Ninja Creami Pumpkin Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami Protein Pumpkin Ice Cream tastes like pumpkin pie, but with a cool 21g of protein per serving. Creamy, cozy, and easy!
I may be a little late to the Ninja Creami train, but it’s safe to say I am all aboard. And this may be a bold statement, but having a Ninja Creami makes me wonder – why bother dealing with a regular ice cream maker?
Ninja Creamis are just so convenient. You don’t have to freeze a large ice cream maker drum – just the pint. And the versatility of the ingredients you can use and STILL deliver a thick and ultra-creamy ice cream? It’s insane!
If you’re a fan of more high protein pumpkin recipes, you’ve got to check out this Protein Pumpkin Matcha, too – it’s a favorite!
Why This Ninja Creami Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe is SO Good!
- It’s so simple, with just a four ingredients needed.
- As long as you have a Ninja Creami, it’s pretty low maintenance to make.
- High protein!
- Lusciously thick and creamy.
- It’s SO good!
Ingredients Needed
For a full ingredient list with quantities, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
- Milk: You need 1 1/2 cups of your preferred milk of choice. I like using Fairlife or another ultra-filtered milk, as the ultra-filtration process makes it have a higher amount of protein (and it’s what I use in the nutrition facts!)
- Pumpkin: Use 100% real pumpkin puree, either store-bought or homemade is fine. Just avoid the can that says “pumpkin pie filling” or “pumpkin pie mix,” as that has additional ingredients in it.
- Protein Powder: I love to use Clean Simple Eats Simply Vanilla protein powder. You can use any protein powder you preferr, but I’d recommend vanilla, unflavored, or even a pumpkin pie protein powder, if you find one!
- Pudding Mix: Instant pudding mix helps give light or protein ice creams a creamier texture in the Ninja Creami. I used a sugar free white chocolate, but I’ve also used sugar free cheesecake and vanilla and all are delicious!
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: the perfect blend of ingredients for pumpkin spice treats!
Step-by-Step Directions
For complete instructions, please check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
- Add all ingredients to a Ninja Creami pint container and whisk together.
- Freeze for 24 hours.
- Complete a spin on the “Lite Ice Cream” setting of the Ninja Creami.
- It’ll likely look a little powdery, so run a respin cycle or two (you can add a splash more milk to help if it needs it!)
Expert Tips
- The biggest tip is to not be alarmed when your ice cream looks powdery after the first spin. This is normal for light and protein ice creams. Trust the process! Add an extra tablespoon of protein shake or milk and run a Re-Spin. And if for whatever reason it’s still not smooth and creamy, you can run a second Re-Spin and that should do it!
- Want a more soft serve or Wendy’s frosty-like texture? Add two tablespoons of liquid before the Re-Spin.
Substitutions & Variations
- Try changing up the protein powder flavor for different variations – there are so many flavor options now like vanilla, chocolate, caramel toffee, coconut creme, snickerdoodle, and even pumpkin spice.
- Have fun with mix-ins! Try mixing in additions like graham crackers, mini chocolate chips, caramel, pralines, honey roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds…the world’s your oyster!
- Dairy-free protein shakes and dairy free instant pudding mixes are available, if that’s a need.
Storing Ninja Creami Leftovers
Ninja Creami leftovers? What’s that? All jokes aside, 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).
Supplies You’ll Need
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You need a Ninja Creami. Chances are, if you’ve gotten this far, you already have one. But if not – I highly recommend!
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love:
- Pumpkin Protein Chia Pudding
- Pumpkin Banana Bread Muffins
- Protein Pumpkin Matcha
- Pumpkin Feta Pasta
- Pumpkin Blueberry Bread
- Pumpkin Protein Overnight Oats
More Ninja Creami Recipes:
- Ninja Creami Mango Sorbet
- Ninja Creami Frozen Yogurt
- Strawberry Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- Acai Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
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Ninja Creami Pumpkin Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups milk
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon instant pudding mix sugar free, white chocolate, cheesecake, or vanilla
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- To a Ninja Creami pint container, add the pumpkin puree, milk, protein powder, instant pudding mix, and pumpkin pie spice. Use a small whisk or spatula and mix until combined.1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon instant pudding mix, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1.5 cups milk
- Place the lid on the Ninja Creami pint, then place it in the freezer for at least 24 hours.
- Run the frozen pint through the "lite ice cream" setting on the Ninja Creami. It will likely look powdery after this first spin – that's normal! Do a re-spin or two. Optionally, you can also add a tablespoon of additional milk before the respin, too.
- If desired, add any mix ins (like graham cracker pieces or a caramel swirl!) and run the "mix in" setting. Serve immediately and enjoy!
