Check out my recipe for making Ninja Creami Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream! Banana cream pie is traditionally made with bananas, pudding or custard, and a whipped cream topping. The flavor is light and creamy. The banana and cream flavors go perfectly together! It’s sweet, but not too sweet!
If you love banana cream pie, then you’re in luck! You don’t need to turn on the oven to have banana cream pie because I basically turned banana cream pie into ice cream…with extra protein!!
This recipe comes in at 335 calories, 31 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 44 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.
When I made this recipe, I wasn’t sure how the bananas and the protein shake would taste together. I wanted to make sure that the banana flavor stood out but didn’t want to overpower the vanilla flavors. The combination of the fresh bananas mixed with the instant pudding and vanilla protein shake came together beautifully! The final product is a super creamy, (when I say creamy, I mean creamy) and flavorful protein-packed ice cream!

For this recipe, I did not add mix-ins because I was trying to keep the calories and amount of added sugar to a minimum. But, if you don’t mind the extra calories or sugar, and are looking for a little extra texture or added crunch, feel free to add in vanilla wafers, sugar cookies, sugar wafers, or a graham cracker! You could even add them as a garnish and crumble some right on top of the ice cream!

Can I put frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami?
Yes. You can use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when using frozen fruit.
- You cannot put only frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. Frozen fruit always needs to be used with a liquid or blended with other ingredients. You need to use a liquid so that there are no gaps in between the fruit. If you are not blending the frozen fruit and just adding it to the pint container whole, you cannot use water as the liquid. If you do, there will basically be ice pockets between the frozen fruit pieces. And, the Ninja Creami should not process ice as it could damage the machine.
- For the best results, thaw the frozen fruit and add it to the rest of the mixture. I recommend blending the fruit with the other ingredients so that everything is evenly combined.

Through all of my Ninja Creami protein ice cream experiments, I have found that more times than not, the ice cream needs to be respun not once, but twice. When respinning, I ALWAYS add about 2 tablespoons of liquid, usually milk of some kind. And, it’s important to add that liquid EVERY time you respin. If you don’t add the liquid when respinning, the ice cream seems to get worse in texture with every respin.
If you are making protein ice cream in your Ninja Creami, you can reserve a little bit of the protein shake and add that in with the response. Or, you can use milk or almond milk.

Tips for making Ninja Creami Banana Cream Pie Ice Cream
Instant pudding, with or without sugar, helps to thicken the ice cream and makes it very creamy. You can use a gum instead, like guar gum. The instant pudding mix also adds flavor. And, there are so many different flavors of instant pudding available that it makes it pretty easy to come up with great flavor combinations.
Yes! Yes! and Yes!! And, you should! Bananas create a wonderful texture when they are mixed into ice cream recipes in the Ninja Creami! When using bananas, you don’t need to add any other stabilizer as the banana does a great job on their own! Bananas help to create a VERY thick and creamy ice cream! You can definitely taste the bananas, regardless of how much you use. So, if you like bananas, add them to your ice cream! You’ll be amazed by the great texture!
Per the manufacturer, it is recommended to freeze your desserts for a full 24 hours to ensure that the base mixture is evenly frozen throughout. Many have experimented and frozen for a shorter amount of time and have had good results. When making milkshakes with prepared ice cream, you don’t need to wait 24 hours.
You can use fresh or frozen bananas. If you are using frozen bananas, I recommend thawing them before adding them to the mixture. If you don’t thaw them, they will not fully incorporate with the other ice cream ingredients and the mixture will be very thick and difficult to get into the pint container.
When respinning a Ninja Creami creation, it’s necessary to add a couple of tablespoons of liquid like milk, juice, or water. If you don’t add the liquid and respin, usually the ice cream will continue to get drier and more crumbly. Adding the liquid helps the Ninja Creami mix everything together and creates a creamy result. If you need to respin more than once, be sure to add liquid each time that you respin.
Looking for more of the best Ninja Creami Recipes? Check out all of our Ninja Creami ice cream recipes here!
Ingredient substitutions and tips for making Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream:
The full ingredient list is found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Sugar and dairy substitution suggestions can be found here.
Vanilla Protein Shake– I used a Premier Protein vanilla protein shake. But, if you have a favorite brand of protein shakes, you can use that. I would use the vanilla, and not banan flavor, as the banana flavored shake would make the ice cream taste more like banana ice cream and less like banana cream pie ice cream.
Banana–I used one small banana. You can substitute half of a large banana instead. And, since you are going to blend the banana, you can use a thick banana puree in place of the fresh, real banana.
Sugar-Free Banana Cream Instant Pudding Mix– Try to find the banana cream pie flavor of sugar-free instant jello. If you can’t find it, you can use just banana flavored instead.
Vanilla Bean Paste– I always use vanilla bean paste in my recipes because I like the richness that it provides and sometimes the extract provides more of an artificial vanilla flavor. But, if you prefer you can use vanilla extract.
Optional:
Unsweetened Almond Milk– Feel free to use whatever your favorite milk is. You can use skim milk, oat milk, almond milk, or any other milk.
Steps for making Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream:
Prepare the mixture:

Steps for making Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream:
Process the mixture:

Directions for making Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream:
1. Pour the vanilla protein shake, a small banana, instant pudding mix, and vanilla bean paste into a small blender and mix the ingredients together until the pudding mix is completely combined with the liquids.
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.
3. After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer.
4. Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on “LITE ICE CREAM.”
5. If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened almond milk and then respin. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
6. Remove the pint from the machine, scoop, and enjoy!
Save for Later on Pinterest!

Recipe

Ninja Creami Banana Cream Pie 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) Vanilla Protein Shake
- 1 (1) Banana (Small banana)
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Sugar-Free Banana Cream Instant Pudding Mix
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
Optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Unsweetened Almond Milk
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the vanilla protein shake, banana, instant pudding mix, and vanilla bean paste into a small blender and mix the ingredients together until the pudding mix is completely combined with the liquids.
- 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 unsweetened 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!

What Do You Do About the Bump on Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Can It Damage the Machine?
Let me start off by saying that not all bumps are treated equally. This is not a one-size-fits-all all answer. The information in this post is for informational purposes only and is based on my own personal experiences and the experiences of the folks in the Ninja Creami Community on Facebook. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This is one of the most common and controversial troubleshooting issues with the Ninja Creami. Sometimes after freezing Ninja Creami creations, a mound or hump can develop on the top of the ice cream. Per the instructions from the manufacturer, the top […]

How to Clean Your Ninja Creami: Spindle, Paddle, Bowl, and Lid
Learn how to clean every part of your Ninja Creami, including the spindle, paddle, outer bowl, and lid. Simple tips to keep your machine working great! Some parts are much easier to clean than others. It’s really important that you keep your Ninja Creami and the accessories nice and clean. If you don’t the pieces can start to smell bad, or in severe cases, can attract insects or start to mold. How do you clean the Ninja Creami spindle? How do you clean the Ninja Creami paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl lid? The paddle, outer bowl, and outer bowl […]

Ninja Creami Functions-What to Use and When
Depending on the Ninja Creami model that you have, the function that you will use to process your frozen treats can vary. Choosing the correct function can be a bit overwhelming at times. But, it’s not a perfect science. You can look at the chart below and determine what process might work best for your recipe based on the ingredients used. But, don’t overthink it or overcomplicate it. The majority of the time, you’ll probably use ice cream or lite ice cream. The below charts give you an idea of how long and at what speed the paddle moves […]

Do You Need Stabilizers and Thickeners in Ninja Creami Recipes?
For most Ninja Creami recipes, you need some sort of stabilizer to thicken the ice cream and reduce the ice crystals. Most recipes that come in the inspiration guide with the machine use cream cheese as the stabilizer. But you don’t have to use cream cheese. There are a bunch of other options. The information provided below is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to change your regular diet. Please consult with your physician before changing your diet. Thickeners/Stabilizers These are approximate measurements for a 16-ounce Ninja Creami recipe. The amount needed varies based on the other […]

Dry or Crumbly Ninja Creami Ice Cream? Here’s How to Fix It
One of the most common “issues” with making ice cream in the Ninja Creami is that the consistency or texture can be very dry and crumbly, instead of creami. Don’t panic! It’s usually a really easy fix. Once you get the hang of how to fix it, your Ninja Creami creations will be creamy and smooth, just like you’d expect. This is probably the most common issue with Ninja Creami recipes. If your ice cream looks like this…don’t panic! It’s COMPLETELY normal and happens all of the time. It’s super easy to fix it so that it becomes nice and […]

How do you use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami?
The manual that comes with the Ninja Creami says that you cannot use frozen fruit in the machine. This can be confusing because, technically, you can use frozen fruit in the Ninja Creami. However, you have to follow a few rules when doing so. I’ve seen a lot of people on social media tossing frozen fruit chunks straight into the Ninja Creami and spinning it like it’s a blender. But the Creami isn’t a blender, and it’s not meant to be used like one. Even though some people have gotten lucky doing it that way, it can actually damage […]

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 […]
Rachel says
I made this recipe. It’s my first time ever using a Ninja Creami and my very first recipe. I was excited to try it because I wanted some thing that was very low sugar and the high protein is just a bonus. It’s an excellent recipe. I had really good results. And, I look forward to experimenting some more and hoping that Lauren puts out more of the very low sugar recipes.
Lauren Cardona says
Ohhh this is a good one! I’m so glad you liked it! And, yes! I will be making more low sugar recipes.