Ninja Creami Protein Milkshake
Pull Up a Chair: Let’s Talk About My Ninja Creami Protein Milkshake
Alright, so here’s the thing—I’ve always loved a good milkshake. The kind that makes you close your eyes and just, you know, sigh a little because it tastes like being a kid but also a responsible adult (thanks, protein powder). The Ninja Creami isn’t really my first love—I was skeptical at first, honestly—but it’s fully stolen my heart on milkshake nights. Actually, my cousin Kari dared me to try a protein shake in it once instead of my usual, so you can thank her (or blame her) for this random obsession. Also, if you’ve ever frantically scoured the kitchen for one more scoop of protein powder because you swear you had some left—solidarity, my friend.
Why You’re Gonna Love This (Honestly?)
I whip this up when I need a quick pick-me-up after a workout, or frankly, when dinner just… needs dessert. The protein keeps it from feeling like a sugar bomb (even if my cousin dumps in extra chocolate chips; can’t win ’em all). My family gets weirdly competitive over toppings (sprinkles vs. nuts is our current debate). And truthfully, I’ve made every mistake possible, so you don’t have to—if it looks lumpy before blending, don’t panic, it always pulls through.
What You’ll Need (And Some ‘Eh, This Will Do’ Substitutes)
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or honestly, any milk you have—my neighbor once used oat milk and said it was fab)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (whey, plant-based, whatever’s in your pantry—my brother swears by chocolate, so that’s always an option, too)
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla; my grandma used to insist on FAGE, but I’m not picky)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (sometimes I swap in almond butter if that’s what I’ve got, or skip if you’re not a fan of nutty stuff)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (I once tried skipping this, but it really does make a difference—unless you’re a vanilla devotee)
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (or honey, agave, or, let’s be real, just a regular spoonful of sugar if that’s all you’ve got)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or just a quick glug straight from the bottle, if you trust your hand)
- A pinch of salt (don’t skip this, it really matters, but a smidge too much, and… yikes!)
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups ice (handfuls are fine; precise measuring not required)
Alright, Let’s Mix This Up (My Real World Steps)
- Start with your Ninja Creami pint cup—dump in the almond milk, protein powder, Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. (I usually give it a little stir; otherwise, you’ll get odd little dry pockets—don’t ask how I know this.)
- Add your ice on top. If the ice looks awkwardly stacked higher than the max fill line, just mush it down a bit. Or ignore the line (I do, sometimes. Haven’t broken it yet!)
- Pop on the lid and freeze for, eh, about 8 hours. Overnight is easiest. But I’ve (impatiently) tried it after 5 hours and it’s a bit more like soft serve—still tasty, mind you.
- Okay, next morning or whenever you remember it—take it out. Fit the pint into the Ninja Creami base. Whiz it on the ‘Milkshake’ setting. This is where I stare at it, hungrily, making sure it’s actually spinning and not just humming (which happened that one tragic Tuesday).
- Open it up. If it’s crumbly, just run the ‘Re-spin’ cycle. Honestly, I have to do this more often than not. Sometimes I’ll splash in a little extra milk if it’s refusing to cooperate.
- Sneak a taste. This is, in my opinion, non-negotiable. Adjust anything—too thick? More milk. Too bland? More syrup or even a cheeky sprinkle of instant espresso (yes, really—it’s surprisingly good).
- Pour into a big old glass and load up with toppings—chocolate chips, a swirl of peanut butter, sprinkles, whatever chaos your kitchen (or your heart) desires.
Notes from My Quirky Kitchen
- The texture’s different every single time. Sometimes it’s dreamy and fluffy, sometimes dense. Not sure why; maybe my fridge just likes to keep things interesting.
- If you forget the salt, you’ll know. But if you add too much, yep, you’ll REALLY know.
- Trying to double this recipe to share? Doesn’t quite work—the Ninja Creami likes single servings best, for reasons only it knows.
Things I’ve Tried (So You Don’t Have To… Or Maybe You Should?)
- I swapped peanut butter with cookie butter once. Delicious but oof, it was sweet. Like, “I need a glass of water after this” sweet.
- Berries instead of cocoa powder—nice fresh tart kick, but you have to adjust the sweetener quite a bit. I preferred it, but my nephew didn’t touch his. Kids, huh.
- Oh, and I tried doubling the protein powder. (Regret central. It went oddly chewy. Just stick to the recipe.)
Do You Really Need the Ninja Creami?
If you don’t have a Ninja Creami, a high-powered blender sort of gets you close—a bit less fluffy, but maybe add a tiny pinch more ice if you go that route. Or, just drink it unfrozen (which I’ve done plenty; it still hits the spot!)
How Long Will It Keep? (LOL, Good Luck)
Supposedly, you can keep it in an airtight container for up to 24 hours in the freezer, but in reality, nobody at my house lets it last that long. If you need to store leftovers, re-spin before serving or just eat it straight from the pint, no judgment.
When and How to Serve It?
I tend to go all out—pile on crunchy granola or a fat dollop of whipped cream. My cousin tops hers with banana slices and a drizzle of honey (good call if you ask me). It’s usually dessert-for-breakfast or breakfast-for-dessert in our house.
My Hard-Earned Pro Tips
- I once tried blending before freezing (not the move, trust me)—the protein powder just turns gummy. Always freeze first!
- Not all almond milks are created equal. The “original” ones make it way sweeter. I learned the hard way and had a weirdly candy-flavored shake once. Vanilla unsweetened is my jam.
- Don’t panic if it’s hard as a rock at first. The re-spin is your best mate, like having a second cuppa tea when the day’s gone sideways.
FAQ (Because Folks Always Ask)
- Can I use a different protein powder? For sure! I use whatever’s on sale. Plant-based, whey, collagen—go wild. Just adjust the sweetness, because some of ’em are oddly bland.
- Do you really need 8 hours of freezing? Well, yes and no. Less time gives you “barely frozen smoothie” vibes, which, hey, still delicious. But overnight is best if you want that proper scoopable texture.
- I don’t have Greek yogurt. Will regular work? Absolutely, it’s just a tad less thick. Or skip it entirely and use more nut butter, no crime committed here.
- What’s the wildest topping you’ve tried? Chopped pretzels. Actually, good! But don’t try pop rocks unless you want a weirdly explosive bite (I did it once for science; never again!)
- Why does mine come out crumbly sometimes? It just does. The Creami can be a bit moody. Just re-spin and maybe add an extra splash of milk—don’t sweat it.
- Can I make it ahead? You can, but honestly, it’s best right after spinning. It tends to set up a bit firmer in the freezer, but I think that makes it more fun to chip away at with a spoon. Or maybe that’s just me being stubborn.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (whey, plant-based, or chocolate)
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or almond butter, optional)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (or honey/agave/sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups ice
Instructions
-
1Start with your Ninja Creami pint cup—dump in the almond milk, protein powder, Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. (I usually give it a little stir; otherwise, you’ll get odd little dry pockets—don’t ask how I know this.)
-
2Add your ice on top. If the ice looks awkwardly stacked higher than the max fill line, just mush it down a bit. Or ignore the line (I do, sometimes. Haven’t broken it yet!)
-
3Pop on the lid and freeze for, eh, about 8 hours. Overnight is easiest. But I’ve (impatiently) tried it after 5 hours and it’s a bit more like soft serve—still tasty, mind you.
-
4Okay, next morning or whenever you remember it—take it out. Fit the pint into the Ninja Creami base. Whiz it on the ‘Milkshake’ setting. This is where I stare at it, hungrily, making sure it’s actually spinning and not just humming (which happened that one tragic Tuesday).
-
5Open it up. If it’s crumbly, just run the ‘Re-spin’ cycle. Honestly, I have to do this more often than not. Sometimes I’ll splash in a little extra milk if it’s refusing to cooperate.
-
6Sneak a taste. This is, in my opinion, non-negotiable. Adjust anything—too thick? More milk. Too bland? More syrup or even a cheeky sprinkle of instant espresso (yes, really—it’s surprisingly good).
-
7Pour into a big old glass and load up with toppings—chocolate chips, a swirl of peanut butter, sprinkles, whatever chaos your kitchen (or your heart) desires.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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