High-Protein Peanut Butter Ninja Creami
This High-Protein Peanut Butter Ninja Creami is creamy, packed with peanut butter flavor, and has 41 grams of protein in the entire pint. It uses just five simple ingredients and is an easy way to make a high-protein frozen treat at home.
I designed this recipe to work both as a complete peanut butter pint on its own and as a foundational base for mix-ins and toppings. You can enjoy the entire pint as-is or add chocolate, cookies, candy, cereal, 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 High-Protein Peanut Butter Ninja Creami
RYSE Jif Creamy Peanut Butter adds plenty of peanut butter flavor while helping bring the entire pint to 41 grams of protein. Kroger CarbMaster Fat Free Milk adds even more protein without adding many calories.
The result is a simple five-ingredient base with 272 calories for the entire pint and plenty of flexibility for mix-ins and toppings.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This High-Protein Peanut Butter Ninja Creami uses just five ingredients: Kroger CarbMaster Fat Free Milk, RYSE Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, Monk Fruit In The Raw, xanthan gum, and salt.
I use Kroger CarbMaster Fat Free Milk because it provides a lot of protein for relatively few calories. Fairlife Fat Free Ultra-Filtered Milk can be substituted 1:1, although nutrition and cost will vary depending on the milk used.
I use RYSE Jif Creamy Peanut Butter for the peanut butter flavor and added protein. If you already have a peanut butter flavored whey protein powder you enjoy, feel free to substitute it. Different protein powders can vary in sweetness, flavor, nutrition, cost, and how they process in the Ninja Creami.
I use Monk Fruit In The Raw to add sweetness without adding calories. Another zero-calorie granulated sweetener can be substituted, although sweetness can vary between products.
Xanthan gum helps thicken the base and creates a smoother texture after processing. A small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and bring out the peanut butter flavor.
Variations
You can customize this peanut butter base with these simple toppings:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
358 calories | 43 g protein | $3.45 per pint
Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch
358 calories | 43 g protein | $3.23 per pint
See the full variation instructions, nutrition, cost, and photos below the recipe card.
Tips for the Best High-Protein Peanut Butter 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 protein powder and xanthan gum evenly. A regular blender, handheld milk frother, or shaker cup can also work. Whichever method you use, make 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 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 272 calories, 41 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fat.
The approximate ingredient cost is $3.05 per pint.
Nutrition and cost are calculated for the entire pint using the specific ingredients listed. Substitutions may change both, and ingredient prices will vary by store and location.
Cost Breakdown
Based on the package prices I paid when testing this recipe, here’s approximately what each ingredient costs for one pint:
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Kroger Carbmaster Fat Free Milk | 355 g | $0.98 |
| RYSE Jif Creamy Peanut Butter | 1 scoop (40g) | $1.85 |
| Monk Fruit In The Raw | 12 g | $0.17 |
| Xanthan gum | 1 g | $0.04 |
| Salt | 1 g | $0.01 |
| Total Cost Per Pint | $3.05 |
Costs are estimates based on the specific ingredients and package prices I used. Prices may vary by store and location.
High-Protein Peanut Butter 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
- 40 g RYSE Jif Creamy Peanut Butter 1 scoop; another peanut butter flavored whey protein powder you enjoy can be substituted
- 12 g Monk Fruit In The Raw 1 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 milk, peanut butter protein 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 a hole slightly off-center with a butter knife, add your mix-ins, and run the Mix-In cycle. Add any toppings after processing.
Notes
Nutrition
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Variation
Make the High-Protein Peanut Butter Ninja Creami according to the recipe above. After processing, chop 2 Reese’s Miniatures and sprinkle them over the finished pint.
Entire finished pint: 358 calories | 43 g protein | 26 g carbs | 8 g fat
Approximate ingredient cost: $3.45 per pint.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Crunch Variation
Make the High-Protein Peanut Butter Ninja Creami according to the recipe above. After processing, crush 20 g of Rold Gold Tiny Twists Pretzels and sprinkle them over the finished pint.
Entire finished pint: 358 calories | 43 g protein | 32 g carbs | 4 g fat
Approximate ingredient cost: $3.23 per pint.
Want to Build Your Own Variation?
Use Build Your Own Pint to customize your Ninja Creami with different toppings and see the calories, macros, and estimated cost before you make it.
