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This high protein Ninja Creami peppermint ice cream is the ultimate holiday treat. It’s the perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth with an ice cream that’s a little lighter, higher in protein and has the perfect amount of peppermint flavor.
You already know I love my Ninja Creami Machine and I absolutely love making Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream in it! This peppermint version is rich and creamy, high in protein and has plenty of wintery nostalgic flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Ninja Peppermint Ice Cream
This easy homemade peppermint ice cream takes barely any prep time, is packed with protein and is absolutely delicious. Here’s why you’ll love it too.
- Lightened up ice cream. Unlike traditional ice cream, the creamy base is made with milk instead of heavy cream.
- High protein. Each pint packs an impressive 40 grams of protein!
- SO easy. No complicated ice cream maker or churning required. It takes 5 minutes to prep and the hardest part is waiting for it to finish freezing.
- Super creamy texture. Even though it’s lighter and higher protein, each scoop is still just as creamy as traditional ice cream.
If you’re a minty ice cream fan, you’ll love my Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream too.
If you want more protein-packed frozen treats like this check out my Ninja Creami Milkshake (High Protein), Cottage Cheese Ninja Creami Ice Cream, or my Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt
Ingredients
For full recipe instructions and complete list of ingredients, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Milk: 2% milk keeps this ice cream light and creamy. Whole milk works too. Keep in mind if you use a lower fat milk
- Protein powder: Vanilla protein powder adds sweetness, flavor and a great boost of protein. Clean Simple Eats Simply Vanilla is my favorite but whatever is your favorite vanilla protein powder will work.
- Instant pudding mix: A few tablespoons of vanilla instant pudding mix gives the ice cream the perfect texture and keeps it from melting too fast. Regular and sugar free pudding mix both work.
- Peppermint extract: Just a tiny splash of peppermint (not mint!) extract gives the perfect amount of peppermint flavor. Measure carefully!
- Peppermint candy canes: Crushed candy canes, starlight mints or peppermint pieces add that signature taste and crunch!
Variation Ideas
- Chocolate peppermint. Use chocolate protein powder plus a teaspoon of cocoa powder and mix in 2 tbsp of mini chocolate chips with the peppermint.
- Oreo peppermint. Add 1-2 crushed Oreos during the mix-in stage.
- Extra Creamy. Use whole milk and mix in 2 tbsp of cream cheese to the ice cream base.
- Pink Peppermint Stick. Add 2-3 drops of red food coloring for traditional pink peppermint ice cream.
How To Make Ninja Creami Peppermint Ice Cream
- Mix & Freeze. Whisk milk, protein powder, pudding mix and peppermint extract in the Ninja Creami pint container. Cover and freeze ice cream mixture for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Spin. Attach pint to outer bowl and secure lid with blade on your Ninja Creami machine. Run light ice cream mode x1.
- Mix-In. Make a hole in the middle of the pint and add candy cane pieces. Run mix-in mode x1
- Scoop. Scoop and enjoy!
How to Store
Smooth the top of the ice cream in the Ninja Creami pint container and put the lid on. Store leftovers in the freezer. I recommend running it in the Ninja Creami machine on lite ice cream mode x1 before enjoying again, but you can also thaw for about 10 minutes at room temperature.
Jamie’s tips
Tips For The Creamiest Ice Cream
- Mix Mix Mix. Make sure to mix the protein powder and pudding mix until it’s dissolved as much as possible. A milk frother or small immersion blender works great if you have one.
- Measure your peppermint carefully. Peppermint extract is very strong, so make sure you measure very carefully or you’ll end up with a super minty ice cream.
- Full 24 hours of freezing. This ice cream needs the full 24 hours of freeze time for the creamiest texture, so even though it’s tempting, don’t spin it early!
- Don’t skimp on the milk. Make sure to use 2% milk or higher. 1% or fat free milk will work, but will result in an icier finished product that’s not as creamy. Plant-based milks also work but similarly may not be as creamy.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
If you’ve made and loved these Ninja Creami Peppermint Ice Cream or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
Ninja Creami Peppermint Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups 2% milk, or whole milk
- 1 1/2 scoops vanilla protein powder, use your favorite, I like Clean Simple Eats Simply Vanilla
- 2 tbsp instant vanilla pudding mix, sugar free or regular
- 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 tbsp peppermint candy, crushed, candy canes or peppermint mints
Instructions
- Mix milk, protein powder, pudding mix and peppermint extract in Ninja Creami pint container using a small whisk or spoon until combined.
- Freeze for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Place pint container in the Ninja Creami outer bowl and secure lid with blade, install onto machine. Run lite ice cream mode x1, check consistency.
- Add crushed candy canes to the center hole, run mix-in mode x1.
- Scoop and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé.
