The Ninja Creami Ice Cream Maker is quickly becoming a must-have for those who track macros, live a healthy lifestyle, and want to eat ice cream and still stay on track. I can’t pull up a social media app without at least one Ninja Creami recipe popping into my feed these days - it’s Creami insanity!
All joking aside, I am legitimately a huge fan of the Ninja Creami and love to come up with all kinds of healthy #creamicreations to share with my audience. I focus on healthy, macro-balanced ice cream recipes, which means that I typically use protein powder to create my base recipe. And let me tell you from experience, the protein powder that you use will make a huge difference in the outcome of your protein ice cream!
I’ve tried and tested multiple different protein powder options and want to share my top picks for the best protein powder for your Ninja Creami so that you, too, can make delicious, protein-packed ice cream at home!
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How I Chose the Best Protein Powders For Ninja Creami Recipes
Trial and error, that’s how. I am lucky in the sense that I work with many different companies who offer protein powders and I have a ton of options at my disposal to try, so that’s exactly what I did.
The best thing about making protein ice cream with a Ninja Creami is that the ice cream comes out with the taste and texture of actual ice cream. I don’t know about you, but any other protein ice cream or “healthy” ice cream that I’ve ever tried has completely sucked, to be blunt.
This is why it’s critical that you find the right protein powder! What I’ve discovered is that cheap protein powders really don’t have the capacity to not only deliver the best ice cream texture, but the taste is off, too. If you’ve ever drank a protein shake or used a powder that you were less than thrilled with in relation to either of those two departments, it’s not going to be any different if you use them for your Ninja Creami recipes.
It’s also important to note that I am not a fan of adding a bunch of sweeteners or sugar-free pudding mixes to my creami pints. I prefer milk + protein powder, which means that I am very picky when it comes to taste because I want to make my recipes without any extra ingredients and junk in there!
I like to keep my Creami bases simple and then add in mix-ins and toppings to take the experience over the top, so you’ll find that most of my Creami recipes include the same or very similar ingredients and they’re basic! I also pay attention to the macros of each protein powder as I generally look for one that is high in protein and lower in carbs and fats.
So what protein powders work best? Let’s get to it! I’m sharing my top, tried, and true picks.
1. 1st Phorm Level-1
Level-1 Protein has been a long-time favorite protein powder of mine and we always have at least a few tubs at home, so I was very hopeful that it would produce a great-tasting Ninja Creami creation - and it does!
Level-1 is one of the highest-quality, best-tasting protein powders I have ever tried. It’s made with integrity and the flavors are top-notch! The texture comes out silky smooth, the flavors are robust, and the macros are great.
Level-1 Macros per scoop:
- 140 calories
- 24g protein
- 7g carbs
- 2.5g fat
Favorite flavors for Ninja Creami recipes:
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Milk Chocolate
- Ice Cream Sandwich
- Cinnamon Cookie Batter
- Strawberry Milkshake
- Red Velvet Cake
Here's one of my TikTok videos below where I show how I make a Monster Cookie Ninja Creami with Level-1 Protein!
@fithealthymacros Monster Cookie Ninja Creami 🍪 This is such a fun #ninjacreamiproteinicecream! Give it a try! 👇🏼 1 cup Fairlife 2% milk 1 scoop vanilla protein powder A few drops of blue food coloring 2 Chips Ahoy thins 1 tbsp M&Ms First spin on lite ice cream Add tbsp more milk Re-spin Add half the toppings Run on “mix-in” setting Add the rest of the toppings to the top - enjoy! #ninjacreami #ninjacreamirecipe #ninjacreamitips #ninjacreamiproteinicecream #fithealthymomma #fithealthyrecipes ♬ original sound - Fit Healthy Macros| Tami Smith
2. Clean Simple Eats
Clean Simple Eats is another protein powder that makes the top of my list for Ninja Creami creations as it’s so flavorful and produces a great texture!
Naturally sweetened and made from grass-fed whey, this is another premium protein powder that translates very well to making protein ice cream. Clean Simple Eats offers a ton of flavor options, and I really haven’t found any yet that I don’t like.
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Clean Simple Eats Protein Macros Per Scoop:
- 110 calories
- 20g protein
- 9g carbs
- 0g fat
Favorite Flavors for Ninja Creami recipes:
- Brownie Batter
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Cookies ‘N Cream
- Mint Chocolate Cookie
- S’mores
- Cake Batter
Watch this quick TikTok video that shows me making a ninja creami protein ice cream with Clean Simple Eats!
Use coupon code: TAMI for 10% off!
3. Just Ingredients
Just Ingredients is another fantastic brand that offers a premium quality protein powder that also allows you to make some epic Ninja Creami bases. One thing that’s really unique about Just Ingredients protein powder is that they use protein from 4 different sources, which is really helpful for those who struggle with a whey-only protein powder (tummy issues).
This brand creates products that are clean and natural, so if that’s important to you, you’re going to love Just Ingredients. There are no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols in their formula. I find Just Ingredients protein powder to taste really good, and while it doesn’t have the best texture (compared to my top 2 picks), the fact that it’s so clean and nourishing is compelling enough.
Use coupon code: TAMI10 for 10% off!
Just Ingredients Protein Macros Per Scoop:
- 140 calories
- 22g protein
- 5g carbs
- 6g fat
Favorite Flavors for Ninja Creami recipes:
- Vanilla Bean
- Chocolate
- Coconut Chocolate
- Neapolitan
- Strawberries & Cream
Use coupon code: TAMI10 for 10% off!
4. KOS Plant-Based Protein
My top Ninja Creami protein powder options are whey-based protein powders, but I can’t forget my plant-based friends! You can absolutely make a delicious Ninja Creami protein ice cream with a plant-based power, and my favorite thus far is KOS.
KOS has been my long-time favorite plant-based protein powder choice. Compared to other plant-based powders, KOS stands apart by having a rich, delicious flavor and a smooth texture. To be honest, most plant-based protein powders aren’t very good, but this one I am happy to put my stamp of approval on!
KOS Protein Macros Per Scoop:
- 160 calories
- 20g protein
- 9g carbs
- 6g fat
Favorite flavors for Ninja Creami recipes:
- Chocolate
- Vanilla
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
5. Transparent Labs
Transparent Labs offers a great whey protein isolate powder that’s made from 100% grass-fed cattle. The macros on this protein powder are great - you really get a big bang for your buck with Transparent Labs!
In addition to being a really high-quality protein powder, they manage to make the taste and texture pretty good despite not containing any artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives. This option is actually a really clean option if these factors play a role in your decision.
Transparent Labs Macros Per Scoop:
- 120 calories
- 28g protein
- 1g carbs
- 0g fat
Favorite Flavors for Ninja Creami recipes:
- Dark Chocolate
- French Vanilla
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Vanilla Peanut Butter
6. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein
My top choices for the best protein powder for Ninja Creami recipes are all ones that you generally will need to purchase online directly from the company that makes them. However, I recognize that some people just want to grab something from Amazon or from their local Costco, so I’m adding Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey Protein to the list.
As far as “cheap” protein powders go, this one definitely stands out as a better option than many that I’ve tried. It’s convenient to grab from Amazon, Walmart, GNC, Costco, etc. and it’s very cost-effective. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly Ninja Creami recipe protein powder, this is a great option that will do just fine.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Macros per scoop:
- 120 calories
- 24g protein
- 3g carbs
- 1.5g fat
Favorite flavors for Ninja Creami recipes:
- Double Rich Chocolate
- Vanilla Ice Cream
Wrapping Up!
I wish I could tell you that the protein powder you choose for your Ninja Creami protein ice creams doesn’t matter, but the truth is that it does. If you were feeling lost as to which protein powder to buy so that you can create some dreamy creami creations, I hope that this list gives you a good place to start!
Remember, we all have different taste preferences. These are the protein powders that I have personally tested with the Creami and recommend. I have certainly not tried all the options out there! If I find more/better options, I’ll come back and give you an update.
In the meantime, come follow me over on Instagram @fithealthymacros where I tend to share a lot of Ninja Creami creations all with all our other easy, macro-friendly recipes. If you want to take your macro and family-friendly recipes and meal planning to the next level, come check out our macro recipe membership!
