Healthy Cinnamon Ice Cream – Protein Snickerdoodle
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This high-protein Ninja Creami Cinnamon ice cream truly hits the spot! With rich cinnamon flavor, delightful snickerdoodle tang, and creamy texture, this is one of my favorite Ninja Creami recipes yet! High protein, sugar-free, but totally full of flavor.
Healthy homemade ice cream from the Ninja Creami machine is probably one of my favorite inventions–no joke! I never would have imagined we could have created such amazing easy recipes that are low calorie & sugar-free treats to enjoy without any guilt.
Not only that, but each pint of ice cream gets me closer to meeting my protein macro goal for the day! What could be better than ice cream that accommodates your dietary needs? If you have health goals you’re trying to meet, the Ninja Creami puts regular ice cream makers to shame.
Why I Use Simple Ingredients
I try to create my flavors from easy-to-find ingredients. My base recipes use only vanilla or chocolate protein powders with different flavor enhancers to bring the flavor in other directions–no specialty powder flavors.
I can’t be dropping $50 a tub on every single protein powder flavor just to make ice creams, you know? Luckily, this cinnamon roll ice cream is made from ingredients you probably already have if you’ve been making protein ice cream for awhile.
While I do stock up on some things specifically for ice cream making (allulose, vanilla paste, etc) these are things that I can use for ALL of my flavors, not just to make one kind of protein ice cream.
These special ingredients can be used in all of your base recipes. Then I try to utilize pantry staples that most people have on hand (or at least have cheap & easy access to at a regular grocery store) to create the flavorings.
This simple recipe starts with a basic vanilla ice cream base and then comes alive with some simple warm spices. In no time, you’ll have your own ice cream that tastes like snickerdoodle cookies or cinnamon rolls. The flavor is truly amazing, you’re going to LOVE it.
Want More Recipes Like This One?
If you love my Ninja Creami recipes and want some more fun flavors like S’Mores, Pistachio, Monster Cookie, Black Forest Cake, or even Moose Tracks, check out my Ninja Creami Recipe eBook!
The recipe book is available for instant download and offers delicious recipes in an easy-to-access eBook without any ads.
Purchase my 20 High-Protein Ninja Creami Recipes eBook on Etsy. Feel free to reach out to me (holly@thesweetsimplethings.com) with any questions!
Ingredients
To make this delicious protein snickerdoodle Ninja Creami cinnamon ice cream, you need:
- 2% cottage cheese (or plain Greek yogurt) – I use both interchangeably depending on what I have on hand. Some feel the cottage cheese is a little bit creamier, but I don’t notice much difference.
- Vanilla Whey Protein Isolate – I like whey isolate because it’s easy on the stomach compared to a lot of other forms of protein powder. If you substitute a different kind of protein powder, you may need to alter the quantity.
- Allulose – You can also use monk fruit, erythritol, etc. whatever you prefer, but note that the quantity of some sweeteners may need to be adjusted. Check out this allulose fact sheet for more info.
- Vanilla Bean Paste – I prefer vanilla bean paste for ice cream recipes, but 1/2 tsp vanilla extract can also be used.
- Cream of Tartar – This adds a delightful tang that is characteristic of Snickerdoodle cookies. It can be found in the spice section at most grocery stores.
- Ground Cinnamon – Wouldn’t be cinnamon ice cream without it!
- Ultra-filtered Skim Milk – I like to use Fairlife nonfat milk because it’s higher in protein and lower in carbs and calories than regular milk, but you can use regular skim milk. Coconut milk is my favorite non-dairy replacement milk for Creami recipes.
Instructions
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to make this creamy, delicious Ninja Creami cinnamon ice cream in your Ninja Creami ice cream machine.
1. Blend Ingredients
Add all ingredients to the pint cup. Use an immersion blender to blend the liquid mixture until smooth. The immersion blender is an easy way to combine the cottage cheese with the rest of the mixture, but you can use a blender cup if needed (only for a few pulses–don’t put too much air into the mixture), then pour mixture back into the pint container.
2. Freeze
Place storage lid on the pint container. Place pint set on a level surface in the freezer for at least 24 hours.
3. Spin
When it’s ready to spin, remove it from the freezer and place the blade lid assembly on the pint container (Breeze model) or place the pint in the bowl assembly (7-in-1 and deluxe). Place the outer bowl lid on the bowl and place bowl assembly in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker per the manufacturer’s instructions for your model. Press the Lite Ice Cream button.
4. Prep Apples
This step is optional, but highly recommended. You can skip if you don’t want a warm apple topping.
Dice an apple into small pieces. Place in a microwave safe bowl and sprinkle with more cinnamon to taste. Microwave for 45-60 seconds.
5. Re-Spin
After the first spin cycle completes, check on the ice cream texture and do a re-spin cycle if needed. To re-spin, place Ninja Creami pint container back in it’s bowl & lid assembly and reinstall in the machine. Press the “Re-Spin” button.
6. Enjoy!
Scoop your creami cinnamon ice creami out into a dish and top with the warm apple topping if using.
Grumbled honey grahams make a delightful topping, too!
That’s it! You have delightfully tangy cinnamon-swirl ice cream that goes great with some apples or graham crackers. Yummy!
Tips & Variations
Nonfat Fairlife skim milk is my favorite creami milk, however, a close second is unsweetened coconut milk. Coconut milk is so thick, luscious, and low calorie!
If you want to trim a few calories off this creami recipe, or if you don’t drink dairy milk, coconut milk would be my swap of choice.
Other Creami Recipes
Want to try some of my other Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes? You’ll love any of the following!
Nutritional Information
This cinnamon Ninja Creami cinnamon ice cream (without apple topping) is 358 calories per pint with 60 grams of protein and only two grams of fat!
This ice cream is relatively low carb at just 20 grams when you subtract the carbs from the allulose that isn’t absorbed.
Recipe Notes
If you do not finish this ice cream in one sitting, make sure you flatten the top before putting it back in the freezer so you can spin it in the machine again.
If you forget, you can microwave the pint container for 30-seconds and then the ice cream should be soft enough to eat with a spoon.
FAQ
Yes, you can use other kinds of protein powder in my recipes. However, I want to make it clear that I have not tested the proportions with anything other than whey isolate, and my experience with various types of protein powder has taught me that they do make a difference in the final product. If you switch out the type of protein, I recommend starting with the quantity of 1 scoop (about 25-30 grams for most brands). See how the recipe turns out, and if it is still a little icy, then up it to 40-50 grams. You may find that 30 grams is perfect for some types of powder. I choose to use whey isolate because it’s so easy to digest for most people, myself included, and doesn’t sit in my stomach like a rock.
You can use whole milk without issue. I have never tried heavy cream in a protein ice cream, and my thought is that it would be a bit over the top and possibly a little too thick, which could hurt your machine. Use it at your own risk.
Nope! You can leave it out, but the sweetness may be dull without it. You can also substitute a different sweetener, but you may need to adjust the quantity.
If you don’t have cream of tartar, yes, you can skip it. However, it really makes a huge difference in how amazing this ice cream is, so I recommend picking up a jar the next time you’re at the grocery store if you can.
Need to Troubleshoot?
If you’re having issues with your Ninja Creami machine, check out my Ninja Creami Troubleshooting Guide.
Make This Cinnamon Protein Ice Cream Today!
Your tomorrow self will thank you. 🙂
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Ninja Creami Cinnamon Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- Freezer
Ingredients
- 100 grams 2% cottage cheese (or plain greek yogurt) about 1/2 cup
- 50 grams Vanilla Whey Isolate Protein Powder
- 2 tbsp Allulose or other low-calorie sweetener, see notes
- 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste
- 3/4 tsp Cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
- 1 cup Skim Milk extra if needed to get to the max fill line
Optional Apple Topping
- 1 medium Apple diced
- Cinnamon to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the pint container, including the milk. Use the immersion blender to blend until smooth.
- Place storage lid on the pint container. Place pint set on a level surface in the freezer for at least 24 hours.
- When it's ready to spin, remove it from the freezer and place the blade lid assembly on the pint container (Breeze model) or place the pint in the bowl assembly (7-in-1 and deluxe). Place the outer bowl lid on the bowl and place bowl assembly in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker per the manufacturer's instructions for your model.
- If making the optional apple topping, dice your apple and put in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle with cinnamon and microwave for 45-60 seconds.
- After the first spin cycle completes, check on the ice cream texture. You may wish to do a re-spin. Place Ninja Creami pint container back in its bowl & lid assembly and reinstall in the machine. Press the "Re-Spin" button.
- Scoop your creami into a dish and top with the apple topping if using. Enjoy!
Video
THE BEST!! I love apple cinnamon stuff. This recipe was perfect! Very creamy and tasted like dessert without the cals. Gotta love it.