Ninja Creami Protein Chocolate Cookies and Cream Recipe

The next time you're craving a frozen sweet treat, make this Ninja Creami Chocolate Cookies and Cream protein ice cream! It is made with just a few simple, wholesome ingredients & is dairy free, gluten free and refined sugar free so it's the perfect treat for anyone trying to satisfy their sweet tooth while making healthier choices. 

Making ice cream in the Ninja Creami ice cream maker has become my entire personality & I'm willing to bet if you're searching for ninja creami recipes it's become yours, too. I love that I can make creamy ice cream that is dairy free & protein packed any time I want because I love eating ice cream but I also love feeling good & sticking to my health and fitness goals. This Cookies & Cream ninja creami protein ice cream might just be my all time favorite flavor. 

If you don't have a favorite protein ice cream flavor yet then I think you should check out my healthier Ninja Creami recipes where I have flavors like classic vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream, Rocky Road, and fun flavors like Buncha Crunch & Peach Cobbler.

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 sandwich cookies 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 chocolate or vanilla protein powder.

• It is delicious! And so much more fun than a protein shake!

Ninja Creami Cookies & Cream 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 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. 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.
• 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.
• Gluten Free Chocolate Sandwich Cookies. I love to use the Simple Mills sandwich cookies because they have cleaner ingredients & less sugar, but you can also use gluten free oreo cookies, or regular oreos if you're not gluten free, if you prefer.

Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream Protein 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 use 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 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.

5. Add mix ins. Break the cookies up into pieces, then add the oreo cookie pieces 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 cookie pieces as toppings when serving.

Expert Tips, Tricks & Favorite Add Ins

• 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. This will bring your macros down to 223 calories, 7g carbs, 8g fat with 31 grams of protein! 
• Use vanilla protein powder instead of chocolate for classic cookies and cream ice cream Add chocolate chips for even more of a chocolatey crunch or a little peanut butter for chocolate peanut butter oreo ice cream
• 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 Cookies and Cream 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!