Have you ever found yourself staring into the freezer, craving a scoop of cold, creamy ice cream but not the sugar crash that comes with it? You are not alone. It is a common dilemma for anyone trying to stick to healthier eating habits. What if I told you that you could have it all? A delicious, satisfying frozen dessert that is also packed with protein.
Thanks to the amazing Ninja Creami machine, this is totally possible. This recipe will guide you through making a wonderful strawberry protein ice cream. It is one of my favorite Ninja Ice Cream Recipes Healthy options. It is simple, uses just a few ingredients, and the result is so good you will forget it is good for you.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the protein content is fantastic. We use cottage cheese as the base, which makes this treat incredibly rich in protein. It is a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while also helping you meet your fitness goals. It is one of the best Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Recipes you will find.
Another great reason is that it is wonderfully low in calories and sugar. This recipe is a fine example of Ninja Creami Ice Cream Recipes High Protein Low Cal. You get all the flavor of traditional ice cream without the extra stuff your body does not need. It is a dessert you can feel good about eating any day of the week.
The texture is just incredible. The Ninja Creami works its magic to turn a solid frozen block into a smooth, scoopable dessert. It is not icy or gritty like some homemade healthy ice creams can be. It is genuinely creamy and delightful from the first spoonful to the last.
It is also incredibly easy to make. You do not need any special culinary skills. If you can blend a few ingredients and push a button, you can make this ice cream. The prep time is minimal, and the machine does all the hard work for you.
Customization is another big plus. This strawberry version is a classic, but you can easily swap out the fruit or add other mix ins. Think of this as a starting point for all sorts of Ninja Ice Cream Recipes Healthy creations. Let your imagination run wild with different flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen or fresh chopped strawberries
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey or natural sweet syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sugar free white chocolate pudding mix
Let’s talk a bit more about these simple ingredients. The quality of what you put in will really shine through in the final product.
For the strawberries, you have options. Frozen strawberries work beautifully and are available year round. If it is strawberry season, fresh ones will give your ice cream an even brighter, more vibrant flavor. Just make sure to chop them up a bit.
Cottage cheese is our protein powerhouse. Full fat cottage cheese will give you the creamiest result. If you prefer, a low fat version works well too. The key is to blend it until it is completely smooth to avoid any lumps in your ice cream base. Greek yogurt is another option if you are not a fan of cottage cheese.
When it comes to sweeteners, honey adds a lovely floral note. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar. For a lower sugar option, a liquid monk fruit sweetener would be a great substitute. Adjust the amount to your personal taste.
Vanilla extract is a must for adding depth of flavor. It rounds out the sweetness and complements the strawberry taste nicely. A good quality pure vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference.
The pudding mix might seem like an odd ingredient, but it has a purpose. It acts as a stabilizer and helps create a smoother, less icy texture. If you want a cleaner alternative, a mix of milk powder and a little corn starch does a similar job.
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Blend The Base
First things first, we need to create our creamy base. Grab your blender or an immersion blender. Combine the cottage cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and the pudding mix in the blender. You can also use the milk powder and corn starch alternative here.
Now, blend everything together. You want to keep blending until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Seriously, let it go for a minute or two. This step is very important for achieving that silky texture we are aiming for. No one wants a lumpy ice cream.
Step 2: Freeze
Once your base is perfectly smooth, pour it into your Ninja Creami pint container. Now it is time for the strawberries. You can either gently stir them into the base or just layer them on top. Both methods work well, so it is just a matter of preference.
Secure the lid on the pint container and place it in the freezer. Here is the patient part. You need to let it freeze for a full 24 hours. Make sure it is on a flat surface so it freezes evenly. This long freeze time is essential for the Ninja Creami to work correctly.
Step 3: First Spin Lite Ice Cream Mode
After 24 hours, your pint is frozen solid and ready for action. Take it out of the freezer, remove the lid, and place the pint into the outer bowl of your Ninja Creami. Lock the lid in place and put it on the machine base.
Select the “Lite Ice Cream” setting. This function is designed for healthier, lower fat recipes like this one. Let the machine do its thing. It is noisy, but it is making magic happen. Once it stops, check the texture. Sometimes it might look a little dry or crumbly. Do not worry.
If it does look crumbly, this is a normal part of the process for many Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Recipes. Just add two tablespoons of milk or a milk alternative. Then, put it back on the machine and press the “Re-spin” button. This second spin usually brings it to a perfectly creamy consistency.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
And just like that, you have homemade protein ice cream. Scoop your beautiful pink creation into a bowl or a fancy glass. To make it look extra special, you can garnish it with a few fresh strawberry slices. A little mint leaf also adds a nice touch of color and freshness.
Now for the best part. Grab a spoon and dig in. Enjoy your delicious, creamy, and protein packed dessert. You made it from scratch, and it is a treat you can feel great about enjoying.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them correctly is key. You will want to keep that wonderful texture for your next craving. The best way to store it is right in the Ninja Creami pint it was made in.
Simply smooth the top of the remaining ice cream to be as flat as possible. Place the storage lid back on securely. Pop it back into the freezer. It should stay fresh and tasty for up to about one week.
Because this is one of those Ninja Ice Cream Recipes Healthy options without commercial stabilizers, it will freeze very hard again. When you are ready for another serving, you will need to re-spin it. Just take it out, place it back in the machine, and use the Re-spin cycle. It will be creamy and ready to eat again in minutes.
Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make your ice cream making experience even better. For the absolute smoothest texture, make sure your cottage cheese is blended exceptionally well. If you have a high speed blender, this is the time to use it. The goal is to eliminate any and all curd texture before freezing.
Feel free to experiment with flavors. This recipe is a fantastic base. You could swap strawberries for raspberries, mango, or peaches. You could even add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the base for a chocolate strawberry treat. The possibilities for Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami Recipes are nearly endless.
Always taste your base mixture before you freeze it. This is your only chance to adjust the sweetness. If you think it needs a little more honey or other sweetener, add it now. Remember that flavors can become a bit duller when frozen, so making it slightly sweeter than you think is often a good idea.
For an extra protein kick, consider adding a scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder to the base. This will make it an even more powerful post workout snack. Just be sure it is a powder that dissolves well to avoid a grainy texture.
Be mindful not to fill your pint container past the max fill line. The Ninja Creami blade needs space to move and process the frozen base correctly. Overfilling can put stress on the machine and lead to a less than ideal result. Better to be safe and stay below the line.
Conclusion
Making delicious and healthy ice cream at home is not just a dream anymore. With a Ninja Creami and a few simple ingredients, you can whip up treats that are both satisfying and aligned with your health goals. This strawberry protein ice cream is a perfect example of that.
It is creamy, flavorful, and packed with the good stuff your body needs. It proves that you do not have to give up your favorite desserts when you are trying to eat well. So go ahead and give this recipe a try. You might just find it becomes your new favorite way to enjoy a sweet treat.
FAQ
Can I Use Greek Yogurt Instead Of Cottage Cheese?
Yes, absolutely. Blended Greek yogurt is a great substitute. It will also give you a high protein base. The flavor will be slightly tangier, and the texture might be a little less rich, but it will still be delicious. Use a full fat Greek yogurt for the best results.
Why Is My Ice Cream Crumbly After The First Spin?
This is very common with low fat and high protein recipes in the Ninja Creami. The lack of fat and sugar can cause the base to freeze into a powdery or crumbly texture. Adding a small amount of liquid, like two tablespoons of milk, and using the Re-spin cycle adds the necessary moisture to make it smooth and creamy.
Do I Have To Wait 24 Hours To Freeze It?
Patience is important here. The base needs to be frozen completely solid for the Ninja Creami to work its magic. A 24 hour freeze ensures the entire pint is frozen evenly from the edges to the very center. If it is not fully frozen, the machine cannot process it into ice cream correctly.
Can I Make This Without A Ninja Creami?
The unique texture of this ice cream comes from the Ninja Creami technology, which shaves and churns the frozen block. Without it, you cannot replicate the exact result. You could try churning the base in a traditional ice cream maker or blending the frozen chunks in a powerful blender for a smoothie bowl consistency, but it will not be the same.
What Does The Pudding Mix Do?
The pudding mix contains starches and emulsifiers that act as binders and stabilizers. In ice cream, this helps prevent large ice crystals from forming, which results in a smoother, creamier final product. It is a simple trick to improve the texture of homemade frozen desserts.
Ninja Creami Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
Enjoy a creamy, delicious, and healthy frozen dessert with this easy Ninja Creami strawberry protein ice cream. Made with cottage cheese, it’s a satisfying treat you can feel good about.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Blend The Base: Combine cottage cheese, honey, vanilla extract, and pudding mix in a blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Freeze: Pour the smooth base into a Ninja Creami pint container. Stir in or layer the chopped strawberries. Secure the lid and freeze on a flat surface for 24 hours.
- First Spin: Place the frozen pint into the Ninja Creami. Select the ‘Lite Ice Cream’ setting and process.
- Re-Spin if Needed: If the texture is crumbly after the first spin, add 2 tablespoons of milk (or a milk alternative) and use the ‘Re-spin’ function until the ice cream is smooth.
- Serve & Enjoy: Scoop the protein ice cream into a bowl. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
For the smoothest texture, blend the cottage cheese exceptionally well in a high-speed blender.
Taste the base before freezing to adjust sweetness, as flavors can become milder when frozen.
Do not fill the pint container past the max fill line to ensure the machine processes correctly.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
