Registered Dietitian Shares a Simple Dessert Hack to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in a Calorie Deficit
Whether you're sticking to a calorie deficit or trying to cut back on added sugars, protein ice cream serves as a nice middle ground for hitting your daily protein intake and satisfying your sweet tooth in a way that respects your fitness goals. Nowadays, tons of protein ice creams exist in ready-to-eat pint forms in grocery store freezers, but making your own with a Ninja Creami, high-powered blender, or food processor gives you more control over ingredients, calorie count, and protein content. Plus, it's fun to make your own ice cream.
"Creami recipes are a perfect way to crush a sugar craving without blowing your calories and macros up for the day," says Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC. "A base of a ready-to-drink protein shake or a combo of milk of choice with protein powder will stack up to 30 to 50 grams of protein."
Read on for a few easy protein ice cream recipes that require minimal ingredients and contain more than 30 grams of protein per serving.
How to Make Protein Ice Cream Taste Better
First, pick your milk base. It should either be a ready-to-drink protein shake, like a Core Power or Muscle Milk, or your milk of choice mixed with a protein powder. For a frozen yogurt version, White suggests using a base of plain Greek yogurt mixed with honey.
"After you decide on a base, punch up the flavor with the mix-ins. I often add sliced banana or peanut butter powder before freezing. These ingredients add flavor and nutrients, and they blend nicely," White says.
Adding a tablespoon of sugar-free pudding mix to the base helps give the protein ice cream a creamy consistency while adding extra flavor. Fillings like fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate add flavor, fiber, and antioxidants.
Healthy Protein Ice Cream Recipes
Banana Walnut Chunk
This recipe was originally shared by Dana White.
Ingredients
- 1 Core Power Elite Vanilla
- 1 tbsp sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1 medium, banana sliced
- 2-3 tbsp ultra-filtered milk
- 2 tbsp chopped dark chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp chopped walnuts
Directions
- Combine Core Power and pudding mix in the Ninja Creami jar and mix well.
- Add sliced banana, cover, and place in freezer overnight.
- Spin on light setting.
- Remove the lid and add a few tablespoons of milk or more Core Power. Spin again on the re-spin setting and repeat if needed until creamy and smooth.
- Add chocolate and walnuts. Spin on the mix-in setting.
Strawberry
This recipe was originally shared by Mia Carson, per Instagram.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 serving strawberry protein powder
- 1 tbsp sugar-free pudding mix
- 1/4 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tsp sweetener
- vanilla extract
- salt
Directions
- Pour everything into the Ninja Creami jar and shake until everything is combined.
- Freeze overnight, then run the container under hot water for 30 seconds.
- Spin on light, take it out, and scrape the sides down.
- Spin again on re-spin.
Cake Batter
This recipe was originally shared by Olivia of From Olivia's Kitchen, per Instagram.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 35 g vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon sprinkles
Directions
- Add all ingredients except the sprinkles to the Ninja Creami jar. Stir and freeze overnight.
- Run the pint under warm water for 30 seconds, then dry it off. Place in the outer bowl.
- Blend on light and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra milk and re-spin.
- Add the sprinkles and blend on mix-in mode.
Related: This $50 Blender Is My Personal Cheat Code for Keeping Up With Fitness Routines
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Nutrition section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 5:07 PM.