I love experimenting with low-calorie ice creams, and this Grape Kool-Aid version is a fun throwback to drinking Kool-Aid as a kid. Using 2% milk, allulose, sugar-free instant vanilla pudding, and just a touch of grape Kool-Aid powder, this pint comes together with the perfect balance of sweet and fruity flavor. It's creamy, satisfying, and still keeps the calories low.
This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 12 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, 33 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.
Jump to:
Making this Grape Kool-Aid ice cream in your Ninja Creami is super simple. The ingredients are all things you probably already have on hand, and it comes together in no time. Even if it's your first time using the machine, you'll be amazed at how smooth and flavorful it is.
This recipe uses allulose. The allulose keeps the ice cream sweet without adding extra calories, so you get all the flavor without any extra calories or added sugar. The sugar-free vanilla pudding is what helps make it creamy and smooth. You can use regular sugar or instant pudding mix with sugar in it instead of the sugar free options, if you prefer.
Ok, so what if you don’t like grape Kool-Aid? No problem! You can very easily switch things up! You can use any Kool-Aid flavor you like. Raspberry, cherry, or blue raspberry all work great, and you can adjust the amount of powder depending on how strong you want the flavor. It's an easy way to make a new flavor every time!
When you make this recipe, make sure you follow the recipe amounts for the Kool-Aid powder. You need to use the unsweetened powder in the amount provided in the recipe and not the kind that already has sugar added to it. Don’t add more than the recipe calls for because the flavor gets overwhelming very quickly.
Tips for making
It does! And surprisingly, you don't need much of the unsweetened Kool-Aid to get just the right flavor! A little goes a long way!
Since the goal was to have very few calories, unsweetened powder and allulose were used. You can use the pre-sweetened Kool-Aid powder instead of the unsweetened. You'll need to increase the amount of Kool-Aid and eliminate the allulose. Keep in mind that using sweetened Kool-Aid will drastically change the nutritional information for the recipe.
Yes, you can use any flavor of Kool-Aid that you would like. However, through my experiments, I have found that not all Kool-Aid flavors have the same strength. Which means you might need more or less than the ¾ Teaspoon of Kool-Aid powder used in this recipe.
I would recommend starting with ½ teaspoon of the powder, mix together with the other ingredients, taste the mixture, and add more as needed.
If the ice cream is too soft, check your freezer temperature to make sure it is the correct temperature. Oftentimes, freezers have basic thermometers that don’t show the actual temperature. If needed, get an external thermometer to test the actual temperature. For more details on this, see this post.
Yes, if you have the Ninja Swirl, you can make this into soft serve ice cream. When using the Swirl, choose the soft serve option, then push the ICE CREAM button. Once it’s finished processing, move the container over to the swirl side of the machine and dispense.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes?
Ingredient tips and substitutions
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- 2% Milk- You can use any dairy or non-dairy that you would like. The higher the fat content in the dairy, the thicker and creamier the ice cream will be. So if you use some heavy cream or whole milk, the ice cream will be thicker and creamier than if you use almond milk or coconut milk.
- Allulose Granular Sugar Substitute- Use your favorite sugar substitute or actual sugar. It’s best to use one that is granulated and a 1:1 ratio with sugar as you won’t need to adjust the amounts that are already in the recipe as written.
- Sugar Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder- Use sugar-free or regular instant pudding mix. Do not use cook and serve or premade pudding.
- Unsweetened Grape Kool-Aid Powder- Be sure to use the unsweetened powder that comes in the little packets and not the pre-sweetened kind that comes in a container. If you don’t like grape, use your favorite flavor.
Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the milk, allulose, pudding mix, and Kool-Aid powder into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture
- After 24 hours, remove the Ninja Creami container from the freezer. If there is a large bump in the ice cream, melt or scrape the large bump so that the top is level.
- Place the Ninja Creami container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on “ICE CREAM.”
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks more like little balls of ice cream, re-spin without adding liquid. You may have to respin a couple of times.
Save for Later on Pinterest!
Recipe
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Grape Kool-Aid
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. ***This is a guideline and adjustments may be needed based on your recipe.
Original, Breeze, Swirl, and Deluxe Ingredient Measurements
Use the multiplier below to adjust quantities based on the machine that you own. ***If you have the Original, Breeze, or Swirl machine, which use 16 ounce containers, choose the 1X option. ***If you have the Deluxe or XL machine, which use 24 ounce containers, choose the 1.5X option.
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- 12 Fluid Ounces (340 ⅕ g) 2% Milk
- ¼ Cup (50 g) Allulose Granular Sugar Substitute
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Sugar Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder
- ¾ Teaspoon Unsweetened Grape Kool-Aid Powder
Optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons 2% Milk
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the milk, allulose, pudding mix, and Kool-Aid powder into a small blender and blend until all ingredients are fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
- Freeze on a level surface for 24 hours. Your freezer should be between 9 and -7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Process the Ice Cream
- After 24 hours, remove the pint container from the freezer. If there is a large bump in the ice cream, melt or scrape the large bump so that the top is level.
- Place the pint container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and then process on "ICE CREAM."
- If the ice cream is dry or crumbly looking, pour in a tablespoon or two of milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks more like dippin dots, (little balls of ice cream), re-spin without adding liquid. You may have to respin a couple of times.
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 Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream
If you loved Baskin Robbins Baseball Nut ice cream as a kid, you have to try this Ninja Creami baseball nut protein ice cream. It’s a creamy vanilla base loaded with chopped cashews and homemade raspberry sauce throughout, and I promise you would never know it’s a protein ice cream. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Baseball Nut Protein Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture Directions for Processing the Ice Cream Mixture Save for Later on Pinterest! Recipe Comments Baseball Nut from Baskin […]
-
Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream
I will be the first person to tell you that I HATE cottage cheese. I cannot stand the texture, the flavor, none of it. So when I tell you that this Ninja Creami Peach Cobbler Cottage Cheese Protein Ice Cream does not taste like cottage cheese, I mean it! I promise! This recipe comes in at 297.59 calories, 38.2 grams of protein, 21.11 grams of sugar, 4.23 grams of fat, and 27.68 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami […]
-
Ninja Creami Pineapple Dole Whip Protein Ice Cream
If you have ever had a Dole Whip at Disney World, you know how addicting they are. This Ninja Creami Pineapple Dole Whip Protein Ice Cream brings that same creamy pineapple flavor home, but with a TON of protein packed into the whole pint. Trust me, you would never know it’s a healthier version! This recipe comes in at 346.67 calories, 31.33 grams of protein, 24 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 47 grams of carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. Jump to: Tips for […]
-
Secret Ingredient to Make Coffee Ice Cream
If you want rich, bold coffee flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream, instant espresso powder is the way to do it. No extra liquid, no fuss, and you can dial in exactly how much coffee flavor you want. Here’s everything you need to know. Why use instant espresso powder instead of brewed coffee? Brewed coffee is mostly water. Adding it to your Ninja Creami base means you’re adding liquid that can change the consistency of your recipe and water down the other flavors. Instant espresso powder is pure concentrated coffee flavor with no extra liquid. You get all the […]
-
Use Powdered Peanut Butter for More Flavor in Ninja Creami Recipes
If you want more peanut butter flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding on extra fat and calories, powdered peanut butter is a simple swap that delivers a richer, more concentrated peanut butter taste. Here’s why it works and how to use it. What is powdered peanut butter? Powdered peanut butter is made by pressing most of the fat out of roasted peanuts and grinding what’s left into a fine powder. What remains is concentrated peanut butter flavor with significantly less fat, fewer calories, and less sugar than regular peanut butter. It has the same nutty, roasted peanut […]
-
How Long Can You Freeze a Ninja Creami Base Before Processing?
Everyone knows that it’s recommended to freeze your Ninja Creami base for 24 hours before processing. But does it need to be frozen for exactly 24 hours? How long is too long, and does it actually matter if your Ninja Creami base has been sitting in the freezer for a week or more? Is there a maximum freeze time for Ninja Creami bases? Ninja does not publish an official maximum freeze time. The 24 hour minimum is well established, but there is no hard cutoff on the other end. Many people make their ice cream base with the intention of […]
-
How to Get Even More Vanilla Flavor in Your Ice Cream…
If you’ve been using vanilla extract in your Ninja Creami recipes and want to take the vanilla flavor up a notch, vanilla bean paste is the upgrade. Same effort, noticeably better results. What is vanilla bean paste? Vanilla bean paste is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a thick paste made from real vanilla beans. It contains the actual seeds scraped from inside vanilla bean pods, which is where the most intense vanilla flavor lives. When you use it in ice cream, you get those tiny black vanilla bean specks throughout the pint, along with a deeper, richer vanilla flavor […]
-
-
-
-
Are Ninja Creami Leftovers Supposed to Be Hard?
You made your Ninja Creami ice cream, it was perfect right out of the machine, you saved some for later, and now it’s basically a solid block. Is that normal? Yes. Here’s why it happens and what you can do about it. Are Ninja Creami leftovers supposed to freeze hard? Yes. Ninja Creami ice cream leftovers freezing hard after refreezing is completely normal. It is not a sign that something went wrong with your recipe. It is just how Ninja Creami ice cream behaves, and it comes down to how the machine works. Why Do the Leftovers Freeze So Hard? […]
-
-
-
-
Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream
If you are tired of forcing down protein shakes and you are looking for a better way to hit your macros, then you have to try this Ninja Creami Berry Blast Protein Ice Cream. It is packed with real mixed berries, loaded with protein, and it tastes like an actual dessert instead of something you are forcing yourself to eat because it is good for you. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries come together to create a bold berry flavor that is bright, fruity, and absolutely delicious. This recipe comes in at 279 calories, 26 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 6 […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip
If you love strawberries and you love frozen desserts but you don’t love all the calories that come with store-bought ice cream, then you are going to want to make this Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip right away. Think of it like a homemade strawberry version of the famous pineapple Dole Whip, but made right in your own kitchen with simple ingredients. It’s light, it’s creamy, it’s packed with real strawberry flavor, and it seriously feels like a sweet treat you shouldn’t be allowed to have on a diet. But you can. And that’s the best part. This recipe […]
-
Ninja Creami Watermelon Sorbet
If you love a fresh, sweet watermelon as much as I do, then you have to try this Ninja Creami watermelon sorbet. It is made with just one single ingredient, fresh watermelon, and it comes out smooth, creamy, and packed with that sweet, juicy watermelon flavor that just screams summer. No added sugar, no dairy, no fuss. Just watermelon. That’s it! This recipe comes in at 91 calories, 2 grams of protein, 19 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, and 23 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts. […]
-
Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream
If you love fun flavors and protein-packed desserts, this Ninja Creami Blue Raspberry Cotton Candy Protein Ice Cream is going to be your new favorite treat. It’s sweet, creamy, and it’s got a ton of cotton candy flavor in the ice cream base and in the mix-ins! Not only does it taste great, but the texture (and color) is AMAZING! Made right in the Ninja Creami ice cream machine, this recipe brings a playful twist to high-protein frozen desserts while keeping things light and refreshing. This recipe comes in at 351 calories, 27 grams of protein, 16 grams of sugar, 14 […]
Comments
No Comments