Ninja Creami Strawberry Matcha Affogato Green Tea Ice Cream Recipe

This Ninja Creami Strawberry Matcha Affogato Green Tea Ice Cream Recipe is a fresh, vibrant twist on the classic Italian affogato dessert that my husband and I absolutely cannot stop eating. Since I am always looking for more ways to enjoy matcha and use my Ninja Creami machine, this homemade matcha ice cream is the perfect combo of both! This Ninja Creami Matcha ice cream recipe features a thick, protein packed dairy free matcha ice cream finished with a dreamy fresh strawberry milk pour-over. This matcha affogato ice cream is completely gluten free, loaded with protein, and the best healthy Ninja Creami recipe for matcha lovers. Whether you need a quick and delicious dopamine boost on a random Tuesday morning or want a fun treat for a quiet weekend at home, this Ninja Creami green tea ice cream hits the mark every single time.

As someone who makes matcha tea almost daily, this has quickly become one of my favorite matcha recipes, especially in the summer months. The earthy matcha flavor and creamy protein ice cream base hit that nostalgic vanilla gelato and espresso vibe, but with a lighter, high-protein, dairy-optional spin. And the strawberry milk pour? Chef’s kiss. Think of it like a matcha float meets protein shake... meets grown-up strawberry milk!

I love this for special occasions (or honestly, in a self-care moment too), but it's also one of those beautiful desserts that's secretly packed with simple ingredients you probably already have. If you're into better-for-you sweets, check out my Dairy-Free Vanilla Protein Ice Cream or Chocolate Protein Mousse next! If you love more matcha recipes, you should try my Blueberry Iced Matcha or Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream with Honey + Lavender. Or if you love all the healthy Ninja Creami recipes, I've rounded up all my favorites here in this post.

Why You'll Love This Matcha Affogato Ice Cream

• It is a high-protein dessert with minimal effort. Let your Ninja Creami do all the heavy lifting! You get a fun, protein-packed dessert that supports your goals without spending hours in the kitchen. Just blend/mix your simple ice cream base, freeze, and spin.
• It is a fun treat that feels fancy but uses simple ingredients. You do not need to head to an expensive coffee shop or Italian restaurant for a fancy-looking dessert. This healthy Ninja Creami recipe uses wholesome, everyday gluten-free staples to create a dessert that looks and tastes incredibly gourmet right at home.
• It is highly customizable. Whether you want to swap the almond milk for another dairy-free option, or use a specific flavored matcha powder, this recipe is incredibly versatile. It works beautifully with almost any plant-based ice cream or matcha blend you prefer.
• It is perfect for matcha lovers. If you are anything like me and appreciate the taste of matcha green tea with a fresh strawberry milk pour over, this healthy ice cream will completely win you over.
• It is a beautiful dessert for guests or solo self-care. The vibrant green and pink colors make this an absolute beautiful dessert to serve when hosting friends for dinner, but it is equally perfect for a quiet, indulgent self-care moment on the couch.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links.

Matcha Affogato with Strawberry Milk Ingredients & Tested Substitutions

• Matcha Powder. Use high quality matcha green tea powder or culinary-grade matcha for the best flavor. Ceremonial grade works too if you have it available.
• 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 or vanilla almond milk if you like. You may also use unsweetened oat milk which will make a nice creamy ice cream.
• 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 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.
• OR Matcha Ice Cream. If you're not going to make your own matcha ice cream, ignore the above ingredients and simply get store bought matcha ice cream instead. It may not be dairy-free so if you need a dairy-free option, make sure to check the labels!
• Strawberries. Fresh or frozen strawberries both work for the homemade strawberry milk. Frozen strawberries give the strawberry milk more of a “shake” vibe, but is a nice option when strawberries are either not in season or I don't have any on hand when I want to make this Ninja Creami ice cream recipe.
• Strawberry Protein Powder. Optional, but adds even more protein. Again, I love the strawberry protein powder from Equip Foods.
• Honey. For a touch of sweetness that balances the earthy matcha. If you don't like honey, you can use maple syrup or agave, just be aware that the flavor profile may not be exactly what you want when making the strawberry matcha dessert.

Matcha Affogato Step by Step Instructions

1. Mix your base. Pour almond milk directly into the Ninja Creami pint container leaving room to combine vanilla protein, matcha powder, and honey. Use a milk frother or bamboo whisk for best results and mix until fully combined.

2. Freeze. Secure the lid and freeze for at least 8 hours (up to 24 hours).

3. Spin it. Insert your frozen pint into the Ninja Creami and run the "Lite Ice Cream" function.

4. Respin. Add a splash of almond milk or prepared matcha (not powder), just enough to cover the top of the pint (around 2-3 tsp.). Run the "Respin" function for that perfect creamy texture.

5. Blend the strawberry milk. In a blender, combine almond milk, strawberry protein powder, and strawberries until smooth. If you use frozen strawberries, it will be thicker consistency like a shake rather than a milk.

6. Assemble. Scoop matcha ice cream into a glass or matcha bowl, then pour strawberry milk over top and enjoy!

Expert Tips & Tricks For the Perfect Matcha Ice Cream

• Mix the Matcha Properly. Use a matcha whisk or small metal whisk in a circular motion to fully blend your matcha powder before freezing if you do not have a milk frother.
• Add Milk or Matcha Before Respin: Before respinning, I recommend always adding a little bit more almond milk, made matcha (not powder), 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.
• 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-Ins or Toppings. I like to add dark chocolate, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or a dusting of powdered strawberry to my ice cream if I want another layer of deliciousness.
• 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 Matcha Ninja Creami Ice Cream FAQs

What’s the difference between this and a traditional affogato?

A traditional Italian affogato is of a scoop of vanilla gelato "drowned" in a shot of hot espresso. This recipe is a fun and fruity twist, replacing the vanilla gelato with matcha protein ice cream and the espresso with a fresh strawberry milk pour over.

Can I make this without a Ninja Creami?

​This particular matcha ice cream recipe was designed to use the Ninja Creami machine. You can always get store bought matcha ice cream instead of making homemade ice cream if you don't want to wait the few hours before eating or if you don't own a Ninja Creami machine! 

What kind of matcha should I use?

I recommend using a ceremonial grade matcha. It has a smoother, naturally sweeter flavor and a much more vibrant green color compared to culinary grade matcha, which can sometimes taste bitter.

Do I really need to freeze the base for the full 24 hours?

While the official Ninja Creami instructions recommends waiting a full 24 hours, I don't have the patience for that so I have found that eight hours is typically plenty of time to get a solid, even freeze for this specific dairy-free base.

Can I use the respin and mix-in functions back-to-back?

Okay so hear me out, standard Ninja Creami instructions advise against running these cycles back to back, but I always respin my dairy-free ice cream with a couple teaspoons of almond milk because it needs it to be truly creamy (instead of that powdery ice cream texture). I use the mix-in function right after with no trouble at all.

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 or matcha drink (not the powder) to the pint and run the "Respin" function. It will turn magically creamy!

How to Store Your Matcha 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 and 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.

If You Loved This Strawberry Matcha Dessert, You Should Try These Next:

• Blueberry Iced Matcha
• Matcha Brownies
• Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream with Honey + Lavender
• Chocolate Matcha Almond Flour Donuts
• Ninja Creami Vanilla Protein Ice Cream
• Ninja Creami Strawberry Protein Ice Cream
• Strawberry Latte

Don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating & review on the recipe card below and tag me on Instagram @prettydeliciouslife if you make it. I love seeing your creations!