Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes
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Create delicious, smooth and creamy healthy ice cream concoctions with the Ninja Creami ice cream maker! If you’re looking for high protein Healthy Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes and low calorie Ninja Creami ice creams, this list has got you covered!
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If you love ice cream and have a sweet tooth like me but want to stay on track with your health and fitness goals, the Ninja Creami ice cream machine is a game changer and a must-have!
It allows you to create healthy and satisfying ice creams that are low-calorie, low-sugar, low-fat but still wonderfully creamy and DELICIOUS!
The best part is that you can customize flavors and ice cream bases to your liking and needs.
Love chocolate? Add cocoa powder. Craving something fruity? Go to town with raspberries, tangerines, blueberries or watermelon and make a tasty summer sorbet! Want to kickstart the post-workout muscle recovery process? Add some protein powder!
If you don’t have a Ninja Creami ice cream maker yet, I highly recommend it! It’s easy to use and great for making guilt-free healthy ice creams or any type of homemade ice cream recipe. Of all the kitchen appliances I have, it hands down gets the most workout! I currently use it 3-5 times a week.
In this post, I’ll be go going over some ingredients that you’ll need and substitutes, general tips, tips for before and after processing the ice cream, and will be linking to my top healthy Ninja Creami Ice Cream recipes with and without protein powder.
There’s Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream, the BEST Coffee Protein Ice Cream and fall-favorite Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream, and so many more!
My goal is to make you feel confident about using your Ninja Creami ice cream machine so that you can whip up and enjoy delicious and healthy ice creams at home anytime you like!
Table of contents
What is Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker?
The Ninja Creami is a kitchen appliance that is designed for making homemade ice creams, sorbet, gelato and other creamy treats. Its unique processing technology allows users to transform frozen bases into creamy, scoopable desserts.
Since it features several one-touch programs for various types of desserts, the Ninja Creami ice cream maker is super easy to use, requires minimal effort and very user-friendly!
Below is a brief overview of how the machine works.
- Base preparation: Prepare a base mixture using ingredients like milk, cream, sugar and flavorings. Depending on the flavorings, you can either blend the ingredients in a mini blender such as a NutriBullet or Ninja Blast and then pour it into the pint container or blend the ingredients directly in the pint using a coffee frother or immersion hand blender. Then you freeze the mixture for 24 hours.
- Processing: One the mixture is fully frozen, place the pint container in the machine’s outer bowl and install into the Ninja Creami machine. Depending on the ingredients you use, you can select which function to process on – ice cream, lite ice cream, sorbet, gelato, milkshake, etc. The machine will shave and blend the frozen base into a creamy textured dessert.
- Add Mix-ins: After the first spin, you can customize your sweet treat with various add-ins. Simply create a hole in the center of the ice cream pint using a butter knife or spoon and push down mix-ins of your choice. Now you can process on the Mix-In function and the add-ins of choice will be evenly dispersed throughout the ice cream.
- Enjoy! Scoop the ice cream into dessert bowls and add your favorite ice cream toppings. Or add the toppings directly on top of the ice cream in the pint and enjoy!
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Ingredients Used
Below are ingredients I typically use to make healthy Ninja Creami ice cream recipes. Exact ingredients for each recipe and amounts can be found in the recipe card for the specific recipe.
- Ultra-Filtered Low-Fat Milk: High protein milk like ultra-filtered milk creates a thicker and creamier ice cream base. If you’re in the USA or Canada, Fairlife milk (2%) or ultra-filtered milk from other brands such as Kroger, CarbMaster, Organic Valley, Joyya, etc. works. If you live elsewhere, any low-fat, semi-skimmed or regular whole milk is fine. I usually use Paul’s Hi-Calcium Low-Fat Milk which is an ultra-filtered milk available in Asia and Australia.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: Or unsweetened vanilla almond milk for a touch of vanilla flavor. Any nut milk, soy milk, oat milk, or other plant-based milk helps keep ice cream bases low in calories.
- Protein Powder: I love using PEScience protein powders in my ice creams (use my referral link to get $10 off on your first order!). They’re made with a blend of whey protein and casein protein and gives Ninja Creami ice creams the best texture. Their vanilla and chocolate protein powders taste great! Flex Brands also has whey-casein protein powder blends. Other good protein powder brands for ice creams I can vouch for are Ryse (Skippy peanut butter flavor – whey protein), Ghost (Chips Ahoy flavor – whey protein), and Rule 1 (salted caramel – whey protein). Clean Simple Eats is another popular choice in the USA but I haven’t tried it yet.
- Protein Shakes: Fairlife protein shakes or Premier brand work well. When using protein shakes, you can skip using protein powder.
- Cocoa Powder: I recommend using unsweetened Dutch processed cocoa powder because it has a richer chocolate flavor. However, unsweetened natural cocoa powder such as Hershey’s also works.
- Sugar Replacement: To keep ice creams low in sugar, use powdered or granulated sugar replacements which are sugar-free. I like Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener, Swerve Brown Sugar, allulose, stevia, etc.
- Sugar-free Maple Syrup: Walden Farms Maple Walnut Syrup or their Pancake Syrup not only is great for sweetening low-sugar ice cream bases, but also help in creating a creamy texture due to having some gums in them (more on gums below).
- Natural Liquid Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, date syrup or agave nectar.
- Guar Gum: Thickens the ice cream base and reduces the formation of ice crystals. It also helps in creating a scoopable ice cream texture.
- Xanthan Gum: Serves a similar purpose to guar gum. I find using both stabilizers together yields thicker Ninja creami ice creams with a less icy texture. However, ice crystal formation also depends on the type of protein powder you use and what stabilizers are already incorporated in it. I recommend omitting the xanthan gum the first time if using a different brand of protein powder than the ones I’ve mentioned above. Too many stabilizers can result in a stringy or gummy texture.
Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum Substitutes
- Cream Cheese or Cottage Cheese: If you prefer not to use gums in their pure form, you can use cream cheese (or vegan cream cheese) or cottage cheese. Since cream cheese has guar gum, it also works to reduce ice crystal formation. Cottage Cheese adds protein and also aids in creating creamy ice creams. Good Culture is a popular brand for cottage cheese in the USA but any brand will work. Bulla Cottage Cheese from Australia is what’s available to me and it has added guar gum.
- Sugar-free Vanilla Pudding Mix or Sugar-free Chocolate Pudding Mix. These have stabilizers like soy lecithin or xanthan gum already incorporated and help with sweetening and flavoring ice cream bases. You can also use other flavored sugar-free pudding mix powder for different flavored ice creams (i.e. banana, pistachio, strawberry, etc.).
- Greek Yogurt or Protein Yogurt. For a creamier texture, add 2-3 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt or other thick yogurt. I find that adding some thick 4% fat Greek style yogurt to my Ninja Creami Golden Milk Ice Cream makes it lusciously creamy. You can also try adding plain or vanilla protein yogurt. If adding any yogurt, you can omit the xanthan gum and use less guar gum.
General Tips
- Ninja Creami Deluxe Machine. Multiply the ingredient amounts by 1.5 if you have a Ninja Creami Deluxe machine. My recipes were created using the 7-in-1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker.
- For ice cream with a soft serve consistency. Spin 2 times on the Re-spin setting after the initial Light Ice Cream spin. However, be careful as the heat and friction caused by multiple rounds of the Re-spin cycle can make the texture too soft and melty and possibly stringy due to the stabilizers.
Tips Before Processing
- Don’t go over the max fill line. The ice cream mixture expands during processing and can overflow. Fill ingredients just below or up until the max fill line on the pint to avoid having to clean up a sticky mess!
- Freeze without the lid on. Just for a couple of hours before placing the lid on. This will prevent a bump from developing at the top of the pint, which is known to cause the blade to move and the machine to break when processing the ice cream.
- Shave the bump with a vegetable peeler. Alternatively, you can freeze with the lid on and let the bump form. Just be sure to shave it off using a vegetable peeler before processing the ice cream.
- Freeze until solid for the best texture. Ninja recommends freezing for 24 hours before spinning your ice cream mixture. However, the time varies depending on how cold your freezer is and also the surrounding temperature/climate. The desired goal is for the ice cream mixture to freeze rock solid or be around -0°F (18°C) in order for the machine to process it properly. If the mixture is not frozen through completely, the ice cream will be very loose and like a thick milkshake after you spin it.
- Remove the pint and set on the counter for 3-5 minutes. Just to help soften the base a little. It’ll need to sit for less time on the counter in hotter weather than colder weather. In the winter, letting it sit on the counter for 8-10 minutes works well for me. Don’t let it sit out too long as it may become like a soft serve ice cream when you process it.
- Run the bottom of the container under hot water from the sink for 30 seconds. This also helps to loosen up the icy edges from the sides of the container. Pat-dry, then proceed with spinning the ice cream.
Troubleshooting and Tips After Processing
- Shave down ice walls. After the initial spin, the center of the ice cream might be creamy but the sides will be icy and stuck to the pint. This is because the blade cannot reach the sides during processing. Simply run a butter knife around the edges of the container to help incorporate any icy parts into the center of the ice cream. Then process once more on the re-spin function.
- Powdery texture. If after spinning your ice cream it’s a bit powdery in texture, process on the re-spin function until your desired consistency is achieved. Some people find it helpful to add a small splash of milk or cream before re-spinning. Others have success with simply re-spinning once or twice.
Storing and Processing Leftovers
- Storing leftovers: If you can’t finish the ice cream, level and smooth out the top with the back of a spoon. Cover and refreeze. It will freeze solid again.
- Processing again: When ready to enjoy the leftovers, spin on the original function you first processed the ice cream on. (Either light ice cream or ice cream depending on your mixture). DO NOT spin on the re-spin function as the ice cream will have frozen back into its original state. Using the re-spin function when the mixture is frozen solid can damage the machine and the paddle blade.
Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes with Protein Powder
Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream Protein Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream Protein Ice Cream is easy to make and the perfect treat for a hot summer day or when an ice cream craving hits! It’s low in calories even though it calls for REAL Oreos and has 30 grams of protein for the entire pint!
Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream
Peanut butter fans will LOVE this one! This low calorie Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream is ultra-creamy, full of decadent peanut butter flavors, and has 35 grams of protein!
Ninja Creami Golden Milk Ice Cream
Ninja Creami Golden Milk Ice Cream is full of warming spices, sweet notes and infused with the floral aroma of saffron, honey and nutty pistachios! It’s a healthy creamy treat with anti-inflammatory properties, high in protein with 20 grams for the whole pint, and tastes DELICIOUS!
The BEST Ninja Creami Coffee Protein Ice Cream
Ultra-creamy, decadent, full of rich and bold coffee flavors with caramel notes, this Ninja Creami Coffee Protein Ice Cream will satisfy your sweet tooth and is the perfect treat for coffee lovers!
Ninja Creami Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream is easy to make and has the flavors of a buttery slice of apple pie! With just 197 calories and 30 grams of protein for the entire pint, this is the perfect guilt-free treat for fall or when an ice cream craving hits! Top it off with some homemade gingerbread granola!
Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Protein Ice Cream
Ninja Creami Pumpkin Pie Protein Ice Cream is easy to make and the perfect treat for fall or when an ice cream craving hits! It’s low in calories, has over 30 grams of protein for the entire pint and tastes just like real ice cream!
Ninja Creami White Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami White Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream is easy to make, full of festive peppermint flavors and has 30 grams of protein! Topped with chocolate bark pieces and colorful holiday sprinkles, this creamy and healthy holiday treat will delight you with each minty and refreshing bite!
Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes Without Protein Powder
Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream features a rich chocolate ice cream base with banana and REAL peanut butter pieces dispersed throughout the ice cream! It’s a feel-good healthy treat for anytime you’re craving ice cream!
Pin “Healthy Ninja Creami Ice Creams” for later!
I’ll be adding more healthy Ninja Creami ice cream recipes to this list and will be posting several new ones on the blog this year. Be sure to save this post or bookmark it for later so you can check back easily!
As always, feel free to check out the Healthy Desserts collection here on That Spicy Chick. Or you can find more ideas and some new favorites by browsing the entire Recipes collection!
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