Gingerbread Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

The Ninja Creami machine truly lives up to the hype. The flavours and textures that you're able to achieve with protein ice cream changes the game for creating healthy desserts.

This Ninja Creami Gingerbread Protein Ice Cream contains just 7 ingredients— milk, protein powder, vanilla extract, sugar-free pudding mix, molasses, spices, and real gingerbread cookies! Once frozen and creamified in the Ninja Creami, it creates a delicious soft-serve textured ice cream that literally tastes like a McDonald's McFlurry. You will not believe you are eating 50g of protein in one pint of this ice cream recipe.

Get a couple extra Ninja Creami pints and meal prep your protein desserts for the week. This Ninja Creami ice cream is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Note that I have the Ninja Creami Deluxe model, which has 50% larger pints than the regular Ninja Creami. It also has 11 different modes and some new features compared to the original. I've scaled this recipe to serve 1-2 people, with quantities that will fit in the pint cups of any Ninja Creami machine so everyone can make it.

Ingredient Notes

Here are the ingredients you'll need to make this high protein Ninja Creami ice cream:

• Milk—I typically use 1% Fairlife milk, however any dairy milk should work. Use skim milk to decrease the calories, or 2% for a creamier texture.
• Vanilla Extract—To enhance the flavor of the ice cream base.
• Vanilla Protein Powder—I like to use the Premier Protein Whey Protein Powder in Vanilla Milkshake. It is creamy and provides 30g protein per serving, plus it doesn't have any weird flavours. Any vanilla protein powder you like will work.
• Sugar-free vanilla pudding mix—You will find that sugar-free pudding mix is a common ingredient in creami recipes because it adds extra flavor and most importantly, a real ice cream-like thickness. While this recipe will still taste great without it, just 1 tablespoon really thickens up the low-fat milk to resemble full-fat ice cream.
• Molasses—A classic gingerbread flavor.
• Spices—Just a teaspoon ground cinnamon and ginger are all you need!
• Gingerbread cookies—Whether they're homemade or store-bought, these crunchy spiced cookies are the perfect mix-in to add some texture to your high protein ice cream.

Substitutions

• Dairy Free—Use almond milk and plant-based vanilla protein powder. Check if your gingerbread cookies contains dairy.
• The Ninja Creami is also great for adding more mix ins like m&ms, chocolate chips, fruit chunks, peanut butter, etc. Blend on Lite Ice Cream first, Re-Spin if necessary, then add your mix-ins and blend on Mix-In.
• Sweetness—If you like your ice cream sweeter, add 1-2 teaspoon of your favourite sweetener to the base like maple syrup, honey, agave, or a sugar free alternative. I find the cookie butter adds the perfect amount of sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe and nutrition facts. Note that I have the Ninja Creami Deluxe model, as photographed below. I've scaled this recipe to also fit in the smaller original models.

(1) Add all ingredients except the cookies to a Ninja Creami pint. Whisk and freeze overnight.

Run the pint under warm water for 30 seconds then dry it off. Place pint in the outer bowl.

(2) Blend on “Lite Ice Cream”, then scrape down the sides and “Re-spin”. Break up the gingerbread cookies and stuff them in the center of the ice cream. Blend on "Mix-In" mode.

(3) Enjoy immediately!