See more recipes from The Tasty Travelers on Google!
If you grew up eating orange creamsicle popsicles and you have been looking for a way to recreate that flavor in a high protein dessert, this Ninja Creami Orange Creamsicle Protein Ice Cream is exactly what you have been waiting for. It has that classic tangy orange flavor up front with rich vanilla coming through in every bite, and it tastes like actual ice cream and not like a frozen protein shake. I promise you!!!
This recipe comes in at 256 calories, 34.5 grams of protein, 12 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fat, and 7 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.
Jump to:
Something really interesting happens with this recipe that does not happen with most Ninja Creami protein ice cream recipes. The mixture gets pretty frothy when you blend it and pour it into the pint container before freezing. When it comes out of the Ninja Creami ice cream maker after processing, it is light and airy instead of dense, almost like a creamsicle-flavored soft cloud. It is genuinely one of the most unique textures I have gotten out of the machine, and it fits the creamsicle vibe perfectly.
Sugar-free orange Jello mix is the ingredient that makes the orange flavor in this recipe taste so bright and true to the real thing. A lot of Ninja Creami protein ice cream recipes use instant pudding mix as a thickener, but this recipe uses Jello mix instead, which gives you that punchy orange flavor without weighing the base down. Make sure you blend everything really well before pouring it into the pint container. If you do not blend it long enough, the Jello mix will stay clumpy and will not incorporate properly into the base.
Real canned mandarin oranges go right into the blender with the rest of the base ingredients. They bring actual fruit flavor and a little natural sweetness that you just cannot fake with an extract alone. Make sure you drain them well before adding them so you are not throwing off the liquid ratio in the pint. No-sugar-added is the way to go here if you want to keep the sugar content low, but the version packed in syrup works fine if that is what you have on hand.
Vanilla bean paste is what ties the creamsicle flavor together. Without it, you get orange and protein shake. With it, you get that classic creamy vanilla layer underneath the orange that makes this taste like the actual popsicle it is named after. Vanilla bean paste gives a deeper, richer vanilla flavor than extract does, and it does not have any of the slight alcohol taste that extract can sometimes bring with it.
Press the lite ice cream button on your Ninja Creami ice cream maker for this one. It is designed for high protein, lower-fat bases like this, and it is the right setting to get that light, creamy texture. If the ice cream comes out sandy and crumbly after the first spin, add a splash of unsweetened almond milk and re-spin. If you want a little extra orange punch, try using orange juice instead of almond milk when you re-spin. It amps up the flavor and fixes the texture at the same time.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Orange Creamsicle Protein Ice Cream
Technically yes, but you are probably not going to love the results. Protein shakes lose flavor and taste diluted and flat once they are frozen, and they need something to help with texture and sweetness. Try adding instant pudding or Jello mix for flavor, guar gum for texture, and a little extra sweetener or fruit to make it taste like actual ice cream instead of a frozen shake.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer here since it really comes down to personal preference. Premier Protein and Fairlife are two of the most popular options and are known for having a smooth texture and good flavor. The best advice is to taste a few different brands and go with the one you actually enjoy drinking, since the shake flavor does come through in the finished ice cream.
This is a VERY controversial topic in the Ninja Creami world! Some people shave it down with a warm spoon or microwave the pint briefly to flatten it before processing. Many people freeze their pints without the lid to reduce the chance of a bump forming in the first place.
Freezing without the lid can help reduce the bump that sometimes forms on top of the frozen base during the freezing process. It does not always prevent it completely, but it does help. If a bump does form, it is not the end of the world and you can process the pint as-is in most cases.
Yes! Since this recipe does not include mix-ins, there is definitely room to add some if you want to. White chocolate chips (chopped), mini marshmallows, or even a swirl of orange curd in the well would all work really well with the creamsicle flavor profile. Just dig a well down the center of the processed ice cream, add your mix-ins, and run the mix-ins function.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes?
Ingredient tips and substitutions
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
- Vanilla Protein Shake: I used a vanilla Premier Protein shake for this recipe, but any vanilla protein shake you enjoy will work. Keep in mind that taste and texture vary by brand, so the finished Ninja Creami protein ice cream may taste slightly different depending on what you use.
- Sugar-Free Orange Jello Mix: Regular orange Jello mix with sugar works fine, but it will change the nutrition information. Always use the dry powdered mix and not premade Jello.
- No Sugar Added Mandarin Oranges: Mandarin oranges packed in syrup can be used instead, but the end result will be sweeter and the sugar content will be higher. Make sure to drain them well either way before adding to the blender.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: Vanilla extract works as a 1:1 substitute if you do not have vanilla bean paste on hand, though the paste does provide a deeper, richer vanilla flavor in this orange creamsicle protein ice cream recipe.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk (Optional): This is only needed if the ice cream comes out dry or crumbly after the first spin on the lite ice cream setting. Any dairy or non-dairy milk works here, including whole milk, 2% milk, oat milk, or Fairlife milk. You can also try orange juice for a little extra orange flavor when re-spinning.
Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the protein shake, Jello mix, mandarin oranges, and vanilla bean paste into a small blender and mix until all of the ingredients have been mixed together well. If you don’t blend it long enough, the Jello mix will remain clumpy. Once fully mixed, pour into a 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 (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened almond milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream, respin without adding liquid. 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
Ninja Creami Orange Creamsicle 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. ***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
- 11.5 Fluid Ounces (340 ml) Vanilla Protein Shake (Vanilla Premier Protein Shake)
- 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Sugar-Free Orange Jello Mix
- ½ Cup (97 ½ g) No Sugar Added Mandarin Oranges (Canned, no sugar added, drained)
- 1 Teaspoon (1 Teaspoon) Vanilla Bean Paste
Optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons (1 Tablespoons) Unsweetened Almond Milk
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the protein shake, Jello mix, mandarin oranges, and vanilla bean paste into a small blender and mix until all of the ingredients have been mixed together well. If you don't blend it long enough, the Jello mix will remain clumpy. Once fully mixed, pour into a 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 (like sand), pour in a tablespoon or two of unsweetened almond milk and then re-spin. If the ice cream looks like little balls of ice cream, respin without adding liquid. 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!
-
Easy Ninja Creami Apple Recipes for Ice Cream, Sorbet, and More
If you love apple desserts, there is a lot more you can make in the Ninja Creami than basic apple ice cream. I have an apple cobbler ice cream with plenty of texture, a lighter caramel apple sorbet, and two protein ice creams that taste completely different from each other. Jump to: Why applesauce works in Ninja Creami recipes Canned filling or fresh apples? How to add fresh apple mix-ins Top Tips Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Cinnamon Green Apple Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Taffy Apple Protein Ice Cream Comments […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami low calorie mango cheesecake ice cream is one of those recipes that sounds simple but tastes amazing. It’s made with just 4 ingredients, has a smooth and creamy texture, and tastes just like mango cheesecake in ice cream form. You would never know this one is low calorie. This recipe comes in at 274 calories, 25 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 4 grams of fat, and 32 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips […]
-
Fall Ninja Creami Recipes with Pumpkin, Apple, Maple, and More
Fall flavors work really well in the Ninja Creami! Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, caramel, maple, cranberry, and pecans all show up here in different ways, with everything from rich ice cream and gelato to protein ice creams, lower-calorie options, and fruit sorbets. There are plenty of familiar fall flavors, along with a few combinations that are a little more unexpected. Jump to: What makes these fall Ninja Creami recipes different? How to process a Ninja Creami base Fall mix-in ideas for these flavors Top Tips Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Gelato Ninja Creami Apple Cobbler Ice Cream Ninja Creami Caramel Apple Sorbet-Low […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream
Cherry and almond go really well together. You see the combination a lot in things like biscotti, cherry almond bark, and tarts because the nutty flavor of almond pairs so nicely with the sweet-tart cherry. This Ninja Creami ice cream brings that same flavor combo together in a low calorie frozen treat. This recipe comes in at 271 calories, 8 grams of protein, 12 grams of sugar, 14 grams of fat, 70 carbs, and 22 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Almond Ice Cream Looking […]
-
Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Ice Cream Recipes
Peanut butter is one of the flavors I return to most for the Ninja Creami, and this list rounds up every version I have made so far. A few keep it simple with banana or protein powder added in, others layer on chocolate, and one swaps in a dairy free base entirely. Jump to: Why Peanut Butter Works So Well in the Ninja Creami How I Keep the Peanut Butter Flavor Consistent Throughout Mix-In Ideas Beyond What’s Already in This List Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Vegan Peanut Butter Gelato Ninja Creami Chocolate […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami low calorie marshmallow ice cream tastes just like a big fluffy marshmallow in ice cream form. It’s rich, creamy, and has little pieces of marshmallow fluff throughout every bite. And the best part… it’s low calorie and low sugar so you can pretty much eat as much as you want! This recipe comes in at 270 calories, 9 grams of protein, 13 grams of sugar, 17 grams of fat, 64 carbs, and 16 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Marshmallow Ice Cream Looking […]
-
Ninja Creami COFFEE Recipes
Coffee works really well in the Ninja Creami, but there are a few different ways to add the coffee flavor depending on the recipe. Most of my coffee ice cream recipes use instant espresso powder because it adds a lot of coffee flavor without adding extra liquid, but the Coffee Smoothie Bowl actually uses brewed coffee. This roundup has everything from coffee and mocha protein ice creams to a low-calorie espresso sorbet and a thick coffee smoothie bowl. Jump to: What Kind of Coffee Works Best for Ninja Creami Recipes? How to Make a Coffee Base for the Ninja Creami […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream (Tastes like Nutella!)
Nutella has SO much flavor, but it’s not exactly something you can eat a big bowl of without thinking twice. This Ninja Creami chocolate hazelnut ice cream gives you that same chocolate hazelnut flavor, and it’s low calorie and easy to make. I promise you won’t be missing the real jar of Nutella one bit. This recipe comes in at 263 calories, 12 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 83 carbs, and 35 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Hazelnut Ice […]
-
Ninja Creami Cherry Chocolate Chip Sorbet
Cherry chocolate chip is a classic combination and this Ninja Creami low calorie cherry chocolate chip sorbet nails it. It’s packed with a TON of real cherry flavor, has mini chocolate chips mixed throughout, and it’s low in calories. It’s sweet, refreshing, and so easy to make. This recipe comes in at 264 calories, 2 grams of protein, 25 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, 91 carbs, and 43 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Cherry Chocolate Chip Sorbet Looking for more Ninja Creami Low […]
-
Ninja Creami Coconut Recipes
If you love coconut, there are a lot of different ways to use it in the Ninja Creami! Some of these recipes use coconut milk or coconut cream to make the base creamy, while others use coconut extract or shredded coconut to add more coconut flavor. There are everything from Almond Joy ice cream and coconut cream pie frozen yogurt to several versions of piña colada, Dole Whip, protein ice creams, and a few recipes where coconut is paired with fruit, chocolate, or peanut butter. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Almond Joy Ice Cream Ninja Creami Almond Joy Protein […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade (Chick-fil-A Copycat)
This Ninja Creami low-calorie frosted lemonade is a copycat version of the famous Chick-fil-A frosted lemonade, but made at home with a fraction of the calories. It’s sweet, tart, and has that perfect frosty, drinkable texture that you would expect. You would never know it’s low-calorie. This recipe comes in at 263 calories, 12 grams of protein, 21 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, 81 carbs, and 33 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Frosted Lemonade Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? […]
-
Ninja Creami Banana Recipes
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet This one is a little different because the banana, mango, and dragon fruit stay in separate layers instead of being blended together before freezing. It’s only three ingredients, and when you scoop it you get all three tropical fruit flavors together. GO TO RECIPE Photo credit: The Tasty Travelers Ninja Creami Dole Whip This Dole Whip combines pineapple, banana, coconut milk, lime juice, and a little powdered sugar. The banana helps make it thick and creamy, and you can definitely taste some banana along with the pineapple and coconut flavors. GO TO […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet
This Ninja Creami low-calorie tropical triple-layered sorbet is one of the most fun recipes I’ve made in the Ninja Creami. It has THREE different tropical fruit layers (banana, mango, and dragon fruit) that come together to look just like a sunrise or sunset. It’s beautiful, easy, and only 3 ingredients. This recipe comes in at 261 calories, 3 grams of protein, 47 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fat, and 64 carbs for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Tropical Triple Layered Sorbet Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and […]
-
Ninja Creami Blueberry Recipes
Blueberries work really well in the Ninja Creami because there are so many different ways to use them. Some of these recipes use fresh blueberries, some cook them down first for a stronger blueberry flavor, and others use them as a mix-in. I’ve got everything from regular blueberry ice cream and frozen yogurt to protein ice cream, sorbet, and a few more unique flavor combinations. Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Blueberries and Sweet Cream Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry and Vanilla Bean Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Coconut Frozen Yogurt Ninja Creami Blueberry Ice Cream Ninja Creami Blueberry Pie […]
-
How to Clean the Ninja Creami Spindle
Cleaning the spindle on your Ninja Creami is simpler than most people expect. Most of it takes care of itself. You only need to clean the inch that sticks out at the bottom. Here’s what you actually need to clean and how to do it. Does the Ninja Creami spindle need to be cleaned? Only the very tip does. Most of the spindle is self-cleaning, and you do not need to touch it. The only part that needs to be cleaned after each use is the small metal tip at the bottom, the inch that sticks out and makes contact […]
-
Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
This Ninja Creami low-calorie chocolate frozen yogurt is rich, creamy, and tastes like a real chocolate dessert. With just 4 simple ingredients, it comes together so easily and satisfies any chocolate craving without making you feel like you’re missing out. This recipe comes in at 257 calories, 30 grams of protein, 6 grams of sugar, 5 grams of fat, 88 carbs, and 24 net carbs (total carbs minus allulose carbs) for the ENTIRE pint. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Low Calorie Chocolate Frozen Yogurt Looking for more Ninja Creami Low Calorie Recipes? Ingredient tips and substitutions Directions for […]
-
Strawberry Ninja Creami Recipes
There are so many different ways to use strawberries in the Ninja Creami! This roundup has everything from classic Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Frozen Yogurt to protein ice creams, cheesecake flavors, and combinations like strawberry banana, strawberry coconut, and even strawberry basil with goat cheese. If you like strawberry, there are plenty of options to choose from! Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Low Calorie Strawberry Whip Ninja Creami Strawberry Basil Goat Cheese Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Ninja Creami Strawberry Coco-Nut Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami […]
-
How to Add Big Flavor Without Extra Sugar to Ninja Creami Ice Cream
If you want big flavor in your Ninja Creami ice cream without adding a lot of sugar or calories, skinny syrups are one of the easiest ways to do it. They mix right into your base before freezing and give you tons of flavor options without adding sugar. What are skinny syrups? Skinny syrups are flavored syrups that have zero calories and zero sugar. They get their sweetness from sugar substitutes instead of regular sugar, which means you get the flavor and sweetness without the calories or the sugar content. They were originally designed to flavor coffee and drinks, but […]
-
Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé
Frosé season is here, and this Ninja Creami watermelon basil frosé is the only recipe you need. Just 3 ingredients (fresh watermelon, rosé, and basil) come together to make the perfect wine slushy. It’s refreshing, easy, and tastes like summer in a glass. Jump to: Tips for making Ninja Creami Watermelon Basil Frosé Looking for more Ninja Creami 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 Frosé has been so trendy the past few years, and for good reason. It’s […]
-
Chocolate Ninja Creami Recipes For Ice Cream, Protein, and More
Chocolate is one of my favorite flavors to work with in the Ninja Creami, since it holds up well no matter what direction you take it, whether that’s a rich protein base, a low-calorie sorbet, or something built around pudding instead of custard. It never gets old finding a new way to make it work Jump to: Top Tips Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Lovers Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Sorbet-Low Calorie Ninja Creami Jamoca Almond Fudge Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Frozen Hot Chocolate Ice Cream Ninja […]
-
Use Magic Shell Instead of Chocolate Chips as a Ninja Creami Mix-In
If you’ve been adding chocolate chips to your Ninja Creami ice cream as a mix-in and ending up with little frozen rocks in your ice cream, there’s a better way. Magic Shell is the easiest way to get little chocolate bits throughout your ice cream…without hurting your teeth. Here’s why it works so much better and how to use it. Why are chocolate chips a problem in Ninja Creami ice cream? Chocolate chips freeze hard. Really hard. When you add them to the ice cream, they turn into hard little solid chunks that are really hard to chew. In frozen […]
Comments
No Comments