Ninja Creami Orange Sherbet (42g Protein)
High protein Ninja Creami orange sherbet made with orange juice, milk, and vanilla protein powder. Creamy, tangy, and tastes like an orange creamsicle.
Orange creamsicle, but make it a high-protein dessert you can eat after a workout. That’s what this is, and it scratches the exact nostalgic itch without the sugar crash that came with the push-pops from the ice cream truck.
Ninja Creami orange sherbet is a creamy frozen dessert made from orange juice, milk, and vanilla protein powder, blended smooth, frozen for 24 hours, and spun until it’s silky and scoopable. The orange juice brings the bright citrus, the milk makes it a true sherbet instead of a sorbet, and the vanilla protein powder gives it that creamsicle flavor plus a real protein boost.
I’ve been making this on repeat since the weather turned, and the sugar-free vanilla pudding mix is the part I won’t skip. It’s the trick that keeps the texture smooth and scoopable instead of icy.
If you love healthy ninja creami recipes you may also enjoy my Ninja Creami Strawberry Sorbet or my Ninja Creami Pineapple Sorbet.
Why You’ll Love This
- Tastes like an orange creamsicle, that nostalgic citrus-and-cream flavor in a scoopable, high-protein form.
- Higher in protein and lighter than traditional sherbet, no heavy cream or scoop of sugar needed.
- No ice cream maker required, just blend, freeze, and let the Ninja Creami spin it smooth.
Ingredients You Need
- Orange juice — the flavor base. Fresh-squeezed from navel or Valencia oranges tastes the brightest, but store-bought works fine.
- Skim milk — the dairy that makes this a sherbet rather than a sorbet, and keeps it creamy without much fat. Whole milk makes it richer, and almond or coconut milk work if you want it dairy-free.
- Vanilla protein powder — adds the protein and the vanilla creamsicle note that makes this taste like the classic. PEScience Gourmet Vanilla protein powder is my go-to, code BAILEY saves you a bit.
- Sugar-free vanilla pudding mix — the texture secret. Just a little keeps the sherbet smooth and scoopable and stops ice crystals from forming.
- Sweetener (optional) — orange juice is fairly sweet on its own, but a little monk fruit lets you dial it up. Taste the base before freezing.
How to Make Ninja Creami Orange Sherbet
- Add the orange juice, milk, protein powder, and pudding mix to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and lump-free.
- Pour the base into your Ninja Creami pint container up to the max fill line. Snap on the lid.
- Freeze flat for 24 hours on a level shelf, until solid all the way through.
- Take the pint out, pop off the lid, lock it into the outer bowl, and press Lite Ice Cream (the dairy means this spins better on Lite Ice Cream than on Sorbet).
- If it looks crumbly or sandy after the first spin, hit Re-Spin. If it’s still dry, add a tablespoon of reserved orange juice (it keeps the citrus flavor bright) or milk, and spin again.
- Scoop and eat right away for that soft-serve creamsicle texture.
Tips for the Creamiest Orange Sherbet
Blend the base until it’s totally smooth and lump-free before it goes in the pint. Any undissolved pudding or protein powder leaves a grainy spin.
Freeze the pint dead level. A tilted pint freezes uneven, which is the top reason a spin comes out icy on one side.
If a tall peak forms in the center while it freezes, scrape it flat before spinning so it doesn’t push against the blade.
Run the outside of the frozen pint under warm water for about 30 seconds before installing it. That bit of edge melt helps the blade catch for a creamier first spin.
A crumbly first spin is normal. One Re-Spin almost always fixes it, and a splash of milk before the second spin gets it the rest of the way to soft-serve.
Variations to Try
Cottage cheese version — blend in about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, which is what a lot of the creamiest high-protein orange sherbets are built on. It melts into the base completely with no flavor or grain, works as a stabilizer for a thicker, creamier scoop, and pushes the protein way up. This is the most on-brand upgrade if you want it extra creamy.
Richer and creamier — swap some of the skim milk for whole milk or a splash of heavy cream.
Stronger orange — add a little orange zest or 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract for a bolder citrus punch.
Dairy-free — use unsweetened coconut or almond milk and a plant-based protein powder. The texture shifts slightly but the flavor holds.
Extra creamsicle — a splash of vanilla extract leans it even harder into that classic vanilla-orange combo.
How to Store Orange Sherbet
Orange sherbet keeps its best texture for 1 to 2 weeks in the freezer. After that it can pick up ice crystals and lose some of the bright orange flavor.
Store it right in the Ninja Creami pint with the lid on, and smooth the top flat with the back of a spoon so it re-spins cleanly later.
When you want more, let it sit out a couple minutes, then Re-Spin with a splash of milk to bring back the fresh-churned texture. Only scoop what you’ll eat, since repeated thawing and refreezing is what turns it icy.
Ninja Creami Orange Sherbet FAQ
What’s the difference between sherbet and sorbet? Sherbet contains a small amount of dairy, like the milk in this recipe, which makes it creamier and lighter in color. Sorbet is fruit-based with no dairy at all. This is a true sherbet thanks to the milk and protein powder.
Can I make Ninja Creami orange sherbet without protein powder? Yes. Leave it out and the sugar-free pudding mix still gives you a creamy texture, you’ll just lose the protein boost and a little of the vanilla flavor. Add a splash more milk to make up the volume.
Does the cottage cheese version taste like cottage cheese? No. If you add cottage cheese for extra protein, it blends into the base and disappears once it’s spun, no cottage cheese flavor and no graininess. It just makes the sherbet thicker and creamier, so all you taste is orange and vanilla.
Ninja Creami Orange Sherbet (42g Protein)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- 1 cup Fairlife skim milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla pudding mix
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- Add the orange juice, milk, pudding mix and protein powder (if using) to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint container up to the max fill line and snap on the lid. Freeze for at least 24 hours on a level surface until completely solid.
- Once frozen, run the pint container under hot water for 1 minute. Then insert the pint into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami and lock the outer bowl lid in place. Select lite ice cream button and let the machine work its magic.
- If the texture isn’t smooth enough after the first spin, no worries! Just hit the Re-spin button and watch it turn into creamy perfection.
- Scoop your low calorie treat into a bowl or fancy glass (because you deserve it!) and enjoy the cool, fruity bliss.
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
- Berry Smoothie Bowl
- Ninja Creami Mango Sorbet
- Mixed Berry Sorbet
- Ninja Creami Raspberry Sorbet
- Lemon Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami
- Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
Made this Ninja Creami orange sherbet? Leave a star rating and a comment below and tell me how it turned out, I read every one. And if you make a batch, 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…
