Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream

My recipe for making high-protein Ninja Creami Chunky Monkey ice cream does not use protein shakes, instant pudding mix, or artificial sweeteners. Instead, it uses an unflavored whey protein powder and unsweetened almond milk. The main source of flavor for this recipe comes from a banana! Bananas add so much flavor and help to create a super thick and creamy texture when you make your frozen treats in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine!

High-protein homemade ice cream doesn't have to taste like a protein shake! It should taste like ice cream! If it tastes like a protein shake or protein powder, I'm not eating it! So, when I say that my homemade chunky monkey ice cream recipe with added protein tastes like delicious ice cream, I mean it! You'd never even know there's added protein in it or that it was made with almond milk and cottage cheese! Did I mention that I don't like cottage cheese either? I don't know which is worse, the taste or the texture. I can assure you that you cannot tell there is cottage cheese in this recipe!

Ingredient substitutions for making Ninja Creami Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream:

The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

• Unsweetened Almond Milk- You can use any type of dairy or dairy-free product that you would like. However, since the recipe calls for sweetener and flavorings, I would recommend choosing a milk/non-dairy milk that is unflavored and unsweetened. You can use Fairlife milk, oat milk, skim milk, whole milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
• Cottage Cheese- Be sure to buy NO SALT ADDED cottage cheese if you can find it. Otherwise, the end result might taste a little salty. Low-fat cottage cheese was used but if you prefer, you can use regular fat.
• Banana- A small fresh banana was used. You can use frozen bananas but you will need to thaw them first otherwise they will not fully blend together with the other ingredients in the ice cream base mixture.
• Protein Powder- Use your favorite brand of unflavored protein powder.
• Chocolate Chips- Zero-sugar chocolate chips were used in the recipe to reduce the amount of added sugar. If you prefer you can use regular milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or any other flavored chips or chocolate chunks.
• Walnuts- If you don't have walnuts, you can use different nuts like pecans or peanuts.

Directions for making Ninja Creami Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream:

Make the Ice Cream Mixture

1. Pour the unsweetened almond milk, cottage cheese, banana, and protein powder into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
2. 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

1. After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
2. Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "LITE ICE CREAM."
3. If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened almond milk and then re-spin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
4. Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in chopped chocolate chips and walnuts. Process on mix-ins.
5. Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!

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