This easy Ninja Creami chocolate protein ice cream is a low-calorie homemade treat made with chocolate milk and no protein powder. It’s simple to prepare, high in protein, and perfect when you want a healthier dessert without sacrificing flavor.
The key ingredient in this recipe is Fairlife 2% chocolate milk — an ultra-filtered, lactose-free milk with more protein and less sugar than regular chocolate milk. It provides creamy body and protein without needing additional powders. Sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix helps thicken and stabilize the base while also deepening the chocolate flavor. A stevia sweetener blend rounds out the sweetness with minimal calories.
This recipe uses just three ingredients: chocolate milk, a stevia sweetener, and sugar-free chocolate pudding powder. Combine them, freeze the mixture in a Creami pint for 24 hours, and process on the Lite Ice Cream setting for a soft-serve–like consistency. You can make this in either the standard Creami pints (16 oz) or the Deluxe pints (24 oz) — see notes for scaling.
The finished pint makes a satisfying snack or dessert with favorable macros for a lighter ice cream option. Check the recipe card below for exact quantities and nutrition facts.
Recipe Highlights
- High protein: The full pint contains a substantial amount of protein compared to traditional ice cream, making it a filling treat.
- Low calorie: Far fewer calories than standard ice cream while still delivering chocolate flavor and creamy texture.
- Simple recipe: Only three ingredients and minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
- Fairlife 2% Chocolate Milk – Use the regular 2% chocolate milk (not Fairlife protein shakes). It’s ultra-filtered, lactose-free, higher in protein and lower in sugar than standard chocolate milk.
- Stevia sweetener blend – This recipe was developed with a stevia blend (stevia leaf extract plus a bulking agent). Adjust to taste if you use a different sweetener.
- Sugar-free chocolate pudding mix – Instant sugar-free chocolate pudding adds chocolate depth and helps bind the base for a creamier result.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
For the Creami Deluxe: Multiply ingredient amounts by 1.5 for the larger Deluxe pints. Preparation is the same for both sizes.
Instructions
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the chocolate milk, stevia, and sugar-free chocolate pudding mix until the sweetener is dissolved. The pudding powder may not fully dissolve, which is normal.
Let any bubbles settle (< 1 minute) before pouring the mixture into a Creami pint to avoid air pockets.
Tip: You can mix directly in the pint, but a bowl helps prevent pockets of pudding or sweetener from clumping in the pint’s crevices, giving a more consistent base.
Pour the mixture into a clean Creami pint, cover with the lid, and freeze on a level surface for 24 hours.
After freezing, remove the pint from the freezer and take off the lid.
Tip: Freeze pints on a flat surface. Processing a pint frozen at an angle can stress the machine.
Place the opened pint into the Ninja Creami outer bowl, attach the paddle to the lid, lock the assembly, slide the bowl into the motor base and twist to lock. Select the Lite Ice Cream setting. On Deluxe machines you can process the full pint or just the top half.
When processing finishes, remove the bowl and unlock the lid. If the ice cream looks powdery, re-lock and re-spin once or twice until it reaches a creamy texture.
Note: Lower-fat ice creams won’t match the density of full-fat ice cream; expect a soft-serve or frosty texture. Some pints also turn out well after 12 hours of freezing depending on your freezer and machine — experiment to find your preferred firmness.
Top with sugar-free chocolate syrup or sprinkles if desired, and serve immediately for the best texture.
Substitutions
- Milk: Substitute Fairlife with a similar ultra-filtered, higher-protein milk such as Horizon Organic Protein or other high-protein milks for comparable macros. A protein shake can also be used but will change flavor and texture.
- Sweetener: Use other zero-calorie sweeteners like Splenda, Swerve, or monk fruit blends, adjusting quantity to taste.
- Pudding mix: Instant pudding helps create a scoopable texture. Omit it for a frosty texture, or use full-sugar pudding (reduce sweetener as needed). If you prefer, use a homemade sugar-free pudding powder as a substitute.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl – for combining ingredients thoroughly before pouring into the pint.
- Whisk – to dissolve sweetener and blend pudding powder evenly.
- Ninja Creami (standard, Breeze, or Deluxe) – required to process frozen pints into ice cream.
Storage
Store leftovers by flattening the surface, covering with the storage lid, and refreezing. Re-freezed ice cream will harden and usually needs another short spin on the Lite Ice Cream setting to restore a creamy consistency.
FAQ
Processing time is typically 2–4 minutes depending on the function. Deluxe models often show 2 minutes for regular Ice Cream and 4 minutes for Lite Ice Cream.
Powdery texture can result from a freezer that’s too cold or from low-fat bases after one spin. Aim for a freezer between about 9°F and -7°F, and re-spin the pint 1–2 times until creamy.
📖 Recipe
Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fairlife 2% Chocolate Milk
- 2 tablespoons Stevia sweetener blend
- 2 tablespoons Sugar-free chocolate pudding mix
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, whisk chocolate milk, stevia, and pudding mix until the sweetener dissolves. The pudding mix will not fully dissolve. Let bubbles settle before pouring into a Creami pint.
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Pour into a clean Creami pint, cover, and freeze on a level surface for 24 hours.
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After freezing, remove the lid, place the pint in the outer bowl, attach the paddle and lid, lock the assembly into the machine, and select Lite Ice Cream.
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When processing finishes, remove the bowl and lid. If the texture is powdery, re-spin 1–2 times until creamy.
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Serve immediately for the best soft-serve texture.
Notes
Creami Deluxe: Multiply ingredients by 1.5 for Deluxe pints; follow the same instructions.
Storage: Flatten the surface, cover, and refreeze. Re-spin on Lite Ice Cream to restore creaminess after refreezing.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 9g
Related
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Ninja Creami Oreo Protein Ice Cream
For best results
Follow these tips to get the best texture and to protect your machine.
- Use an upright freezer: Chest freezers can run too cold and make pints overly hard and icy.
- Freeze on a flat surface: Level freezing prevents stress on the machine during processing.
- Fill to the Max Fill line: Do not overfill the pint to avoid spills or poor processing.
- Process half the pint on Deluxe: If using a Deluxe model, you can process just the top half and save the rest for later.
Consult your Ninja Creami user manual and safety instructions before use. If you’d like more protein ice cream ideas, consider what flavors you’d like to see next.