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If you’re craving all the cozy fall flavors in a creamy, high-protein treat, this Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream is about to become your new obsession.
This recipe is inspired by my mom and one of her all-time favorites. Every holiday season, we’d make a special trip to Thrifty to pick up their pumpkin ice cream, which was her absolute favorite! Those sweet memories always take me back. Now, I’ve created a lightened-up, protein-packed version that captures that same nostalgic flavor.
This healthy pumpkin ice cream is made with real pumpkin puree, warm fall spices, and my secret ingredient for that unbelievably creamy texture, cottage cheese! I also add a scoop of vanilla protein powder for an extra boost. Together, they give this ice cream about 30 grams of protein for the entire pint! What’s not to love?
It’s rich, smooth, and full of cozy pumpkin flavor while being nutritious and satisfying. I can’t wait for you to try this pumpkin protein ice cream. Maybe it’ll even remind you of your own childhood traditions, just like it does for me. Grab your Ninja Creami and let’s make this festive, high-protein treat that’s perfect for fall!
For more pumpkin spice recipes, don’t miss our healthy pumpkin spice muffins, pumpkin protein overnight oats, homemade pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, and pumpkin spice coffee creamer!
Why You Will Love This Pumpkin Spice Protein Ice Cream
- High-Protein: This pumpkin spice ice cream is packed with protein from the cottage cheese and protein powder.
- Delicious Pumpkin Flavor: This ice cream has a delicious pumpkin spice flavor from the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.
- Refreshing: It’s such a refreshing fall treat!
- Balanced: This pumpkin protein ice cream is perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is super easy to make! Just blend, freeze, and the Ninja Creami turns it into protein ice cream. There’s minimal prep work required!
Ingredients Needed
- Almond Milk: Use unsweetened almond milk or your milk of choice.
- Pumpkin Puree: Add pumpkin puree for a rich pumpkin flavor.
- Cottage Cheese: Adds protein to this pumpkin ice cream and makes the texture extra creamy! You don’t taste the cottage cheese. It just adds protein and creaminess! Plus, it’s blended with the rest of the ingredients, so there’s no noticeable texture.
- Protein Powder: Add one scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder.
- Sweetener: Sweeten this pumpkin protein ice cream with your sweetener of choice.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: For that classic pumpkin spice flavor!
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract for flavor.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Cottage Cheese Options: We used fat-free cottage cheese, but low-fat and full-fat work as well. For another delicious recipe, try our cottage cheese ice cream next!
- Milk Options: Use unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, soy milk, 2% milk, 1% milk, or your milk of choice for this recipe.
- Protein Shake Option: You can omit the milk and protein powder from this recipe and use a pre-mixed 10-ounce vanilla protein shake instead, if preferred!
- Sweetener Options: Sweeten this pumpkin ice cream with sugar, maple syrup, honey, or a sugar-free sweetener such as sugar-free maple syrup, Swerve, or monk fruit.
- Added Creaminess: As an option for extra creaminess, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of guar gum to this recipe. Or, add 1 tablespoon of regular vanilla instant pudding mix or 1 teaspoon of sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix.
- Vegan Option: To make this pumpkin protein ice cream vegan and dairy-free, omit the cottage cheese and use your favorite non-dairy milk, vegan protein powder, and a vegan sweetener.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, make it by mixing 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger, and a pinch of cloves.
How To Make Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream
Step 1: Pour the almond milk, pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, vanilla protein powder, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into a blender.
Step 2: Thoroughly blend the ingredients.
Step 3: Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container.
To keep the surface flat and prevent peaks, place a lid that fits inside the container on top before securing the Creami lid. Then, freeze the mixture overnight.
Step 4: Remove from the freezer, install the pint in your Ninja Creami machine, and run the “Lite Ice Cream” setting.
Step 5: It’s normal for it to look crumbly after the first spin. Add a splash of almond milk or your milk of choice, and re-spin on the “Lite Ice Cream” setting once or twice until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Scoop, serve, and enjoy your Ninja Creami pumpkin protein ice cream!
Shawna’s Expert Tips
- Use Pumpkin Puree: Make sure to use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, as pumpkin pie filling often contains added sugars and spices.
- Blend Well: Thoroughly blend all the ingredients before freezing for the best texture.
- Re-Spin the Ice Cream: After the first spin, your protein ice cream may appear crumbly. This is normal. We recommend adding a splash of milk and re-spinning the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.
- How to Prevent Peaks: After pouring the mixture into your pint container, place a flat lid directly on top before freezing. This keeps the surface smooth and prevents peaks from forming, so you won’t have to scrape them off later.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Ninja Creami pumpkin protein ice cream on its own or top with some homemade pumpkin spice granola, crushed graham crackers, or a drizzle of regular or sugar-free caramel sauce. For another delicious option, top with mini chocolate chips for a pumpkin chocolate flavor combo, or add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch and flavor.
More Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipes!
- Ninja Creami S’mores Protein Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream Protein Ice Cream
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
- Strawberry Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Ice Cream
- Ninja Creami Cherry Protein Ice Cream
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
NINJA CREAMI PUMPKIN PROTEIN ICE CREAM
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup fat-free cottage cheese
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons sweetener of choice
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
Instructions
- Pour the almond milk, pumpkin puree, cottage cheese, vanilla protein powder, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into a blender.
- Thoroughly blend the ingredients until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container. To keep the surface flat and prevent peaks, place a lid that fits inside the container on top before securing the Creami lid. Then, freeze the mixture overnight.
- Remove from the freezer, install the pint in your Ninja Creami machine, and run the “Lite Ice Cream” setting.
- It’s normal for it to look crumbly after the first spin. Add a splash of almond milk or your milk of choice, and re-spin on the “Lite Ice Cream” setting once or twice until smooth and creamy.
- Scoop, serve, and enjoy your pumpkin protein ice cream!
Video
Notes
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, make it by mixing 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger, and a pinch of cloves.
- Protein Shake Option: You can omit the milk and protein powder from this recipe and use a pre-mixed 10-ounce vanilla protein shake instead, if preferred!
- Cottage Cheese: We used fat-free cottage cheese, but low-fat and full-fat work as well.
- Sweetener Options: Sweeten with sugar, maple syrup, honey, or a sugar-free sweetener such as sugar-free maple syrup, Swerve, or monk fruit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This pumpkin protein ice cream is my new favorite fall treat! Creamy, cozy, and full of pumpkin spice flavor, this healthy pumpkin protein ice cream is perfect for dessert or a high-protein snack.