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About This Recipe
You know I love a good protein ice cream recipe and the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker makes all my dessert dreams come true!
This low calorie ice cream recipe is perfect so satisfying your sweet tooth and makes the best afternoon treat or night cap. The best part is you get to enjoy the entire pint each time!
The Ninja Creami makes high protein ice cream taste like traditional ice cream and doesn’t have all that weird artificial taste that so many store-bought protein ice creams have. It’s a game changer for macro-minded ice cream lovers!
For more delicious Ninja Creami recipes be sure to check out my strawberry cheesecake protein ice cream and my go-to vanilla protein ice cream recipe!
And want protein ice cream but don’t have a Creami, try my chocolate chip cookie dough protein ice cream or mint oreo protein ice cream!
Why You’ll Love These This Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
- The best sweet treat with 38 g protein per serving!
- Easily customizable and fun to switch up with different toppings and mix-ins!
- A healthy ice cream recipe that tastes just like the real deal!
- Enjoy the whole pint or split into 2-3 servings! See tips for refreezing!
- A simple recipe that is naturally gluten-free and super easy to make dairy-free or vegan!
- Milk – I used Fairlife 2% milk for this recipe. I would recommend a milk with a little fat in it if possible, that will keep this ice cream more creamy. Technically fat free milk and almond milk work, the ice cream will probably just be less creamy (more icey) unless you add something else (like cottage cheese or cream cheese – see the FAQ section for more on this!)
- Peanut butter powder – It’s the peanut butter powder that gives this ice cream all the peanut butter flavor! You could replace with peanut butter, just note that will change the nutrition.
- Protein powder – I used PEScience vanilla protein powder (code Laurenfitfoodie to save!) but any protein should work here so just use your favorite protein powder. Use a plant-based dairy-free protein powder if needed.
- Vanilla extract
- Liquid stevia – I love using liquid stevia for this because it mixes so well into the ice cream for a more infused natural sweetness. But any sweetener of choice would also work!
- Reese’s minis – or 1 regular Reese’s cup chopped. Substitute for a dairy-free alternative or candy of choice if needed
- Toppings (optional) – Whipped cream, Reese’s Pieces, chopped Reese’s cups, chocolate syrup, etc!
- Make vegan: use dairy-free milk, a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips (I love Enjoy Life)
- Switch up your protein powder: change out the vanilla for chocolate, peanut butter or cookies and cream protein powder to subtly change the flavor
- Use a protein shake: like Fairlife or Premier shakes, to make this even easier! Use the same amount and just omit the milk and protein powder.
- Oreo peanut butter ice cream: Use Oreos instead of Reese’s to mix-in!
- Don’t have peanut butter powder? Use regular peanut butter instead. Or sugar free pudding mix (any flavor works!) Instead of 3 tablespoons, you only need tablespoon of pudding mix.
- Switch up your mix-ins! There are so many yummy mix in ideas! A few of my favorites are Oreo, dark chocolate chips, M&Ms, sprinkles, cookie dough bites and more!
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add all the ice cream base ingredients to an empty Ninja Creami pint container.
2. Use an immersion blender to combine (or you can blend in a food processor or blender). Freeze for 8-12 hours, minimum but overnight preferred.
3. Take out and run through the Lite Ice Cream cycle once.
4. Then make a small hole in the center of the ice cream.
5. Add the 1 Tbsp milk and chopped Reese’s.
6. Run through the mix-in cycle then top with whipped cream, Reese’s Pieces and more chopped Reese’s if desired and enjoy!
If you don’t finish the full pint, you can save the rest for later!
Use a spoon to smooth and level out the top of the remaining ice cream in the Ninja Creami container and place back in the freezer. When ready to eat, re-spin the frozen pint until desired consistency.
If you want to save your leftovers in another container, transfer the leftover ice-cream to another container and freeze. To enjoy, let it thaw on the container for a bit or microwave it for 5-10 seconds to soften.
Helpful Tips
- Prep in advance. I have found that I don’t necessarily need to wait 24 hours, but if I make this ice cream the morning of, say 8 hours in advance, I am good!
- Avoid Icy Edges. Run the container under hot water for 30 seconds before running it through the machine (or let sit out on the counter for 15-20 minutes). After the initial spin, run a butter knife or spoon along the sides and re-spin.
- Additional Re-spins. If you like your ice cream more like soft serve, you can re-spin 2-3 times before adding in your mix ins. This will soften the ice cream. If you like your ice cream more scoop-able, I recommend sticking with 1 re-spin.
- Don’t overfill the container. The ice cream will expand in volume as your re-spin so don’t worry if it looks like the pint isn’t initially full. Leaving adequate room in the container will allow the ice cream to spin correct to make the best, most creamy ice cream.
What if I have ice cream leftover?
If you don’t finish the full pint, you can save the rest for later. Use a spoon to smooth and level out the top of the remaining ice cream in the Ninja Creami container and place back in the freezer. When ready to eat, re-spin the frozen pint until desired consistency.
If you want to save your leftovers in another container, transfer the leftover ice-cream to another container and freeze. To enjoy, let it thaw on the container for a bit or microwave it for 5-10 seconds to soften.
Why does my Ninja Creami look so powdery after the first spin?
It is normal and expected for the mixture to be crumbly and powdery after the first spin. The second spin (especially when you add a little more liquid) is when the magic happens!
If ice cream is still not to desired consistency after first re-spin, you do an additional 2-3 re-spins (until desired consistency).
Can I use a protein shake instead of protein powder?
Yes! Lots of people love to use the Fairlife shakes, premier protein shakes or their favorite protein shake for these recipes. If you prefer to use a protein shake, just add your peanut powder powder, vanilla extract and sweetener (if needed) to the shake and blend.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Reese’s Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fairlife 2% milk (240g) *see notes if subbing
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter powder (24g)
- 2 Tbsp vanilla protein powder (15g)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp liquid stevia or sweetener of choice to taste
Mix-ins:
- Reese's 6 minis unwrapped or 1 regular Reese's, chopped
- 1 Tbsp Fairlife 2% milk (15g)
Optional for topping:
- whipped cream, Reese’s Pieces, chopped Reese’s cups, chocolate syrup, etc!
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.
Instructions
- Add all the base ingredients to an empty Ninja Creami pint and use an immersion blender to combine (or you can blend in a food processor or blender). Freeze for 8-12 hours.
- Take out and run through the Lite Ice Cream cycle once.
- Then make a well in the center of the ice cream and add the 1 Tbsp milk and chopped Reese’s.
- Run through the mix-in cycle then top with whipped cream, Reese’s Pieces and more chopped Reese’s if desired and enjoy!
Equipment
- Immersion blender optional
Notes
- Prep in advance. I have found that I don’t necessarily need to wait 24 hours, but if I make this ice cream the morning of, say 8 hours in advance, I am good!
- Avoid Icy Edges. Run the container under hot water for 30 seconds before running it through the machine (or let sit out on the counter for 15-20 minutes). After the initial spin, run a butter knife or spoon along the sides and re-spin.
- Additional Re-spins. If you like your ice cream more like soft serve, you can re-spin 2-3 times before adding in your mix ins. This will soften the ice cream. If you like your ice cream more scoop-able, I recommend sticking with 1 re-spin.
- Don’t overfill the container. The ice cream will expand in volume as your re-spin so don’t worry if it looks like the pint isn’t initially full. Leaving adequate room in the container will allow the ice cream to spin correct to make the best, most creamy ice cream.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
