Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami: My Family's New Favorite Treat

Name: Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 h
Total time: 24 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 110 g (1/2 cup) fat free cottage cheese (small curd works best); 110 g (1/2 cup) 0% fat free Greek yogurt; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 250 ml (1 cup) skim milk

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Last summer, Jessica begged me to buy a Ninja Creami after she saw her friend making protein ice cream at a sleepover. I caved. Best $200 I've spent in a while, honestly.

This cottage cheese ice cream Ninja Creami recipe has become our weeknight dessert hero. It's creamy, chocolatey, packed with protein, and only 98 calories per serving. Jessica calls it "the good stuff," which from a 12-year-old is basically a Michelin star.

Creamy cottage cheese chocolate ice cream

I tested this recipe four times before I was happy with it. The first batch was too icy. The second was too sweet. By round four, Alex (my husband, who usually skips dessert) asked for seconds. That's when I knew we had a winner.

If you're new to making frozen treats with cottage cheese, you might want to peek at my classic cottage cheese ice cream recipe first. It walks you through the basics without needing any fancy machine.

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Cottage Cheese Recipe
Simple Ingredients For Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami
How To Make Cottage Cheese Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami
Storage And Reheating Tips
Fun Variations For Your Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami
FAQ About Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami
Recipes You May Like
Final Thoughts From Amanda
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami

Why You'll Love This Ninja Creami Cottage Cheese Recipe

Here's what makes this one a keeper in our house:

Stress-free prep: Dump everything in, freeze, spin. That's it.
Protein-packed: 9 grams per serving without any weird powders.
Family-friendly flavor: Tastes like real chocolate ice cream, not a diet food.
Low calorie: Just 98 calories per portion. I can have two scoops guilt-free.
Naturally gluten free: Perfect for friends with sensitivities.
Endlessly customizable: Swap the cocoa for vanilla, fruit, peanut butter, you name it.

Simple Ingredients For Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami

You only need six things, and most are probably sitting in your fridge right now.

110 g (½ cup) fat free cottage cheese (small curd works best)
110 g (½ cup) 0% fat free Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
250 ml (1 cup) skim milk

A quick note on swaps. If you want something a touch richer, swap the skim milk for 2% or whole milk. Maple syrup can be replaced with honey or a sugar-free syrup if you're watching carbs. And if cocoa isn't your thing, try a tablespoon of freeze-dried strawberries blitzed into powder instead.

How To Make Cottage Cheese Ice Cream In The Ninja Creami

I split the steps into smaller chunks below so it's easier to follow. Trust me, the first time I made this I missed the "freeze for 24 hours" part and ended up with chocolate soup. Don't be me.

Step 1: Mix Everything Together

Add the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, vanilla, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and skim milk to your Ninja Creami pint tub.

Grab a milk frother and blend it all together right in the container. You'll see some cottage cheese curds floating around, and that's totally fine. They smooth out during the spin cycle.

Homemade cottage cheese chocolate ice cream

Step 2: Freeze The Base

Pop the lid on the pint container and slide it into the freezer. Leave it flat and untouched for a full 24 hours.

I know, the waiting is the hardest part. But this step is non-negotiable for the right texture.

Step 3: First Spin

Take the frozen tub out and remove the lid. Place it inside the outer bowl, then twist the outer bowl lid on tight.

Set your machine to the "Frozen Yogurt" setting and let it run. Don't panic if your first spin looks crumbly or sandy. That's normal.

Whipped cottage cheese chocolate ice cream

Step 4: Re-Spin For Creaminess

Put the tub back in the machine and press "Re-Spin." You may need to do this one or two more times to get that smooth, scoopable texture we're all after.

This is where the magic happens. Each re-spin makes it creamier than the last.

Smooth cottage cheese chocolate ice cream

Step 5: Add Your Mix-Ins

Want chocolate chips? Crushed cookies? Fresh berries? Use a spoon to dig a small well in the center of the ice cream, drop your mix-ins in, and press the "Mix-In" button.

Serve it right away for soft-serve consistency, or pop it back in the freezer for 20 minutes if you like it firmer.

Storage And Reheating Tips

Leftover ice cream keeps in the freezer for up to two weeks in the original Ninja Creami pint tub. Just make sure the lid is sealed tight.

When you're ready for round two, give it another quick re-spin in the machine. This brings back the creamy texture without melting it down. Trust me, it works way better than just letting it thaw on the counter.

Fun Variations For Your Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami

Want to mix things up? Here are a few flavor combos my family has tested and approved:

Peanut butter cup: Skip the cocoa, add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and mix in chopped Reese's at the end.
Strawberry cheesecake: Replace the cocoa with a handful of frozen strawberries and a teaspoon of lemon juice.
Mint chip: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract and mix in dark chocolate chips.
Coffee mocha: Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder along with the cocoa.

Ever wondered if you can make this without the chocolate? Absolutely. Just leave out the cocoa and bump the vanilla to 2 teaspoons. It tastes like frozen vanilla yogurt, only better.

One thing to watch out for: don't go past the max fill line on your pint. Jessica did this once and we had a bit of a mess to clean up.

FAQ About Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ninja Creami

Why is my Ninja Creami ice cream crumbly?

This is super common after the first spin. Just press "Re-Spin" once or twice more. The texture transforms each time. If it's still crumbly after three spins, your base might be frozen too hard, so let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes before trying again.

Can I taste the cottage cheese in this recipe?

Nope, not at all. That was my biggest worry too. The cocoa and vanilla cover any tang completely, and once it's spun, the texture is smooth and creamy. Even Jessica, who refuses to eat plain cottage cheese, loves it.

Do I need to blend the cottage cheese first?

You don't have to, but it helps. I use a milk frother right in the pint tub for about 30 seconds. If you want it extra silky, toss everything in a regular blender first, then pour it into the tub.

How much protein is in each serving?

Each portion has about 9 grams of protein and only 98 calories. That makes it one of the highest-protein, lowest-calorie desserts I make for my family.

Recipes You May Like

Classic cottage cheese ice cream recipe - The no-machine version that started it all in our house.
Chocolate cottage cheese ice cream - An even richer chocolate take, perfect for serious chocolate lovers.
Keto cottage cheese ice cream - A low-carb version for anyone watching their sugar intake.

Final Thoughts From Amanda

This cottage cheese ice cream Ninja Creami recipe is hands down my proudest kitchen win this year. It takes 10 minutes of active work, fits into our busy weeknight routine, and gives my family a treat I actually feel good about serving.

Mix the base, freeze it overnight, spin it the next day, and you've got creamy chocolate ice cream that's high in protein and low in calories. Honestly, what's not to love?

Give it a try this week and tell me how it turns out. I'd love to hear what mix-ins your family picks. And don't forget to save this one to your Pinterest board so you can find it next time that ice cream craving hits.

Happy spinning!