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This Ninja Creami protein ice cream is smooth, chocolatey, and packed with 24 grams of protein per serving! With just four simple ingredients, you can create a creamy protein dessert that tastes like the real thing, without the heaviness of traditional ice cream. Perfect for a post-workout treat, a summer dessert, or anytime you want something indulgent but nourishing.
Why You'll Love This High Protein Ice Cream
I love taking classic desserts and giving them a protein boost. My Healthy Chocolate Protein Mug Cake and High Protein Cheesecake Bars are proof that treats can be both delicious and nourishing. This Ninja Creami recipe follows the same idea, delivering a creamy, high-protein ice cream that satisfies without the heaviness. It's also one of my favorite Ninja Creami protein recipes, because it shows just how easy and versatile this machine can be.
Using the Ninja Creami makes it simple to whip up a pint with hardly any effort. Unlike store-bought versions that can be packed with additives, this one stays wholesome with cottage cheese, protein powder, and your milk of choice.
It's also completely gluten-free, macro-friendly, and customizable depending on your dietary needs. Whether you stick with whey protein for the smoothest results or swap in a plant-based protein, you'll end up with a dessert you can feel good about.I
If you're looking for more high-protein recipe inspiration, check out my Top 10 Gluten-Free High-Protein Recipes!
Ingredients You'll Need
See the full recipe card below with exact ingredient amounts and substitutions.
- Chocolate protein powder: You can also use vanilla protein powder if you prefer. I like Flavcity Brownie Batter protein powder or Be Well By Kelly chocolate! (Use code MARY for a discount!)
- 2% cottage cheese: I use the Good Culture brand, but you can use whatever kind you like and have on hand. A lot of Ninja Creami recipes use a banana or Jello pudding mix to get the creamy consistency. I decided to try out cottage cheese, and it works beautifully! It also adds a cheesecake flair to this recipe. Provides creaminess and body. Greek yogurt can be substituted here but the flavor will be a little tangier.
- Chocolate milk: Fairlife chocolate milk is my go-to for extra protein, but any chocolate milk will do.
- Gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies: Crushed up before adding (optional). The Goodie Girl Thin Mints are also amazing!
How to Make Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
Step 1: Add cottage cheese, protein powder, and chocolate milk to a blender. Blend until smooth.
Step 2: Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
Step 3: Cover and freeze for 18-24 hours.
Step 4: Once frozen, remove the lid and attach the container to the machine.
Step 5: Press "Ice Cream." Add 1 tablespoon of chocolate milk (or milk or choice) and press "Re-Spin" for the creamiest texture.
Step 6 (Optional): Stir in crushed gluten-free Oreos, chocolate chips, or nuts.
Step 7: Press “Mix-In” on the machine and you’re done!
Variations & Mix-In Ideas
- This recipe is a base you can customize! Try mixing in:
- Seasonal favorites like peppermint pieces or pumpkin spice mix
- Crumbled Fudgy Protein Brownies
- Mini chocolate chips or crushed cookies
- A swirl of peanut butter or almond butter
Storage & Make Ahead Tips
This ice cream is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers in the freezer for up to 4 days. To re-soften, add 1 tablespoon of chocolate milk (or any milk of choice) to the pint and use the "Re-Spin" function before serving.
Recipe FAQs
If your ice cream is crumbly, it needs a little bit more liquid. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk and re-spin until creamy.
Yes! Swap cottage cheese for a dairy-free yogurt alternative and use almond, oat, or coconut milk as your base. This can also be adapted into a sugar-free ice cream by using unsweetened milk and sugar-free mix-ins.
Whey protein blends make the smoothest, creamiest ice cream. Plant-based protein powders work too but may need an extra re-spin to avoid grit.
Absolutely! With around 24 grams of protein and balanced macros, this is a protein dessert for weight loss or fueling your day – without the sugar crash.
This is an easy Ninja Creami recipe you'll come back to again and again! Whether you keep it simple or load it up with mix-ins, it's bound to become a family favorite.
More Healthy & Satisfying Gluten-Free Desserts
Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream (24g Protein, 4 Ingredients)
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chocolate protein powder
- ½ cup 2% cottage cheese, I like Good Culture brand
- 1 cup Fairlife chocolate milk, or chocolate milk of choice
- 4 gluten free chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed up prior to adding, optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your Creami container, cover, and freeze for 18-24 hours.
- Remove the lid and attach the container to the machine. Hit "ice cream", then add 1 additional tbsp chocolate milk and his "re-spin". Enjoy!
- Optional Mix-ins: 4 gluten free oreos – to add these, crush up the Oreos first and add them to the creami cup after the ice cream is done. Hit "mix-in". and you're done!
Notes
- Makes 2 servings – Nutrition info is for one serving not including mix-ins (so half of the total ice cream). This is assuming you use Good Culture 2% cottage cheese, Fairlife chocolate milk, and a protein powder with 25g per scoop.
- Feel free to add M&M’s, chocolate chips, peanut butter, or any other gluten-free or regular mix-ins of choice.
- Many protein ice cream recipes out there call for sugar-free jello mix. I chose not to include that in this recipe. If you want, you can use 10 grams of collagen powder, which has a similar powdered texture but without any added sugars, whether real or artificial. This won’t affect the macros of the recipe by much!
- If you want to sweeten this homemade ice cream up even more, add honey or maple syrup to the mixture.
- Add 1-2 tsp cacao powder for more chocolate flavor before blending.
- Try adding a scoop of peanut butter powder to make a delicious chocolate PB ice cream.
- You can also use coconut milk, almond milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk as your ice cream base
- Serve protein ice cream immediately for the tastiest results. Top this ice cream with any of your favorite gluten-free candies, cookies, or sauces.
- You may need to use the "re-spin" option on your Ninja Creami a couple of times to get the texture you desire.
- This delicious ice cream is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers in the freezer, covered, for up to 4 days.
- When you’re ready to eat it, take it out of the freezer and place it in your Ninja Creami machine. Add 1 tablespoon of Fairlife chocolate milk (or liquid of choice) and press the “re-spin” button to achieve that creamy texture.
Nutrition
All nutrition facts are an estimate and automatically calculated. While I fact check them using My Fitness Pal, please note that they may not always be 100% accurate and depend on ingredients used. Weigh your total and divide by the number of servings for the most accurate grams per serving size.
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Hi. I have an ninja creami and I love to make protein ice cream but I’ve always seen every recipe say to use the light ice cream cycle. Is there a difference in using the regular ice cream option? Thanks in advance!
This ice cream is fabulous! It’s wonderful to have a treat while getting in a serving of healthy protein and not many fat grams. Cannot tell cottage cheese is an ingredient AT ALL! Very tasty and satisfying. Two thumbs up!
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Hi. I have an ninja creami and I love to make protein ice cream but I’ve always seen every recipe say to use the light ice cream cycle. Is there a difference in using the regular ice cream option? Thanks in advance!
Hi! I am not sure exactly I’ve only made this using the regular ice cream option!
LOVE this idea… FYI, Fairlife has Ace K and Sucralose as artificial sweeteners! Such a bummer but like you said, we can use another chocolate milk instead. Just wanted to share in case you were not aware.
Thanks! I am aware 🙂 I also like to use Organic Valley chocolate milk which has better ingredients if you’re looking for another option!
What are your suggestions if you’re using a blender like a vitamix that doesn’t have that ninja option at the end to hit “ice cream”?
Not sure what you’re asking hun. But they’re 2 different appliances. I also have a Vitamix but I also have a Ninja Creami. The Ninja Creami is not the same as a Ninja blender, they’re different.