Cereal Milk Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream (Dairy Free)

The next time you're craving Ninja Creami protein ice cream, try this nostalgic Cinnamon Toast Cereal Milk ice cream recipe! Made with better ingredients, like gluten free low sugar cinnamon cereal, dairy free milk & vanilla protein powder this is the perfect way to sneak in some extra protein while satisfying your sweet tooth!

Instead of constantly reaching for a protein shake when you need to increase your protein intake, try making high protein ice cream instead. Having easy protein ice cream recipes you can make in the ninja creami machine is the easiest way to thrill your taste buds while still moving the needle forward towards your health & fitness goals.

Check out this post that is full of my favorite dairy free protein Ninja Creami recipes made with simple ingredients for when you're looking for healthier alternatives for dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It is better for you. The best part about this protein ice cream recipe is that it is made with dairy free milk, no added sugar in the ice cream base and gluten free cinnamon toast crunch type cereal, so it is perfect for those on special diets. It can also be vegan friendly too, depending on the protein powder you use.
• It is customizable. You can change the ice cream base to suit your preferences by using either vanilla or unflavored protein powder.
• It is delicious! And so much more fun than a protein shake!

Ninja Creami Cereal Milk Protein Ice Cream Ingredients & Tested Substitutions

• Almond Milk. My preference is to use unsweetened almond milk; I like Califia Farms new 3 ingredient organic almond milk, however you may use sweetened almond milk, soy milk or your favorite dairy free milk of choice.
• Full-fat Coconut Milk. I find the canned coconut milk that works the best has a little bit of guar gum, which is a plant-based thickener. Thai Kitchen & Whole Foods in house brand coconut milk are my personal favorites, but if you’d like to stay away from gums, Trader Joe’s has a great option. I do not recommend using low fat coconut milk as it will make the ice cream base less creamy. NOTE: If you want to reduce calories, omit the coconut milk & replace it with additional almond milk. It won’t be as creamy but you will save on macros.
• Medjool Dates. For added sweetness, I use Medjool dates. You may replace them with 1-2 tablespoon of maple syrup instead if you do not have any on hand.
• Vanilla Protein Powder. It’s important to note that you should 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. My personal favorite is their Prime Protein because it mixes super well and creates an incredibly creamy texture. You can use PRETTYDELISH to save 15% off your first order.
• Sea Salt. This is optional, but I always like to add a pinch of Celtic sea salt to the ice cream base.
• Gluten Free Cinnamon Cereal. I like Catalina Crunch Cinnamon Toast protein cereal.
• Cinnamon. 
• Vanilla Extract.

Ninja Creami Cereal Milk Protein Ice Cream Step by Step Instructions

1. Make the cereal milk. Add ½ cup of cereal to ½ cup of almond milk. Place in an airtight container in the fridge for 12-24 hours to make the cereal milk.

2. Make the ice cream base. Add the cereal milk, remaining ½ cup of almond milk, coconut milk, dates, protein powder, vanilla, cinnamon & sea salt to a blender. Blend until smooth. You may find that a few small bits of the dates 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.

3. Freeze the ice cream base. Pour base into the ninja creami pint 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.

4. Mix the ice cream. Follow the instructions for placing the frozen pint of the base mixture in your Ninja Creami. For your first spin you will use the “Lite Ice Cream” function.

5. Respin. Once the first spin is complete, you will need to respin the ice cream mixture in order for it to become the perfect texture as oftentimes you’ll see a formation of ice crystals & a more gritty texture after the first spin. 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 using the re-spin function. Place the outer bowl lid back on, fitting the bowl into the machine, & press the “re-spin” button.

6. Add mix ins. Add a handful of cinnamon toast cereal to the ice cream base. Place back in the outer bowl with the lid secured, lock into place & choose the “mix-in” function. Add some additional cereal as toppings when serving.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• If you want to lower calories & feel good about eating the entire pint of high protein ice cream, replace the coconut milk with additional almond milk and omit 1 date in the base ice cream recipe. 
• 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.
• 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.

How To Store Ninja Cereal Milk Protein Ice Cream

It is rare that you’ll leave ninja creami leftovers, but, if you do not finish your pint in one sitting here’s what you can do. Smooth over the ice cream that is left in the container with the back of a spoon. Place the lid back on & freeze. You will need to run the leftovers back through the same steps in the Ninja Creami when you are going to enjoy it again. Note that if you added mix ins, the machine will end up pulverizing them!

Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!