Rich & Creamy Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
This post may contain affiliate links.
Tired of bland chocolate protein ice cream? This rich and creamy Ninja Creami chocolate protein ice cream recipe has got you covered! Packed with intense flavor and 60 g protein per pint, the Ninja Creami machine makes a healthy treat that is a game changer for healthily reaching your fitness goals!
I’m a huge fan of my Ninja Creami ice cream maker. It is a frequently used kitchen appliance in my home and is much more practical for my family than a traditional ice cream maker. I spend a lot of time experimenting in the kitchen to come up with the most palatable Ninja Creami recipes and flavors that I can. Honestly, we don’t even have the urge to buy regular ice cream anymore. Healthier homemade ice cream does satisfy my sweet tooth!
Protein Ice Cream Tips
My biggest tip for a good protein ice cream is to find a stellar protein powder. Gross powders make gross ice creams. If you can barely choke it down as a shake, you may think, “Hey, maybe I can use it in ice cream instead.”
No, it can’t.
Pro-tip: Find and invest in a great powder you love.
I have used a lot of powders over the last year. Many of them were decent, but I kept searching for the most pure in taste. We settled on Legion protein powder as our favorite. I have no affiliation with the brand, it’s just my recommendation for a good, clean, tasty protein powder.
That said, taste is subjective. Maybe you won’t like it. But this brand has a lot of loyal customers so I don’t think you can go wrong.
Whey Isolate All The Way!
For this recipe, I use whey isolate powder. I like whey isolate powder because it is easily digestible, gives a creamy texture, and doesn’t sit uncomfortably heavy in the stomach.
The amount of protein powder in this recipe is based on whey isolate specifically. All protein types mix differently and require different amounts for optimal texture. If you prefer other types of powder, you may need to adjust the amount.
Sometimes you see people use only a chocolate protein shake or chocolate milk to make their chocolate ice cream–nothing else.
I’ve tried it, and I think it’s bland and terrible. But if you like it, that’s great! That’s certainly easy to make, so have at it.
But if you need a little more flavor in your ice cream, you’ve come to the right place.
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 your Ninja Creami chocolate protein ice cream, gather the following:
- Chocolate Protein Powder – You need 50 grams of whey isolate, which is about 1 1/2 scoops for most brands.
- Cottage Cheese – I use 2% reduced-fat cottage cheese as a binder for the ice cream. Binders reduce iciness and make your ice cream creamy. Cottage cheese also adds extra protein. No, you cannot taste the cottage cheese. No, the ice cream is not chunky. But if you’re worried about it, use reduced-fat Greek yogurt as an alternative.
- Allulose – A little added allulose goes a long way to increasing the sweetness and flavor. I don’t recommend skipping this, but you can substitute it with monk fruit or stevia if needed. Just know that it may not be an even swap because every sweetener varies in its concentration.
- Dark Cocoa Powder – If you can find black cocoa powder, use it! It is so much richer in taste. However, regular cocoa powder works well, too.
- Vanilla Bean Paste – I like using vanilla bean pastes in ice cream. You can use vanilla extract if needed.
- Fat-Free Ultra-Filtered Milk – I use the Fairlife brand because it’s lower in calories, higher in protein, and it makes ice cream thick and creamy. But if you don’t want to use Fairlife, you can use regular skim milk. Unsweetened reduced-fat coconut milk is my favorite dairy alternative for creami recipes.
- A dash of sea salt – It’s well known that a small amount of salt makes things taste sweeter! Do not use a lot, just a tiny pinch.
Instructions
To make your Ninja Creami chocolate protein ice cream, follow the steps for this simple recipe below:
1. Mix Ingredients & Blend
To make the ice cream base, add all of the ingredients with a small pinch of salt to the Ninja Creami container, making sure not to pass the max fill line. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
2. Freeze
Place the storage lid on your pint container and freeze on a level surface in your freezer for at least 24 hours.
3. Spin
Place your frozen pint in the outer bowl with the outer bowl lid on top. For the Breeze model, just place the blade lid assembly right on the Ninja Creami pint. Install it in your machine per the instructions for your model. Press the Lite Ice Cream button for your first spin.
4. Re-Spin as Needed
After the cycle completes, remove the pint container from the machine and check on the consistency of the ice cream. You will likely need to do a re-spin. Replace the lid assembly and reinstall the pint in the machine, then press the “Re-Spin” button. One re-spin should be all that’s needed, but depending on your choice of ingredients, or if you want it a soft serve texture, you may need to do an additional re-spin after this.
That’s it! Top with chocolate chips, sprinkle, cookie crumbs, toffee bits…whatever you want.
It’s never been easier to have delicious homemade high protein ice cream. The best part is this daily ice cream habit will help you see muscle gains! What could be better?
Tips & Variations
For chocolate ice cream with a flavor twist, try my Ninja Creami dark chocolate-coconut recipe. It’s divine.
Try my other Ninja Creami protein flavors, like my Coconut Ice Cream and my Peanut Butter flavor.
How about a flavor swirl? You’ll love my Peanut Butter Cup Protein Ice Cream and my Mounds Bar Ice Cream.
Nutritional Information
This recipe makes 1 pint. For one pint, the nutritional info is as follows:
- Calories: 399
- Protein: 60 grams
- Fat: 6 grams
- Carbs: 45 grams (19 grams net carbs)
Recipe Notes
If you don’t finish the whole pint, flatten the top and refreeze. You can respin it following the same instructions above, or put the pint container in the microwave for 30 seconds (the texture isn’t as good as when you spin it, though).
Need to Troubleshoot?
If you’re having issues with your Ninja Creami machine, check out my Ninja Creami Troubleshooting Guide.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Please leave a comment and review! It means the world!
Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami Ice Cream Machin
Ingredients
- 100 grams 2% Cottage Cheese about 1/2 cup
- 50 grams Chocolate Protein Whey Isolate Powder about 1 1/2 scoops
- 2 tbsp Allulose
- 12 grams Black Cocoa Powder 1 1/2 tbsp
- 1/2-1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste to taste
- 1 cup Unsweetened Coconut Milk fill to max fill line
- 1 small pinch Sea Salt
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the Ninja Creami container, making sure not to pass the max fill line. Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.100 grams 2% Cottage Cheese, 50 grams Chocolate Protein Whey Isolate Powder, 2 tbsp Allulose, 12 grams Black Cocoa Powder, 1/2-1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste, 1 cup Unsweetened Coconut Milk, 1 small pinch Sea Salt
- Place the storage lid on your pint container and freeze on a level surface in your freezer for at least 24 hours.
- Install the frozen pint in your Creami machine per the instructions for your model. Press the Lite Ice Cream button for your first spin.
- After the cycle completes, remove the pint container from the machine and check on the consistency of the ice cream. You will likely need to do a re-spin with the"Re-Spin" button. One re-spin should be all that's needed, but if you want a soft serve texture, you may need to do an additional re-spin after this.
Video
That black cocoa powder was perfect! This is so rich. Reminds me of kemps I used to love eating growing up.
I really love that black cocoa, too!