When I planned my Ninja Creami series, I knew a classic vanilla recipe was essential. This simple vanilla protein ice cream is sweet, creamy, and an excellent base for endless mix-ins.
What makes this recipe so fun is how many ways you can customize it—add cookie dough, peanut butter cups, Oreos, M&M’s, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, graham cracker pieces, or sprinkles. The base is versatile, so feel free to experiment and make it your own.
This version is higher in protein than typical ice cream, which makes indulging feel a little more satisfying. I hope you enjoy it and try different combinations of mix-ins—I’d love to see what you create!
Table Talk with Tawnie
Vanilla might sound plain, but this recipe is anything but. It’s creamy and flavorful on its own and becomes limitless with mix-ins. Want cookie dough? Fold in small frozen cookie dough pieces. Craving cookies and cream? Add chopped Oreos. Use fruit, chocolate, sprinkles, or even pieces of a protein bar to boost protein—get creative and share your favorites in the comments so others can try them too!
Ingredient Notes
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- Milk: Whole milk gives the creamiest result, but any milk will work. Ultra-filtered milk (like Fairlife) adds extra protein if you prefer.
- Protein powder: Use your favorite vanilla protein powder. Some brands are sweeter than others, so adjust the added sweetener to taste.
- Sweetener of choice: Granulated sugar, monk fruit, stevia, Swerve, or another sweetener can be used. Taste the base before freezing and add more if you like it sweeter.
- Vanilla pudding mix: Regular or sugar-free vanilla Jello pudding mix helps thicken the base and improves texture without adding a lot of extra calories.
- Mix-ins: This recipe is a great blank canvas—cookie dough, peanut butter cups, Oreos, chocolate chips, graham cracker crumbs, fruit, sprinkles, or chopped protein bars all work well.
Step by Step Directions
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
Mix base ingredients
Add all ingredients to an empty CREAMi™ pint container. Whisk thoroughly (a small milk frother is ideal) until everything is well combined.
Freeze❄️
Freeze the pint on a level surface with the lid off for 24 hours. Freezing with the lid on can form a hump that may damage the blade during spinning, so leave the lid off.
Spin & add mix-ins!🍪🍫🍬
Assemble the frozen pint into the Ninja Creami and select the Lite Ice Cream setting. After the first spin, create a small hole in the center and add your chosen mix-ins. Run the Mix-In cycle to incorporate them.
Enjoy!🍨
Top with extra mix-ins if desired and enjoy immediately.
Expert Tips
- Allow a full freeze: Let the pint freeze at least 24 hours for best creamy texture. Shorter freeze times may yield a softer, less consistent result.
- Freeze without the lid: Freezing with the lid on can create a top hump that risks blade damage when spinning—always freeze with the lid off on a level surface.
- Re-spin if needed: If the texture is not smooth after the first spin, re-spin until you reach the desired creaminess.
- Don’t overfill: Leave a little room—ice cream expands as it spins, so an apparently underfilled pint will be fine.
Storage / Freezing
- If you don’t finish the pint, smooth and level the top with a spoon, replace the lid, and return it to the freezer.
- When ready to serve again, re-spin on Lite Ice Cream to refresh the texture.
FAQs
Do I have to use pudding mix in this recipe?
Pudding mix is commonly used because it helps thicken the base. If you prefer not to use it, small amounts of guar gum or xanthan gum, or alternatives like cottage cheese, can act as thickeners—use them sparingly to avoid altering texture.
Do I have to add protein powder to this recipe?
No—protein powder adds flavor and sweetness, but you can omit it. If you skip it, you may want to increase the pudding mix or sweetener and taste the base before freezing so you can adjust.
What kind of protein powder do you recommend?
Use any vanilla protein powder you like. If you’re unsure which brand you prefer, try single-serve packets or small tubs to test flavors without committing to a large container.
Why dig a hole before adding mix-ins?
Creating a small well in the spun ice cream places your mix-ins where the Mix-In cycle will incorporate them most effectively. Sprinkling on top typically leaves mix-ins near the surface rather than evenly distributed.
Ninja Creami 101: The Ultimate Guide
If you still have questions, I created a full guide with tips, troubleshooting, and answers to common Ninja Creami questions.
check it out!
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Ninja Creami
Ninja Creami Pint Containers
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Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating so others can find and trust the recipe. Your feedback helps keep these recipes available.
Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
Pin
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (~2 Tbsp)
- 1-2 Tbsp. sweetener of choice
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla pudding mix (regular or sugar-free)
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- Mix-ins: your choice—cookie dough, peanut butter cups, Oreos, chocolate chips, fruit, graham crackers, sprinkles, etc.
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating so others can benefit from your feedback.
Instructions
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Mix the base ingredients: Add milk, protein powder, sweetener, pudding mix, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to an empty CREAMi™ pint.
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Whisk: Whisk thoroughly (a milk frother works well) until smooth and combined.
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Freeze: Freeze the pint on a level surface with the lid off for 24 hours. Freezing with the lid on can create a top hump that may damage the blade.
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Assemble: Place the frozen pint in the outer bowl, lock the lid, place the assembly on the motor base, and secure it.
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Spin it: Run the Lite Ice Cream setting. If the texture is not smooth, re-spin until creamy.
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Mix-ins (optional): Create a 1½-inch hole in the center, add mix-ins, and run the Mix-In program once.
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Enjoy: Serve immediately with extra mix-ins on top if desired.
Notes
- Don’t skip the freezing: A full 24-hour freeze produces the best texture; shorter freezes yield softer results.
- Freeze with no lid: Freezing without the lid prevents a top hump that could damage the blade.
- Re-spins: Re-spin if the ice cream isn’t smooth enough after the first spin.
- Don’t overfill: Leave space for expansion during spinning; the final volume will increase.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only. Ingredient brands and measurements can affect accuracy.
📸 Photos by Sierra Ashleigh Photography