Ninja Creami Salted Caramel Ice Cream (40g Protein)

Ninja Creami salted caramel ice cream made with Fairlife milk, salted caramel protein powder, and a hint of flaky sea salt. It’s that sweet-and-salty flavor turned into a high-protein scoop, creamy, rich, and nothing like a frozen protein shake. Blend, freeze, spin, done.

Salted caramel is my desert-island ice cream flavor. That salty-sweet thing gets me EVERY time. This is that flavor made in my Ninja Creami with a scoop of protein, so I can have it after dinner without it being a whole production.

Ninja Creami salted caramel ice cream is a high-protein frozen dessert made by blending milk, salted caramel protein powder, pudding mix, and a little caramel syrup, freezing it for 24 hours, then spinning it in the Ninja Creami until creamy. The salted caramel protein and caramel syrup bring the flavor, and the pinch of flaky sea salt at the end is what actually makes it salted caramel.

I use salted caramel protein for the base, which does the heavy lifting on flavor, then build it up with caramel syrup and salt. The result is rich and creamy and tastes like a real scoop, not a protein powder pretending to be dessert.

If you love Ninja Creami recipes you may also like to try my Protein Vanilla Ice Cream or my Protein Chocolate Ice Cream.

Ingredients You Need

• Fairlife 2% milk — creamy and high in protein, about 14g per cup. It’s also lactose-free, which is easy on the stomach. Skim, 1%, or whole all work.
• Unsweetened almond milk — thins the base just enough to spin smooth without adding fat. Oat or coconut milk work too.
• Salted caramel protein powder — the star, bringing the caramel flavor and the protein in one. I use 1UP Nutrition Salted Caramel Iso protein, code BAILS for 20% off, and it’s gentle on sensitive stomachs.
• Sugar-free vanilla pudding mix — the trick to a thick, scoopable texture instead of an icy one. Butterscotch pudding mix is great here too.
• Sugar-free salted caramel syrup — builds the caramel flavor and adds sweetness. This matters more than you’d think (see the tips).
• Flaky sea salt — the part that turns plain caramel into salted caramel. Don’t skip it.

How to Make Ninja Creami Salted Caramel Ice Cream

1. Add the Fairlife milk, almond milk, salted caramel protein, pudding mix, salted caramel syrup, and a pinch of salt to your Ninja Creami pint. Blend with a frother until smooth, keeping it under the max fill line.
2. Cover and freeze flat for 24 hours, until it’s solid all the way through.
3. Take the pint out, run the outside under hot water for 60 seconds, and make sure the top is level so it doesn’t damage the blade.
4. Lock it into the machine and press Lite Ice Cream for the first spin.
5. It’ll likely look powdery or crumbly after that first spin, and that’s normal. Add a tablespoon of milk and hit Re-Spin until it’s creamy.
6. Scoop, drizzle with caramel sauce, and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt.

Tips for the Best Salted Caramel Flavor

Boost the caramel before you freeze. This is the big one. Caramel flavor fades a lot once it’s frozen, so a base that tastes right at room temperature can taste flat after spinning. Taste before freezing and lean into the caramel syrup, and add a little caramel extract if you have it.

Mix the base really well so the protein powder and pudding fully dissolve. Any dry pockets spin up grainy.

Freeze the pint dead level, or freeze it with the lid off to stop a tall bump from forming in the center. A frozen peak can push against the blade.

Don’t fear the re-spin. A crumbly first spin is just the machine breaking everything up. A tablespoon of milk and one more spin brings it together into soft serve.

Finish with flaky sea salt, not just salt in the base. A pinch on top right before you eat it is what makes the salty-sweet contrast pop.

Variations and Mix-Ins

Even higher protein — blend 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese into the base. You won’t taste it, and it makes the ice cream extra thick and creamy while pushing the protein up.

Salted caramel pretzel — fold in crushed pretzels and chocolate chips with the Mix-In button for a salty-sweet-crunchy version.

Caramel pecan — add toasted pecans for a buttery, nutty twist that loves caramel.

Butterscotch — swap the vanilla pudding for butterscotch pudding mix to lean into that deeper, richer flavor.

Dairy-free — use coconut milk, a plant-based protein, and a few blended medjool dates for natural caramel flavor.

How to Store

Smooth the top flat, pop the lid on, and store leftovers right in the Ninja Creami pint. It holds its best texture for up to 2 weeks.

When you want more, it’ll be frozen solid again, so let it sit out for 5 to 10 minutes, run it under hot water, and re-spin with a splash of milk to bring back that fresh-churned texture.

Ninja Creami Salted Caramel Ice Cream FAQ

Can I use vanilla protein powder instead of salted caramel? Yes. Start with vanilla protein and build the caramel flavor with extra salted caramel syrup or a little caramel extract, plus a pinch more sea salt. Taste the base before freezing and adjust, since the caramel flavor mellows once it’s frozen.

How do I get a caramel swirl? You can’t swirl caramel inside the Ninja Creami, it fully mixes in and you end up with caramel-flavored ice cream rather than ribbons. For an actual swirl, drizzle caramel sauce over the top by hand after spinning, or layer it through as you scoop.

Can I use a salted caramel protein shake instead? Yes. A salted caramel protein shake (Fairlife and Premier both make one) works in place of the milk and protein powder. Add caramel syrup and a pinch of salt to bump up the flavor, since shakes taste milder once frozen.

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Ninja Creami Salted Caramel Ice Cream (High Protein)

Ninja Creami salted caramel ice cream made with Fairlife milk, salted caramel protein powder, and a hint of flaky sea salt. It's that sweet-and-salty flavor turned into a high-protein scoop, creamy, rich, and nothing like a frozen protein shake. Blend, freeze, spin, done.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Chill Time1 day d

Total Time1 day d 5 minutes mins

Course: Ninja Creami Ice Cream

Cuisine: American

Servings: 1 pint

Calories: 230kcal

Author: Bailey Campbell

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going to sleep

Ingredients 

1x2x3x4x

• 1 cup Fairlife skim milk
• ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 scoop salted caramel protein powder from 1UP Nutrition – use code BAILS at checkout for 20% off see notes
• 1 tbsp vanilla jello pudding mix
• 1 tbsp sugar-free salted caramel syrup
• Optional – flaky sea salt and caramel sauce for toppings

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to the ninja creami pint container up to the max fill line and mix well with hand held frother.
• Freeze container for 24 hours until frozen solid.
• Remove frozen pint, run under hot water for 60 seconds and install into your machine. . 
• For the first spin, press lite Ice Cream button. Remove the outer bowl lid. If ice cream is still powdery, then add back to machine and press respin 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 a bit more liquid and spin again on the respin setting. 
• Add your favorite toppings and some flaky sea salt if desired and enjoy!

Notes

I highy recommend using Salted Caramel ISO protein powder from 1UP Nutrition – use code BAILS at checkout to save 20% on all products. This protein powder is great for people with sensitive stomachs.

Can use vanilla protein powder and add an extra tbsp of sugar-free salted caramel syrup.

Can also use butterscotch jello pudding mix instead of vanilla jello pudding mix.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pint | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 347mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Calcium: 554mg

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 Protein Ninja Creami Recipes To Try

• Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream
• Biscoff Protein Ice Cream
• Birthday Cake Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami
• Protein Lemon Ninja Creami
• Protein Monster Cookie Ninja Creami
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Ice Cream

Made this Ninja Creami salted caramel 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.