Dairy-Free Vanilla Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami & 27g Protein)
Dairy-free vanilla protein ice cream made in the Ninja Creami with almond milk, vanilla protein powder, and a little pudding mix. It scoops like real soft serve, no dairy and no ice cream maker required. Creamy, high in protein, and ready to customize with whatever mix-ins you love.
Dairy-free ice cream that’s actually creamy and high in protein, this is the one I make on repeat. Most store-bought dairy-free pints come out either rock hard or icy, and this spins up smooth like soft serve every time.
Dairy-free vanilla protein ice cream is a frozen dessert made by blending non-dairy milk, vanilla protein powder, and pudding mix, freezing it for 24 hours, then spinning it in the Ninja Creami until creamy. The protein powder brings the protein and vanilla flavor, and the pudding mix is what keeps the texture smooth instead of icy.
I use plant-based vanilla protein and almond milk for the base, so it stays dairy-free and easy on the stomach while still tasting like a real vanilla scoop. From there it’s a blank canvas, chocolate chips, crushed cookies, a swirl of nut butter, whatever you’re craving.
If you love homemade protein ice cream you may also want to try my 33 Healthy High Protein Ninja Creami Recipes.
Why You’ll Love This
- Dairy-free and high in protein, a vanilla scoop that fits your macros and skips the dairy.
- Creamy, not icy, the pudding mix gives it that smooth soft-serve texture store-bought dairy-free pints never get right.
- No ice cream maker needed, just blend, freeze, and let the Ninja Creami do the work.
Ingredients You Need
- Non-dairy milk — the base. Almond milk keeps it light, while coconut milk or oat milk make it richer and creamier. Use whatever you like.
- Sugar-free vanilla pudding mix — the secret to a smooth, scoopable texture. It stops the ice crystals that make dairy-free ice cream icy.
- Plant-based vanilla protein powder — brings the protein and the vanilla flavor. Use one you like the taste of on its own. PEScience Gourmet Vanilla is my go-to, code BAILEY saves you a bit.
- Vanilla extract — deepens the vanilla flavor so it tastes like a real vanilla scoop.
- Pinch of sea salt — balances the sweetness and rounds everything out.
How to Make Dairy-Free Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
- Add the non-dairy milk, pudding mix, protein powder, vanilla, and salt to your Ninja Creami pint up to the max fill line. Blend with a handheld frother until fully combined and smooth.
- Cover and freeze flat for 24 hours, until solid all the way through.
- Take the pint out and run the outside under warm water for about 60 seconds. Make sure the top is level to protect the blade.
- Lock the pint into the machine and press Lite Ice Cream.
- If it looks powdery or crumbly after the first spin, hit Re-Spin. Add a splash of milk and spin again if it needs it.
- For mix-ins, dig a well in the center, add your chocolate chips or cookies, and use the Mix-In button. Then scoop and eat.
Tips for the Creamiest Texture
Blend the base really well with the frother before freezing. Protein powder can clump, and any dry pockets spin up grainy.
Freeze the pint dead level. A tilted pint freezes uneven, which is the top reason a spin comes out icy on one side instead of smooth.
The warm-water step matters more than it sounds. Running the frozen pint under warm water for 60 seconds melts the very edges so the blade catches and gives you a creamier first spin.
Re-spin without fear. Dairy-free bases almost always look crumbly after the first spin, and that’s normal. One re-spin, plus a splash of milk if needed, brings it together into soft serve.
Eat it fresh for the best texture. Like all Ninja Creami recipes, it’s creamiest right after spinning.
Variations and Mix-Ins
Richer and creamier — use canned coconut milk or a splash of coconut cream in place of some of the almond milk for a richer scoop.
Sweeten it your way — stir in a little maple syrup or granulated sweetener before freezing if you want it sweeter than the protein powder alone.
Change the flavor — swap in a different protein powder flavor, like chocolate, cookies and cream, or strawberry, to make a whole new pint.
Mix-ins — fold in dark chocolate chips, crushed cookies, chopped nuts, or a swirl of peanut butter with the Mix-In button after spinning.
How to Store
Store leftovers right in the Ninja Creami pint with the lid on, and smooth the top flat with a spoon before it goes back in the freezer.
When you want more, let the pint sit out for 5 to 10 minutes, run it under warm water, and Re-Spin to bring back the soft-serve texture. Add a splash of milk if it needs help getting creamy again.
Dairy-Free Vanilla Protein Ice Cream FAQ
Do I need the pudding mix? The pudding mix is what keeps the texture smooth and scoopable instead of icy, so I recommend it. You can leave it out and the recipe still works, but the result will be firmer and more ice-crystally. A pinch of guar gum or xanthan gum is a good swap if you want to skip the pudding.
Can I use a premade protein shake instead? Yes. Pour a vanilla protein shake straight into the pint up to the fill line, freeze, and spin. It’s a quick shortcut that skips measuring the milk and protein powder separately.
Is this protein ice cream vegan? It can be. Use a plant-based protein powder, a dairy-free milk, and a vegan-friendly pudding mix and sweetener, and the whole thing is vegan.
Dairy-Free Vanilla Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups homemade almond milk can also use regular store-bought
- 1 tbsp sugar-free vanilla jello pudding mix
- 1 scoop plant-based vanilla protein powder
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into the Ninja Creami pint container up to the max fill line. Use a handheld frother to mix until fully combined.
- Cover and freeze for 24 hours until frozen solid.
- Remove the pint from the freezer, run it under hot water for 60 seconds.
- Install the pint into the Ninja Creami and press the Lite Ice Cream button.
- If it looks powdery or crumbly, hit the Respin button and let it blend again. You can repeat this process until desired creaminess level is reached. If it’s already creamy, continue to adding your mix-ins.
- Once desired creaminess is reached, make a deep hole in the center of the ice cream. Add in dark chocolate chips, crushed cookies, peanut butter, or any other mix ins of your choice. Use the Mix-In button to blend everything together. Enjoy immediately!
Nutrition
The nutrition information provided is calculated based on industry-standard software and should be used as a general guide only. The information may vary depending on ingredient substitutions, cooking techniques, and individual serving sizes. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of the nutritional information provided. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical or nutritional advice.
More Ninja Creami Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Lemon Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Peach Sorbet
- Orange Sherbet Ninja Creami
Made this dairy-free vanilla protein ice cream? Leave a star rating and a comment below and tell me how it turned out, I read every one. And tag me on Instagram @basicswithbails or save it on Pinterest with #basicswithbails.
About Bailey
I love to bake, cook, exercise, and document all of the above. Nutrition is not low fat. It is not low calorie. It’s not feeling deprived or being hungry all the time. It’s nourishing your body with real, whole foods so that you are consistently satisfied and energized to live your life to the fullest! Read more…
