France: Alsa Poudre à Flan
Germany: Dr. Oetker Pudding Pulver
Ghana: Royal Pudding Mix
India: Weikfield Custard Powder (used to make a similar dessert)
Indonesia: Pondan Pudding Mix
Italy: S.Martino Preparato per Budino
Japan: Glico Pucchin Pudding Mix
Kenya: Rafhan Custard Powder
Malaysia: MyFlavor Pudding Mix
Mexico: Royal Flan or Pronto Pudding Mix
Netherlands: Dr. Oetker Pudding Poeder
Nigeria: Jago Instant Pudding Mix
Peru: Negrita Pudín or Royal Flan
Philippines: White King Pudding Mix
Poland: Delecta Budyń
Portugal: Boca Doce Pudim
Singapore: RedMan Pudding Mix (available at Phoon Huat stores)
South Africa: Moir’s Instant Pudding or Parmalat’s Ultra Mel Pudding Mix
South Korea: Dr. Oetker 푸딩 믹스 (Pudding Mix)
Spain: Royal Flan
Sweden: Ekströms Marsánpulver
Thailand: Royal Pudding Mix
United Kingdom: Angel Delight
Uruguay: Royal Flan or Pronto Postre
Venezuela: Flan Chino Mandarín
Vietnam: Bột Pudding (various local brands)