Ice cream that's actually good for you. That's the dream, right?
This Ninja Creami High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream delivers: creamy texture, classic vanilla flavor, and a serious protein punch without the chalky protein bar aftertaste. I've made this recipe more times than I can count, and it's become my go-to when I want something sweet after dinner but don't want to derail my nutrition goals.
The secret is cottage cheese. I know, I know. But trust me. Once blended, you cannot taste it at all. What you get is a rich, creamy base packed with protein that rivals any commercial protein ice cream, minus the weird ingredients, gums, and artificial sweeteners.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream
- 🛒Ingredients You'll Need
- Substitution and Additions
- 🍨 How to Make High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream in Ninja CREAMi
- 🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- Flavor Variations to Try
- 🍽️What Goes Well With This
- How to Store Leftovers
- 👪Serving Size
- 🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Tips for Success
- Recipe FAQs
- More Vanilla Ice Cream Variations
- More Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Flavors
- Did you try this recipe?
- Ninja Creami High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream
Why You'll Love This High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream
- High in protein - Cottage cheese + protein powder = serious protein per serving.
- Super creamy texture - No chalky, icy, or grainy consistency.
- No pudding mix or gums - Just clean, simple ingredients you can pronounce.
- Sugar-free - Naturally sweetened with monk fruit (or your preferred sweetener).
- Perfect base recipe - Customize with endless flavor variations and mix-ins.
- Great for fitness goals - Post-workout treat that supports muscle recovery.
- Meal prep friendly - Make multiple pints for the week.
🛒Ingredients You'll Need
For this recipe, I use:
- Cottage cheese – The secret to a creamy, high-protein base.
- Protein powder – I prefer vanilla, but you can switch it up.
- Oat milk – Light, dairy-free, and blends well.
- Vanilla Bean Paste– Enhances the classic vanilla flavor.
- Monk fruit sweetener – A natural, sugar-free sweetener.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Swap oat milk → Almond milk, coconut milk, or Fairlife Lactose Free Milk
- Replace cottage cheese → Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor.
- Use different sweeteners → Stevia, erythritol, or honey.
- Boost protein → Add extra protein powder or peanut butter.
- Extra creaminess → A splash of coconut milk works wonders.
🍨 How to Make High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream in Ninja CREAMi
- Blend the base – In a blender, combine cottage cheese, protein powder, oat milk, vanilla extract, and monk fruit sweetener. Blend until completely smooth.
- Freeze – Pour the mixture into a Ninja CREAMi pint container, ensuring it’s leveled. Freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Spin – Place the frozen pint into the Ninja CREAMi machine. Select the Lite Ice Cream setting.
- Check texture – If it’s too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon oat milk and re-spin until creamy.
- Enjoy! Scoop and serve with your favorite toppings.
🍒Fun Mix-Ins and Topping Ideas
- Dark chocolate chips – A rich, sugar-free chocolate treat.
- Crushed nuts – Almonds, walnuts, or pecans for crunch.
- Fresh berries – Blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries for natural sweetness.
- Shredded coconut – Adds texture and tropical vibes.
- Peanut butter swirls – A delicious, high-protein boost.
Flavor Variations to Try
- Chocolate Protein Ice Cream – Swap vanilla protein for chocolate protein powder.
- Peanut Butter Vanilla Swirl – Mix in peanut butter before freezing.
- Coconut Cream Dream – Use coconut milk instead of oat milk.
- Cookies & Cream – Stir in crushed sugar-free cookies.
- Almond Joy – Add almonds and shredded coconut.
- Berry Blast – Blend in fresh or frozen berries.
- Pumpkin Spice – Add pumpkin puree and cinnamon.
- Salted Caramel – Drizzle sugar-free caramel and a pinch of salt.
🍽️What Goes Well With This
- Protein brownies – A fudgy, high-protein pairing.
- Warm apple pie – Classic combination of hot and cold.
- Keto cookies – A low-carb, crunchy contrast.
- Granola – Adds crunch and fiber.
- Chopped nuts – Perfect for extra healthy fats.
- Whipped cream – Sugar-free for a low-carb dessert.
- Chocolate drizzle – Use sugar-free chocolate for indulgence.
- Espresso shot – Make an affogato with hot espresso.
How to Store Leftovers
Flatten any leftovers in the Ninja CREAMi pint container before refreezing. This ensures the machine’s blade won’t be damaged when you re-spin.
👪Serving Size
This recipe is made for the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe, yielding 4 servings. Perfect for sharing—or meal prepping dessert!
🌀Tools You’ll Need
- Blender: Ensures a smooth ice cream base.
- Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Maker: The best ice cream maker for protein treats.
- Ninja Creami Pint Container: Essential for freezing and spinning.
Tips for Success
- Blend cottage cheese completely smooth. Any remaining curds will create unpleasant texture.
- Taste before freezing. The base should be slightly sweeter than desired since freezing dulls sweetness.
- Use quality protein powder. Cheap protein powders with lots of fillers can create gummy or chalky texture.
- Don't overfill. Stay below the max line to allow room for processing.
- Let it rest before spinning. If the pint is rock-solid, 5 minutes at room temperature helps.
- Expect to respin. Protein ice cream almost always needs 1-2 respins with added liquid.
- Add liquid during respin. Just 1-2 tablespoons at a time until smooth.
- Flatten before refreezing. This protects the blade and ensures even texture next time.
Recipe FAQs
What setting on Creami for protein ice cream?
Use Lite Ice Cream or Gelato for best results. Lite Ice Cream is my go-to for lower-fat protein bases.
Why is my Ninja Creami ice cream not smooth?
It's likely too dry. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and hit Respin. Sometimes it takes 2-3 respins for protein ice cream to get perfectly smooth.
What is the best vanilla protein for Ninja Creami?
Whey protein powder or vegan protein powder with minimal fillers.
Does Creami really need 24 hours to freeze?
Yes, to get a firm, fully frozen ice cream base.
How to increase protein in ice cream?
Add extra protein powder, Greek yogurt, or peanut butter.
More Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Flavors
Did you try this recipe?
Share how it turned out in the comments below, and if you loved it, share it on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram.
Thank you! - Rose
Ninja Creami High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream
Craving a rich and creamy vanilla ice cream that’s actually good for you? This Ninja CREAMi High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream is the perfect guilt-free treat—packed with protein, sugar-free, and ridiculously easy to make!
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream maker
- 1 Blender
- 24 ounces Ninja Creami Container Pint
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup Cottage cheese
- 1 scoop Protein powder add more if needed
- 2 cups Non-Dairy Oat milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Bean paste or extract
- 3-4 tablespoon Monk fruit sweetener
Instructions
- Blend the base – In a blender, combine cottage cheese, protein powder, oat milk, vanilla extract, and monk fruit sweetener. Blend until completely smooth.
- Freeze – Pour the mixture into a Ninja CREAMi pint container, ensuring it’s leveled. Freeze for at least 24 hours.
- Spin – Place the frozen pint into the Ninja CREAMi machine. Select the Lite Ice Cream or Gelato setting.
- Check texture – If it’s too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon oat milk and re-spin until creamy.
- Enjoy! Scoop and serve with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- If too crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon milk and re-spin.
- Use quality protein powder for better texture.
- Let it sit for 5 minutes before spinning for better blending.
- Avoid overfilling the container—it needs space to blend.
Tried this recipe?Leave us a comment below and share how it came out!
Rose says
I’m so excited to share this High Protein Vanilla Ice Cream with you all! 🎉 It’s creamy, delicious, and packed with protein—perfect for a sweet treat that also fuels your day. I’d love to hear what you think! Did you try it plain, or add any fun mix-ins? Let me know in the comments!