Healthy Ninja Creami Recipes Packed With Protein

After preparing hundreds of pints over the past few years, I’ve learned the ins and outs of what makes the perfect ice cream.

Here are my 9 pro tips:

1. Your Milks Matter – It’s a balance that allows for the lowest calorie count possible. If you just use all almond milk, you risk a less creamy outcome due to the high water content in almond milk. You can certainly use all Fairlife milk instead, but this will add an extra 40-ish calories.
2. Not All Protein Powders are Made Equal – Protein powder will comprise around 50% (sometimes 60%+) of the dry ingredients in most Creami recipes if you want optimal macros. Using a high-quality whey/casein blend protein powder is essential. Choose one with an excellent flavor profile since it contributes significantly to the flavor of the pint. Avoid powders with a chalky protein aftertaste because it will come through strongly. That’s why I formulated the best whey/casein blend protein on the market. Use code “FDL” at checkout to save 15%. Link to the proteins provided. For vegan protein, the ones I specifically formulated for recipes substitute perfectly on a 1:1 ratio. Likewise, my vegan cookie butters offer delicious lactose-free options. Highly recommend starting with Brownie Batter and Blueberry Pastry flavors. If cookie butter isn’t available, use powdered peanut butter as a suitable substitute.
3. The Perfect Dairy Free Protein Creami – This book does not contain specific “dairy-free” recipes, but here’s how you can adapt these recipes to dairy-free. For milks, you can use all almond milk or other dairy-free options. Alternatively, you can follow the original milk recipes since Fairlife milk is lactose-free. Just note that using all almond milk (especially under 50 calories per cup) may yield slightly less creamy results due to its higher water content. For dairy-free pints, use the Lite Ice Cream function once, then a re-spin for perfect texture.
4. What if You Don’t Have Pudding Mix? – Pudding mix enhances both flavor and texture significantly, but if it’s unavailable, you can achieve similar results using Xanthan Gum or Guar Gum (1-2g, precisely measured). These thickeners improve texture, reduce iciness, and stabilize low-fat, low-sugar protein ice creams. To boost flavor, use flavor extracts such as vanilla, cake batter, marshmallow, or cheesecake, easily available on Amazon.
5. Meal Prep Your Pints – Prepare multiple pints simultaneously with different flavors for variety. A small milk frother works exceptionally well for mixing ingredients smoothly and quickly.
6. Freeze Pints With Cover Off – Initially freeze pints without the lid to prevent the formation of a central hump, which can damage your machine.
7. Thaw Pint Before Spinning – Allow the pint to sit on the counter for 10 minutes or run it under warm water in the sink for 60 seconds before spinning. Thawing slightly ensures there won’t be a thick icy layer that fails to blend properly.
8. Which Function Do You Use? – The difference between functions lies in blade speed and duration. Primarily use “Ice Cream,” “Lite Ice Cream,” and “Sorbet” settings. The Ice Cream setting creates a dense ice cream (less air whipped in) due to its shorter duration and slower blade speed. Run once, especially if adding mix-ins, to avoid excessive melting.
9. Cleaning Your Creami – Clean your Creami promptly after each use. Wipe down the bolt, remove the blade, and soak the cover and blade in warm water with dish soap. Shaking and rinsing thoroughly helps maintain cleanliness and longevity.