This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Ninja Creami protein ice cream is smooth, rich, creamy and just as delicious as traditional ice cream. It has 40 grams of protein pint and is the perfect base for your favorite mix-ins. The best part? You only need three ingredients!
About This Protein Ninja Creami Ice Cream
The Ninja Creami machine is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. You can turn almost anything into a delicious ice cream or even make protein milkshakes (so good). It blows my mind every time. Here’s why you’ll absolutely love this one:
- Protein-packed. Unlike regular ice cream this protein ice cream has 20 grams of protein per half pint and 40 grams per whole pint. You can’t beat it!
- SO good. It doesn’t feel like a healthier ice cream at all and has the perfect smooth and creamy texture. If ice cream is your favorite dessert but you’re looking for a healthier option, this is the one!
- THE perfect base. This ice cream is the perfect base for whatever mix-ins you like. Some of my favorites are crushed Oreos, peanut butter cups, and edible cookie dough pieces.
- Vanilla or chocolate. I’ve included super simple recipes for both vanilla and chocolate protein ice cream, so you can make whichever is your favorite.
As a dietitian I’m a big supporter of traditional ice cream too, but having healthier alternatives like this is great for supporting your fitness goals while eating ice cream. Win win!
Ingredients
You only need three simple ingredients! Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for full instructions and amounts.
- Protein powder. You’ll need vanilla or chocolate protein powder, depending on what flavor you’re going for. My favorite is Clean Simple Eats, but you can use whichever protein powder you personally enjoy.
- Milk. Any milk will do! I typically go for at least 2% to keep things super creamy, but even plant-based milk will work.
- Instant pudding mix. It gives the ice cream that rich and creamy texture you want. Grab vanilla for vanilla ice cream and chocolate for chocolate ice cream. Just make sure it’s the instant kind, not the pudding mix that requires cooking. I like sugar-free for less sugar but regular works too.
Protein Ice Cream Variations
- Peanut butter cup. Add 2-3 tbsp of chopped peanut butter cups and a 1-2 tbsp of creamy peanut butter and run mix-in mode.
- High protein cookie dough. Mix in 3-4 tbsp of store-bought edible cookie dough pieces, like the cookie dough chunks from Ben & Jerry’s.
- Oreo. Add 3-4 crushed Oreos before running mix-in mode.
- Double chocolate. Make the chocolate and mix in 2-3 tbsp chocolate chips or chocolate chunks plus a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup.
- Birthday cake. Add 1/8 teaspoon of almond extract and 3 tbsp of rainbow sprinkles, then run mix-in mode.
- Mix up the pudding mix. You can choose different pudding mix flavors for fun variations, like cheesecake flavor or banana.
- Use a pre-made protein shake. Use your favorite pre-made protein shake and mix with 1-2 tbsp of instant pudding mix. My favorite is Core Power Protein Shakes or the Premier Protein Shakes.
How to Make Protein Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami
- Mix. Mix protein powder, pudding mix and milk in Ninja Creami pint container using a small whisk or spoon until combined.
- Freeze. Freeze for 24 hours on a level surface.
- Spin. 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.
- Re-spin and enjoy! Scrape the sides to remove any iciness and run re-spin mode x1 if needed. Note: If you want to add mix-ins, make a small hole in the center before adding your mix-ins and running on mix-in mode.
How To Store
If you have extras, level off the top of the container with a spoon and freeze with the lid. When you’re ready to enjoy again you can either let it sit out for a few minutes at room temp or spin 1x on lite ice cream mode.
Ninja Creami Tips
Tips For Success
- Freeze for 24 hours. I know it’s the worst part, but freezing for 24 hour is key for the best texture. If you skimp on the freeze time, you’ll get a much softer ice cream that will melt faster.
- Keep spinning. If you spin your ice cream and it still looks too crumbly, just spin again! You can also add a *tiny* splash of milk, but I find that extra spins always do the trick!
- Use a protein powder you like! Since we’re using protein powder, make sure you like the one you’re using. Everyone is different but my all time favorite is Clean Simple Eats.
- Stick to the fill line. Don’t overfill your container or you’ll end up with a big Ninja Creami mess and risk damaging your machine.
- Taste test. I find that the combination of protein powder and pudding mix is plenty of sweetener, but give it a taste and add 1-2 tbsp of sugar, honey, or sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit if needed.
Recipe FAQs
Any whey-based protein powder will work great. I personally like Clean Simple Eats. You can also use a pre-made protein shake like Core Power Protein Shakes and just mix with 1-2 tbsp of instant pudding mix.
That’s totally normal for the first spin. If it’s still crumbly after a re-spin, it may need 1-2 more spins or a tiny splash of milk.
You can still make the ice cream without it, but it creates the perfect rich and creamy texture (think frozen pudding, yum)! If you skip the pudding mix, you’ll likely need to add 1-2 tbsp of sugar or sugar-free sweetener like monk fruit.
Yes, you can! But I find that it’s even better and much creamier with a simple addition of 1-2 tbsp of instant pudding mix.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
If you’ve made and loved these Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and comments below!
Perfect Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
Ingredients
Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
- 1 1/2 scoops vanilla protein powder, Clean Simple Eats is my favorite
- 2 tbsp vanilla instant pudding, sugar-free or regular
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- optional mix-in ideas: chocolate chips, peanut butter cups, sprinkles, mini m&m's, crushed Oreos or cookies, crushed pretzels
Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
- 1 1/2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 2 tbsp chocolate instant pudding, sugar-free or regular
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1-2 tsp cocoa powder
Instructions
- Mix protein powder, pudding mix and milk in 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 tbsp of sweetener at this step.
- 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.
- 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
- Freeze for 24 hours. I know it’s the worst part, but freezing for 24 hour is key for the best texture. If you skimp on the freeze time, you’ll get a much softer ice cream that will melt faster.
- Keep spinning. If you spin your ice cream and it still looks too crumbly, just spin again! You can also add a *tiny* splash of milk, but I find that extra spins always do the trick!
- Use a protein powder you like! Since we’re using protein powder, make sure you like the one you’re using. Everyone is different but my all time favorite is Clean Simple Eats.
- Stick to the fill line. Don’t overfill your container or you’ll end up with a big Ninja Creami mess and risk damaging your machine.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Food photography by Marie-Catherine Dubé.
This recipe looks amazing! I love how it combines protein with a tasty treat. Can’t wait to try it out and satisfy my ice cream cravings while sticking to my nutrition goals. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect! Thank you. It’s my new go to weekend treat!
So glad you like it! Thank you for leaving a review 🙂
do you think it would work if I mixed orgain protein shake and pudding mix but in a bowl and beat it? Then froze it and beat it again with a kitchen mixer? I don’t have a ninja creami 🙁
I think it would be hard to beat once frozen! You could try making it like that and blending it with ice for a shake-like texture 🙂
I can’t wait to try this protein ice cream recipe! It looks so delicious and perfect for satisfying my sweet tooth while staying on track with my nutrition goals. Thanks for sharing such a creative and healthy treat!
I absolutely loved this recipe! It’s such a creative way to enjoy ice cream while staying on track with my nutrition. Can’t wait to try different flavor combinations! Thank you for sharing!