Butter Pecan Ninja Creami Ice Cream β High Protein Non-Dairy
Ninja Creami butter pecan ice cream is the frozen treat you didn’t know you needed. It’s creamy, rich, nutty, and completely non-dairy. This butter pecan Ninja Creami recipe is made with almond milk, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, and a handful of chopped pecans. It’s the kind of protein ice cream that feels like a cheat but absolutely isn’t.
Whether you are craving a classic butter pecan ice cream flavor or just need a high protein dessert that actually tastes amazing, this one delivers every single time.
My Dad Would Have Loved This Ice Cream
Growing up, my dad had ice cream every single night after dinner. It was just what he did. His favorites were always butter pecan and mint chocolate chip; he never could quite decide between the two.
I carried that love of ice cream right into raising my own kids. Over the years, I tried just about every ice cream maker out there, and every single one ended up in the back of the cabinet after a use or two. Too messy, too complicated, too much cleanup for a weeknight treat.
Then I got my Ninja Creami, and everything changed. I actually use it. Like, all the time. And now that I am a little older and paying more attention to what I eat, it has become my secret weapon.
I can enjoy a real bowl of ice cream every night, just like my dad, and still hit my protein goals without the guilt. This mint chocolate chip version is one of my favorites because it tastes indulgent, but the almond milk and protein powder keep it light.
Ice cream every night? Dad would be proud.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- High protein: 25+ grams from just one scoop of protein powder
- Non-dairy: made with unsweetened almond milk, no heavy cream needed
- Low calorie: light on calories without sacrificing that creamy texture
- Simple ingredients: nothing fancy, just pantry staples you probably already have
- That classic butter pecan flavor: the butter extract makes this Ninja Creami butter pecan recipe taste like the real deal
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- Β½ cup water
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (25g protein)
- Β½ teaspoon butter extract
- ΒΌ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener
- ΒΌ cup chopped pecans (and additional pecans as a mix-in after processing)
Tips For A Delicious Ice Cream
- To prevent your ice cream from being too crumbly sit the pint on the counter for 15 minutes before processing on Lite Ice Cream, and run the sides of the pint under warm water.
- Butter extract is the secret here. It gives this ice cream that warm, buttery flavor without any dairy or extra calories. Find it in the baking aisle near the vanilla extract.
- Xanthan gum is what gives non-dairy Ninja Creami bases their creamy, scoopable texture. Don’t skip it!
- Monk fruit sweetener keeps this low in sugar. You can swap in your favorite zero-calorie sweetener if needed.
- Pecans add about 7 to 8 grams of protein per ΒΌ cup as a bonus nutrition boost.
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Equipment Needed
- Ninja Creami machine
- Ninja Creami pint container
- Whisk or small hand blender
- Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Butter Pecan Protein Ninja Creami Ice Cream
- Mix your base: Combine the almond milk, water, vanilla protein powder, butter extract, xanthan gum, and monk fruit sweetener in your Ninja Creami pint container. Whisk well until the protein powder is fully dissolved and no lumps remain. Pro tip: If your protein powder is clumpy, blend it for 30 seconds with an immersion blender before pouring it into the pint.
- Freeze Snap on the lid and freeze for a full 24 hours. The base needs to be completely solid before processing. This is not a shortcut step!
- Process: Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes. Run over the side of the pint with warm water to loosen any ice crystals. Place in your Ninja Creami, select the Lite Ice Cream function, and process.
- Re-spin if needed: Check the texture after the first spin. If it still looks crumbly or powdery, select Re-spin for one more cycle. Most protein ice cream bases need two spins.
- Add the pecans: Once processed, use a spoon to create a well down the center of the pint. Add your chopped pecans, then select the Mix-In function to swirl them throughout. Pro tip: Toast your pecans in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes before adding. It deepens the buttery flavor beautifully.
- Serve Scoop immediately, and enjoy right away for the best texture. See storage tips below if you need to save some for later.
Variations
- Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip: Swap pecans for mini chocolate chips for a different vibe.
- Maple Butter Pecan: Add Β½ teaspoon maple extract alongside the butter extract.
- Caramel Pecan: Stir in 1 tablespoon sugar-free caramel syrup before freezing.
- Higher Protein: Use a collagen peptide powder in addition to your protein scoop for an extra boost.
- Nut Free: Skip the pecans and add a drizzle of sugar-free butterscotch syrup as your mix-in.
Remember, if you add anything with sugar, it will increase the calories.
Storing Your Ninja Creami Ice Cream
Store leftover pints with the lid on in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat again, let the pint sit out for 5 minutes, then re-spin on the Re-spin function for the best texture.
More Ninja Creami Recipes You Will Love
- Ninja Creami Protein Chocolate Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Protein Key Lime Pie Frozen Yogurt
- Ninja Ceami Protein Strawberry Ice Cream with Fairlife Milk
- Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream No Artificial Dyes
Common Questions
A: Yes! Vanilla works best for this butter pecan flavor. Whey, casein, or plant-based protein all work.
A: Yes! Almond milk replaces the cream, making this completely dairy-free. Always double-check your protein powder label if you need to be strictly dairy-free.
A: It acts as a binder and thickener, helping create that creamy, scoopable ice cream texture in low-fat, non-dairy bases. It’s a small amount, but it makes a big difference!
Butter Pecan Protein Ninja Creami Ice Cream β Non-Dairy & Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (25g protein)
- 1/2 teaspoon butter extract
- 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 tablespoon monk fruit sweetener
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (added as a mix-in after processing)
Instructions
- Mix your base: Combine the almond milk, water, vanilla protein powder, butter extract, xanthan gum, and monk fruit sweetener in your Ninja Creami pint container. Whisk well until the protein powder is fully dissolved and no lumps remain. Pro tip: If your protein powder is clumpy, blend it for 30 seconds with an immersion blender before pouring it into the pint.
- Freeze:Β Snap on the lid and freeze for a full 24 hours. The base needs to be completely solid before processing. This is not a shortcut step!
- Process:Β Remove the pint from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes. Run the sides of the pint under warm water to remove any ice crystals. Place in your Ninja Creami, select the Lite Ice Cream function, and process.
- Add the pecans: Once processed, use a spoon to create a well down the center of the pint. Add your chopped pecans, then select the Mix-In function to swirl them throughout. Pro tip: Toast your pecans in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes before adding. It deepens the buttery flavor beautifully.
- Serve: Scoop and enjoy right away. The texture is best immediately after processing.
