Can You Grind Coffee Beans In A Ninja Blender?

Did you accidentally get whole beans instead of pre-ground coffee? Or did your coffee grinder just die, you still need your morning coffee and you are wondering if your Ninja can grind coffee beans? Well, you’ll find out below that yes, you can grind coffee beans in a Ninja blender along with a step by step how-to process!

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As a coffee lover myself, I love a good Texas pecan roast or a French Press coffee first thing in the morning with a good book before any kids wake up! Unfortunately, these days my kids wake up anytime they know I’m awake. Hello 4:30am! I have been testing out different brewing methods lately though the brewing process of a nice cold brew is actually pretty simple and might be coming one of my favorite coffees! It’s no myth that to get the best cup of coffee, using fresh ground coffee grains is a great way to get a delicious cup of coffee!

Can you grind coffee in a Ninja Blender?

The short answer is Yes, you can grind coffee in a ninja blender! BUT because blenders aren’t the best option for grinding coffee beans, I usually reach for my dedicated Burr grinder for a better grind and desired consistency.

How to grind coffee beans in a ninja blender

Supplies Needed:

• Use 1/2 cup of coffee beans (I really love Black Rifle Whole Coffee Beans!)
• 16oz to-go cup and blade attachment from your Ninja Blender

Directions (with photos):

Step 1. Place 1/2 cup of whole coffee beans into your 16oz To-Go cup

Step 2. Attach to-go cup to blade by aligning the extractor blade onto the top of the cup opening, screw on tightly and place on main base.

Step 3. Turn Power On

Step 4. Pulse the Single serve button for 1-2 seconds at a time for a max of 15 times.

Step 5. Enjoy! Use your fresh coffee grounds in any coffee maker (Have you tried the Ninja Coffee Maker?) to brew a fresh cup of coffee and pretend you are in a fancy coffee shop. And don’t forget to save those used coffee grounds for your compost!

Alterations for different grinds

Fine Grounds: If you are wanting a fine coffee grind, then grind 1/4 cup at a time for slightly longer stretches of 3-4 seconds each up to a total of 8-10 times (30 seconds max) for your fine grind.

Medium Grounds: Follow the regular instructions above for a medium grind, grinding 1/2 cup at a time for 1-2 second pulses for up to 15 times (30 seconds max).

Coarse Grounds: If you are wanting more of a coarse grind, for best results place 3/4 cup of whole grain coffee for 1-2 second pulses up to 10 times. Simply having more coffee grains during the grinding process will make it more difficult to grind, which in turn will make in more coarse.

Tips and Tricks for grinding coffee beans in a blender

If you must use a blender to grind your coffee beans instead of a dedicated coffee grinder, the best way is to use the pulse grind. Small batches of short pulses will allow you to properly distribute coffee beans to make for a more consistent grind without “burning” the grains.

Use the travel single-serve cup with its own blade grinder instead of the standard pitcher for grinding up to 1/2 cup of beans at a time.

Ninja Blender vs Nutribullet Blender for Grinding Coffee

If all you have is a blender than by all means, use what you have! But here is the breakdown of the Ninja vs the Nutribullet for coffee grinding goodness! The powerful Ninja Blender has a 1400 peak-watt power dense motor with specially designed blades that powers through heavy loads without stalling compared to the Nutribullet’s 600 watts of power that is great for shakes, but will probably have more trouble with the intensity of grinding whole coffee beans especially if you are wanting a finer grind.

The Best Ninja Blender Model for Grinding Coffee beans

Ninja 12-Tablespoon Coffee & Spice Grinder for Auto-IQ Blender: If you are looking for a dedicated Ninja brand tool for grinding coffee the Ninja 12-Tablespoon Coffee & Spice Grinder for Auto-IQ Blender is going to be your best bet! This thing is dishwasher safe, grinds both coffee and spices, and includes an instruction guide with 10 coffee and spice recipes.

Top 4 Coffee Grinders

Best Overall Coffee Grinder: OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

This product boasts of:

• Stainless steel conical burrs create uniform grounds for optimal flavor
• 15 grind size settings (plus additional microsettings) from fine for espresso to coarse for French press and cold brew
• One-touch start remembers your last setting, just push to grind
• Large-capacity hopper holds up to 3/4 lb/12 oz of coffee beans
• UV-blocking tint shields coffee beans from UV rays
• Mess-free hopper with “trap door” keeps beans contained when you remove it
• Stainless steel static-fighting container significantly reduces static
• Powerful DC motor preserves flavor and won’t overheat beans

Best Splurge Coffee Grinder: Breville Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder

This product boasts of:

• Stainless steel conical burrs designed to minimize grinding heat and protect the essential oils in the coffee bean
• 60 precise grind settings from the finest Espresso to the coarsest French Press Grind. Voltage: 110 120 Volts. Power: 165 Watts
• Precision Electronic Timer allows users to adjust grind time in 0.2 second increments and consistent dose every time
• 18 ounce coffee bean capacity with locking system for easy removal, storage, and transfer of the bean hopper
• Grind directly into portafilter, grinds container, gold tone filter basket or paper filter
• Portafilter cradle small 50 54 millimeter; Portafilter cradle large 58 millimeter

Best Manual Grinder: Manual Coffee Grinder by JavaPresse

This product boasts of:

• ENJOY THE PERFECT CUP OF FRESH COFFEE ― The Manual Coffee Grinder by JavaPresse Coffee Company has a built-in adjustable ceramic burr with over 18 manual grind settings to ensure you have 100% precision & control over the coarseness of your grind. This hand coffee grinder is great for all brewing methods to enjoy the perfect cup of fresh coffee and espresso in the morning.
• CONVENIENT, PORTABLE AND EASY-TO-USE ESPRESSO GRINDER ― The hand crank coffee grinder mechanism eliminates over 90% of the noise that electric coffee bean grinders produce. Unlike electric burr grinders for coffee beans, the patented JavaPresse dual plated manual ceramic burr coffee grinder assembly requires no batteries, power or long plastic cords to operate. This allows you to enjoy fresh ground coffee beans at home or on the go as the best camping coffee grinder.
• THE BEST WAY TO START YOUR DAY ― This manual coffee grinder is equipped with a professional grade ceramic conical burr for an incredibly consistent coffee grind that heightens flavors of the most exquisite beans in the world. Smell the fresh aroma of fresh ground coffee as you brew them on your espresso machine, AeroPress, French Press or pour over coffee maker!
• TREAT YOURSELF TO THE HIGHEST QUALITY MANUAL COFFEE GRINDER THAT IS BUILT TO LAST ― Crafted with the same essence as traditional Japanese cookware, our patented ceramic handheld coffee grinder burr is tested through three quality inspections to last 5 times longer than comparable stainless steel coffee burrs. Combined with an impeccable frame and convenient size, this is the pinnacle travel coffee grinder that is a great gift for yourself or a friend.
• ENHANCE YOUR MORNING WHILE MAKING AN IMPACT AROUND THE WORLD ― Your deliciously crafted cup of coffee from our manual coffee grinder is helping empower coffee farmers to chase a brighter future. A portion of our profits go towards positively impacting our partner’s coffee supply chain and their local communities. Our mission hinges on one fundamental idea: when we care, happiness flows and everyone wins. Including you with this hand coffee bean grinder by JavaPresse.

Best Grinder for both Coffee and Spices: Ninja 12-Tablespoon Coffee & Spice Grinder for Auto-IQ Blender

• MEASUREMENT IN BOWL: Measure ingredients in the grinding bowl for precise measuring and easy cleanup
• DISHWASHER-SAFE: Lid, Grinding Bowl and Blade Assembly are all dishwasher safe
• BONUS: 10-recipe Inspiration Guide
• INSTRUCTION BOOK: With easy-to-follow coffee & spice chart
• The Ninja Grinder is compatible with all Auto-iQ series: BL490/640/680 and NN100 models and select BL480 series models
• The Ninja Grinder is not compatible with BL685 and BL688 models
• BPA Free lid

Top 3 Whole Roasted Coffee Bean Brands

Black Rifle:

Black Rifle Coffee Company serves coffee and culture to people who love America.

We develop our explosive roast profiles with the same mission focus we learned as military members serving this great country and are committed to supporting veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. With every purchase you make, we give back.

Trader Joe’s Coffee:

Trader Joe’s is a national chain of neighborhood grocery stores. They are committed to providing their customers outstanding value in the form of the best quality products at the best everyday prices. Through their rewarding products and knowledgeable, friendly Crew Members, they have been transforming grocery shopping into a welcoming journey full of discovery and fun since 1967!

Tiny Footprint Coffee:

The world’s first carbon negative coffee! Through a unique collaboration between Roastery 7 and the Mindo Cloudforest Foundation, one an Artisan coffee roastery and the other a nonprofit conservation organization, the two teamed up in 2010 to create the ultimate combination. 

Can I grind coffee in my Vitamix?

The answer is yes, BUT it’s not my first choice. Follow the step-by-step instruction included for grinding coffee beans in the Ninja Blender for your best course grind!

Frequently Asked Questions!

Can any ninja blender grind coffee beans?

Yes. Any Ninja blender can grind coffee beans. Ninja blenders are powerful and grind coffee beans evenly and quickly. Just add beans to the blender and pulse to get the desired consistency (See above for instructions per desired consistency)

How long does it take to grind coffee in a ninja blender?

All it takes is less than 30 seconds! The Ninja blender has specially designed sharp blades and 30 seconds is the maximum time to get ground coffee. More than 30 seconds will burn the coffee grind and make the coffee grind bitter.

How much coffee can I grind in my ninja blender?

You can blend as much coffee as you want, but for best results use 1/2 cup at a time for the recommended timing.

Is it okay to grind coffee in a blender?

Yes! You can use a blender to grind coffee beans. BUT, make sure you use blenders with a pulse or grind setting to get the consistency that you want and don’t blend for too long and burn your coffee!