This easy recipe for Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream requires just 3 ingredients! It packs 30 grams of protein and doesn't use whey protein powder (but you can include it if desired).
It's the perfect chocolate ice cream base for all of your favorite flavors. Play around with different mix-ins and make your sweet tooth sing!
About a year ago, I finally decided to purchase my first Ninja Creami ice cream machine.
I had been lurking around the Ninja Creami community, and seeing all of the different flavors of protein ice cream recipes got my wheels turning.
When the machine finally arrived, I started testing recipes immediately. I saw that one person had made ice cream using a premade protein shake, and I knew I had to give it a try.
The first round left a little to be desired, but after switching brands and adding a secret ingredient I had learned about along the way, things got serious. Soon, I was churning out pint after pint of delicious and creamy chocolate ice cream. We started experimenting with our favorite toppings (like Oreo, Reese's, etc.), and haven't looked back since!
I love that I can enjoy the entire pint and still hit my protein goals, but do you want to know what the best part is? It tastes absolutely amazing! It's made dessert a nightly ritual, rather than a weekly splurge.
Why You'll Love It:
- Creamy ice cream (without added cream). One of the things we love the most about homemade ice cream made in a Ninja Creami is that even low-fat and high-protein recipes have the most wonderful creamy texture! Traditional ice cream recipes require heavy cream - this healthy ice cream recipe does not.
- Simple ingredients. With just 2 base ingredients, this recipe is the perfect treat with minimal prep and easy clean-up.
- Can be made with (or without) a pre-made protein shake. We love to use a premade protein shake for a quick and easy shortcut, but you can use milk and protein powder if you prefer.
Ingredients
- Protein shake (or milk + protein powder): We love to use a premade Fairlife chocolate protein shake, but if you prefer, you can use 1 ½ cups of milk and chocolate protein powder (we recommend high protein Fairlife chocolate milk for extra yumminess).
- Pudding mix: This contains thickeners, which ensure a foolproof Ninja Creami ice cream every time! It also adds sweetness and chocolate-y flavor, of course. I've used both regular and sugar-free/fat-free - they both work great!
- Splash of chocolate milk (optional): This softens the ice cream during the re-spin cycles. It's completely optional, but it's a great addition if you like a softer ice cream.
- Mix-ins of choice: You can add whatever you like! Brownies, M&Ms, Oreo, Reese cups, and even Cadbury mini eggs are some of our favorites. This chocolate ice cream recipe can serve as a base, and various mix-ins can be added to create different flavors.
Equipment and Tools
- Ninja Creami Machine: There are various models of the Ninja Creami, and this chocolate protein ice cream recipe will work with any one of them! It's made with a smaller volume of liquid, meaning it fits easily in the basic Ninja Creami container (no deluxe version required).
- Milk frother (or immersion blender).
How to Make Chocolate Protein Ice Cream (in a Ninja Creami)
This high-protein dessert packs 32 g protein and seriously delicious chocolate flavor! We love to make multiple containers at once, so every night can be dessert night.
- Pour your chocolate protein shake into the Ninja Creami ice cream container (or milk of choice). Be careful not to pour above the max fill line, and aim for a little below it, as the other ingredients will increase the volume.
- Add the pudding mix (and protein powder if using milk instead) and use a handheld milk frother or immersion blender to mix it until well combined.
- Once the powders are fully incorporated, you are ready to prepare it for the freezer.
- Place the lid on top and place in a flat location in your freezer for at least 16-24 hours. It must be frozen solid before you can use the machine, and the top must be flat, so choose a spot in the freezer that is both cold and level.
After chilling for 16-24 hours:
- If there are any large bumps in your frozen ice cream base, scrape them down with a spoon (a small bump is fine).
- Place the frozen ice cream container in the machine and select the "lite ice cream" cycle.
- Once the cycle is complete, remove the container and check the consistency. It may be crumbly, or it may be smooth, but most ice creams will require 1-3 respins to achieve the desired consistency. We like to add a splash of chocolate milk before the first spin.
- Select the "re-spin" cycle and respin, check, and respin again until you get the perfect consistency.
Tip for Mix-ins
If mix-ins such as Oreo cookies, Reese cups, cookie dough, brownies, etc., are desired, add them to the finished ice cream, then place it back in the machine and select the "mix-in" cycle.
Can I Make it Without a Premade Protein Shake?
Yes! I've tested this recipe with an alternative combination of ingredients that can be used if you don't have a prepared chocolate protein shake (like Fairlife or Premier Plus).
Combine the following and freeze:
- 1 ½ cups whole milk or chocolate milk (we like Fairlife high protein chocolate milk)
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (or flavor of choice)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate pudding mix
Flavor and Mix-in Options
- M&Ms: Add 1-2 tablespoons of mini M&Ms. Note that they will get a bit chopped up in the "mix-in" cycle, so you can stir them in by hand if you prefer.
- Reese's cup: We recommend mini Reese's cups, but regular ones can be used instead.
- Oreo ice cream: 2 regular Oreo cookies or 3 Oreo thins.
- Cadbury mini egg: Add 1-2 tablespoons of mini Cadbury mini eggs (or 3-4 tablespoons of the regular type).
- Peanut butter chocolate: Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter powder at the same time you add the pudding mix and/or protein powder.
- More ideas: Cookie dough balls (I roll my edible cookie dough into tiny balls), brownie (Fiber 1 or homemade), Skor or Heath bar bits, chocolate chips, etc.
Expert Tip
- Allow the container to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, OR run hot water along the outside of the container. This ensures all of the ice cream gets blended.
More High-Protein Recipes:
If you loved this Ninja Creami recipe for chocolate protein ice cream, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (11.5oz) prepared chocolate protein shake we highly recommend Fairlife (*or milk and protein powder)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate pudding mix can use sugar-free or fat-free if desired
- 1 tablespoon chocolate milk (optional) for spinning the ice cream
- Mix-ins of choice (optional) such as Oreo's, Reese's, M&M's, brownie chunks, etc. (optional)
Instructions
- Pour the chocolate protein shake into one of the ice cream containers for your Ninja Creami (or comparable machine).
- Add the chocolate pudding mix to the container and use a mini milk frother or immersion blender to completely blend the powder into the liquid.
- Secure the lid and place the container in the freezer. Freeze until rock solid, which is about 24 hours for most freezers, and no less than 16 hours. Unless it's frozen and very hard, it will not work, so be sure to put it in a cold spot in your freezer.
- Once your container is frozen solid (16-24 hours later), remove it from the freezer and run hot water along the sides of the jar (or allow it to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes). Remove the lid and flatten any large bumps on the surface by scraping them with a spoon.
- Place the container into the machine as directed in the manufacturers instructions.
- Select the "lite ice cream" cycle and let the machine complete the cycle.
- Remove and check on the ice cream - it may look crumbly; this is totally normal. You will need to complete "re-spin" cycles until you get the desired texture.
- Add 1 tablespoon of chocolate milk (optional) and secure the lid. Place the ice cream back into the machine and select the "re-spin" cycle. Re-spin 1-3 times until you achieve the desired texture.
- Once the ice cream is the perfect consistency, you can add any mix-ins for extra flavor (2 tablespoons of M&M's, chocolate chips, candy, etc.). Add them to the top of the ice cream, then complete a "mix-in" cycle on your machine.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Dorothy Bigelow says
We love this ice cream! A little sprinkle of your favorite candies adds big flavor, but honestly: we love it just the way it is. The perfect way to end a meal with a satisfying dessert.