I’ll show you how to make Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream that doesn’t taste like a protein shake! Lots of folks are just freezing chocolate protein shakes and turning them into ice cream with the Ninja Creami. I can’t do it. It still tastes like a protein shake….only colder. I need more flavor and other things to get rid of the protein shake taste. So, after several attempts to get the flavor right, without adding TOO many extra things, I did it. I made chocolate protein ice cream that tastes like chocolate ICE CREAM and not like a protein shake!!
This recipe comes in at 255 calories, 31 grams of protein, 5 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 29 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.
If you’re just starting out with meal replacement shakes or just trying to add a little extra protein to your diet, you can do it by making your own ice cream. And, I’m here to tell you, it can still taste good…like really good! I was 100% against making protein ice cream. I had zero interest in it. I made some for my husband and then he ended up going out of town when it was ready to be eaten. So, I drew the short straw and ended up being the one that had to try the protein ice creams.
I didn’t think it would happen…but I was pleasantly surprised! Honestly, I had VERY low expectations. Now, don’t get me wrong…there were some big-time fails! Let’s not even talk about the lemon disaster and the disgusting butter pecan concoctions that I came up with.
But, after several attempts, I think I MASTERED the chocolate protein ice cream. It’s just so good and creamy. When I tasted it, I actually used the word gelato to describe it. I KNOW! It’s definitely NOT gelato. But the fact that it tastes like and has the texture of gelato is really saying something!

I’ve tried freezing just the protein shake. I highly discourage you from doing this when it’s so quick and easy to add a couple of ingredients to turn a protein shake into a magnificent ice cream. Protein shakes on their own end up tasting like a very cold and very bland protein shake. It’s really not good.

Can I freeze a protein shake and make ice cream?
Sure, you can. But you’ll regret that decision pretty quickly. When frozen, protein shakes are not very flavorful and are quite bland. I highly recommend adding extracts, pudding powder, fruit, syrups, or just about anything to the protein shake before freezing it. Something as simple as vanilla extract or cocoa powder goes a very long way!

This is a great chocolate base recipe to start with. Feel free to add any mix-ins that you would like. The sky is the limit! Keep in mind that anything additional that you add will change the nutritional value of the recipe. But, I tried to keep the calories and sugar levels pretty low so that other things could be added in while still staying a little healthy.

Tips for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
You can use almost anything as a mix-in. Try adding cookies, candies, fresh fruit, cereal, brownies, or even nuts. I would try to stay away from adding in nut butter like peanut butter, sauces, and spreads. Adding these things in will not create ribbons of flavor. Instead, they will fully incorporate into the base of the ice cream. Sometimes, mixing these types of ingredients in will turn the ice cream to more of a soft serve consistency and you may not be able to scoop the ice cream because it has softened up too much.
There are a few reasons. Usually, your freezer is not between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit or you do not have the correct amount of fat, sugar, or dairy in the recipe. The quickest and easiest way to fix this issue is to add in a tablespoon or two of liquid and respin.
Normally, if you are eating ice cream for dessert, the serving size is 4 ounces or half a cup. The Ninja Creami pint containers are 15 ounces and the deluxe containers are 24 ounces. So, ½ cup is a serving size. This can vary if you are making meal-replacement ice cream. Sometimes, a full pint is one meal. It just depends on what type of diet you are following.
Many have found that freezing the ice cream without the lid helps reduce the bump that sometimes gets created during the freezing process. While this may work sometimes, it does not always work. If your ice cream has a large bump in the middle, you can try to flatten or scrape it down with a warm spoon or vegetable peeler.
I like to use chocolate almond milk in this recipe because it adds additional chocolate flavor. But, it also adds calories and sugar. So, if you would like, you can use unsweetened almond milk instead.
Click HERE to see a full list of substitutions. Some substitutions provide a less creamy texture.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes?
Ingredient Substitutions for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream:
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.

Chocolate Protein Shake– I used a premier protein chocolate shake. You can use any brand that you would like. Just be sure to taste the shake before using it to make sure that you like the taste.
Chocolate Almond Milk– You can use any milk or milk substitute. The chocolate adds more flavor but it also adds more sugar and calories. So, if you would prefer, you can use unsweetened milk.
Sugar-Free Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix– Be sure to use INSTANT pudding mix that has not been made yet. You only use the powder for this recipe.
Dark Cocoa Powder– I prefer to use dark cocoa powder because it provides a stronger chocolate flavor. Make sure you use unsweetened cocoa powder.
Directions for making Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream:
Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the chocolate protein shake, ¼ cup of chocolate almond milk pudding mix, and cocoa powder into a small blender and blend together until the pudding mix is completely combined with the liquids.
- Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.

Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on “LITE ICE CREAM.”
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of chocolate almond milk and then respin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!

Save for Later on Pinterest!

Recipe

Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Rate this Recipe
Equipment
Add Food Grade Vegetable Glycerin To Make Leftover Ice Cream Scoopable Right Out of the Freezer
Per 16 ounce pint: *Add 1 Teaspoon to full fat/full sugar bases *Add 1.5 teaspoon to high protein bases *Add 2 teaspoons to low sugar/low fat lite bases. Freeze and process per the recipe. Take the leftovers out of the freezer and scoop without having to reprocess.
Original and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements
Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. 1X=Original 16 ounce 1.5X=Deluxe 24 ounces
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 11.5 Ounces (326 g) Chocolate Protein Shake
- ¼ Cup (59 ⅐ ml) Chocolate Almond Milk
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Sugar-Free Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
- 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Dark Cocoa Powder
Optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Chocolate Almond Milk
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the chocolate protein shake, ¼ cup of chocolate almond milk pudding mix, and cocoa powder into a small blender and blend together until the pudding mix is completely combined with the liquids. Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid getting a bump on the top of the frozen mixture, freeze with the lid off of the container.
Process the Ice Cream
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "LITE ICE CREAM."
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of chocolate almond milk and then respin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Optional ingredients are not included in the nutrition information.
Recipes that use allulose:
Allulose is a low calorie sweetener that your body doesn’t fully digest, so it provides only 0.4 calories per gram instead of 4. That’s why the calorie total doesn’t match what you’d expect from the carb count. Calories from allulose are calculated based on metabolized carbohydrates. Allulose contributes fewer calories than standard carbohydrates.
Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Keep scrolling to see my newest recipes!

Ninja Creami Original Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
If you’re looking for the official Ninja Creami Original manuals, quick start guides, or inspiration guides, you’ve come to the right place! Usually, if you buy your Ninja Creami brand-new, it will come with a bunch of info in the box like the owner’s manual, inspiration guide, quick start guide, and a small recipe book. But if you lost yours or didn’t get the machine brand new, it probably didn’t come with this information. Sometimes it can be really hard to find what you’re looking for and it can take, what seems like, forever to actually find it. So I’ve […]

Ninja Creami Deluxe Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Creami Deluxe, it usually comes with an owner’s manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a couple of basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Unfortunately, Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. Sometimes, it can be time-consuming and tricky to find the exact information […]

Ninja Swirl by Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you buy a new Ninja Swirl by Creami, it usually comes with a manual, quick start guide, inspiration guide, and a few basic recipes to help you get started. If you bought your machine second-hand or misplaced the original paperwork, you’ll probably want to get another copy. Ninja doesn’t send out physical replacements, but you can download most of the information from Ninja’s site. If the information isn’t available as a PDF to download, there’s usually some info directly on the product or FAQ pages. It can be a little tricky to find the information that you are looking […]

Ninja Creami Manuals and Inspiration Guides (with Free PDF Downloads)
When you purchase a brand-new Ninja Creami, it will usually come with a manual, owner’s guide, quick start guide, troubleshooting guide, FAQs, inspiration guide, and basic recipe book. If you purchased your machine second-hand, it may not include these items. Ninja does not mail out physical copies of these items if you have misplaced yours or if your machine did not come with one. However, they do have this information available as a free download online. If you can’t find the information that came with your Ninja Creami, don’t worry! I’ve pulled together all of the info that is available […]

Ninja Creami Models Compared: Which One Is Right for You? (With Side-by-Side Chart)
There are several different Ninja Creami models available, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you and your family, based on features, price, and accessories. The chart below should help you decide. Ninja Creami Models There are a couple of different versions. One is not necessarily better than the other. It is a matter of preference. Each model has different variations in the numbers and letters for the model. The numbers and letters in the model number vary based on retailer, accessories, and color. If you buy an original machine with 7 functions, you’ll see […]

What’s the black greasy stuff on the Ninja Creami lid and in the ice cream?
Some Ninja Creami users have reported that they have found black, greasy residue when wiping down the spindle, under the lip of the machine where the spindle comes out, and even in the ice cream. Find out if this is normal and what to do if it happens with your machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Some have found that putting warm, soapy water in a container and processing it helps keep the spindle clean. However, I DO NOT […]

Why is the Ninja Creami spindle grinding into the paddle? Is it broken?
If you hear a grinding noise while the Ninja Creami is processing your ice cream, this could be a sign that the machine is malfunctioning due to the paddle demagnetizing from the spindle, causing the spindle to grind or drill into the paddle. Don’t ignore this issue. See below for info on why this can happen and what to do about it. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… When this happens, it’s usually a bigger issue with the entire machine. […]

Why Are Your Ninja Creami Containers Getting Scratched? (And How to Prevent It)
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Are you starting to notice that the inside of your Ninja Creami containers are getting little scratches or grooves that go around the container? You’re not alone. This is very common and can sometimes be easy to prevent. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save […]

Why Is the Install Light Flashing on Your Ninja Creami? (How to Fix It)
It’s not uncommon for the install light to flash on your Ninja Creami. When the light flashes, the machine won’t operate as expected. In many cases, the machine won’t operate at all until you identify the reason behind the flashing light and resolve the issue. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save for Later on Pinterest!

What to do if the Ninja Creami outer bowl is stuck on the machine…
Sometimes, the outer bowl can get stuck on the machine and it is very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get out of the machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… You need to contact Ninja directly to resolve this issue. Contact Ninja through their customer service phone number. Warranty number: 1-866-826-6941 Customer Service US: 1-800-365-0135 Save for Later on Pinterest!

Is it normal for the Ninja Creami machine to need to be unplugged and plugged back in to work?
This has become a much more common issue in the past several months and it appears to be more common with a specific Ninja Creami model. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Several users have reached out to Ninja and have been told it is a defect, and their machines have been replaced. Others have called and been told it’s a safety feature. ***This may be dependent on warranty status and the customer service rep that is contacted. ***I […]

What to do if the Ninja Creami paddle falls off the spindle while the machine is running?
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes the paddle will disconnect from the spindle while the machine is processing. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… It seems like if the blade/paddle comes off once, the problem continues to happen. This may be due to the magnet that connects the blade to the rod being damaged or the rod being slightly bent (even if you can’t see that it’s bent). These things might happen […]

What to do if the Ninja Creami paddle won’t stay in the lid…
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes the paddle will disconnect from the lid, before you even start to process the ice cream. This can happen when you try to clip the paddle into the lid or when you put the outer bowl with the lid on it into the machine. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… Do not buy a new paddle or lid without first contacting Ninja, as the paddle may […]

What do you do if you find plastic shavings in your Ninja Creami lid or container?
This is one of the most common troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Oftentimes, people will notice that there are little white strings of plastic wrapped around the paddle in the lid of the Ninja Creami or they will notice that there are small scrapes that go around the inside of the Ninja Creami containers. Reasons why this may happen… There are various reasons that this can happen, none that have been confirmed by the manufacturer. How to resolve the issue… When this happens, it’s usually a bigger issue with the entire machine. Do not buy new paddles and containers […]

Ninja Creami Low Calorie Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
If you’re craving a creamy, indulgent frozen treat without the guilt, this Ninja Creami low-calorie vanilla frozen yogurt is perfect! With its smooth texture and rich vanilla flavor, it’s the perfect dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding extra calories. Plus, it’s easy to make using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker and can be customized to fit your dietary preferences. This recipe comes in at 255 calories, 21 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, 24 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the […]

Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Cup Protein Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a protein-packed ice cream that combines the flavors of peanut butter and chocolate with added protein while still being creamy and scoopable like traditional ice cream, then this recipe is perfect for you! I’ll show you how to use peanut butter powder and protein powder to create a high-protein peanut butter ice cream using your Ninja Creami machine. This recipe comes in at 394 calories, 39 grams of protein, 4 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 57 carbs, 37 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the […]

Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Ice Cream
If you’re looking for a rich, chocolatey, smooth, and creamy homemade ice cream recipe that’s also low in calories, then you have to make my recipe for low-calorie chocolate ice cream using the Ninja Creami ice cream maker. This recipe comes in at 235 calories, 10 grams of protein, 14 grams of sugar, 12 grams of fat, 83 carbs, 19 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Making low-calorie and healthy ice cream recipes in the Ninja Creami can be a little tricky. It’s really […]

Ninja Creami Low Calorie Peach Frozen Yogurt
Did you know that you can make delicious, creamy, peach frozen yogurt in your Ninja Creami ice cream maker with only 4 simple ingredients…and with only 204 calories for the entire pint? Well, you can! And…it’s pretty amazing. Not only is the flavor great, but the texture is pretty fantastic, too! It’s so thick and creamy! This recipe comes in at 224 calories, 24 grams of protein, 14 grams of sugar, 0 grams of fat, 76 carbs, 28 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. This […]

Ninja Creami Lemon Pie Protein Frozen Yogurt
If you like lemon pie as much as I do, then you have to try my recipe for protein packed, lemon pie frozen yogurt made in the Ninja Creami machine. It has a super thick and creamy texture, just enough lemon flavor, and a bit of a tang from the yogurt. This recipe comes in at 288 calories, 40 grams of protein, 10 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, 45 carbs, 25 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. This recipe isn’t just about the […]

Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low Calorie
If you like caramel apples, then this is the recipe for you! My recipe for making low-calorie caramel apple sorbet in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker uses store-bought applesauce, which means you can enjoy it any time of year! I’ll show you how to make my caramel apple sorbet recipe by using only 4 ingredients! That’s right, not only is it delicious, low calorie, and easy to make…but you only need 4 ingredients! This recipe comes in at 220 calories, 0.01 grams of protein, 44 grams of sugar, 0 grams of fat, 100 carbs, and 52 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) […]

Ninja Creami Mandarin Orange Sherbet-Low Calorie
Do you like orange sherbet? I’ll show you how to make a refreshing frozen treat using simple ingredients (no Jell-o or pudding powders in this recipe…there’s real mandarin oranges!) and the Ninja Creami ice cream machine. Not only is it low in calories, but it’s super easy to make since it uses canned mandarin oranges. The flavor is great and it has a super creamy texture! This recipe comes in at 189 calories, 10 grams of protein, 28 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, 32 carbs, 8 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at […]
Elizabeth says
Would glycerin help make this more scoopable. I don’t wanna eat the entire thing in one sitting, but I also don’t wanna have to deal with re-spinning it every time.
Lauren Cardona says
Food grade vegetable glycerin does help keep the Ninja Creami ice cream scoopable after processing and freezing the leftovers. The amount needed varies on the recipe but there is a little section in all of my Ninja Creami recipe cards that give guidance on how much to use for different types of recipes.
Cynthia says
I love this recipe!! It’s one of my very favorites!!!
Cynthia says
I love this recipe!! It’s my favorite chocolate protein treat!! Comes out perfect every time! I would give it 6 stars!
Sherree Tierney says
This is the best recipe that I have done. No ice no little pellets of ice cream. I followed this recipe exactly. It rates the best for taste and texture. No respin. I did have to leave it out a little before I spun it. So happy!
Lauren Cardona says
Woo Hoo!! I’m so glad you liked it! I agree, it has THE BEST texture!!