This Acai Ice Cream, made in a Ninja Creami, creates an incredible base for an acai bowl with protein. A few simple ingredients are blended to create a high protein acai berry ice cream that you can enjoy for a sweet, but healthy, breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Don’t forget your favorite acai bowl toppings!

a spoonful of acai ice cream as the base of a high protein acai bowl

If you like ice cream and you like acai bowls – well, you’re welcome! This acai ice cream is for you.

And not only is the acai ice cream itself flavorful and not overly sweet, but it also makes an acai bowl with protein. The additions of both protein powder and Greek yogurt dial up the protein, so this acai bowl base comes in with over 30 grams of protein.

Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert, don’t forget to top this acai berry ice cream with your favorite protein acai bowl toppings!

Oh yeah, and for ultimate ease? It’s made in the Ninja Creami. If you like this Ninja Creami acai bowl, check out other delicious Ninja Creami recipes, like Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream, Strawberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream, and Ninja Creami Mango Sorbet.

Why This Acai Ice Cream Recipe is SO Good:

This acai berry ice cream is insanely thick and creamy – you wouldn’t believe that it’s so good for you!
High in protein – one batch clocks in over 30 grams of protein.
It’s naturally gluten-free, and easy to customize for other dietary preferences, like dairy-free and no added sugar.
Using the Ninja Creami makes it pretty hands off and lower maintenance, compared to freezing ice cream bowls and using other ice cream makers.
It’s so delicious!

Ingredients Needed

For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

ingredients to make acai ice cream in a ninja creami

Acai: use a packet of frozen unsweetened acai berry puree. I like to thaw the puree, so it’s easier to blend into the acai ice cream base before freezing.
Blueberries: high in antioxidants, this adds more nutrition, flavor, and some fiber.
Banana: half a banana adds sweetness, creaminess, and vitamins and minerals.
Greek Yogurt: adds extra creaminess and protein. I recommend plain, fat free Greek yogurt or a zero sugar vanilla Greek yogurt.
Protein Powder: use your preferred protein powder. I recommend unflavored or vanilla, but use what you like best.
Milk: use whatever type of milk you prefer to drink, this just helps things blend as you’re pureeing the base.

Step-by-Step Directions

For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

steps to make high protein acai ice cream in a ninja creami

Add all ingredients to a Ninja Creami pint.
Use an immersion blender to puree smooth. (Alternatively, you can use a blender and pour it into the pint if you don’t have an immersion blender.)
Freeze the acai ice cream puree for 24 hours.
Spin in the Ninja Creami on the Lite Ice Cream setting.
After the first spin, the acai ice cream will look a little powdery – this is perfectly normal for lite and protein ice creams in the Ninja Creami at this stage. Trust the process!
Run a Re-Spin cycle on the Ninja Creami. One re-spin is usually enough, but if it’s not quite creamy enough, run a second re-spin cycle.

Expert Ninja Creami Tips:

Why is my Ninja Creami Powdery?

A powdery Ninja Creami is common after the first spin when making light or high protein Ninja Creami ice creams. Ninja Creami protein ice cream and light ice creams typically need 1 or 2 Re-Spin cycles. If it’s really powdery, try adding a tablespoon of protein shake, milk, or cream before you Re-Spin. I find the magic combination is usually 1 spin, add 1 tablespoon liquid, and 1 re-spin!

Why is my Ninja Creami Too Soft?

If your ice cream is very soft and more soft serve or a Wendy’s Frosty consistency, you either did not freeze your mixture long enough, or you’ve added too much liquid during a Re-Spin. I know it’s tedious, but freeze for 24 hours! And when adding liquid before a Re-Spin, only add a tablespoon (unless you want it softer, then by all means, add an extra tablespoon or two!).

Why is my Ninja Creami Not Soft Enough?

Let it not fully freeze, or allow it to sit out for 20-30 minutes before spinning. You also can add a total of 2-3 tablespoons of extra liquid before you Re-Spin, to allow for a softer consistency.

How Do I know if I need to Re-Spin?

If after your first spin your ice cream is powdery or just not quite creamy enough, run a Re-Spin. If it’s very powdery (like most protein ice creams), add that tablespoon of extra liquid.

Use Quality Ingredients

The Ninja Creami is pretty magical, but you still need to like the ingredients you’re using! So if you’re making a protein ice cream – use a protein shake and/ or powder you like! If you’re adding fruit or making a sorbet, use fruit that tastes good for you. For example – I personally find canned fruit to always have a metallic taste, even when transformed in a Ninja Creami, so I prefer to thaw frozen or use fresh when making those bases.

Have Fun with Mix-Ins

Once you have a good base you enjoy (like a good protein ice cream base), change it up with flavor variations and different mix ins!

What Else Can You Make in a Ninja Creami?

Ice creams, light ice creams, protein ice cream, gelato, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and more!

Protect Your Ears!

The Ninja Creami is pretty loud, so guard your ears! And please protect the ears of any kids helping out in the kitchen.

spoonful of creamy, thick high protein acai berry ice cream

Substitutions & Variations

Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based protein powder, milk, and Greek-style yogurt. Note that nutrition information, especially protein content, will vary.
Swap the Fruit: Blueberries and Banana blend perfectly in this acai berry ice cream, but you can swap out different fruits, like a whole banana, strawberries, mango, or cherries.
Add Flavoring: Depending on what flavors you like, try adding additions like ginger, vanilla, or cocoa powder.

Storing Ninja Creami Leftovers

What do you do if you have Ninja Creami leftovers? Well, you have two options:

Refreeze and Re-Spin: Simply level and smooth the top of any leftover ice cream inside the Ninja Creami pint, place it back in the freezer, and spin it again when you’re ready to enjoy again.
Thaw Slightly/ No Re-Spin: Refreeze your leftovers, then when you’re ready to enjoy, set it out on the counter for 10-15 minutes, or freeze for 10-15 seconds until slightly softened.

If you have any mix-ins in your ice cream, I recommend just thawing and avoiding a re-spin. Doing another spin cycle after you already have mix-ins completely obliterates whatever mix-ins there were (which can impact the taste and texture of the ice cream, too).

high protein acai bowl with acai ice cream base

Supplies You’ll Need

As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small amount from qualifying affiliate purchases at no cost to you.

You need a Ninja Creami. Chances are, if you’ve gotten this far, you already have one. But if not – I highly recommend!

There are several types of Ninja Creamis: the original Ninja Creami, the Ninja Creami Deluxe, and (what I have) the Ninja Creami Breeze.

7-in-1 Ninja Creami: The original Ninja Creami with 7 settings, Ice Cream, Sorbet, Lite Ice Cream, Smoothie Bowl, Gelato, Milkshake, and Mix-In.
Ninja Creami Deluxe: The Deluxe is a more comprehensive Ninja Creami, offering 11 pre-set programs to the originals 7.
Ninja Creami Breeze: The Breeze is a more compact machine, designed to still be powerful but take up less space and fit more easily on countertops under cabinets.

If you’re a big fan of prepping a lot of Ninja Creami recipes in advance, I highly recommend also investing in additional pint containers.

More Ninja Creami Recipes:

Did you make this recipe? Give it a 5★ rating below! For more balanced nutrition and simple, healthy-ish recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!