The Easiest Ninja Creami Prep
The EASIEST Ninja Creami Prep is a easy American recipe that serves 5. 190 calories per serving. Recipe by Casey Kelly on YouTube.
Prep: 13 min | Cook: 5 min | Total: 33 min
Cost: $47.87 total, $9.57 per serving
Ingredients
- 360 ml Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (Use plain unsweetened vanilla almond milk; store‑bought)
- 1.5 g Salt (≈¼ teaspoon; enhances sweetness without making it salty)
- 40 g Rice Protein Powder (Provides ~30 g protein per pint; choose a neutral‑tasting brand)
- 1 packet Ninja Creami Ice Cream Base Mix (Target exclusive) (Pre‑blended mix designed for the Creami; approx 100 g per packet)
- 2 tbsp Flavor Add‑in (choose one per pint) (Examples: lemon pound cake flavoring, Skippy peanut butter, Little Debbie strawberry shortcake crumbs, cookie pieces, chocolate peanut butter cup bits)
- 1 tbsp Nut Butter (optional) (Adds extra creaminess; use peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter)
Instructions
Gather Ingredients and Equipment
Lay out all ingredients, measuring tools, blender, pint containers, and the Ninja Creami machine.
Time: PT5M
Measure Almond Milk
Pour 360 ml (1 ½ cups) of unsweetened vanilla almond milk into a mixing bowl.
Time: PT1M
Add Salt
Add 1‑2 g (about ¼ tsp) of salt to the almond milk and stir until dissolved.
Time: PT30S
Incorporate Protein Powder
Add 40 g of rice protein powder to the milk mixture and whisk with the blender until completely smooth, no clumps.
Time: PT2M
Add Creami Base Mix
Open one packet of the Ninja Creami Ice Cream Base Mix and whisk it into the liquid until fully incorporated.
Time: PT1M
Add Flavor Add‑in
Stir in 2 tbsp of your chosen flavor (e.g., lemon pound cake, peanut butter, strawberry shortcake crumbs, cookie pieces, or chocolate peanut butter cup bits).
Time: PT1M
Optional Nut Butter Swirl
If desired, add 1 tbsp of nut butter and blend briefly to create a richer mouthfeel.
Time: PT30S
Fill Pint Containers
Pour the mixture into each pint‑size container, leaving about ½ inch of headspace to allow for expansion when frozen.
Time: PT2M
Freeze
Seal the lids tightly and place the containers in the freezer for a minimum of 24 hours.
Time: PT0M
Process in Ninja Creami
After the mixture is fully frozen, install the pint in the Ninja Creami, select the “Light Ice Cream” setting, and run the cycle. If you added nut butter, add a swirl after the first spin and run the “Mix‑In” setting briefly.
Time: PT5M
Serve or Store
Enjoy immediately or return the pint to the freezer. For best texture, consume within 2 weeks.
Time: PT0M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 190
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbohydrates
- 9 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: High‑protein, Low‑calorie, Gluten‑free, Dairy‑free, Keto‑friendly (if sweetener is low‑carb)
Allergens: Almond (tree nut), Peanut (if peanut butter used), Soy (possible in some protein powders)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: Unsweetened Soy Milk, Unsweetened Oat Milk
- Instead of Salt: Sea Salt, Kosher Salt
- Instead of Rice Protein Powder: Whey Protein Isolate, Pea Protein Powder
- Instead of Ninja Creami Ice Cream Base Mix (Target exclusive): Homemade base (milk + cream + sweetener), Other commercial ice‑cream mixes
- Instead of Flavor Add‑in (choose one per pint): Other extracts or mix‑ins of your choice
- Instead of Nut Butter (optional): Sunflower seed butter, No nut butter (omit)
Equipment Needed
- Handheld Blender or Stick Blender
- Measuring Cup
- Kitchen Scale
- Mixing Bowl
- Pint‑size Freezer‑Safe Containers
- Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker
- Spatula or Spoon
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Fully dissolve the rice protein powder to avoid gritty texture.
- Leave proper headspace in the pint container before freezing.
- Freeze for at least 24 hours to ensure the Creami can spin properly.
- Use the “Light Ice Cream” setting for a soft‑serve consistency.
Chef Tips from the Video
- Use cold almond milk straight from the fridge; warmer milk can cause the protein to clump.
- For an extra creamy texture, choose a rice protein that already contains MCT oil (as the creator does).
- If you prefer a sweeter ice cream, add a natural sweetener (e.g., monk fruit or stevia) to the base before freezing.
Troubleshooting
Ice crystals form after processing.
Run an extra “Mix‑In” cycle on the Creami or add a splash (15‑30 ml) of almond milk before the second spin.
Mixture is too thick to blend.
Add an extra 15 ml of almond milk and blend briefly before refreezing.
Flavor is weak.
Increase the flavor add‑in to 3 tbsp or use a concentrated extract.
Storage
Refrigerator: Can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days after processing.
Freezer: Store unopened frozen pints for up to 2 weeks.
Room temperature: Do not store at room temperature; ice cream will melt.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Prepare all five flavored bases on the same day and freeze them; you’ll have a week’s worth of protein ice cream ready.
- Label each pint with flavor and date to avoid confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of high‑protein ice cream in American fitness cuisine?
High‑protein frozen desserts have become popular in the United States as a way to combine indulgence with nutrition, especially among athletes and busy professionals who want a low‑calorie treat that supports muscle recovery.
What are the traditional regional variations of protein‑boosted ice cream in American cuisine?
While the classic American ice cream is dairy‑based, regional twists include using almond or oat milk in the West Coast, adding peanut butter in the Midwest, and incorporating tropical fruit flavors in the South. The Ninja Creami has accelerated these variations by allowing home cooks to customize protein sources.
What occasions or celebrations is high‑protein Ninja Creami ice cream traditionally associated with in fitness‑focused culture?
Fitness enthusiasts often enjoy protein ice cream after workouts, as a post‑exercise recovery snack, or as a low‑calorie dessert during meal‑prep weeks and diet challenges.
What makes the Ninja Creami version of protein ice cream special compared to traditional churned ice cream?
The Ninja Creami’s “Light Ice Cream” setting creates a softer, sorbet‑like texture while preserving the high protein content, whereas traditional churned ice cream can become overly dense when fortified with protein powders.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making high‑protein Ninja Creami ice cream?
Common errors include not fully dissolving the protein powder (which leads to gritty texture), over‑filling the pint container (causing the lid to pop off), and freezing for less than 24 hours (resulting in a slushy consistency).
Why does this recipe use the “Light Ice Cream” setting instead of the regular “Ice Cream” setting?
The Light Ice Cream setting adds less air and churns at a lower speed, which keeps the frozen dessert smooth and prevents the protein from becoming grainy, delivering a softer scoop that mimics a frozen yogurt.
Can I make the high‑protein Ninja Creami ice cream ahead of time and how should I store it?
Yes. Prepare the base, pour into pint containers, and freeze for at least 24 hours. After processing, keep the pints sealed in the freezer for up to two weeks; for longer storage, wrap tightly with plastic wrap before freezing.
What texture and appearance should I look for when the high‑protein Ninja Creami ice cream is done?
The finished ice cream should be smooth, creamy, and slightly softer than traditional ice cream, with no visible ice crystals. The color will reflect the chosen flavor (e.g., pale yellow for lemon pound cake).
What does the YouTube channel Casey Kelly specialize in?
The YouTube channel Casey Kelly focuses on quick, high‑protein meal‑prep recipes, fitness‑friendly snacks, and practical kitchen hacks for busy lifestyles.
How does the YouTube channel Casey Kelly's approach to protein‑rich desserts differ from other fitness cooking channels?
Casey Kelly emphasizes using everyday grocery items like almond milk and Target‑exclusive mixes, keeps recipes under 200 calories per serving, and provides detailed prep‑ahead systems, whereas many other channels rely on specialty ingredients or more time‑intensive techniques.
What other American fitness‑focused recipes is the YouTube channel Casey Kelly known for?
Casey Kelly is also known for high‑protein overnight oats, low‑calorie chicken‑and‑veggie stir‑fries, and portable snack bars that stay under 250 calories per serving.
Last updated: August 28, 2026
