Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

The creamiest chocolate hazelnut Ninja Creami protein ice cream with 41g of protein per pint. Made with Fairlife chocolate milk, Nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and Ferrero Rocher chunks — tastes like a frozen Nutella jar with the macros of a protein shake.

A chocolate hazelnut protein ice cream is a high-protein homemade ice cream made with Fairlife chocolate milk, chocolate protein powder, chocolate pudding mix, and mix-ins of toasted hazelnuts, chocolate hazelnut spread, and Ferrero Rocher chocolates. One pint packs 41g of protein and tastes like a frozen Ferrero Rocher — rich, chocolatey, and indulgent.

This is the richest, most decadent flavor I make in the Ninja Creami — it’s earned its place as a once-a-week treat instead of an everyday one. The chocolate milk does most of the chocolate work, the Nutella swirl + hazelnut chunks deliver the candy bar payoff, and a single Ferrero Rocher chopped on top takes it from good to special-occasion good.

If you love this, also try my Snickers Chocolate Protein Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Cup Protein Ice Cream, or Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream next.

Ingredients You’ll Need

(Full measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)

• Fairlife chocolate milk — does most of the heavy lifting on protein and flavor. Has about 30g of protein per cup. Can swap for a chocolate protein shake and skip the protein powder if you want a simpler version.
• Sugar-free chocolate pudding mix — the secret to creamy, not icy. Sugar-free works the same. Chocolate pushes the chocolate flavor harder than vanilla.
• Chocolate protein powder — I use PEScience Chocolate Truffle (code BAILEY saves you on all products). Any chocolate whey or whey-casein blend works.
• Toasted hazelnuts — toast them first. Raw hazelnuts work but toasting (5–7 minutes in a dry pan over medium heat) transforms the flavor and is the single biggest upgrade for this recipe. Let them cool, then rub in a clean kitchen towel to peel the skins off.
• Chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella) — added at the mix-in stage so it swirls instead of dissolving into the base. Any brand works. Sugar-free or homemade chocolate hazelnut spread works for a lower-sugar version.
• Ferrero Rocher — chopped, added at the mix-in stage. This is what gives you the “frozen Ferrero” payoff in every bite. Optional but recommended.

How to Make Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Ice Cream

1. Mix the base. Add the Fairlife chocolate milk, chocolate pudding mix, and chocolate protein powder to the Ninja Creami pint up to the max fill line. Use a milk frother to fully combine — protein powder clumps will mess with the texture.
2. Freeze 24 hours. Keep the pint flat in your freezer. A domed top can damage the blade.
3. Toast the hazelnuts. While the base freezes, toast chopped hazelnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring often. Cool completely before using.
4. Run under hot water. Once frozen solid, run the outside of the pint under hot water for 60–90 seconds before loading.
5. First spin: Lite Ice Cream. Powdery is normal.
6. Re-spin. This is where the texture goes silky. Re-spin again if needed.
7. Add mix-ins. Make a hole in the center, drop in the toasted hazelnuts, chopped Ferrero Rocher, and a tablespoon of Nutella, hit Mix-In. Scoop and eat.

Tips for the Best Texture

1. Toast your hazelnuts. Single biggest upgrade for this recipe. Raw hazelnuts work but toasted hazelnuts taste like Ferrero. Five minutes in a dry pan — that’s it.
2. Always re-spin if it looks crumbly. First spin = powdery. Second spin = creamy. Don’t add liquid and panic — re-spin first.
3. Add the Nutella at the mix-in stage, not the base. If you add Nutella to the base before freezing, it just flavors the whole pint. Adding at the mix-in stage gives you visible swirls instead.
4. Chop the Ferrero Rocher into quarters. Whole pieces will get pulverized in the Mix-In setting. Quartered keeps the chocolate shell shards intact for the best texture.
5. Short on time? Skip the wait, change the buttons. If you only froze 12–16 hours, skip Re-spin entirely. After Lite Ice Cream, go straight to Mix-In. This stops a half-frozen base from getting overworked and soupy.

For more tips and tricks check out my 10 Ninja Creami Tips For The Best Protein Ice Cream.

Mix-In Variations

• Frozen Nutella jar: Skip the Ferrero Rocher entirely, double the Nutella swirl and toasted hazelnuts
• Chocolate hazelnut cookie: Crumble a Lotus Biscoff cookie alongside the hazelnuts for a cookie crunch layer
• Mocha hazelnut: Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder to the base for a coffee-chocolate-hazelnut combo
• Dark chocolate hazelnut: Add 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder to the base for a deeper, less sweet chocolate flavor
• Lower calorie: Skip the Ferrero Rocher (drops ~80 calories) and double the toasted hazelnuts. Same flavor, leaner macros.
• Dairy-free: Use full coconut milk plus 1 tbsp cocoa powder in place of Fairlife chocolate milk, plus a plant-based chocolate protein powder. Use vegan chocolate hazelnut spread.

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5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

The creamiest chocolate hazelnut Ninja Creami protein ice cream with 41g of protein per pint. Made with Fairlife chocolate milk, Nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and Ferrero Rocher chunks — tastes like a frozen Nutella jar with the macros of a protein shake.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time1 day d

Total Time1 day d 5 minutes mins

Course: High Protein

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 pint

Calories: 586kcal

Author: Bailey Campbell

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going to sleep

Ingredients 

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• 1 ½ cups fairlife chocolate milk
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 tbsp chocolate sugar-free pudding mix
• 2 tbsp chopped hazelnuts
• 1 tbsp nutella
• 2 Ferrero Rocher

Instructions

• Add the chocolate milk, pudding mix and chocolate protein powder to the ninja creami pint up to the max fill line and mix well with hand held frother.
• Freeze container for 24 hours until frozen solid.
• Remove frozen pint and run it under hot water for 60-90 seconds.
• Install the pint into your machine and press the Lite Ice Cream button for the first spin.
• Check the texture. If it’s still a bit powdery, pop it back in and press the Re-Spin button.
• Check ice cream. The final product should be creamy and have a smooth texture. If your desired consistency isn't reached you can add 1 tbsp of milk and spin again on the respin setting. Keep in mind when you add mix-ins it will mix the ice cream again.
• Once it’s silky smooth, dig a hole in the center and and add your hazelnuts, Ferrero Rocher chocolate and chocolate hazelnut spread. Spin again on the "mix-ins" setting. Enjoy!

Notes

I love PEScience Chocolate Truffle protein powder for this recipe! Use code BAILEY at checkout to save money on all their products!

You don't necessarily have to wait the full 24 hours of freezing time. Yes, waiting the full 24 hours will give you the best, most consistent results. But if you only froze it for 12-16 hours and you’re desperate for a frozen treat, you’re not out of luck. Skip the respin button and instead, hit the Mix-Ins button after the Lite Ice Cream cycle. This prevents the ice cream from getting overworked and soupy, which can happen when the base hasn’t fully solidified.

If your ice cream comes out powdery or crumbly after the first spin, instead of immediately reaching for the milk, try hitting the respin button first. More often than not, that’s all you need to get it creamy.

I always pre-chop or crush your mix-ins ahead of time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pint | Calories: 586kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 326mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 37g

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.

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More Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes

• Strawberry Cheesecake Ninja Creami Recipe
• Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream
• Biscoff Protein Ice Cream
• Protein Monster Cookie Ninja Creami
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Ice Cream
• Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream
• Moose Tracks Ice Cream

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