If you’ve ever looked at your blender, your freezer, and your protein shake and thought, “There’s gotta be something better I can do with this,” you’re not alone.
Because let’s be real—most of us aren’t exactly craving another sad, chalky protein drink after a long day. What we are craving? Something cold, creamy, sweet… and still kinda good for us. A treat that doesn’t leave us wondering, “What did I just do to myself?” five minutes later.
That’s where this little Ninja Creami magic comes in. It’s simple. It’s satisfying. And yep—it actually works.
So whether you’re working toward your health goals, just came back from a weekend of eating like you’ve never seen food before, or you’re trying to trick your kids (or partner) into eating more protein, you’re going to love this.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll want to grab before you start whipping up this dreamy, cold creation.
- 1 ready-to-drink protein shake (Fairlife, Premier Protein, Clean Simple Eats, whatever you like—12–14 oz works great)
- 1 tablespoon unflavored collagen OR 1 tablespoon instant pudding mix (vanilla or chocolate, depending on your mood)
- Optional: 1–2 tablespoons of a natural sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit—totally up to you and your sweet tooth
- Splash of milk (any kind) for texture (this is your creamy insurance policy)
Tools You’ll Need
No need for fancy kitchen gadgets you’ll use once and forget about. Here’s what you actually need:
- Ninja Creami (the star of the show)
- Ninja Creami pint container + lid
- Whisk, frother, or immersion blender (you want the base smooth, not clumpy)
- Freezer (yep, obviously, but had to say it)
Let’s Talk About Why This Works
Here’s the scoop (see what I did there? ).
Most protein shakes aren’t designed to freeze into something edible. That’s why when you just toss one in the freezer and hope for the best, you get a sad ice brick. But with a few tweaks—collagen for creaminess, a little extra milk for movement—you’re actually changing the texture chemistry to make something that tastes like ice cream, not like frozen sadness.
This isn’t just protein ice cream. It’s happy protein ice cream. Big difference.
Pro Tips (From Someone Who’s Been There, Done That, and Ate the Crumbly Results)
- Freeze flat without the lid. If you freeze it with a big frozen dome or air pocket, the Ninja Creami has to work twice as hard—and sometimes gives up. Don’t make it work harder than it needs to.
- Thaw it for a few before spinning. Let your pint sit on the counter for about 10 minutes. You can also run it under warm water for 30 seconds. This helps soften just enough for a smoother spin.
- Use collagen for a creamier texture. Collagen not only boosts protein, but it also gives your ice cream that nice, scoopable consistency. Pudding mix can do this too—but collagen is a more whole-food-friendly option.
- Don’t be afraid to re-spin. If your ice cream is crumbly the first time (and it might be), just add a splash of milk and hit the re-spin button. It usually takes one or two rounds to reach silky perfection.
- Sweetness is personal. Some protein shakes are already super sweet, and some are… well, not. Taste your shake before freezing, and add honey, maple syrup, or your go-to sweetener if it’s not quite there.
Substitutions & Variations
This is where you get to play around a little:
- Plant-based protein? Awesome. Use your favorite shake + oat or almond milk. Just know it may turn out slightly icier. Add ½ a banana or a bit of nut butter if you want to soften the texture.
- No collagen? No problem. Use instant pudding mix or 1–2 Tbsp Greek yogurt for similar creaminess.
- Add mix-ins like chopped nuts, dark chocolate chunks, cinnamon, or crushed graham crackers. Make it your own.
- Flavor it up with unsweetened cocoa powder, peppermint extract, or espresso powder for a mocha vibe.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can totally prep these pints in batches.
- Make a few base mixtures, pour them into pint containers, and freeze them lid-off.
- Label them with a piece of tape and a Sharpie (trust me, frozen chocolate protein looks a lot like frozen coffee protein).
- Then, when the craving hits, all you have to do is thaw, spin, and enjoy.
Boom. Ice cream on demand.
How to Make Healthy Protein Ice Cream with the Ninja Creami
Follow these exact steps and you’ll be in business:
- Add your protein shake to the Ninja Creami pint.
- Whisk in collagen or pudding mix + sweetener if using.
- Blend or froth until smooth.
- Freeze flat for 12–24 hours, no lid.
- Let sit at room temp ~10 minutes before spinning.
- Run it on the “Lite Ice Cream” setting.
- If crumbly, add a splash of milk and re-spin.
- Create a small hole in the center and drop in your mix-ins.
- Run the “Mix-In” cycle.
- Taste. Savor. Repeat as needed.
Nutritional Goodness
Depending on what protein shake you use, you’re looking at:
- 20–35g protein per pint
- Low fat, low sugar (if you want it to be)
- Plenty of room for fun mix-ins that don’t wreck your goals
You’re getting something that tastes indulgent, but keeps your energy and blood sugar levels from tanking. That’s kind of the dream, right?
Leftovers & Storage
Let’s say you don’t finish it all in one go (I mean, impressive). Here’s what to do:
- Re-lid and stick it back in the freezer.
- When you’re ready for round two, let it sit out again for 10 mins and run it through a spin cycle.
- Do not microwave it. Just don’t.
It might need another splash of milk if it’s super icy, but it’s totally revivable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I only have protein powder, not a shake? Blend 1 scoop protein powder with ¾ cup milk of choice, then follow the same directions. Just make sure it’s totally smooth before freezing.
Can I make this vegan? You bet. Use plant protein + non-dairy milk. Skip the collagen and go for instant pudding mix or Greek-style coconut yogurt for creaminess.
My ice cream came out like snow. What happened? No worries—it probably just needs a re-spin with a splash of milk. Or you froze it with the lid on, which can create air pockets that mess with the texture.
Do I need the Ninja Creami? Honestly? Yes. This recipe was made for it. Other methods won’t get you the same creamy texture, and it might end up too icy.
Wrap Up
This isn’t just another “healthy” dessert that tastes like a compromise.
This is something you’ll actually look forward to eating. Something that makes your nutrition goals feel like a treat instead of a punishment. And the best part? You don’t need to be a chef, a gym rat, or someone with six hours to meal prep.
You just need a pint, a protein shake, and a little curiosity.
So if you give this one a try—and you totally should—come back and let me know what mix-ins you loved, what shake brand worked best for you, or what you’d try differently next time.
Because your journey to better eating? It should still taste really good.