Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami Recipe)
This apple pie protein ice cream is made in the Ninja Creami with apple pie protein powder, sautéed cinnamon apples folded in, and a crunchy oat crumble on top. It tastes like apple pie à la mode, with real protein.
Apple pie à la mode is the dessert I look forward to every fall, and this Ninja Creami version turns the whole thing into one scoopable pint.
Apple pie protein ice cream is a high-protein frozen dessert made in the Ninja Creami with apple pie protein powder, sautéed cinnamon apples, and a toasted oat crumble on top. The protein powder and pudding mix build a creamy cinnamon base, the warm apples fold in for that pie-filling bite, and the oat crumble stands in for the crust. Each pint comes in around 41g of protein.
It takes a little more effort than a plain pint because you are making three parts, but none of it is hard, and the payoff tastes like a slice of pie you can eat with a spoon.
More cozy Creami flavors to try: Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Ice Cream, and Salted Caramel Protein Ice Cream.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream
- It gives you the whole apple-pie-à-la-mode experience in a bowl without baking an actual pie.
- It is high enough in protein to eat as a real snack, not just dessert, so it works post-workout or after a fall dinner.
- Warm cinnamon apples against cold, creamy ice cream is peak cozy fall, and the oat crumble on top seals it.
Ingredients You Need For Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream
The exact measurements, nutrition info, and full recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
For the ice cream base:
- Fairlife skim milk. Higher in protein than regular milk. Whole or 2% make it creamier.
- Unsweetened almond milk. Thins the base so it spins smooth.
- Sugar-free vanilla pudding mix. Keeps the base creamy instead of icy.
- Apple pie protein powder. Most of the protein and the apple-cinnamon flavor. I use PEScience Apple Pie flavor (use discount code BAILEY).
For the sautéed apples:
- Diced apple. The pie-filling part. A firm baking apple like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith holds its shape best.
- Butter or coconut oil. For sautéing the apples soft and a little caramelized.
- Cinnamon. Warms up the apples.
For the oat crumble:
- Rolled oats and almond flour. The base of the crumble.
- Butter or coconut oil, cinnamon, and golden monk fruit. Binds and sweetens the crumble. Brown sugar also works in place of monk fruit.
How To Make Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream
- Make the base. Add the skim milk, almond milk, pudding mix, and apple pie protein powder to your Ninja Creami pint, filling to the max line. Mix well with a handheld frother until smooth.
- Freeze the pint flat for 24 hours, until solid all the way through.
- Sauté the apples. Heat the butter in a small pan over medium. Add the diced apples and cinnamon, and sauté 5 to 7 minutes until soft and lightly caramelized. Let them cool completely.
- Toast the crumble. Mix the oats, almond flour, melted butter, sweetener, and cinnamon in a bowl. Spread on a baking sheet and toast at 350°F for about 10 minutes, until golden. Let it cool.
- Spin and assemble. Run the frozen pint under hot water for about 60 seconds and lock it into the machine, keeping the top level. Spin on Lite Ice Cream. If it looks powdery, add a splash of milk and Re-spin until creamy.
- Add the mix-ins. Dig a well in the center, add the cooled apples, and run the Mix-In setting to fold them through.
- Serve. Scoop into bowls and top with the oat crumble. Eat right away while the crumble is still crunchy.
Tips For The Best Apple Pie Pint
- Cool the apples and crumble all the way down before they go anywhere near the ice cream. Warm mix-ins melt the pint, and you lose the texture you spun.
- Use the Lite Ice Cream cycle, not regular. It spins faster and longer, which is what a low-fat protein base needs to come out creamy. The regular cycle leaves it icy.
- Keep the crumble on top, not mixed in. The Mix-In setting pulverizes it, and makes it go soft, so add it at serving for the crunch factor.
- Chop the apples small. Big chunks of apple will freeze into hard bites, so smaller pieces fold through better.
Storing And Making It Ahead
This high protein ice cream is best enjoyed right away, but the three parts store well separately, making this a good make-ahead dessert. Keep leftover ice cream in the Creami pint, smooth the top, lid it, and freeze, then re-spin with a splash of milk when you want it again. Store the sautéed apples in the fridge for a few days, and keep the oat crumble in an airtight container at room temperature so it stays crunchy instead of going soft in the freezer.
Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream FAQ
Can I use a different protein powder?
Yes. The apple pie protein powder does a lot of the flavor work, so if you swap in vanilla, add cinnamon, a little nutmeg, and an apple flavor or extra apples to make up for it.
Is apple pie protein ice cream gluten free?
The base is. The only gluten risk is the oat crumble, so use certified gluten-free oats and check your protein powder, and the whole thing is gluten free.
Can I skip the pudding mix?
The pudding mix thickens the base and keeps it creamy. You can leave it out, but add a thickener like a little xanthan gum and expect a slightly less creamy pint.
Apple Pie Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami Recipe)
Ingredients
FOR THE ICE CREAM BASE
- 1 cup Fairlife skim milk
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tbsp sugar-free vanilla jello pudding mix
- 1 scoop apple pie protein powder I used PEScience – use discount code BAILEY to save
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
FOR SAUTEED APPLES
- ½ red apple diced small
- Non-stick cooking spray
- ½ tsp cinnamon
FOR OAT CRUMBLE TOPPING
- 2 tbsp gluten-free quick oats
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp golden monk fruit sweetener
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Add the skim milk, almond milk, jello mix, apple pie protein powder, cinnamon and vanilla extract 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.
- Once the ice cream is frozen solid, add the diced apple to a small frying pan. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with cinnamon. Sauté until the apples are soft and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes.
- Let the sautéed apples cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, and monk fruit sweetener. Spray with non-stick cooking spray until mixture becomes sticky.
- Add the oat mixture to a small heat safe dish and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Let cool.
- Remove frozen pint from freezer, 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 it back to the machine 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 a bit of liquid and spin again on the respin setting.
- Add your sautéed apples and spin one last time on "Mix-ins" setting. Scoop the ice cream into bowls and sprinkle generously with the oat crumble topping.
- Dig in and enjoy the flavors of apple pie in a creamy, protein-packed ice cream!
Notes
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.
If you make this apple pie protein ice cream, leave a star rating and a comment below and tell me what apples you used. And if you share a bowl, tag me @basicswithbails on Instagram or pin it to save for fall. I love seeing your Creami flavors.
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…
