High Protein Smarties McFlurry (Ninja Creami Recipe)

A creamy, colorful copycat McFlurry made in the Ninja Creami with Fairlife milk, vanilla protein powder, vanilla pudding mix, and a candy-coated Smarties crunch. 37g of protein per pint and half the calories of the original.

Ever craved a McFlurry at 10pm and there’s no way you’re getting in the car for the drive-thru — also the ice cream machine is broken 8 out of 10 times anyway? Same.

So I made a copycat in the Ninja Creami with vanilla protein, Fairlife milk, vanilla pudding mix, and a quarter cup of Smarties mixed in. Half the calories, three times the protein, and it tastes exactly like the McDonald’s version. I’ve made this constantly since I created it and it’s still my most repeated Ninja Creami recipe.

If you love Ninja Creami recipes, you’ll also want my Coffee Protein Ice Cream and my full roundup of 33 High Protein Ninja Creami Recipes.

Why This Recipe Works

Two ingredient choices make this taste like a real McFlurry instead of a frozen protein shake.

First, Fairlife 2% milk — it’s filtered to have nearly double the protein of regular milk with no added sugar, and the higher fat content (compared to skim) gives you that creamy, dreamy McFlurry texture. Second, vanilla pudding mix as the stabilizer — just one tablespoon does the same job as guar gum in professional ice cream. It keeps the base smooth, prevents ice crystals from forming, and gives you that scoopable, soft-serve consistency McDonald’s machines produce.

The Smarties get mixed in after the first spin using the Mix-In function so they stay crunchy and don’t break down into the base.

Ingredients You Need

(Exact amounts and macros in the recipe card below.)

Fairlife 2% milk — the high-protein base. One cup gives you 14g of protein and a creamier texture than skim because of the slightly higher fat content. Skim Fairlife works but won’t be quite as rich.

Unsweetened almond milk — thins out the base just enough that the Ninja Creami can spin it properly. The almond milk doesn’t add flavor here, just liquid balance.

Vanilla protein powder — adds 20+ grams of protein and the vanilla note that mimics the McFlurry soft-serve base. I use PEScience Gourmet Vanilla — use code BAILEY at checkout to save money.

Vanilla instant pudding mix — one tablespoon. This is the stabilizer that keeps the texture smooth and scoopable instead of icy. Don’t skip it.

Vanilla extract — half a teaspoon. Boosts the vanilla flavor without adding sweetness.

Salt — just a pinch. Sharpens the vanilla flavor and balances the sweetness.

Smarties — a quarter cup, added after the first spin. Original Canadian Smarties are the move here for the authentic McFlurry experience.

Substitutions and Variations

Milk swap — Fairlife 2% is the best choice for protein content and creaminess. Whole milk works for an extra-creamy version (higher calories). Regular skim milk will work but you’ll lose protein and richness.

Almond milk swap — any unsweetened nut milk works. Oat milk gives a slightly creamier result. Coconut milk beverage (not canned) is also fine.

Candy swap — this is where you can have fun. M&Ms work as a great substitute (M&M McFlurry style), mini Reese’s Pieces for a peanut butter version, chopped Skor or Heath bar for a toffee crunch, crushed Oreos for an Oreo McFlurry copycat, or crushed Crunchie bar for a honeycomb version.

Make it dairy-free — use a vegan protein powder, plant-based milk for both the Fairlife and almond milk portions, and check that your pudding mix is dairy-free (most instant pudding mixes are, but verify).

Sugar-free version — use a sugar-free vanilla pudding mix (already common at most grocery stores) and swap the Smarties for sugar-free chocolate chips or a sugar-free candy alternative.

Chocolate McFlurry variation — swap the vanilla protein powder for chocolate, add 1 tsp of cocoa powder, and you have a chocolate McFlurry base.

How to Make It

1. Mix the base. Add the Fairlife milk, almond milk, vanilla protein powder, pudding mix, vanilla extract, and salt to the Ninja Creami pint container. Don’t add the Smarties yet. Mix well with a handheld frother or immersion blender until completely smooth with no powder clumps.
2. Freeze for 24 hours. Place the pint on a level surface in the freezer. A level surface is important — if it freezes at an angle, the blade can get damaged during the spin.
3. Spin. Run the frozen pint under hot water for 60–90 seconds to melt any frost off the sides. Install in your Ninja Creami and press the Lite Ice Cream button for the first spin.
4. Respin if needed. If the texture comes out powdery or crumbly, press the Respin button. If it’s still dry, add a tablespoon of almond milk and respin again.
5. Add the Smarties. Once the base is creamy, use a spoon to dig a small well in the center of the pint. Pour the Smarties in. Press the Mix-In button to swirl the candies through.
6. Serve. Scoop it out and eat the whole pint. No regrets.

Ninja Creami Troubleshooting

Why is my McFlurry powdery after the first spin? This is the most common issue and almost always fixes with a single Respin. The base hasn’t fully integrated yet. If it’s still powdery after the respin, add a tablespoon of almond milk and respin one more time.

Why is mine icy instead of creamy? Two likely causes. Either you used skim milk instead of Fairlife (skim doesn’t have enough fat for the texture), or you skipped the pudding mix. The pudding mix is the stabilizer that prevents ice crystals.

Why did my Smarties melt into the base? You probably mixed them in before freezing or added them too early. Smarties only go in AFTER the first spin using the Mix-In function. Pre-freezing them creates colored streaks but loses the crunch.

My pint froze with a hump on top. Will it damage the machine? Yes, a humped surface can hit the blade. Either freeze the pint without the lid (the top stays flatter) or run hot water over the top for 90 seconds before installing — this melts the hump flat.

Can I eat this right after the spin or do I need to refreeze? Eat it immediately. The texture is at its best straight out of the machine. If you refreeze it for later, you’ll need to respin.

How to Store Leftovers

If you don’t eat the whole pint in one sitting (rare for me), use the back of a spoon to smooth the top flat, put the lid on tight, and return it to the freezer. When you want it again, you’ll need to respin — refrozen ice cream from a previous spin will be rock solid.

Install the pint back in the Ninja Creami and press the Respin button. If it comes out too thick, add a splash of almond milk and respin one more time.

FAQs

How does this compare to a real McDonald’s McFlurry? A medium McDonald’s Smarties McFlurry has around 650 calories and 12g of protein. This homemade version has 436 calories per pint with 37g of protein. Same flavor, way better macros.

Can I make this without a Ninja Creami? This recipe is built specifically for the Ninja Creami’s spinning method, which works with a fully frozen base. A traditional ice cream churner needs a different liquid-to-stabilizer ratio and a warmer starting temperature. The recipe won’t translate directly to a churn-style machine without modifications.

Other Protein Ice Cream Recipes

• The Best Vanilla Protein Ice Cream (Base Recipe)
• Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream
• Biscoff Protein Ice Cream
• Birthday Cake Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami
• Protein Monster Cookie Ninja Creami
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Ice Cream

If you make this high protein smarties mcflurry, leave a star rating and a comment below — I love seeing your Ninja Creami creations. Share it on Instagram and tag @basicswithbails so I can find it.