Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Ice Cream Ninja Creami: Creamy, dreamy chocolatey goodness.

A Sweet Little Secret

I have a little secret for you. You can eat ice cream and feel good about it. This recipe is my new favorite. It is minty, creamy, and full of good things for your body.

My grandson thinks it’s magic. I just laugh. It is all thanks to a handy machine. But the real magic is in the first taste. Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful treat?

Why This All Matters

This is not just about dessert. It is about enjoying what you eat. Food should make you happy and feel strong. That is a lesson my own grandma taught me.

She always said a little sweetness helps the day. I think she was right. Using good ingredients matters. It turns a simple treat into something special for your body.

Let’s Make the Base

Grab your Ninja Creami pint. Now, we pour in the milk. I use whole milk for extra creaminess. Then add the protein powder, yogurt, and sweetener.

Do not forget the vanilla pudding mix. It makes the ice cream so smooth. A tiny pinch of salt makes the flavors pop. Then we add the mint and a drop of green color. It just makes it more fun. What is your favorite ice cream color?

A Little Mixing Story

Now, mix it all up. I use a little milk frother. It whizzes around and makes it so smooth. One time, I tried to just shake the pint.

Oh, what a mess I made. Milk and green drops everywhere. I still laugh at that. So, learn from my mistake. A quick whisk or froth is the best way.

The Big Freeze

This is the hardest part. You have to wait. Put the pint in the freezer for a whole day. And please, leave the lid off.

Freezing it without the lid keeps the top flat. This protects the spinning blade. It is a small step that makes a big difference. Have you ever had a kitchen gadget surprise you with how clever it is?

Time to Spin and Eat!

The next day, the fun begins. Lock the pint into the machine. Press the button for Lite Ice Cream. In minutes, you have perfect, soft ice cream.

Now for the best part. I love adding chocolate chips. You could use crushed mint Oreos too. The mix-in setting pushes them right through. What is your dream mix-in for this minty treat?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
whole milk	1 1/2 cups	or milk of choice
vanilla or mint protein powder	1 scoop	I use Clean Simple Eats
full-fat Greek yogurt	3 Tbsp.
sweetener of choice	1 Tbsp.	monkfruit, sugar, etc.
vanilla pudding mix	1 Tbsp.	regular or sugar free
peppermint extract	2-4 drops	not mint extract, use more or less depending on how minty you want your ice cream
vanilla extract	1 tsp.
salt	pinch
green food coloring	2-4 drops
chocolate chips or mint creme Oreos		optional for mix ins

My Dreamy Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Oh, this recipe brings back such happy memories. My grandson, Leo, helped me create it. He loves that bright green ice cream from the shop. But this one is our special, healthy version. It’s so creamy and dreamy. It tastes like a treat, but it makes you feel good.

We make it in our Ninja Creami. It’s our favorite kitchen toy. The secret is a little vanilla pudding mix. It makes the ice cream so smooth. I still laugh at that. Who knew pudding could do that? Doesn’t that smell amazing with the peppermint?

Step 1

Get your empty CREAMi pint. Pour in the whole milk. Add your vanilla protein powder. Then, spoon in the Greek yogurt. The yogurt makes it extra creamy. I love how simple this is.

Step 2

Now, add your sweetener. I use monkfruit. Drop in the vanilla pudding mix. This is the magic ingredient. Add the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Don’t forget that tiny pinch of salt. It makes the flavor pop. A few drops of green food coloring make it fun. (A hard-learned tip: mix the milk and protein powder first. This stops any clumps from forming).

Step 3

Time to whisk everything together. I use a little milk frother. It blends it all so fast. Then, put the pint in the freezer. Leave the lid off for a full day. This keeps the top flat. A hump can hurt your machine. Why do we freeze it without the lid? Share below!

Step 4

The next day, take your pint out. It will be solid! Place it in the outer bowl. Lock the lid on top. It makes a funny click sound. Then, put the whole thing on the motor base. Twist the handle to the right. It lifts the ice cream up to the blade.

Step 5

Press the button for Lite Ice Cream. The machine will make a loud whirring sound. In a few minutes, you have perfect ice cream. It’s like magic. It usually doesn’t need a second spin. You can eat it just like this.

Step 6

But let’s add some fun. Use a spoon to dig a little hole in the top. Drop in some chocolate chips. Or, try crushed mint Oreos. They are Leo’s favorite. Run the mix-in program once. It folds the chocolate all through.

Step 7

You are done! Take the pint out. Scoop your beautiful ice cream into a bowl. You can add more toppings right on top. Enjoy it right away. It’s the creamiest, most delicious thing.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Freeze Time: 24 hours
Total Time: 24 hours 5 minutes
Yield: 1 pint
Category: Dessert, Snack

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is so easy to change. You can make it new every time. Here are a few ideas we love. They are all so simple and tasty.

Cookies and Cream

Skip the peppermint and green coloring. Use chocolate protein powder instead. For mix-ins, use regular Oreo pieces. It tastes just like the classic.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

Use chocolate protein powder. Add one tablespoon of peanut powder to the base. For mix-ins, use chopped peanut butter cups. It’s so rich and nutty.

Strawberry Swirl

Use vanilla protein powder. Skip the peppermint. After spinning, swirl in some sugar-free strawberry jam. It’s a beautiful pink treat. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Way to Serve It

This ice cream is wonderful all on its own. But you can make it extra special. I love serving it in a chilled glass bowl. It stays colder for longer. You could also make a small ice cream sandwich. Use two mini chocolate chip cookies.

For a drink, a cold glass of milk is always perfect. It’s a classic for a reason. For the grown-ups, a little shot of coffee liqueur poured over the top is divine. It makes a fancy dessert. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Ice Cream Perfect

This ice cream is best eaten right away. It is at its creamiest straight from the machine. If you have leftovers, just press parchment paper on the surface.

Then put the lid on and pop it back in the freezer. This stops ice crystals from forming. I learned this the hard way with my first batch.

It got a little icy. Storing food well saves you from waste. It also means a tasty treat is always ready for you. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Troubles

Is your ice cream too crumbly? It might not have frozen long enough. Always freeze the pint for a full 24 hours.

I remember when I was too impatient. The result was a snowy mess. Getting the freeze time right builds your confidence.

Are there clumps in your mix? Always mix the milk and protein powder first. Then add everything else. This makes a perfectly smooth base.

A smooth base means a much creamier final treat. Does it taste too minty? Start with just two drops of peppermint extract. You can always add more later. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions Answered

Q: Can I make this gluten-free? A: Yes! Just use a gluten-free pudding mix. Check your other ingredients too.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: You can mix the base a day before. Then just freeze it when you are ready.

Q: What yogurt can I use? A: Any plain yogurt will work. I like full-fat Greek for extra creaminess.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: No, only make one pint at a time. The machine works best this way.

Q: Are the Oreos needed? A: Not at all! They are a fun, optional treat. Fun fact: The pudding mix is the secret to a creamy texture. Which tip will you try first?

A Sweet Final Word

I hope you love this minty chocolate treat. It always makes me smile. I feel like I am having a party just for me.

It is a joy to share my kitchen stories with you. I would love to see your own creations. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking! —Tessa Hammond.