Convert any Protein Smoothie Recipe into Healthy Ninja Creami Creations
with easy cleanups, no wasted ingredients, and colourful formulas
The coach that runs the CrossFit gym I use asked me couple weeks ago to share the recipe of all the healthy, high protein Ninja Creami ice cream creations I have been posting on social media. Pausing, I realized I don’t even have any of these recipes. I invented them based off of a formula I created after many experiments with the machine and reading into the chemistry of what makes ice cream “creamy”. He said their Creami is in the basement collecting dust because he was turned off by how most online Creami recipes calls for the use of flavoured Jell-O and was frustrated by the small size tubs. As someone who shares the value of healthy eating, always seeks extra protein, but also craves for that sugar kick, I completely empathize. Without overcomplicating a family’s standard grocery list and to reduce the fear of potential ingredient waste, I’ve found an optimized path to introduce Creami creations into our life by reusing ingredients already present in our pantry and fridge for post-workout protein smoothies.
First, this is how I understood the “chemistry” behind ice creams (over-simplified):
Fat and sugar is what keeps ice cream in that creamy consistency in the freezer. Although tempting to lower fat content, lowering fat too much (ex. down to 0%) is going to result in super grainy ice cream, no matter how many times you re-spin it.
The reason we actually like the small tubs is because there is no need to refreeze leftovers. Our small family can finish one tub in one sitting. Refreezing when sugar level is low will be annoying (not impossible) to re-creamify i.e. you need to flatten the top, and the tub just turns into a block of ice again in the freezer.
So far, the fun (and safe) experiments are all in ways to squeeze in protein.
Now, The Formula:
(I actually load it in this order directly into the Creami tub in order to reduce dirtying too many spoons/measuring cups.)
Fat base (with protein) options: high protein yogurt (ex. Greek), cottage cheese, or cream cheese. We always have some 2–5% fat variation of at least one of the above in our fridge because of baby nutrition. I like 5–6 tbsp range. Cream cheese is dense, so just 1–2 tbsp is enough.
Sweetener (with protein) options: 1/2–1 scoop protein powder, 1–2 tbsp any nut butter.
Flavour/colour options: 1/2c frozen fruits, 1 tsp açai powder, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 1/2c cold brew, 1–2 tbsp syrup/honey
Liquid (with protein) options, fill to the top line: high protein milk (ex. Fairlife), high protein vegan milk (ex. soy)
Successful experiments we created:
Summer is fast approaching and my toddler loves colourful food, so I aim to create colourful inventions when I’m conducting these type of experiments.
Purple example: yogurt, vanilla protein powder, frozen blueberries, açai powder, Fairlife milk
Green example: yogurt, vanilla protein powder, maple syrup, soy milk
Pink example: cottage cheese, vanilla protein powder, frozen cherries, maple syrup, soy milk
Brown example: cream cheese, chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, cocoa powder, Fairlife milk
Tips I discovered so far:
Load directly in the tub and blend with an immersion blender to keep the cleanup simple.
Freeze without the lid to avoid the dome forming.
Alternate between the tubs to make sure there is always something in the fridge when the cravings hit.
If there are leftovers from your Vitamix after making a family batch of protein smoothie (This always happen with me because I only “eyeball” measurements), convert it to ice cream by pouring the rest into a Creami container, add more fat and liquid to bring it to the top line, then freeze.
Taste it before freezing to see if it's sweet enough. Bland ice cream really does not taste good. Speaking from experience.
If it's still not sweet enough post-Cremify and post-re-spin, then add melted (yes melted) chocolate in as mix-in.
Let me know what you think of this ice formula and optimization, and please share the results of your experimentations!