Vanilla Ninja Creami (No Protein Powder)
This Vanilla Ninja Creami is simple, creamy, and full of vanilla flavor without using protein powder. Made with just five ingredients in the base, it delivers a low-calorie, high-protein frozen treat using fat-free ultra-filtered milk.
The entire pint is designed to be eaten as one serving. It works great on its own, but I also designed it to be a versatile starting point for mix-ins and toppings. Oreos, cookie dough, candy, cookies, fruit, and plenty of other add-ins can turn the same vanilla base into a completely different Creami.
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 Vanilla Ninja Creami
This Vanilla Ninja Creami uses fat-free ultra-filtered milk to provide plenty of protein without needing protein powder. With just five simple ingredients, it’s easy to prepare, affordable, and full of vanilla flavor.
It’s also a versatile foundational base that you can enjoy on its own or use as a starting point for cookies, candy, cookie dough, fruit, and other mix-ins and toppings.
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 flavor, I use Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend because it is inexpensive and tastes great in Ninja Creami recipes. Any vanilla extract or vanilla blend can be substituted, although flavor and sweetness may vary.
Finally, 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.
Tips for the Best Vanilla Ninja Creami
Blend the base ingredients thoroughly before freezing. I recommend an immersion blender because it is quick, easy to clean, and helps combine 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.
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 liquid 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 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, whether or not you’re actually adding mix-ins. The Mix-In cycle provides some additional processing, but not as much as a Re-Spin. If the ice cream has already reached your preferred consistency, you can enjoy it as-is.
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 122 calories, 19 grams of protein, 11 grams of carbs, and 0 grams of fat.
The approximate ingredient cost is $1.60 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Total Cost Per pint | $1.60 |
Costs are estimates based on representative prices for the specific ingredients listed. Actual costs may vary by store, location, package size, and current pricing.
Vanilla 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 Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk 1½ cups; Fairlife Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk can be substituted
- 5 g Molina Mexican Vanilla 1 tsp; another vanilla extract or vanilla blend can be substituted
- 36 g Monk Fruit In The Raw About 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 Carbmaster milk, Monk Fruit In The Raw, vanilla blend, 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: Check how close the pint is to your preferred texture. If it still needs significant additional processing, run a Re-Spin. If it is already close to your preferred texture or you plan to add mix-ins, you can usually go directly to the Mix-In cycle because it provides additional processing and may finish the texture.
- 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.
