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This protein ice cream recipe yields a super creamy frozen dessert that packs in over 15 grams of protein. Made with just three ingredients, I love that it doesn’t need an ice cream maker.
Love high protein desserts? Try my protein pudding, protein milkshake, protein cookies, and protein donuts.
The market is currently saturated with a plethora of protein ice creams, pints of low-calorie and low-sugar dairy treats, and frozen desserts based on protein powder. While some are quite tasty, I think we can agree that the price is not.
Halotop, Arctic Zero, and even house brands are all coming out with more high protein ice cream flavors, but what I told you that you could easily make your own?
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- It’s a no-churn recipe. This means that you don’t need to own an ice cream machine!
- You can customize it. This recipe works as a blank canvas that you can flavor any way you like.
- Tastes like regular ice cream. Because let’s face it- that’s the most important part.
- It needs just three ingredients. Coconut milk, protein powder, and a sweetener. Nothing hard-to-find.
- Enjoy it after a workout. While a protein shake works well, post-workout ice cream sounds so much better!
Ingredients needed
- Full Fat Coconut Milk. Gives the ice cream that ultra creamy and smooth texture instead of icy. The higher fat content also helps the ice cream be scoopable, something many homemade ice creams lack! The coconut milk must be from a can and must be chilled prior.
- Protein Powder. I like to use vanilla protein powder as it adds a subtle vanilla flavor but plain also works.
- Granulated Sweetener of choice OR dates.There is the option to use either dates or a granulated sweetener to add sweetness. Either white sugar, allulose (it’s sugar free and low carb), or coconut sugar works.
- Vanilla extract. It’s optional, but it enhances the vanilla flavor. Omit if you are making another flavor.
How to make protein ice cream
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Before making the ice cream, place a loaf pan in the freezer for at least an hour.
Step 2- Blend. Next, add your chilled coconut milk to the blender and blend for just a minute or two. You want the texture to be silky and smooth. Chilling it prior ensures the cream separates from the liquid. The entire can will be used, but it helps with consistency. Add your protein powder and sweetener (or dates) and blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 3- Stir and chill. Transfer to the loaf pan and place in the freezer. For the first hour, stir the ice cream three times every 20 minutes.
Step 4- Serve. Rremove the protein ice cream from the freezer for 10-15 minutes to thaw slightly. Scoop out into bowls and enjoy.
Recipe tips and variations
- Please ensure that you use full-fat coconut milk over light or low-fat varieties. The latter will yield a very icy consistency and be difficult to scoop.
- Pre-freeze the loaf pan before adding the ice cream mixture to it to freeze. It will help the ice cream freeze more evenly.
- If you want to use another milk or non-dairy milk, you’ll need to add a frozen banana or frozen fruit of your choice to be able to scoop it. You can even use straight fruit and omit the liquid completely.
- Using the correct protein powder is key, as different brands and kinds will yield different results. Brown rice, casein, and pea protein are all fantastic choices. I prefer casein because, unlike other protein powders, it is incredibly thick and creamy. Depending on your brand, it can also be delicious and not overly sweet.
Flavor variations
As mentioned earlier, this protein powder ice cream is a blank canvas that you can flavor in many ways! Here are some ideas:
- Chocolate– Use chocolate protein powder and add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
- Cookie dough– Make a batch of protein cookie dough and crumble it into the mixture.
- Strawberry cheesecake– Add 1/4 cup of frozen strawberries and stir through some cottage cheese ice cream.
- Peanut butter– Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter before blending.
- Cookies and cream– Crumble some Oreo sandwich cookies.
- Mixed berries– Add some frozen berries to the mixture before freezing.
Storage instructions
To store: Protein ice cream should always be covered completely in the freezer, in a freezer-friendly container. It can be frozen for at least five days.
To re-freeze: Re-freezing the ice cream is not recommended, as it will build up ice particles. If you’ve refrozen it and it is no longer creamy, let it soften and re-blend it in the blender. It will have a soft serve consistency.
Frequently asked questions
The best protein powder for protein ice cream is brown rice, casein, or pea protein. Avoid using whey protein powder as it tends to freeze hard and yield an icey treat instead of a creamy one.
Yes! Simply add the mixture to your ice cream machine container, churn for 30 minutes, then freeze for an hour. You can also make it in a Ninja creami (see my Ninja creami recipes for tips).
Yes, if you use a plant-based protein powder, there will be no dairy in it whatsoever.
You can make protein ice cream creamier by blending through a frozen banana or raw cashews or adding a high-fat element, like cream or nut butter.
There are 15 grams of protein per serving of protein ice cream.
More high protein desserts to try
- Protein muffins
- Protein mug cake
- Protein banana bread
- Protein cheesecake
- Protein fudge
- Or any of these protein powder recipes
Protein Ice Cream (3 Ingredients!)
Video
Ingredients
- 28 ounces canned coconut milk chilled
- 1 cup protein powder * See notes
- 1-2 tablespoon allulose ** See notes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Place a large, deep loaf pan or deep pan in the freezer.
- In a blender or food processor, add your coconut milk and blend until smooth and creamy. Add your protein powder and granulated sweetener or dates and blend until a thick and creamy texture remains.
- Transfer workout protein ice cream to the loaf pan. To ensure it doesn’t become too icy, lightly mix your ice cream ever 20-30 minutes for the first hour.
- Thaw for 10-15 minutes before eating. Lightly wet an ice cream scoop before scooping the ice cream into a bowl.
- To enjoy it soft serve style, let it thaw to desired texture.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published August 2017, updated April 2023, and republished April 2024
I made this today. I cannot believe ice cream can he so high protein and healthy. Thanks!
This was hands down the best protein ice cream I’ve ever had. I used Strawberry Shortcake protein powder (from Revolution), sweetened with xylitol, and swirled a tablespoon of sugar free strawberry jam in the batch, and I’m in heaven right now. This will absolutely be my go-to sweet protein treat.
Yum!!! that sounds so good 🙂
Really seems easy recipe. Would give it a try!
Wow now I can enjoy ice cream with proteins!
Would love protein I e cream recipe
Cannot wait for hotter times to eat this!
Best protein ice cream recipe EVER!
Thanks, Pamela!
Love all your recipes thank you for sharing .
I don’t think the calories per portion are correct. There are 155 calories per portion in the coconut milk alone , that is without the protein powder, so how can there only be 55 cals per portion?
Best protein ice cream recipe ever!