This Lemon Cookie Lifeway Kefir Protein Ice Cream is the ultimate summertime Ninja Creami recipe. It's bright, just the right amount of sweet, and has 15 grams of protein per serving! The secret ingredient is lemon kefir which gives the pint a probiotic punch. Plus, you get to choose any protein powder and cookies of your choice.
(Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Lifeway. All opinions are my own; I never feature a brand that I don't love!)
Table of Contents
Why you'll love it
If lemon desserts are your jam, this one's going to be on repeat for you. Here's why we can't get enough of it.
- Creamy and probiotic-rich - The kefir and farmer cheese bring a super tangy creaminess to the base that's smooth and satisfying.
- Bright lemon flavor - Between the lemon zest and juice, this pint is refreshingly citrusy without being overly tart.
- Protein-packed - With the help of vanilla protein powder, kefir, and Greek yogurt, this ice cream is satisfying and packed with protein.
Is this lemon kefir protein ice cream healthy?
Yes! This version of ice cream skips the heavy cream and refined sugar in favor of a high-protein base made with kefir. As a dietitian, I can't get enough kefir! And Lifeway Kefir is known for being rich in probiotics, which support gut health and digestion. According to a 2025 study published in Nutrients, consuming kefir may help improve overall gut microbiota diversity. Each cup of kefir also contains 10 grams of protein.
Each cup of kefir adds 10 grams of protein on its own-plus you've got the added boost from protein powder and Greek yogurt. Together, they create a satisfying base that helps stabilize blood sugar and keeps you feeling full. Each serving delivers an impressive 15 grams of protein!
What ingredients do you need?
Here's what you'll need to make this lemon cookie ice cream:
- Lifeway Whole Milk Lemon Kefir - This gives the base its tart creaminess and probiotic benefits.
- Vanilla protein powder - Adds sweetness and a protein boost.
- Lifeway Farmer Cheese - A probiotic cheese that gives the pint a more cheesecake-like feel.
- Plain Greek yogurt - Adds extra creaminess and protein.
- Sweetener - Honey, maple syrup, a Medjool date, or a zero-calorie option like monk fruit work great.
- Lemon - Fresh lemon juice and zest really brightens the whole pint.
- Pinch of salt - Enhances all the other flavors.
- Cookies - Choose your favorite: Lemon Oreos, shortbread, vanilla wafers, or graham crackers.
What is Kefir?
Kefir is a cultured, fermented milk drink that's packed with probiotics. Lifeway Kefir is my go-to brand because it's ultra creamy, widely available, and comes in fun flavors like lemon, which works perfectly in this ice cream. Plus, their kefir contains up to 12 strains of live and active cultures!
What is Farmer Cheese?
Lifeway's Farmer Cheese is a cultured soft cheese with a mild flavor similar to cottage cheese and a spreadable texture like cream cheese. It delivers 15 grams of complete protein per 4 ounce serving. Plus, it's made with 12 live and active cultures for an extra probiotic punch.
How do you make lemon cookie kefir protein ice cream?
Here's how to get the best creamy, dreamy texture every time:
1. Blend the base:
Add all ingredients (except mix-ins) to a blender and blend until smooth. If you're using mostly liquid ingredients, you can mix everything straight in the Ninja Creami pint using a fork or milk frother.
2. Freeze:
Pour the mixture into your Ninja Creami pint and place it on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze for at least 24 hours, until solid.
3. First spin:
After freezing, process the pint using the "Lite Ice Cream" setting. The texture might look crumbly like fluffy snow-don't panic, that's totally normal!
4. Add mix-ins and re-spin:
Scrape down the sides with a spoon or knife. Create a small hole in the center down to the bottom, add your crushed cookies and 1 tablespoon of the liquid you used in your base (like kefir or milk). Use the "Mix-In" setting to re-spin for that signature smooth Creami texture.
5. Enjoy or store:
Scoop and serve immediately! If you have leftovers, level off the top and freeze again. You can re-spin up to 3 times-but I often just let it sit out for 20-25 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften.
Can I make it with plain kefir?
Yes! If you can't find Lifeway's lemon-flavored kefir, don't worry-you can still make it with their plain kefir. Here's what ingredients you'll use:
- 1 cup plain whole milk kefir
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla Jell-O powder
- Zest and juice of ½ a small lemon (about 1 tablespoon juice)
- 1 teaspoon sweetener of your choice (monk fruit, honey, maple syrup, 1 Medjool date, or a zero-calorie option)
- ¼ teaspoon lemon extract
- Pinch of salt
Follow the same steps as in the original recipe-just swap out these ingredients. Just note, this version makes a bit more of a subtle, sorbet-like lemon flavored pint.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Serving tips: Want to level it up? Serve in a cone or dish and top with extra cookie crumbles, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a dollop of whipped cream.
- Troubleshooting: Still crumbly after re-spinning? Add another splash of kefir and spin again, or just let the pint sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes to soften.
- Scaling: Make a double or triple batch of the base and freeze it in multiple pints. Future you will thank you. 😉
Can I make this in a Ninja Creami Deluxe?
Absolutely! If you're using a Ninja Creami Deluxe, you'll just want to scale up slightly to match the larger pint size. Here's how:
- 1½ cups milk of your choice
- 1½ scoops vanilla protein powder
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of salt
- Up to ⅓ cup crushed Oreos (or cookies of your choice)
- 1½ tablespoons milk for the re-spin
Follow the exact same steps: mix, freeze, spin, add your mix-ins, and re-spin for a creamy treat. You can also double the mix to make two standard pints if you're meal-prepping for the week.
Customize it your way
Like all our recipes here at Cheerful Choices, this recipe is totally flexible. Here are a few ways you can customize.
- Vanilla protein powder of your choice: Feel free to use any that fit your dietary preferences-whey, plant-based, collagen, or a blend. There are even lemon-flavored protein powders out there if you want to double down on that citrus flavor!
- Sweetener of your choice: Use what fits your lifestyle best-monk fruit, allulose, stevia, honey, maple syrup, or even a soft Medjool date.
- Cookies of your choice: Lemon Oreos are a classic pick, but shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers, or graham crackers also work great-or even a gluten-free cookie if needed.
Can you make it ahead of time?
Yes! You can totally prep the base in advance. Mix your ingredients, pour into pints, and freeze for days (or even weeks) until you're ready to spin.
How do you store leftovers?
If you've got leftovers (a rare event, honestly!), just smooth the top with a spoon and pop the pint back into the freezer. When you're ready for round two, let it thaw for 20-25 minutes on the counter, or microwave for 10-15 seconds to make scooping easier.
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Lemon Cookie Kefir Protein Ice Cream - Ninja Creami Recipe
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Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Lifeway Whole Milk Lemon Kefir
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder of your choice, (whey, pea, soy, rice, hemp, egg white, casein, collagen, brown rice, etc.)
- 2 tablespoons Lifeway Farmer Cheese
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon sweetener of your choice, (monk fruit, honey, maple syrup, or 1 Medjool date)
- ½ small lemon, juice and zest (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 pinch of salt
Mix-ins:
- ¼ cup cookies of your choice, (lemon sandwich cookie, shortbread cookies, vanilla wafers or graham crackers)
- 1 tablespoon Lifeway Whole Milk Lemon Kefir
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except mix-ins into a blender and blend until smooth. Then, pour into your Ninja Creami Pint.
- NOTE: If using mainly liquid ingredients, you can just mix them directly in the Ninja Creami pint using a fork or milk frother.
- Place the Creami pint in the freezer on a level surface and freeze for at least 24 hours until fully solid.
- After 24 hours, remove from the freezer and process using the "Lite Ice Cream" setting. This will take about 2-3 minutes. After this spin, the texture will most likely look crumbly and airy, similar to snow. This is normal!
- Use a spoon or knife to carefully scrape around the sides of the pint. Then, create a small hole in the center reaching the bottom and add cookies and 1 tablespoon of the lemon kefir used in the base recipe.
- Re-spin using the "Mix-In" setting to fully blend the mix-ins and achieve a smooth, creamy texture.
- Enjoy immediately or if you end up with extras, you can store in the freezer for later. For the best storage results, use a spoon to press the ice cream into a flat, even surface before refreezing.
Notes
- Using Plain Kefir Note: If you can't find lemon kefir, see the heading above on how to make this pint with Lifeway's Plain Kefir.
- Leftovers Note: If you have leftovers, store them in the freezer and you can re-spin up to 3 times after refreezing. However, I personally prefer just letting the Ninja Creami pint sit out at room temperature for 20-25 minutes, instead of re-spinning. If you're feeling impatient, you can also microwave the pint for 10-15 seconds for a quick thaw!
Nutrition
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