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This Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream is a rich, creamy chocolate treat that’s packed with protein. It’s made with simple ingredients like protein powder, pudding mix, cocoa powder, and milk. The Ninja Creami machine transforms it into a smooth, scoopable ice cream that tastes just like real chocolate ice cream.
A lot of protein ice creams miss the mark by turning out icy, chalky, or tasting more like a frozen protein shake than real ice cream. This chocolate protein ice cream made in the Ninja Creami is just as creamy and delicious as the real thing. The pudding mix helps create a smooth creamy texture, while the cocoa powder gives it a rich chocolate flavor.
This chocolate ice cream recipe works for random weeknight cravings or for keeping stocked in the freezer during the summer. Just mix, freeze, and spin. If you’ve already tried my Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream or classic Ninja Creami Vanilla Ice Cream, this one fits right in, just with a richer chocolate twist.
Chocolate Protein Ice Cream Made in the Ninja Creami
This is the kind of ice cream you end up keeping in the freezer on repeat. It’s rich, chocolatey, and turns out surprisingly creamy once spun in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine. Instead of tasting icy or chalky like some protein desserts, this one feels closer to real chocolate ice cream while still packing in extra protein.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- High in protein. Protein powder and milk help make it feel more balanced and filling than traditional ice cream. With 24 grams of protein per serving!
- Creamy, scoopable texture. The combination of protein powder and pudding creates the perfect texture.
- Rich chocolate flavor. Cocoa powder gives it that deep chocolate flavor that you want from chocolate ice cream
- Easy enough for everyday. Just mix, freeze, and spin. No complicated prep required.
- Perfect for freezer prep. Make a pint ahead of time and keep it stocked in the freezer so you’ll have a sweet treat ready whenever you want.
Ingredient Notes
This ninja creamy protein ice cream recipe comes together with just 4 ingredients (and no cottage cheese)!
For full recipe instructions and complete list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Chocolate protein powder: Use your favorite chocolate protein powder that you enjoy! I like Clean Simple Eats personally.
- Chocolate instant pudding mix: This is the key to creating a smoother, creamier ice cream consistency while helping prevent the icy texture common in many protein ice creams.
- Milk: Any type of milk works here. Dairy milk creates a richer creamier result, while almond or oat milk keeps the ice cream a little lighter.
- Cocoa powder: This deepens the chocolate flavor so the ice cream tastes richer and more dessert-like instead of overly protein-forward.
Variations To Try
- Create extra rich chocolate flavor. For more chocolate flavor, use chocolate milk or add a little extra cocoa powder.
- Make a mocha chocolate version. Add a pinch of instant espresso powder or instant coffee to make the chocolate flavor taste even richer.
- Swirl in peanut butter. After spinning, add a spoonful of peanut butter and use the mix-in function for plenty of peanut butter flavor.
- Add your favorite mix-ins. Chocolate chips, mini peanut butter cups, brownie pieces, or crushed cookies all work well mixed in after spinning.
- Make it a sundae. Top with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or crushed cookies for more of an ice cream shop-style dessert.
- Skip the protein powder. If you want a more traditional version without protein powder, try my Ninja Cream Chocolate Ice Cream instead.
How to Make Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
This chocolate ice cream recipe comes together in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker with just a few simple steps.
- Add the protein powder, pudding mix, milk, and cocoa powder to the pint container.
- Use a small whisk or spoon to mix everything together until well combined. Note: Give it a taste to see if you’d prefer to add 1-2 tablespoons of sweetener at this step. A little bit of maple syrup or honey will sweeten it.
- Freeze for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Place the pint container in the Ninja Creami outer bowl, secure the lid with the blade, and install onto the machine. Run the lite ice cream mode 1x, then check consistency.
- Run re-spin mode 1x if needed. If still crumbly, spin again!
- If you’re adding mix-ins, create a small hole in the center and then add in any mix-ins that you want before pressing the mix-in button. Scoop and enjoy!
Jamie’s Tips
Expert Recipe Tips
- Use your favorite protein powder. Use a protein powder you like or whatever you already have. Whey protein creates the creamiest texture. I like Clean Simple Eats personally.
- Whisk the base well before freezing. Protein powder and pudding mix can sometimes clump, so whisk until completely smooth.
- Don’t judge the texture after the first spin. High-protein Ninja Creami recipes often look a little crumbly after the initial spin. This is normal! Simply run the re-spin function and the texture should become smoother and creamier.
- Add mix ins after spinning. Use the mix-in function after the ice cream is fully creamy so ingredients like chocolate chips, cookies, or candy stay evenly distributed.
- Add a splash of milk before re-spinning if needed. If the ice cream still looks dry after a re-spin, adding a small splash of milk can help create an even creamier texture.
FAQs
This is completely normal for many high-protein Ninja Creami recipes. Simply use the re-spin function once or twice until the ice becomes smoother and creamier. Adding a small splash of milk before re-spinning can also help.
Whey protein or whey-casein blends usually create the creamiest texture. Different protein powders can slightly change the sweetness, texture, and thickness of the final ice cream. I like Clean Simple Eats personally.
The pudding mix helps create a smoother, creamier texture while reducing iciness. It also helps the ice cream feel more like regular chocolate ice cream instead of a frozen protein shake.
Yes! The Ninja Creami creates a much smoother and creamier texture than traditional homemade protein ice creams which is why it’s become so popular for high-protein desserts.
Storage Instructions
Store the creamy chocolate ice cream directly in the Ninja Creami pint container with the lid tightly sealed in the freezer for up to 1-2 weeks for the best texture and flavor. Use the re-spin function again before serving to bring back the creamy texture.
If the ice cream looks dry after re-spinning, add a splash of milk and spin again for a creamier texture.
Keep your freezer stocked and enjoy this homemade ice cream all season long! I like to keep extra pint containers on hand so that I can keep different flavors of Ninja Creami ice cream stocked.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
If you’ve made and loved this Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 2 tablespoons chocolate instant pudding mix, sugar-free or regular
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder
Instructions
- Mix the protein powder, pudding mix, milk, and cocoa powder in a Ninja Creami pint container using a small whisk or spoon until combined. Note: Give it a taste to see if you'd prefer to add 1-2 tablespoons of sweetener at this step.
- Freeze for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Place the pint container in the Ninja Creami outer bowl and secure the lid with blade, and install onto the machine. Run lite ice cream mode x1, then check consistency.
- Run re-spin mode x1 if needed. If still crumbly, spin again!
- If you're adding mix-ins, create a small hole in the center and then add in any mix-ins that you want before pressing the mix-in button.
- Scoop and enjoy!
Notes
- Sweetener: Protein powders vary in sweetness, so feel free to add sweeter to taste before freezing.
- Freeze level. Make sure the pint is completely level when freezing for the smoothest texture.
- Re-spin. If the ice cream still looks dry after re-spinning, add a small splash of milk and spin again.
- Nutrition information: Does not include optional sweeteners or mix-ins.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé.
