Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream
Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream is exactly what I want during pumpkin season. It tastes just as cozy as a pumpkin spice latte or a big bowl of regular ice cream, but without all the sugar and calories those treats carry.
I love fall flavors as much as anyone. But between the coffee shop drinks and the store-bought ice cream, it is easy to load up on calories without even realizing it. This recipe fixes that. It has real pumpkin flavor, a scoop of protein powder, and a handful of simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
It comes together in minutes, then your Ninja Creami does the rest. You get a creamy, scoopable treat that feels like a splurge, but fits right into a normal day.
A Fall Tradition Worth Celebrating
Jim’s family has a fruit farm, and every fall they throw a huge pumpkin festival there. Hay rides, a corn maze, and a play area filled with corn kernels the kids could dig through for what felt like hours. We took our kids every single year, and it became one of those traditions that just sticks with you.
Apple cider donuts and pumpkin roll were always part of the deal too.
I have always loved pumpkin spice season, the fancy lattes, the soft serve, all of it. This Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream brings back those memories of the kids running around having a great time, and all of us gathered at a picnic table enjoying fall food together. It gives me that same pumpkin spice flavor I crave, and it keeps the protein up and the sugar down, so it actually fits how I eat now.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This is real protein ice cream, high protein and low sugar, so it fits your goals without giving up flavor
- Only a handful of ingredients, most already in your fridge
- Tastes like a pumpkin spice latte in ice cream form
- A few minutes to prep, then your Ninja Creami does the work
- Kid-friendly, easy to keep on hand for both you and the kids
- No fancy coffee shop trip required
- Low in calories
- Low sugar
- Tastes like a Pumpkin Spice Milkshake, but no guilt
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Equipment You’ll Need
- Ninja Creami machine
- Ninja Creami pint container with lid
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or small hand blender, to mix the protein powder smoothly
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 scoop Simple Clean Eats pumpkin flavor protein powder (or 1 single serving package)
- 1 1/2 cups Fairlife milk, plus a splash more to reach the max fill line
- 2 tablespoons room temp cream cheese, or 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 tablespoons monk fruit or sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, optional
- Pinch of salt
- Optional toppings: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, graham crackers
How to Make Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream
- Step 1: Mix your base. Pour the Fairlife milk into your Ninja Creami pint container. Add the pumpkin protein powder, cream cheese or xanthan gum, monk fruit or sugar, pumpkin pie spice if using, and a pinch of salt. Whisk everything together right in the pint until smooth and fully combined.Pro tip: If you see lumps, use a small hand blender or shake the pint well with the lid on. Lumps in the mix can affect the final texture after freezing.
- Step 2: Check your fill line. Add a splash more milk if needed so your mixture reaches the max fill line on the pint, but does not go over it. Give it one more gentle stir to make sure everything is combined.
- Step 3: Freeze overnight. Put the lid on your pint and place it in the freezer. You need it to freeze for a full 24 hours. I always make mine the night before I want to serve it.Pro tip: Make sure the top of your mixture is flat and level before freezing. If it has a mound in the center, use the back of a spoon to smooth it out. The Ninja Creami processes better with a level surface.
- Step 4: Process on the Lite Ice Cream setting. Take your pint out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Then run the outside of the pint under warm water for 60 seconds. Place it in your Ninja Creami, lock it in, and run it on the Lite Ice Cream setting.
- Step 5: Re-spin if needed. Once it finishes, check the texture. If it is not quite smooth enough, run it through the Re-spin cycle. That usually does the trick and gives you that perfect creamy texture.
Variations
- Extra pumpkin spice: Stir in an additional 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice for a bolder flavor.
- Dairy free: Swap the Fairlife milk for unsweetened almond or oat milk.
- Extra creamy: Use the cream cheese option instead of xanthan gum for a richer texture.
- Topping ideas: Cinnamon, a dusting of pumpkin pie spice, or crushed graham crackers on top.
- Sweetener swap: Use your favorite sugar substitute in place of monk fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes. Any pumpkin flavored protein powder should work here. Just keep the liquid amount about the same and adjust to your max fill line.
A: This usually means it needs to re-spin, or it was not whisked smooth enough before freezing. Run it through the Re-spin cycle, and it should smooth right out.
A: Use the Lite Ice Cream setting for this recipe. It gives you a soft, creamy protein ice cream texture.
A: No, it is optional. Your protein powder already carries pumpkin flavor, so this recipe works well with or without it. You can also add the pumpkin pie spice to the toppings for extra pumpkin flavor.
Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream
This Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream is a creamy, high protein treat with real pumpkin spice flavor. It comes together with a handful of simple ingredients and tastes like a scoop of your favorite fall indulgence, without the sugar crash.
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 scoop Simple Clean Eats pumpkin flavor protein powder (or 1 single serving package)
- 1 1/2 cups Fairlife milk, plus a splash more to reach the max fill line
- 2 tablespoons room temp cream cheese, or 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 tablespoons monk fruit or sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, optional
- Pinch of salt
- Optional toppings: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, graham crackers
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix your base. Pour the Fairlife milk into your Ninja Creami pint container. Add the protein powder, cream cheese or xanthan gum, monk fruit or sugar, pumpkin pie spice if using, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Check your fill line. Add a splash more milk if needed to reach the max fill line, but not over it. Stir once more.
- Freeze overnight. Put the lid on and freeze for a full 24 hours. Level the top before freezing.
- Process on the Lite Ice Cream setting. Let the pint sit on the counter 5 minutes, run warm water over the outside for 60 seconds, then process on Lite Ice Cream.
- Re-spin if needed. If the texture is not smooth enough, run it through the Re-spin cycle.
Notes
1. Whisk the protein powder fully before freezing, lumps affect texture.
2. Level the top before freezing for the best results.
3. Run Re-spin once or twice if the first process comes out crumbly.
4. The pumpkin pie spice is optional, your protein powder already carries pumpkin flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: freeze 24 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Ninja Creami
- Cuisine: American
