Coffee Protein Ice Cream (40g Protein Ninja Creami Recipe)
Coffee protein ice cream made in the Ninja Creami with Fairlife milk, vanilla protein powder, and espresso. It tastes like a frozen iced latte, scoopable and high in protein, with a real coffee kick. Thick, creamy, and ready to be your post-workout treat or afternoon pick-me-up.
A frozen iced latte you eat with a spoon, with the protein to make it count. This is the one I reach for when I want my afternoon coffee and a high-protein dessert in the same bowl, and the Ninja Creami spins it thick and creamy every time.
Coffee protein ice cream is a high-protein frozen dessert made by blending milk, vanilla protein powder, espresso, and pudding mix, freezing it for 24 hours, then spinning it in the Ninja Creami until smooth. The protein powder and Fairlife milk bring the protein, the espresso brings that bold coffee flavor, and the pudding mix keeps it creamy instead of icy.
The single biggest thing that makes or breaks this one is the coffee. Instant espresso powder gives you a bold, concentrated coffee flavor without adding extra liquid, which is what keeps the texture smooth (more on that below).
Ingredients You Need
- Fairlife 2% milk — the creamy, high-protein base. Fairlife has about 14g of protein per cup. Skim, 1%, or whole all work, with higher fat making it creamier.
- Unsweetened almond milk — thins the base just enough to spin smooth. Oat milk works well too and tends to come out less icy than almond.
- Vanilla protein powder — adds protein and a vanilla backbone that gives the coffee that classic coffee-ice-cream creaminess. PEScience Gourmet Vanilla is my go-to, code BAILEY saves you a bit.
- Sugar-free vanilla pudding mix — the thickener that keeps the texture smooth and scoopable instead of icy.
- Espresso — for that bold coffee flavor. Instant espresso powder is the better choice here, since brewed espresso shots add liquid that can make the ice cream icier. If you use brewed espresso, keep it to a small concentrated shot and cut back the other liquid a little.
- Optional — vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract for more depth, a splash of heavy cream for richness, or chocolate chips and cookie pieces for mix-ins.
How to Make Coffee Protein Ice Cream
- Add the Fairlife milk, almond milk, protein powder, pudding mix, and espresso to your Ninja Creami pint up to the max fill line. Blend with a milk 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 hot 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 for the first spin.
- If it looks powdery or crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk and press Re-Spin until it’s creamy and smooth.
- Add any mix-ins to a well in the center and press Mix-In, then scoop and enjoy.
Tips for the Creamiest Texture
Use instant espresso powder instead of brewed coffee or espresso. This is the most important tip for this recipe. Brewed coffee is mostly water, and that extra liquid freezes into ice crystals that make the ice cream icy and thin. Instant espresso powder gives you bold coffee flavor with no added liquid, and you can dial the strength up or down to taste.
Blend the base really well before freezing so the espresso powder and protein powder fully dissolve. Any dry pockets spin up grainy.
Freeze the pint dead level, or freeze it without the lid to stop a hump from forming in the center. A tall frozen peak can push against the blade.
Run the frozen pint under hot water for 60 seconds before spinning. That edge melt helps the blade catch for a creamier first spin.
Re-spin without worry. The base almost always looks crumbly after the first spin, and that’s normal. A splash of milk plus a re-spin brings it together into soft serve.
Variations and Mix-Ins
Mocha — add a tablespoon of cocoa powder or a few chocolate chips to the base for a chocolate-coffee version.
Use a protein shake — pour in a vanilla or café latte protein shake in place of the milk and protein powder for a quick shortcut. Adjust the espresso since latte shakes already have coffee flavor.
Make it decaf — use decaf instant espresso or coffee so you can enjoy it at night without the caffeine.
Stronger coffee — add more instant espresso powder for a bolder, darker roast flavor.
Mix-ins — fold in chocolate chips, toffee or Heath bits, chopped dark chocolate, or a swirl of caramel 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, the ice cream will have frozen solid again, so run it under hot water and spin it on Lite Ice Cream to bring back the creamy texture. Don’t use the Re-Spin button on a fully solid pint, since spinning solid ice cream can damage the paddle. Add a splash of milk if it needs help getting creamy.
Coffee Protein Ice Cream FAQ
Can I use brewed coffee or espresso instead of instant espresso powder? Instant espresso powder is strongly recommended. Brewed coffee and espresso are mostly water, and that extra liquid freezes into ice crystals that make the ice cream icy and thin instead of creamy. If instant espresso powder is all you can’t find, instant coffee works as a substitute, you may just need a little more for the same bold flavor.
Can I make this decaf? Yes. Use decaf instant espresso powder or decaf instant coffee. This is a great way to enjoy it as a late-night treat without the caffeine keeping you up.
Can I use a protein shake instead of milk and protein powder? Yes. A vanilla or café latte protein shake works as a quick base in place of the Fairlife milk and protein powder. If you use a coffee-flavored shake, cut back or skip the espresso, and taste as you go since shakes vary in sweetness.
Coffee Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fairlife skim milk
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tbsp sugar-free vanilla jello pudding mix
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1 tbsp Lakanto powdered sugar – or sweetener of choice
- Optional toppings – chocolate chips Oreo pieces, etc
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. It’s important that your pint has a level surface, otherwise it can damage the blade.
- 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 if desired and enjoy!
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
- Ninja Creami Chocolate Ice Cream
- Banana Cream Pie Protein Ice Cream
- Biscoff Protein Ice Cream
- Birthday Cake Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami
- Vanilla Base Protein Ice Cream
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Protein Ice Cream
Made this coffee 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…
What if I don’t have a ninja ice cream machine but a Cuisinart ice cream machine?
Hi Fran! I’m so sorry but this won’t work for my specific recipe. It has to be a Ninja Creami machine – they are sooooooo worth it!!