Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream

This Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream is the perfect protein ice cream, with just 3 ingredients, 40 grams of protein per pint, and endless flavor possibilities!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard of the viral Ninja Creami. It’s a pretty incredible machine that allows you to take seemingly any ingredient and turn it into a luxuriously creamy ice cream.

And despite it sounding too good to be true, it really is pretty awesome. Particularly if you’re like myself and you’re prioritizing protein, this Ninja Creami protein ice cream is a fabulous way to up your protein intake.

While this protein ice cream itself has gone viral on social media multiple times, you’ve also got to check out some other viral faves, like my protein acai bowl with acai ice cream, protein pumpkin ice cream, and strawberry cottage cheese ice cream (which gives total strawberry cheesecake ice cream vibes!).

Why This Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipe is SO Good:

• 3 ingredients: all you need are 3 ingredients!
• Ninja Creami magic: I don’t know how they created this machine, but it’s magic. Truly insane how creamy and decadent a protein ice cream can be!
• High Protein: One pint has 40 grams of protein (note that this may vary based on milks and protein powders used).
• Insane Texture: this ice cream is lusciously thick and creamy, you seriously would never guess it’s a healthier option.
• Endless Flavors: This ice cream is extremely customizable, with all the different types of protein powders and flavors out there! Plus, you can mix and match and add even more layers of flavor with different mix-ins!

Ingredients Needed

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

• Milk: I generally prefer dairy milk in my ninja creami protein ice creams, specifically ultra-filtered milk, like Fairlife’s fat-free milk, which is my go to and gives an extra protein boost. You can use any milk you prefer, or even just a protein shake for even more protein!
• Protein Powder: you can use any protein powder you prefer here — have fun with flavor creations! I’ll share some of my faves below.
• Instant Pudding Mix: use sugar free or regular, just be sure it’s the powdered instant pudding mix. And you can use whatever flavor complements your protein shake of choice — I’m sharing some of my favorite combos below!

How to Make Protein Ice Cream

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

1. Add ingredients to a Ninja Creami pint container.
2. Whisk or use an immersion blender to blend ingredients thoroughly.
3. Freeze for 24 hours.
4. Complete a spin on the “Lite Ice Cream” setting of the Ninja Creami.
5. It’ll likely look a little powdery, so add a tablespoon more protein shake, milk, or cream.
6. Run the “Re-Spin” cycle and the result should be a thick and creamy protein ice cream.

Expert Ninja Creami Tips

• Freeze time: while 24 hours of freeze time is the official recommendation from Ninja Kitchen, I find I can get away with at least 8 hours of freezing — perfect for those mornings when I forgot to prep a pint the night before!
• Let it set briefly at room temp before spinning. This helps it blend a little smoother and can help the sides fully incorporate, and not end up with icy pieces on the side of the ninja creami pint.
• Don’t use a frother or blender to mix (unless you’re blending in an ingredient like fresh fruit). I know, I used to use a frother and you’ve probably seen some viral videos with me using it, too. But! We learn and we improve! I have found that using the frother creates more bubbles (duh), but when freezing that can sometimes lead to a giant bump or protrusion on top of the ice cream. This can dull the blade and create uneven blending problems and ultimately wear your machine down faster.

Ninja Creami FAQs

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 too soft, you likely either:

• didn’t let it freeze long enough before spinning (you need AT LEAST 8 hours, possibly longer depending on your freezer)
• added too much milk during the re-spin cycle (just use a tablespoon)
• let it set out/ thaw for too long before blending

This is a very niche problem, but I also find the ice cream softens very quickly under bright photography lights when filming. 😉

Why is my Ninja Creami Not Soft Enough?

You may benefit from letting it thaw on the counter for at least 10 minutes before blending. 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.

Protein Ice Cream Variations:

• Double Protein: this protein ice cream has 40 grams of protein per pint/ 20 grams per serving, but if you’re looking to go crazy here, you can always use a protein shake instead of milk.
• Strawberry Protein Ice Cream: my family LOVES this option! We use strawberry Optimum Nutrition protein powder, sugar free white chocolate instant pudding mix, and will mix in mini chocolate chips.
• McFlurry Vibes: 1 scoop CSE simple vanilla protein powder + 1 tbsp sf white chocolate instant pudding mix
• Chocolate Brownie: 1 scoop CSE chocolate brownie batter protein powder + 1 tbsp chocolate fudge sf pudding mix + mix in a fiber one brownie (gives a fiber boost, too!)
• Chocolate Peanut Butter: 1 scoop CSE chocolate peanut butter protein powder + 1 tbsp chocolate fudge sf pudding mix + drizzle melty peanut butter on top at the end.
• Thin Mint Cookie: 1 scoop CSE mint cookie protein powder or Optimum Nutrition thin mint protein powder + 1 tbsp sf chocolate fudge instant pudding mix.
• Banana Pudding: use 1 scoop CSE vanilla protein powder + 1 tbsp sf banana instant pudding mix + add fresh banana slices and vanilla wafers as mix ins/ on top.

Ninja Creami Mix-Ins:

You can have SO much fun with the mix-ins for your Ninja Creami! I’m sharing some ideas below, but also remember my top key with mix ins, and that’s to pour them in a well in your ice cream that goes all the way to the bottom!

• Mini chocolate chips
• Mini M&Ms
• Chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Butterscotch chips
• Fresh strawberries
• Fresh blueberries
• Banana slices
• Peanut butter
• Almond butter
• Crushed cookie pieces
• Crushed brownie pieces
• Graham crackers
• Animal crackers
• Pretzels
• Caramel drizzle
• Fudge drizzle
• Peanuts
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Crushed Almonds

Storing Ninja Creami Leftovers

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

1. 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.
2. 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).

Supplies You’ll Need

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(Of course) 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 the newer Ninja Creami Swirl. (Note that what is pictured above was the Ninja Creami Breeze, my first Ninja Creami years ago that I have since upgraded!)

• 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 Swirl: This cool option has the ability to serve your spun ice cream soft serve style!

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:

• High Protein Dole Whip
• Ninja Creami Mango Sorbet
• High Protein Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt
• Strawberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
• Acai Ice Cream
• Protein Pumpkin Ice Cream

Did you make this recipe? Please give a rating and review below! For more balanced nutrition and no fuss, balanced recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram!