I absolutely love rocky road ice cream! But, the chocolate ice cream has to be super chocolatey! I made the perfect, super chocolatey, rocky road protein ice cream using my Ninja Creami ice cream maker. It’s soooo good!
This recipe comes in at 345 calories, 29 grams of protein, 18 grams of sugar, 12 fat, 59 carbs, 35 net carbs (total carbs-allulose) for the ENTIRE pint. See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all nutrition facts.
Adding protein to Ninja Creami ice cream isn’t hard. You can use protein powder (in this case, I used unflavored Whey protein powder) or protein shakes. The trickiest part is knowing what to add to the extra protein. Some like just frozen protein shakes, but I definitely think they need extra ingredients to make the protein shakes and powders taste like ice cream and not like protein.
The key to making the best Ninja Creami rocky road protein ice cream is adding the right amount of cocoa powder. I use dark cocoa powder because it gives a deeper, richer chocolate flavor than regular unsweetened cocoa powder. And, I add just enough cocoa powder to make the chocolate super rich, but not so much that it’s overwhelming.
Most protein powder contains some sort of gum, which means you don’t need to add much more for the recipe to come out super thick and creamy. If you opt to use a different brand (I used GNC Whey unflavored protein powder), be sure to check the label to make sure that the ingredients are similar. If your protein powder does not contain a gum like xanthan gum, guar gum, or cellulose gum, you will likely need to increase the amount of guar gum that is included in this recipe. Since my protein powder already has gums added, I only needed ⅛ teaspoon of guar gum. Increase to ¼ teaspoon if your protein powder does not include gums.
Tips for making Ninja Creami Rocky Road Protein Ice Cream:
They do get a little hard, but not as hard as I was expecting. And, oddly enough, they start to get a little softer the longer they are in the ice cream. If you’re hesitant to use marshmallows, you can add them as toppings instead of as mix-ins. Note- you can use marshmallow fluff instead. Be sure to dig a well down the center of the ice cream, add the fluff, and then cover with more ice cream. If you don’t cover the marshmallow, it will freeze and stick to the lid.
Too much guar gum was probably used. A little goes a VERY long way. You only need ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of guar gum per 16 ounce container. Using too much will create a gooey and almost stringy texture. Be sure to measure accurately because just a little too much can make a big difference.
No, not at all. If you could taste it or if it gave the ice cream a weird texture, I would not be posting the recipe for others to try. I don’t like protein powder’s taste or texture, and I won’t post a recipe that I don’t like.
Yes, you can skip the protein powder if you want rocky road ice cream with no added protein. Since the protein powder used is unflavored, the adjustments are pretty easy. If you skip the protein powder, you will need additional guar gum (there’s gum already in the protein powder). So, change the amount of guar gum from ⅛ teaspoon to ¼ teaspoon.
You can try it and it should work. However, you will likely need to reduce the amount of cocoa powder that the recipe calls for. I would start by adding ½ tablespoon of cocoa powder, blend, and taste. If it’s not chocolatey enough, add another ½ tablespoon of cocoa powder until it’s the right flavor for you.
Looking for more Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes?
Ingredient substitutions for Ninja Creami Rocky Road Protein Ice Cream:
The full ingredient list is at the bottom of this post in the recipe card.
Unsweetened Almond Milk- To keep this recipe fairly low in calories, I used unsweetened almond milk. But, you can substitute that with nut milks, whole milk, coconut milk, a mixture of heavy cream and lower fat milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk. The higher the fat content in the milk, the more likely you will end up with a creamy texture.
Whey Protein Powder- I used unflavored whey protein powder. If you want to use a different brand, you can. If you choose to use chocolate protein powder, you’ll need to reduce the amount of cocoa powder used in the recipe.
Dark Cocoa Powder- I prefer dark cocoa powder because it has a deeper, richer, chocolate flavor. If you don’t have dark cocoa powder, you can use regular, unsweetened instead. Do not use sweetened cocoa.
Swerve Sugar Substitute- Allulose Blend- Allulose tastes the most like sugar to me and does not have a fake sugar flavor. If you prefer, you can use real sugar, or another sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit sweetener, Splenda, or even honey, agave, or maple syrup. Just be sure to add a little at a time and taste the mixture before freezing.
Guar Gum- If you don’t have guar gum, you can use xanthan gum instead.
Mini Marshmallows-If you don’t have mini marshmallows, you can cut larger ones into small pieces or you can use marshmallow fluff. You can use sugar-free marshmallows or vegan mini marshmallows.
Sliced Almonds-Traditionally, rocky road ice cream has almonds. But, if you don’t have almonds or just don’t like them, you can use peanuts, walnuts, or pecans instead. Don’t like nuts? Try adding mini chocolate chips as a mix-in instead.
Directions for making Ninja Creami Rocky Road High Protein Ice Cream:
Directions for Making the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, cocoa powder, sugar substitute, and gaur gum 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. 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.
- Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in the marshmallows and almonds. Process on mix-ins.
- Remove the pint from the machine and enjoy!
Pin Ninja Creami Rocky Road Protein Ice Cream for later!
Recipe
Ninja Creami Rocky Road 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
- 10 Fluid Ounces (295 ¾ ml) Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 Scoop (1 Scoop) Unflavored Whey Protein Powder
- 1½ Tablespoons (1 ½ Tablespoons) Dark Cocoa Powder
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Swerve Sugar Substitute (Granulated-Allulose Blend)
- ⅛ Teaspoon (⅛ Teaspoon) Guar Gum
Mix-ins
- 2 Tablespoons (2 Tablespoons) Mini Marshmallows (Cut in half)
- 1 Tablespoon (1 Tablespoon) Almonds (Sliced)
Optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons (1 Tablespoons) Unsweetened Almond Milk
Instructions
Make the Ice Cream Mixture
- Pour the unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, cocoa powder, sugar substitute, and gaur gum 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. 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.
- Dig a well down the center of the ice cream and pour in the marshmallows and almonds. Process on mix-ins.
- 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 […]
Teresa Claus says
Did not expect it to be that good. Thank you for a great recipe.