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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.
I’m so glad I stumbled upon this recipe! I’ve been looking for a healthier ice cream option that still tastes amazing, and this Ninja Creami protein ice cream recipe looks like it fits the bill. Can’t wait to give it a try and indulge in a guilt-free dessert 😋
Loving this recipe! Can’t wait to try it out and enjoy a healthier ice cream treat 🍦👍
Thanks for this recipe! 3 re-spins plus a couple of splashes of fat free half and half resulted in very creamy protein ice cream. My previous attempt was crumbly until I found this.
So glad you enjoyed!
If we want to use protein powder instead of a premade protein shake, what would the measurements be? Thanks.
I would use the same amount of protein shake- 14 oz. :). If you’re mixing up your own protein shake I recommend mixing with milk (or a milk alternative) for best creaminess.
Really good! First ninja recipe and followed the instructions and it turned out well. Added a little milk as recommended before the respin. Family impressed!
So glad you enjoyed! Thank you for leaving a review 🙂
I love this recipe! The Ninja Creami makes it so easy to enjoy a healthy treat. Can’t wait to try it out with different flavors! Thanks for sharing!
Could you substitute sugar free pudding mix? Thanks
Definitely!
This recipe sounds amazing! I love how you incorporate protein while making it a guilt-free treat. Can’t wait to try out the flavors you mentioned. Thanks for sharing!
If you don’t have a Ninja Creami machine, can this recipe be made using a regular mixer?
If you don’t have a Ninja Creami you can add these ingredients to a blender and add ice cubes until it reaches the consistency you want 🙂
I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’ve been looking for a healthier way to satisfy my sweet tooth, and the Ninja Creami sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and nutritious option!