Dark Chocolate Ninja Creami (No Protein Powder)
This Dark Chocolate Ninja Creami is rich, chocolatey, and made without protein powder. It’s an easy way to make a low-calorie, high-protein dark chocolate frozen treat using just five simple ingredients.
I designed this recipe to work both as a complete dark chocolate pint on its own and as a foundational base for mix-ins and toppings. You can enjoy the entire pint as-is or add cookies, cereal, chocolate, fruit, or other toppings.
Like all of my recipes, this one is Made for the Whole Pint. The entire finished pint follows my 400 / $4 / 4 Rule: under 400 calories, under $4 in ingredients, and under 4 minutes of active prep time.
Why You’ll Love This Dark Chocolate Ninja Creami
King Arthur Black Cocoa Powder adds a deep, dark chocolate flavor, while Fairlife Chocolate Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk provides a creamy chocolate base with plenty of protein. The entire pint comes to just 240 calories with 21 grams of protein, without adding protein powder.
It’s a simple five-ingredient base with a rich chocolate flavor that still leaves plenty of flexibility for mix-ins and toppings.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This dark chocolate Ninja Creami uses just five ingredients: Fairlife Chocolate Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk, King Arthur Black Cocoa Powder, zero-calorie sweetener, xanthan gum, and salt.
I use Fairlife Chocolate Reduced Fat Ultra-Filtered Milk because it provides chocolate flavor and protein while keeping the recipe simple. Other chocolate milks can be substituted, although nutrition, sweetness, texture, and cost will vary depending on the milk used.
King Arthur Black Cocoa Powder gives this recipe its distinctive dark chocolate flavor. Black cocoa has a deeper, darker flavor than regular cocoa powder. Substituting regular cocoa powder will change the flavor and color of the finished pint.
I use Monk Fruit In The Raw to add sweetness without increasing the calories. You can use your preferred zero-calorie granulated sweetener, although sweetness can vary between products.
Xanthan gum helps thicken the base and create a smoother texture after processing. A small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the dark chocolate flavor.
Tips for the Best Dark Chocolate Ninja Creami (No Protein Powder)
Blend the base ingredients thoroughly before freezing. I recommend an immersion blender because it is quick, easy to clean, and does a great job combining the milk, cocoa powder, sweetener, and xanthan gum evenly. A regular blender can also work well. A handheld milk frother or shaker cup may also work, provided all ingredients are thoroughly combined and no clumps remain.
Blend for about 30–60 seconds, making sure all ingredients are fully combined before freezing.
Make sure the blended mixture stays below the MAX FILL line before freezing. A small amount of foam above the line is okay, provided the actual liquid mixture stays below it once the foam settles. If the mixture exceeds the line, reduce the ingredient amounts proportionally before freezing.
Freeze time can vary depending on your freezer temperature, but I recommend 24 hours to be safe and help ensure the pint is fully frozen. Freeze the pint on a level surface with the lid removed to help prevent a bump from forming.
Before spinning, check that the frozen surface is level and does not have a raised bump. Do not process a pint with a significantly uneven frozen surface. If necessary, allow the mixture to soften or melt, smooth it out, and refreeze it on a level surface until completely solid.
Before spinning, let the pint sit on the counter for about 15 minutes or run hot water over the outside of the container for about 1 minute.
Process using the Lite Ice Cream setting. After the first cycle, check the texture. If it still needs significant processing, run a Re-Spin. If it is already close to the texture you like and you plan to add mix-ins, you can skip the Re-Spin and go directly to the Mix-In cycle. If you are enjoying the pint as-is and it has reached your preferred consistency, no additional processing is needed.
If the mixture is especially dry or powdery, try a Re-Spin first. If it still needs additional moisture, add a small splash of water before another Re-Spin. Avoid adding too much liquid at once, as it can make the finished ice cream softer than intended.
If you are adding mix-ins, make a hole slightly off-center with a butter knife, add your ingredients, and run the Mix-In cycle. I prefer freezing mix-ins ahead of time when practical so they hold up better during processing. Add any toppings after processing.
What to Do About Icy Sides
A thin icy layer around the sides of the pint after the first spin is normal because the blade does not reach the very edge of the container. Avoid scraping the icy sides into the creamy center before running another cycle.
Once you’re finished processing, you can push the icy layer toward the bottom so it softens while you eat from the top. Another option is to enjoy the creamy center first and let the icy sides soften as you eat.
How to Store Leftover Ninja Creami
If you do not finish the entire pint, smooth the remaining ice cream into a level surface, replace the lid, and return it to the freezer.
When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, allow them to soften slightly or process them again using the appropriate setting for your Ninja Creami model if needed. Keep in mind that additional processing may further break down any mix-ins.
Calories, Protein & Cost
The entire pint has 240 calories, 21 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbs, and 8 grams of fat.
The approximate ingredient cost is $2.38 per pint.
Nutrition is calculated for the entire pint using the specific ingredients listed. Ingredient costs are estimates based on representative prices. Substitutions may change both nutrition and cost, and actual prices will vary by store and location.
Cost Breakdown
Based on representative ingredient prices, here’s approximately what each ingredient costs for one pint:
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fairlife Chocolate 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk | 355 g | $1.38 |
| Monk Fruit In The Raw | 36 g | $0.52 |
| King Arthur Black Cocoa Powder | 5 g | $0.43 |
| Xanthan gum | 1 g | $0.04 |
| Salt | 1 g | $0.01 |
| Total Cost Per Pint | $2.38 |
Costs are estimates based on representative prices for the specific ingredients listed. Actual costs may vary by store, location, package size, and current pricing.
Dark Chocolate Ninja Creami (No Protein Powder)
Equipment
- 1 Ninja Creami
- 1 Ninja Creami Pint
- 1 Immersion Blender recommended for easy blending; a regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work.
Ingredients
- 355 g Fairlife Chocolate 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk 1½ cups; Kroger CarbMaster Chocolate Milk can be substituted
- 10 g King Arthur Black Cocoa Powder About 2 tbsp; another black cocoa powder can be substituted
- 36 g Monk Fruit In The Raw 3 tbsp; another zero-calorie granulated sweetener can be substituted
- 1 g Xanthan gum About ¼ tsp
- 1 g Salt About ¼ tsp
Instructions
- Blend the base: Add the chocolate milk, black cocoa powder, sweetener, xanthan gum, and salt to the Ninja Creami pint. Use an immersion blender to blend for about 30–60 seconds, until the ingredients are fully combined and no clumps remain. A regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work.
- Freeze: Make sure the liquid mixture is below the max fill line. Place the pint on a level surface and freeze for at least 24 hours. Freeze with the lid removed to help prevent a bump from forming.
- Prepare to spin: Remove the pint from the freezer and make sure the frozen surface is level, with no raised bump. Run hot water over the outside of the pint for about 1 minute or let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes.
- Spin: Process using the Lite Ice Cream setting.
- Assess the texture: After the Lite Ice Cream cycle, check the texture. If it still needs significant processing, run a Re-Spin. If it’s already close to the texture you like, you can skip the Re-Spin and run the Mix-In cycle instead, whether or not you’re actually adding mix-ins.
- Add mix-ins or enjoy: Enjoy as-is, or make an off-center hole with a butter knife, add your mix-ins, and run the Mix-In cycle. Add any toppings after processing.
