This Ninja Creami mint protein ice cream is thick and creamy with a sweet mint flavor. It's made with coconut cream, almond milk and protein powder and blended in the Ninja Creami machine. This mint ice cream is dairy free, paleo and refined sugar free.
Okay, so I really debated on whether this mint ice cream should be green or not. And ultimately, I decided not to color it green because it's SO tasty as-is. I didn't want to mess with the flavor by adding in any natural colorings such as spinach or greens powders like matcha or spirulina.
So, even though this may not look like a mint ice cream, I assure you it is! This Ninja Creami mint protein ice cream has a lovely vanilla-mint flavor. It is thick and creamy - everything you could want in an ice cream.
Even better, this ice cream recipe is dairy free since it's made with a base of coconut cream and almond milk. I also use a dairy free vanilla protein powder that enhances the flavor and texture in all the right ways.
Why You'll Love this Mint Protein Ice Cream
- dairy free and paleo - made with almond milk, coconut cream and a dairy free protein powder. No cream cheese and no whey protein.
- refined sugar free - sweetened with the protein powder and maple syrup
- thick and creamy - the texture is super thick and has a smooth consistency
- great with mix-ins - feel free to mix in chopped chocolate, brownies, cookies or drizzle with hot fudge.
Ingredients
You can find the full recipe for this mint protein ice cream in the recipe card below, but here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need:
- almond milk - I used unsweetened almond milk, but any type of milk will work
- coconut cream - just the thick white cream from a can of full fat coconut milk or coconut cream. You'll probably want to chill the can in the fridge overnight to ensure that the cream has separated from the milk.
- maple syrup - a little for sweetness and flavor
- vanilla extract - for flavor
- peppermint flavoring - makes this mint ice cream minty
- vanilla protein powder - I recommend using a vanilla beef protein isolate, bone broth protein powder or vanilla collagen peptides.
- salt - enhances the flavors
How to Make Mint Protein Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami
For this recipe, you'll need a blender and a Ninja Creami ice cream machine. Here are the steps:
- Place all ice cream ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint. Place the lid on top and freeze on a level surface.
- Once fully frozen, remove the lid and level the top of your ice cream using a metal spoon (if needed).
- Place the pint in your Creami machine and blend on "Lite Ice Cream".
- Blend again on the "Re-Spin" setting.
- Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Don't fill above the max fill line: make sure not to overfill the container, as the ice cream expands when it's blended. You shouldn't have any issues if following this recipe exactly.
- Fully freeze: you want your pint to be fully frozen for the best texture.
- Level: before blending, make sure the top of the frozen ice cream is level. You can use a spoon to scrape off the hump and smooth the top.
- Re-spins: if your ice cream isn’t smooth and creamy, re-spin the pint until you get your desired consistency.
- Add mix-ins: this mint ice cream is a great base for mix-ins. Feel free to add chopped chocolate, brownie chunks, crushed cookie pieces or top with hot fudge.
Storage
Store leftovers in the creami pint, with the lid on top. Be sure to level off the ice cream before freezing so that you can re-spin it for next time.
FAQ
Yes! Feel free to blend in mint leaves, a bit of spinach or ⅛ tsp matcha or spirulina. These may alter the flavor a bit, but not the texture.
This ice cream won't be smooth and creamy without the addition of either protein powder or collagen peptides. I recommend an animal based protein powder (beef protein isolate, bone broth protein, whey protein, sheep's milk protein powder) or collagen peptides.
More Ninja Creami Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Ninja Creami Mint Protein Ice Cream (Dairy Free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 pint 1x
Description
This mint protein ice cream is made in the Ninja Creami machine. It has a thick, creamy texture and sweet vanilla-mint flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk)
- ¼ cup coconut cream*
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp peppermint flavor
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder**
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender. Blend, starting at a low speed and then gradually increasing the speed until your mixture is smooth.
- Pour the ice cream mixture into your Ninja Creami pint.
- Place the lid on the Creami pint and set it in the freezer for 24 hours.
- Remove the pint from the freezer. If there's a hump in the middle of the pint, level it off with a spoon.
- Plug in the Ninja Creami. Place the pint in the outer bowl and lock the lid, then place the bowl on the motor base and twist into position.
- Turn on the Creami and select "Lite Ice Cream".
- After the first blend, the ice cream will be a little clumpy. Blend again on "Re-spin" to get a smooth, creamy texture.
- Store leftovers in the Creami pint, with the lid on top. Be sure to level off the ice cream before freezing so that you can re-spin it for next time.
Notes
*You only want to use the thick white cream from a can of full fat coconut milk or coconut cream. You'll probably want to chill the can in the fridge overnight to ensure that the cream has separated from the milk.
**I used a vanilla beef protein isolate, but any animal based protein powder would be a good option (whey protein, bone broth protein powder, collagen peptides...)
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