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Creamy, smooth, and packed with protein this Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream is the ultimate healthy dessert or post-workout treat! With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy rich, vanilla-flavored ice cream that’s customizable with your favorite mix-ins.

Ingredients

1½ cups whole milk (or milk of choice: almond, oat, or coconut)
1 scoop (about 2 tablespoons) vanilla protein powder (Clean Simple Eats or your favorite brand)
1–2 tablespoons sweetener of choice (monk fruit, granulated sugar, or other)
1 tablespoon vanilla Jello pudding mix (regular or sugar-free)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Optional Mix-ins:
Choose your favorites — cookie dough, peanut butter cups, crushed Oreos, M&Ms, chocolate chips, graham crackers, chopped fruit, sprinkles, or protein bar pieces.

Instructions

Mix the base:
In an empty Ninja Creami™ pint, add the milk, protein powder, sweetener, pudding mix, vanilla extract, and salt.
Whisk to combine:
Whisk the mixture thoroughly until smooth and well combined. A milk frother works great for blending everything evenly.
Freeze the base:
Place the pint on a flat, level surface in your freezer. Freeze uncovered for 24 hours. Note: Freezing with the lid on can cause a hump to form, which may damage the Creami blade. Always freeze with the lid off.
Assemble for spinning:
After 24 hours, remove the pint from the freezer. Place it into the outer bowl, attach the lid, and lock it onto the motor base. Twist the handle to raise and secure the platform.
Spin it:
Select the Lite Ice Cream setting. One spin is usually enough, but if needed, you can respin once for extra creaminess.
Add your mix-ins (optional):
Use a spoon to make a 1½-inch hole in the center of the ice cream. Add your chosen mix-ins, then run the Mix-In program once.
Serve:
Scoop into a bowl or enjoy straight from the pint. Top with extra mix-ins if you like and dig in!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

High in protein: Great for post-workout recovery or a healthier dessert option.
Customizable: Add any flavor or mix-in combo you crave!
Creamy and rich: Thanks to the pudding mix, the texture is soft and scoopable right from the pint.
Quick prep: Just mix, freeze, and spin — no churning required.
Better than store-bought: Fewer ingredients and less sugar than commercial protein ice creams.

Tips

Freeze on a level surface: This ensures even freezing and smooth spinning.
No frother? Use a whisk or blender to fully mix the ingredients.
Too crumbly after spinning? Add a splash of milk (1–2 tablespoons) and run a respin.
Store leftovers properly: Re-freeze with the lid on; respin before serving again for a creamy texture.
Sweetness level: Adjust the sweetener to taste — protein powders vary in sweetness.

Variations and Substitutions

Different protein powders: Try chocolate, caramel, or unflavored protein powder.
Dairy-free option: Use almond, oat, or coconut milk with plant-based protein.
Flavor twist: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract, or blend in cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
Extra creaminess: Replace ¼ cup of milk with heavy cream or half-and-half.
Fun mix-ins: Add crushed cookies, berries, nut butter swirls, or granola pieces for texture.

FAQs

Can I use non-dairy milk?
Yes! Almond, oat, or coconut milk all work well — just note the texture may be slightly lighter.

What if my ice cream is crumbly after the first spin?
Add a tablespoon or two of milk and run the Respin function. It will come out smooth and creamy.

Do I need to use pudding mix?
The pudding mix helps with texture and creaminess, but you can omit it if you prefer a lighter consistency.

Can I make it sweeter?
Absolutely! Adjust the amount or type of sweetener based on your taste and protein powder.

Serving and Suggestions

Top with fresh fruit, crushed nuts, or sugar-free chocolate syrup.
Swirl in peanut butter, Nutella, or protein cookie dough before freezing for added flavor.
Enjoy as a high-protein dessert or post-workout snack.
Serve between two protein cookies for a homemade ice cream sandwich.