A few months back, I got a Ninja Creami for my birthday, and let me tell you, I was a total skeptic. I figured it’d be another gadget collecting dust, and I’d be shipping it right back. But oh boy, was I wrong!
This thing has become my nightly obsession. I whip up this simple base every evening, and it’s hands-down the creamiest, most delicious homemade “ice cream” that’s macro-friendly, whether I’m in a fat loss phase, maintenance, or even building muscle.
At just 238 calories for the base, this ninja creami recipe is nutritious and low-calorie (so it works in a fat loss phase). Loaded with protein from Greek yogurt and a touch of powder, it’s the perfect way to end the day on a sweet note. My whole family loves customizing it, and I prep a few pints ahead for grab-and-go ease. Let’s dive in!
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Why You’ll Love This Ninja Creami Recipe
- Quick & Easy Prep: The base comes together in minutes with pantry staples: milk, yogurt, protein powder, instant pudding mix. No fancy ingredients needed.
- Customizable: Naturally boosted with protein, low in sugar thanks to sugar-free jello (use whatever brand you love) as a thickener, and adaptable for your calorie goals. Use nonfat milk in a fat loss phase (calorie deficit) or 1% or 2% milk in maintenance.
- Meal-Prep Friendly: I make 4-5 pints at once and freeze them.
- Tastes Like Real Ice Cream: Creamy, thick, and indulgent. Add your favorite mix-ins like chocolate chips, peanut butter, cookies, graham crackers, or PBfit. Or enjoy it as-is without extra mix-ins.
- Family-Approved: My kids love this base recipe and customize it with whatever mix-ins they want. It’s a win for everyone!
This recipe keeps my protein around 140g a day without overdoing it, since I focus on whole foods like chicken, eggs, and yogurt throughout the day. It’s more of a delicious wind-down than a protein bomb, but you can tweak the powder amount to fit your macros – adding more or less for whatever protein content desired. Interested in learning about macros? As a nutrition coach, I work with clients to set up a nutrition plan according to your goals, with custom and macros. Learn how macros have changed my body, losing over 40lbs and building muscle at 40+.
Watch The Recipe Video: How to Make This Recipe
Low-Calorie Ninja Creami Recipe (High Protein)
Equipment
- ninja creami jars I have extras so I can make 4-5 pints at a time
Ingredients
- 240 grams 2% milk (nonfat or 1% for lower cals) + 20 grams during the respin process
- 50 grams nonfat Greek yogurt or 2% or whole milk
- 7 grams Instant pudding mix – sugar-free jello powder (vanilla or flavor of choice like chocolate or butterscotch) – you may use full sugar but sugar free keeps calories down
- 15 grams peanut butter protein powder or your favorite flavor: vanilla, chocolate, etc.
Mix-ins (Optional)
- 30 grams semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 8 grams PBfit (or real peanut butter if you want a richer taste)
Instructions
- Make the Base: In a Ninja Creami pint, add 240g milk, 50g Greek yogurt, 7g Instant pudding mix – sugar-free jello powder, and 15g protein powder. Use an immersion blender to mix until smooth and creamy, no lumps! This step is key for that indulgent texture.
- Freeze: Pop the lid on and freeze for at least 18-24 hours. I prep multiple pints at once and stash them in the freezer.
- Soften Slightly: Pull the frozen pint from the freezer. Let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, or run under warm water (lid on) for a few seconds if you're impatient.
- First Spin: Attach the blade to your Ninja Creami, insert the pint, and select the Lite Ice Cream setting (perfect for low-sugar, no heavy cream recipes like this).
- Re-Spin for Creaminess: After the first spin, it'll look crumbly; that's normal! Add 10-20g of milk, reattach, and hit Re-Spin. Now it's creamy and scoopable.
- (Optional) Add Mix-Ins: Stir in your favorites: like 15-30g chocolate chips, a chocolate or candy bar. Pop back in the machine and use the Mix-In setting to blend evenly. Finish with a sprinkle of PBfit or peanut butter, stirred in by hand if you love peanut butter.
- Enjoy: Dig in right away! It's best fresh, but you can store leftovers in the pint for a day or two.
Notes
Expert Tips & Variations
- Calorie Adjustments: In fat loss? Stick to nonfat ingredients and lower-calorie mix-ins (like PB Fit). For maintenance or surplus, amp up with whole milk, more protein powder, or extra toppings.
- Flavor Twists: Swap instant pudding flavors, butterscotch or chocolate. Use different protein powders for flavor.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Opt for almond or oat milk and a dairy-free yogurt/protein powder.
- Storage: Frozen bases last weeks in the freezer. Once spun, you’ll have to refreeze if you don’t eat it all, then spin and respin before enjoying again. Always smooth out the top before refreezing.
- Pro Tip: Always measure with a scale for consistency, it’s a game-changer for tracking macros.
- Meal Prep Hack: Batch 5 pints on Sunday for the week (this recipe makes 1 pint). Grab, spin, and treat yourself nightly.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular jello instead of sugar-free? Sure, but it’ll add calories and sugar (more carbs). Stick to sugar-free if you want to keep the calories lower. You can use any brand of instant pudding desired. And any flavor.
What if I don’t have a food scale? Eyeballing works in a pinch, but a scale ensures accuracy, especially for calories/macros. I work with clients to teach you how to use a scale to achieve fat loss and body recomposition. If you’re not losing fat, and trying to, then a scale is likely one of the missing pieces. If you don’t have a scale, you can use 1 cup milk and about 1/4 cup yogurt. I’m not sure about the other ingredients.
Is this kid-friendly? Absolutely! Let them pick mix-ins like berries or sprinkles. It’s a fun, wholesome dessert they’ll love. If you want more calories, use whole milk.
How do I boost the protein more? Up the powder to 30g if needed, but I prefer to keep it on the lighter protein side since I get plenty from whole foods.
This Ninja Creami recipe has truly changed my evenings. It’s simple, satisfying, and keeps me on track with my natural living goals. If you try it, let me know in the comments what flavors you experiment with or how you customize it for your family. I’d love to hear! For more easy, healthy recipes, check out my Cinnamon Baked Oats or Stuffed Dates. Happy blending!
Nutrition Note: Base is approx. 235 calories with nonfat ingredients; add-ins vary. Always calculate based on your specifics.
