Dairy-Free Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream

This easy Ninja Creami Pistachio Ice Cream is rich, nutty and completely decadent. It is exactly what you want in a homemade dairy free ice cream. It uses a scoop of vanilla protein and a spoonful of pistachio butter to get the creamiest texture. The best part is that it is naturally sweetened with Medjool dates. You only need five simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time. It is the perfect satisfying treat when you want something sweet but still want to feel great afterward.

This creamy dairy-free pistachio ice cream is so delicious you’d never know the base was gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with tons of protein! If you are constantly on the hunt for delicious protein snacks and protein desserts that actually taste like a decadent treat, look no further. This high-protein dessert is so much more fun (and satisfying) than a plain protein shake!

If you're a dairy-free ice cream lover like me, then you'll want to try some more of my favorite Ninja Creami recipes! Try more easy classic Ninja Creami ice cream flavors like Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies & Cream, or Coffee or enjoy fun flavors like this Strawberry Matcha Affogato, Apple Pie, or Rocky Road.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

• It is packed with protein and satisfies cravings: Making this homemade pistachio ice cream is one of the absolute best protein desserts to crush those late-night sweet cravings.
• Refined sugar-free: Instead of packing this ice cream with lots of sugar, I am sweetening this ice cream base naturally with Medjool dates (or maple syrup).
• Easy prep: Just toss all the ingredients into a blender, pour into a Ninja Creami pint, freeze for 8-24 hours, and let the Ninja Creami do the hard work!
• It is unbelievably creamy and delicious! No need to explain this.... you just need to try it yourself (even if this is a homemade dairy-free ice cream recipe).

Pistachio Ice Cream Ingredients (& Substitutions)

Almond Milk. If you have access to it, my first choice for almond milk is Califia Farms Organic almond milk. It does not contain any gums or sweeteners which I prefer. If you're in the US you'll likely be able to find it at your local grocery store but if you can't find this brand that's okay, use your favorite almond milk instead. Alternatively you may substitute this for oat milk for an even creamier texture, soy milk, coconut milk, or your favorite plant-based milk.

Vanilla Protein Powder. It’s important to note that you should genuinely enjoy the taste of your protein powder, or you won’t enjoy the taste of this ice cream! If you don’t have a protein powder you are loyal to, I recommend trying Equip Foods because it mixes super well and creates an incredibly creamy texture.

Pistachios: Real nuts give this ice cream a wonderful flavor and great texture. Nothing can beat the taste that real pistachios give (move aside pistachio pudding mix!).

Pistachio Butter: This adds a rich creaminess to the dairy free ice cream base. Plus, it deepens the pistachio flavor.

Medjool Dates: Used to naturally sweeten the base and keep it refined sugar-free. You can absolutely substitute this with 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.

Healthy Pistachio Ice Cream Step by Step Instructions

1. Make the ice cream base. Add the almond milk, dates, protein powder, pistachios, and pistachio butter to a blender. Blend until smooth. You may find that a few small bits of the dates and pistachios remain if your blender is not high speed; this is ok. You can strain them out or leave them in, it's up to you.

2. Freeze the ice cream base. Pour base into the ninja creami container right up to the max fill line. Place storage lid on the container and freeze for a minimum of 8 hours. Ninja recommends at least 24 hours but I don't have that kind of patience and find that 8 hours is plenty.

3. Mix the ice cream. Once the base is frozen, follow the instructions for placing the pint container in your Ninja Creami. For your first spin you will choose the "Lite Ice Cream" function.

4. Respin. Once the first spin is complete, you will need to respin the ice cream mixture in order for it to become super creamy. My best creami prep tip is to add about 2-3 teaspoon additional almond milk, just enough to cover the top of the pint, before you respin.

5. Add mix ins. If you'd like you can add additional pistachios for a little crunch, or chocolate chips for a flavor twist.

Ninja Creami Recipe Expert Tips & Tricks

• Respin. Ninja's instructions state that you cannot use the "respin" feature followed by the "mix in" feature. I ALWAYS respin my dairy free ice cream, because it needs this in order to be creamy, and I use the mix in function after with no trouble.
• Add Milk Before Respin: Before respinning, I recommend always adding a little bit more almond milk, or dairy free milk of choice. Just enough to almost cover the top of the pint container is perfect, about 2-3 tsp. This will help ensure the final result is super creamy.
• Leftovers: If you don't finish your pint, simply smooth out the top so it is flat, put the lid back on, and store it in the freezer. You will just need to run it through the "Lite Ice Cream" spin again when you're ready to enjoy your leftover protein desserts!

Dairy Free Ninja Creami Ice Cream FAQs

What is the best protein powder to use for Ninja Creami recipes?

My golden rule of making protein desserts in the Ninja Creami is to use a protein powder you actually enjoy the taste of! Since it makes up a big part of the flavor profile, a high-quality brand is key. Both whey and plant-based protein powders work beautifully in this recipe, though plant-based proteins sometimes absorb a bit more liquid and may require an extra respin. I like Equip Foods best for vanilla or chocolate protein powder.

What if I don't have a blender to break down the dates or pistachios?

Since this recipe uses Medjool dates as a natural sweetener and pistachios for the flavor and texture, a blender is pretty essential to get that base smooth and creamy. If there are still chunks of dates and/or pistachios that won't blend, use a strainer to strain out those excess pieces and use the ice cream base as normal. I actually find that I don't mind the extra chunks of pistachio nuts, they add a bit of crunch to the ice cream when it goes through the Ninja Creami spin and respin step.

Why is my ice cream powdery or crumbly after the first spin?

Don’t panic! This is completely normal, especially for dairy-free and lower-fat Ninja Creami recipes. Because there is less sugar and fat than traditional ice cream, the first spin often looks like powdery snow. You just need to add 2-3 teaspoons of almond milk to the pint and run the "Respin" function. It will turn magically creamy!

Do I really have to freeze the ice cream base for 24 hours?

The official Ninja manual recommends a full 24 hours, but let’s be honest, when you want a sweet treat, who has that kind of patience? Not me! I’ve found that 8 hours is usually the sweet spot for a solid freeze, provided your freezer is set to a standard cold temperature. As long as the center isn't liquid, you're good to spin!

How to Store Your Ninja Creami Ice Cream

If you have leftover ice cream, use a spoon to smooth out the top so it is completely flat, place the lid back on, and pop it back in the freezer. Because dairy-free protein desserts don't contain preservatives, it will freeze solid. When you're ready to eat it again, just run it through the "Lite Ice Cream" cycle followed by a "Respin" to bring back that perfect texture.

If you liked this Ninja Creami recipe, you might also enjoy:

• Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Dairy Free Rocky Road Protein Ice Cream
• Best Dairy Free Ninja Creami Coffee Protein Ice Cream
• Easy Ninja Creami Dairy Free Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
• Easy Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream (Dairy Free)
• Dairy Free Ninja Creami Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
• Dairy Free Ninja Creami Peach Protein Ice Cream