Holiday-Inspired High-Protein Ice Cream Recipes for the Ninja Creami
Even though we’re in the colder months of the year, ice cream is always on the menu at my house! I also love a good holiday-inspired dessert and one that I can eat everyday because it fits within my macros.
When it comes to tracking macros, I’m all about balance and flexibility. It’s something I talk through often with my clients because it makes the whole process more sustainable. And as someone who never turns down dessert, I love finding sweet treats that fit easily into my day without blowing my calorie goals.
This week’s post shares three holiday inspired high protein ice cream recipes using the Ninja Creami. And I’m also sharing my best tips for making low-calorie, high-protein ice cream that won’t put you over your macros, even if you decide to eat the whole pint!
Gingerbread Protein Ice Cream Recipe
PREP TIME: 5 minutes || FREEZE TIME: 12-24 hours (overnight) ||MAKE TIME: 5 minutes || Makes 1-2 servings
WHAT YOU NEED:
240g Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk (you can use skim for even fewer calories)
120g Fairlife Protein Shake (vanilla or plain) — optional for creaminess and added protein
30g (2 tbsp) sugar-free maple syrup (or sweetener of choice: monk fruit, stevia, etc.)
8g (1tsp) sugar-free vanilla pudding mix (helps with creaminess — optional)
7g (1tsp) molasses (adds authentic gingerbread flavor — just a small amount won’t add many calories)
¾ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp cinnamon
⅛ tsp nutmeg
⅛ tsp cloves
2g (½ tsp) vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
WHAT TO DO:
Mix the Base: In a blender or shaker bottle, combine all ingredients. Blend until fully mixed and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or spice if desired.
Freeze: Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container. Place the lid on tightly and freeze for 24 hours (must be solid all the way through). Make sure the container is sitting upright and flat so the mixture freezes properly for spinning.
Spin: Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Insert into your Ninja Creami and run the "Lite Ice Cream" or "Smoothie Bowl" function.
Optional Add-Ins: add any add-ins after the first spin and follow with a “Mix In” spin for added texture or flavor.
1 crushed ginger snap cookie (adds crunch and flavor)
1 tbsp sugar-free whipped topping or fat-free Cool Whip folded in
A drizzle of sugar-free caramel syrup
Re-spin (optional): If the texture is crumbly, add 1–2 tbsp Fairlife milk and re-spin until creamy.
TIPS:
Make It Creamier: Use half Fairlife milk and half Fairlife protein shake or add 1–2 tbsp of fat-free Greek yogurt.
Lower Calorie Ice Cream Version: Skip the molasses and pudding mix. It’s still delicious, just a bit lighter.
Vegan Option: Substitute Fairlife with unsweetened almond milk and add 1 scoop of plant-based vanilla protein powder.
MACROS PER PINT: 22P/7F/21.5C (275 calories)
(this is without any added mix-ins or toppings)
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching:
“KLN Recipe: Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream – Gingerbread”.
Hot Cocoa Protein Ice Cream Recipe
PREP TIME: 5 minutes || FREEZE TIME: 12-24 hours (overnight) ||MAKE TIME: 5 minutes || Makes 1-2 servings
WHAT YOU NEED:
240g Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk (you can use skim for even fewer calories)
120g Fairlife Protein Shake (chocolate) — optional for creaminess and added protein
10g (2 tbsp) unsweetened cocoa powder
30g (2 tbsp) sugar-free maple syrup (or sweetener of choice: monk fruit, stevia, etc.)
8g (1tsp) sugar-free chocolate pudding mix (optional for texture)
2g (½ tsp) vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
WHAT TO DO:
Mix the Base: In a blender or shaker bottle, combine all ingredients. Blend until fully mixed and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness.
Freeze: Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container. Place the lid on tightly and freeze for 24 hours (must be solid all the way through). Make sure the container is sitting upright and flat so the mixture freezes properly for spinning.
Spin: Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Insert into your Ninja Creami and run the "Lite Ice Cream" or "Smoothie Bowl" function.
Optional Add-Ins: add any add-ins after the first spin and follow with a “Mix In” spin for added texture or flavor.
Mini sugar-free marshmallows
Mini chocolate chips
Crumbled graham crackers
Re-spin (optional): If the texture is crumbly, add 1–2 tbsp Fairlife milk and re-spin until creamy.
TIPS:
Make It Creamier: Use half milk and half protein shake, or add 15 g fat-free Greek yogurt.
Stronger Chocolate Flavor: Add an extra 3–5 g cocoa powder and 1–2 g sweetener.
Lower Calorie Ice Cream Version: Use Fairlife skim milk only (no protein shake) — brings the pint down to ~210 kcal total.
“Peppermint Hot Cocoa” variation: Add ⅛ tsp peppermint extract before freezing
“Mexican Hot Cocoa” variation: add: ½ tsp cinnamon, ⅛ tsp nutmeg ⅛ tsp of cayenne pepper to the blender or shaker cup when mixing the base.
MACROS PER PINT: 23P/7F/21C (270 calories)
(this is without any added mix-ins or toppings)
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching:
“KLN Recipe: Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream – Hot Cocoa”.
White Chocolate Peppermint Protein Ice Cream Recipe
PREP TIME: 5 minutes || FREEZE TIME: 12-24 hours (overnight) ||MAKE TIME: 5 minutes || Makes 1-2 servings
WHAT YOU NEED:
240g Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk (you can use skim for even fewer calories)
120g Fairlife Protein Shake (chocolate) — optional for creaminess and added protein
30g (2 tbsp) sugar-free vanilla or white chocolate syrup (like Jordan’s Skinny Syrup)
8g (1tsp) sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix (optional for texture)
1g (¼ tsp) peppermint extract
2-4g sweetener of choice (monk fruit, stevia, etc.)
Pinch of salt
WHAT TO DO:
Mix the Base: In a blender or shaker bottle, combine all ingredients. Blend until fully mixed and smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness or peppermint strength — it should taste slightly sweeter and mintier than you want, since cold mutes flavor.
Freeze: Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container. Place the lid on tightly and freeze for 24 hours (must be solid all the way through). Make sure the container is sitting upright and flat so the mixture freezes properly for spinning.
Spin: Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Insert into your Ninja Creami and run the "Lite Ice Cream" or "Smoothie Bowl" function.
Optional Add-Ins: add any add-ins after the first spin and follow with a “Mix In” spin for added texture or flavor.
Sugar-free white chocolate
Sugar-free crushed peppermint candies
Re-spin (optional): If the texture is crumbly, add 1–2 tbsp Fairlife milk and re-spin until creamy.
TIPS:
More “White Chocolate” Flavor: Add 5–10 g of sugar-free white chocolate chips blended into the base before freezing.
Make it Creamier: Add 1–2 tbsp (15–30 g) of fat-free Greek yogurt.
Make it Festive: Add a few drops of crushed sugar-free peppermint candy or red/pink food coloring for swirl effect.
Lower Calorie Ice Cream Version: Use all Fairlife skim milk and skip chips — still delicious, just lighter.
MACROS PER PINT: 26P/7F/18C (260 calories)
(this is without any added mix-ins or toppings)
You can find the recipe in the MyFitnessPal database by searching:
“KLN Recipe:Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream – White Chocolate Peppermint”.
Enjoying Holiday Treats That Fit Your Macros
We’re big fans of holiday treats that are both merry and macro-friendly? With a little creativity and your Ninja Creami, you can enjoy all the flavors of the season while enjoying traits that are aligned with your health and fitness goals.
Enjoy some other high-protein, low-calorie ice creams give you the joy of dessert while also hitting your macros.
Ready to make macro-friendly desserts part of your routine year-round?
Check out our Everyday Macros Cookbook for more high-protein, easy-to-prep recipes - or explore all our Macro-Friendly Recipes for more delicious ideas!
Diana dewan
Meal prep guru, yogi, and certified prenatal and postpartum coach helping clients ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and build lasting habits through all seasons of life.
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