Ninja Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream (Dairy Free)

The next time you're craving homemade ice cream using your Ninja Creami machine, you need to make this Chocolate Protein Ice Cream! This creamy ice cream is a chocoholic's dream & will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but will also provide you with an extra boost of protein all while being refined sugar free & dairy free. Made with just 5 wholesome, simple ingredients, this recipe is the perfect base for making all kinds of dairy-free ice cream in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker.

It doesn't get much better than a bowl full of simple chocolate ice cream when you're in the mood for a decadent treat. Unless of course you've made this recipe, then it DOES get better because you're also packing additional protein into your day. Plus, it's hard to find good low sugar options when it comes to ice cream, but this recipe is sweetened only with dates so it is refined sugar free & a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth when the craving strikes.

A great way to make sure your healthy ice cream cravings are always covered is to have this handy post filled with all of the best dairy free, protein packed Ninja Creami recipes bookmarked to come back to! It features recipes like this simple Vanilla Protein Ice Cream, Rocky Road, and even a dairy free Dole Whip, too. You can also make this Chocolate Cookies and Cream recipe using this chocolate protein ice cream base!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It is delicious. Not only does this chocolate ice cream have the perfect, creamy texture despite being dairy free, its rich chocolate flavor will make you swear you're eating ice cream straight from the shop!

• It is easy. Made in the Ninja Creami, it's one of the easiest ways to enjoy a healthier dessert.

• It is better for you. Made using dairy free milk, protein powder & sweetened with dates, enjoy a decadent treat without sacrificing your goals.

Ninja Creami Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe 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 or your favorite chocolate milk if you like.
• 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. 
• 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.
• Dark Cocoa Powder. I love using a rich, dark unsweetened cocoa powder to deepen the rich chocolate flavor of the ice cream.
• Chocolate 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 grass fed beef isolate 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.

Ninja Creami Dairy Free Chocolate Ice Cream Step By Step Instructions

1. Make the ice cream base. Add the almond milk, coconut milk, dates, protein powder, cocoa powder & 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.

2. 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.

3. 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 press the “Lite Ice Cream” button.

4. 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. 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. Place the outer bowl lid back on, fitting the bowl into the machine, & press the "re-spin" button.

5. Add mix ins. If you’d like you can add your favorite mix-ins by adding them to the pint container & pressing the mix-in button, or simply enjoy the chocolate ice cream as is.

Expert Tips, Tricks & Favorite Mix-Ins

• Add peanut butter or peanut butter powder to the ice cream base for a delicious nut butter flavored ice cream.
• Add chocolate chips, gluten free sandwich cookies or this Protein Buncha Crunch as mix ins.
• If you like soft serve ice cream, add at least a tablespoon of milk when you respin to make the ice cream super creamy, almost like a Wendy's frosty!
• 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 Creami Chocolate Protein Ice Cream

If you do not finish your pint in one sitting, 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!