This pistachio protein Ninja Creami ice cream is the ultimate blend of nutty, creamy and protein-packed goodness. It features Greek yogurt, naturally sweet Medjool dates, and pistachios-giving the perfect balance of flavor and crunch in every scoop. Plus, it's customizable with your choice of milk or a protein shake.
[ Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Natural Delights. All opinions are my own; I never feature a brand that I don't love! See my disclosure policy for more details.]
Table of Contents
Why you'll love it
After a trip to Italy, I fell in love with rich, nutty pistachio gelato. I knew I had to recreate a better-for-you version I could enjoy anytime at home. And my friends, this pint IS IT. This has seriously become a top 5 favorite dessert of mine and here's why you'll love it too.
- Creamy and satisfying - This pint has a smooth, ultra luscious texture that melts in your mouth just like ice cream or gelato.
- Naturally sweetened - Medjool dates bring a caramel-like sweetness to the base of this pint.
- Packed with protein - Using a protein shake and Greek yogurt give this ice cream a protein boost while keeping it ultra-creamy.
- Loaded with textured - If you're like me, you love ice cream with CRUNCH. This pint is filled with chopped pistachios, white chocolate chunks, and chopped dates so every bite delivers both crunch and chew.
What is a Ninja Creami?
I've found the Ninja Creami is a kitchen game-changer. It's a specialized appliance that turns frozen bases into scoopable ice cream goodness with the push of a button. What makes it different from a traditional ice cream maker, you might ask? With the Ninja Creami you freeze the base first and then it spins it into a creamy texture-no special ice or salt required.
What is Ninja Creami protein ice cream?
Ninja Creami protein ice cream is a higher-protein frozen dessert made in the Ninja Creami using nourishing ingredients like milk, protein powder, and mix-ins. It's a fun, hands-on way to create your own better-for-you pints at home, totally tailored to your taste buds and nutrition goals.
It's taken over TikTok, and for good reason. Once you taste how creamy and satisfying it is (without all the added sugar), you'll be hooked.
You can always go back and take a look at this customizable base recipe we've created, and then you can experiment with creative flavors like this pistachio white chocolate and date ice cream!
Is this pistachio Ninja Creami protein ice cream healthy?
Absolutely! This Ninja Creami pistachio ice cream isn't just delicious-it's also packed with nutrients.
- Pistachios are loaded with antioxidants, plant protein, and fiber, making them a heart-healthy powerhouse. Each ¼ cup serving has 6 grams of protein. Recent research suggests pistachios may also support brain function, gut health, and even have benefits for skin, eyes, and blood sugar control.
- Greek yogurt adds a gut-friendly dose of probiotics, calcium, and protein to keep you satisfied. Research shows that protein can help support muscle recovery and promote fullness, which may aid in weight management.
- Medjool dates add a natural caramel-like sweetness with zero added sugars. Low on the glycemic index, they won't give you a sugar rush or crash.
Are Medjool dates healthy?
Medjool dates have been super popular, especially with Tiktok-viral recipes like Date "Snickers", Date Bark, and now… Date "Sushi"!
Many people don't know this but Medjool dates are actually considered a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. Since they're a fruit, all their sugars are naturally occurring, meaning there are no added sugars. They're also a source of potassium, iron, and satiating fiber.
When it comes to picking out Medjool dates, I always like to buy a pack of Natural Delights Medjool dates online or at my local grocery store. I'm using Medjool dates for this recipe because they tend to have a sweeter and softer texture that easily breaks down when blended into the base recipe.
In October 2022, I was actually able to help harvest dates and see the full process they go through to reach our grocery shelves! Fun fact: dates need one hundred days of 100-degree temperatures. Phew, talk about a fruit that loves the sun!
Ingredients you'll need
This pistachio ice cream recipe starts with a blend of milk or a protein shake, Greek yogurt, pistachios, and a touch of pistachio jello and almond extract for extra flavor. Then, we take it to the next level with mix-ins like chopped nuts, white chocolate, and extra Medjool dates.
The result? A sweet, salty, and totally satisfying treat-made with simple ingredients, so you can feel good about every bite. Here's what you'll need to grab at the store to make it.
- Milk of your choice - Use whole milk for classic creaminess or go dairy-free with almond or coconut milk. A vanilla protein shake is also a great option for extra protein and natural sweetness.
- Plain Greek yogurt - Since the base is already sweet, plain yogurt keeps things balanced without added sugar.
- Pistachios - Raw, roasted, or honey roasted all work, but we love the sweet-savory contrast of honey roasted pistachios!
- Natural Delights Medjool Dates - Natural Delights Pitted Medjool dates are perfect for this recipe because of their ultra soft texture and stickiness. You can also use Natural Delights Whole Medjool dates, just be sure to pit them before blending. Learn how to pit Medjool dates here!
- Pistachio Jell-O mix - You can use regular or a zero-sugar version. This is key for deepening the pistachio flavor.
- Almond extract - Enhances that nutty flavor. A little goes a long way so be sure to measure only ¼ teaspoon!
- Pinch of salt - It won't make it taste salty-we promise. It simply enhances all the other flavors.
- Mix-ins (added after the first spin) - Chopped pistachios, white chocolate chunks, extra chopped dates, and a splash of milk to re-spin for the creamiest texture.
How to make it
Blend the base
Add all ingredients except mix-ins to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
Freeze overnight
Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours until solid.
First spin
After 24 hours, spin the frozen pint using the "Lite Ice Cream" setting. The texture may look crumbly-don't worry, that's totally normal!
Add mix-ins and re-spin
Scrape down the sides and make a small well in the center. Add chopped pistachios, white chocolate, chopped date, and 1 tablespoon of your milk. Spin again using the "Mix-In" setting for the creamiest texture.
Serve and enjoy
Enjoy right away! If you have extras, flatten the top and freeze again for later.
Can I make this recipe with a Ninja Creami Deluxe?
Yes! You can absolutely make this pistachio protein ice cream using the Ninja Creami Deluxe. Since the Deluxe pint is a bit larger, you can either stick with the original measurements or scale it up slightly. Here's how you can adjust the base if you'd like:
- 1 ½ cups milk or protein shake of choice
- ⅓ to ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup pistachios
- 2 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1 tablespoon pistachio Jell-O mix
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons milk added after the first spin
Then, just follow the same steps for freezing, spinning, and dumping in your add-ins (pistachios, white chocolate, and chopped dates). Just be careful not to fill past the max fill line!
Recipe tips and tricks
- Serving tips - After the mix-in step, you can always top with more chopped pistachios or white chocolate for extra crunch. It pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk, an afternoon espresso (the Italian way!), or a cozy cup of decaf coffee.
- Troubleshooting tips - If it's still crumbly after re-spinning, add another tablespoon of milk and re-spin. Letting it sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes can also help soften it up for the perfect texture.
- Scaling tips - Trust us, you'll go through this pint fast. If you need more, simply double the base and split it between two pints. Each pint can freeze and spin individually, which is perfect for meal prep!
Customize it your way
Like all of my other recipes, this Ninja Creami pistachio protein ice cream is completely customizable. You get to choose what milk and pistachios you want to use to make it your own.
- Milk of your choice: Use whole milk for a classic creamy texture, Fairlife shake for extra protein and sweetness, or go dairy-free with almond, coconut, or oat milk.
- Pistachios of your choice: You can use raw for a mild flavor or roasted and lightly salted for a slightly savory edge, or honey roasted pistachios for a slightly sweeter pint.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! This recipe is definitely make-ahead-friendly-you'll need to freeze the base for 24 hours, so it's already perfect for prepping in advance. You can also prep a few pints at once so you always have a pistachio protein pint to spin when the craving strikes!
How do I store leftovers?
If you get full, store any extras in the Creami pint with the surface flattened using the back of a spoon. Keep it frozen for up to 1 month. When you're ready to eat, you can either:
- Re-spin up to 3 times after refreezing (not totally necessary though)
- Let the Ninja Creami pint sit out at room temperature for 20-25 minutes, then enjoy
- Microwave the pint for 10-15 seconds for a quick thaw!
What if I don't have a Creami?
Having a Ninja Creami really makes this recipe what it is-it gives you that ultra-creamy, scoopable texture that's hard to beat. But if you don't have one, don't worry!
You can still enjoy a version of this treat. Just blend all the base ingredients until smooth, pour into a shallow freezer-safe container, and freeze for 3-4 hours, stirring every 30-60 minutes to help break up any ice crystals. It won't be quite the same, but it'll still satisfy that pistachio ice cream craving in a pinch.
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Pistachio Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream
Recommended Products
Ingredients
- 1 cup protein shake or milk of your choice (We love using a vanilla protein shake for extra protein. You can also use any milk option like whole milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc.)
- ¼ cup whole or nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup pistachios of your choice (you can either use raw, roasted and lightly salted, or our favorite is using honey roasted pistachios!)
- 1 Natural Delights Pitted Medjool Date, pitted
- 2 teaspoons pistachio Jell-O instant pudding, regular or zero sugar version
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 pinch of salt
Mix-Ins (Added After First Spin):
- 2 tablespoons pistachios of your choice, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1 Natural Delights Pitted Medjool Date, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon protein shake or milk of your choice
Instructions
- Blend the base: Add all ingredients except mix-ins to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Pour into a Ninja Creami pint, ensuring an even distribution.
- Freeze: Place the Creami pint in the freezer on a level surface and freeze for at least 24 hours until fully solid.
- First Spin: Remove from the freezer and process using the "Lite Ice Cream" setting. The texture may initially appear crumbly or airy-this is normal!
- Incorporate Mix-Ins: Use a spoon or knife to carefully scrape down the sides of the pint. Then, create a small hole in the center reaching the bottom and add chopped pistachios, chopped white chocolate, chopped date, and 1 tablespoon protein shake or milk used in the base recipe.
- Re-Spin: Process again using the "Mix-In" setting to fully incorporate mix-ins and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Enjoy immediately or if you end up with extras, you can store in the freezer for later. For best results, use a spoon to press the ice cream into a flat, even surface before refreezing.
- Serve with more pistachios, chopped white chocolate, and chopped dates on top if desired!
Notes
Nutrition
save this pistachio ninja creami protein ice cream recipe on pinterest:
Try these other Ninja Creami protein ice cream recipes too:
- Healthy Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream Recipe Template
- Vanilla Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream - coming soon!
- Cookies and Cream Ninja Creami Protein Ice Cream - coming soon!
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