Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami (No Protein Powder)
This Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami is creamy, packed with strawberry flavor, and made with a simple vanilla ice cream base without protein powder. With just five ingredients in the base, a Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart, and reduced-sugar strawberry fruit spread, it delivers the flavor of a strawberry pastry in a full pint of ice cream.
The entire pint is designed to be eaten as one serving. I use my Vanilla Ninja Creami (No Protein Powder) as the foundation, then add half a Strawberry Pop-Tart and strawberry spread during the Mix-In cycle. The remaining Pop-Tart is crumbled on top, along with an additional drizzle of strawberry spread. This gives you strawberry pastry pieces throughout the ice cream while leaving plenty of frosting, pastry pieces, and strawberry flavor on top.
Like every Lucas Eats Creamis recipe, it’s Made for the Whole Pint and follows the 400 / $4 / 4 Rule: under 400 calories, under $4 in ingredients, and under 4 minutes of active prep.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami
This Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami combines a creamy vanilla base with real Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart pieces and strawberry fruit spread for a dessert inspired by the classic toaster pastry. Using fat-free ultra-filtered milk provides plenty of protein without requiring protein powder in the ice cream base.
It’s also easy to customize. You can adjust how much Pop-Tart you mix into the ice cream versus how much you save for topping, depending on whether you prefer pastry pieces throughout the pint or larger pieces on top. The strawberry spread adds another layer of fruit flavor both inside the ice cream and as a finishing drizzle. Keep in mind that changing the amounts will change the nutrition and cost.
Ingredients & Substitutions
I use Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk because it provides plenty of protein for relatively few calories while keeping the recipe simple and affordable. Fairlife Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk can be substituted 1:1. Nutrition and cost will vary depending on the milk used.
I use Monk Fruit In The Raw because it adds sweetness without adding calories. Another zero-calorie granulated sweetener can be substituted, but sweetness may vary between products.
For the vanilla, I use Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend because it is inexpensive and tastes great in Ninja Creami recipes, but any vanilla extract or vanilla blend will work.
Xanthan gum helps thicken the base and create a smoother texture after processing, while a small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the vanilla flavor.
For the Pop-Tart, I use one Kellogg’s Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart. Half is broken into pieces for the Mix-In cycle, and the remaining half is crumbled over the finished pint. Other Pop-Tart flavors can be substituted, but the flavor, nutrition, and cost will vary.
For the strawberry spread, I use 34 g (2 tablespoons) of Smucker’s Reduced Sugar Strawberry Fruit Spread. Half, 17 g (1 tablespoon), goes into the Mix-In cycle with the Pop-Tart pieces, while the remaining 17 g (1 tablespoon) is drizzled over the finished ice cream. Other strawberry jams or preserves can be substituted, but sweetness, consistency, nutrition, and cost may vary.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami
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 ingredients evenly. A regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work. Blend for about 30–60 seconds, making sure the ingredients are fully combined and no clumps remain before freezing.
Prepare the Pop-Tart before processing. Break half of the Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart into small pieces for the Mix-In cycle, and reserve the remaining half for topping. Measure out 34 g (2 tablespoons) of strawberry spread, keeping 17 g (1 tablespoon) for the Mix-In cycle and the remaining 17 g (1 tablespoon) for drizzling over the finished pint.
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 base 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 and decide how much additional processing is needed to reach your preferred consistency. 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. The Mix-In cycle provides some additional processing, but not as much as a Re-Spin.
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.
When you’re ready to add the mix-ins, make a hole slightly off-center with a butter knife. Add the pieces from half of the Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart and 17 g (1 tablespoon) of strawberry spread, then run the Mix-In cycle. After processing, crumble the remaining half of the Pop-Tart over the ice cream and drizzle the remaining 17 g (1 tablespoon) of strawberry spread on top.
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 Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami contains approximately 347 calories, 21 grams of protein, 58 grams of carbs, and 5 grams of fat.
The approximate ingredient cost is $2.19 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, and ingredient 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk | 355 g | $0.98 |
| Monk Fruit In The Raw | 36 g | $0.52 |
| Molina Mexican Vanilla | 5 g | $0.05 |
| Xanthan gum | 1 g | $0.04 |
| Salt | 1 g | $0.01 |
| Kellogg’s Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart | 1 pastry | $0.35 |
| Smucker’s Reduced Sugar Strawberry Fruit Spread | 34 g (2 tbsp) | $0.24 |
| Total per pint | $2.00 |
Costs are estimates based on representative prices for the specific ingredients listed. Actual costs may vary by store, location, package size, and current pricing.
Strawberry Pop-Tart Ninja Creami
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 Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk 1½ cups; Fairlife Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk can be substituted
- 36 g Monk Fruit In The Raw 3 tbsp; another zero-calorie granulated sweetener can be used
- 5 g Molina Mexican Vanilla 1 tsp; another vanilla extract or vanilla blend can be used
- 1 g Xanthan gum about ¼ tsp
- 1 g Salt about ¼ tsp
- 1 Pastry Kellogg's Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart ½ broken into pieces for Mix-In; remaining ½ for topping
- 34 g Smucker's Reduced Sugar Strawberry Fruit Spread 2 tbsp total; 17 g (1 tbsp) for Mix-In and 17 g (1 tbsp) drizzled on top
Instructions
- Blend the base: Add the Carbmaster milk, Monk Fruit In The Raw, vanilla, 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.
- Prepare the Pop-Tart: Break half of the Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart into small pieces for the Mix-In cycle. Reserve the remaining half for topping. Measure out 34 g (2 tbsp) of strawberry spread, setting aside 17 g (1 tbsp) for the Mix-In cycle and 17 g (1 tbsp) for topping.
- 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. 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. 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. 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 go directly to the Mix-In cycle.
- Add the Pop-Tart and strawberry spread: Make a hole slightly off-center with a butter knife. Add the pieces from half of the Frosted Strawberry Pop-Tart and 17 g (1 tbsp) of strawberry spread, then run the Mix-In cycle. Crumble the remaining half of the Pop-Tart over the finished ice cream, drizzle the remaining 17 g (1 tbsp) of strawberry spread on top, and enjoy.
