cottage cheese ice cream ninja creami

cottage cheese ice cream ninja creami kind of blew up on social media, right? At first, I thought “Okay, this will taste sad. Like, healthy but sad.” Well…turns out I was wrong. With just a few ingredients and a Ninja Creami, you get a dessert that’s honestly way better than a lot of store-bought ice cream (wild, but true). It’s packed with protein, super creamy, plus shockingly easy to change up with mix-ins. I started experimenting after falling in love with this high-protein ice cream and, don’t get me started on the coffee version for a little afternoon pick-me-up. Let’s dig in together and get you hooked, too.

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Why You’ll Love this Cottage cheese ice cream ninja creami

First off, it’s wildly easy. Like, even if you have zero patience (that’s me, for sure) you can pull this off. The ninja creami does the heavy lifting. You don’t have to babysit a stovetop or worry about eggs curdling or anything stressful like that. Here’s the kicker the taste is honestly so good you’ll forget it started out as cottage cheese. It hits all those childhood ice cream cravings and doesn’t make you feel like you’ve done something naughty.

this FOR LATER

Second, it’s loaded (I mean LOADED) with protein. For me, that’s a win because I’m always trying to sneak in extra protein without feeling like I’m eating chicken breast for dessert. It’s the ideal sweet treat when you want a little something but don’t want to trash your nutrition goals. You can scoop it up after dinner or (confession) even have a little bit for breakfast sometimes.

I brought it to book club once and everybody was like, “Wait, this is cottage cheese?” Nobody believed me at first. It’s a party trick, I swear.

Expert Ninja Creami Tips

Okay, after making way too many containers of cottage cheese ice cream in my Ninja Creami, I’ve picked up a few things. Not gonna lie, my first try turned out weirdly icy. Ugh. So here’s what I’ve learned so you can skip my drama.

Try to blend the cottage cheese really well with your sweetener and any milk or flavorings. Seriously, don’t rush this part. You want it suuuuper smooth. Lumpy mix = icy final result, bleh.

Let the base freeze overnight. Anything less and sometimes it just doesn’t spin right. I know, waiting stinks, but it’s worth it.

If your ice cream comes out crumbly on the first spin (happens to the best of us), pop it back in on the “re-spin” setting. Half the time, that fixes it up beautifully.

Don’t overflow your Ninja pint. Otherwise, you wind up with a sticky mess and a lot of regret.

A little extra protein powder, a scoop of peanut butter, or even fresh berries can totally change the flavor in fun ways.

I was skeptical at first, but the texture actually blew me away. It’s now my family’s go-to dessert, and we all fight over the last scoop! – Sarah (real-life ice cream fan)

Can I Make This Ice Cream Without a Ninja Creami?

Short answer? Sort of. If you don’t have a Ninja Creami, you can try to make this recipe with a high-powered blender or food processor. It won’t be exactly the same, though.

You still blend up your cottage cheese with whatever flavors you want. Next, pour it into a freezer-safe dish and freeze. After a few hours, scrape it with a fork to sort of “fluff it up” as it hardens. It’ll be more like a frozen mousse or maybe a not-so-perfect no-churn ice cream.

The Ninja Creami is special because it shaves the frozen base and churns it into that magical texture. If you want the real deal, I’d honestly save up for one eventually. But hey, no shame in trying things the old-fashioned way if that’s what you’ve got!

Substitutions & Variations

Let’s be honest, most of us are not eating the exact same ice cream twice in a week. That’s the joy of homemade. Not feeling vanilla today? Try chocolate protein—add cocoa powder, boom. Or crave something fruity? I’ve thrown in mango puree and it tastes dreamy (seriously, peek at this mango ice cream ninja creami version).

If you’re avoiding dairy, some folks swear by blended silken tofu plus coconut milk. Haven’t tried it myself, but I’m very tempted.

Playing with mix-ins is peak fun: mini chocolate chips, a swirl of berry jam (so good), peanut butter, or even chopped nuts for a crunch.

If you’re out of cottage cheese, ricotta works in a pinch, but it’s a bit more grainy—I say stick to the original if you can! Some folks like using Greek yogurt, just watch if it’s tangy.

Storing Leftover Cottage cheese ice cream ninja creami

• Keep in the Ninja Creami pint with the lid, directly in your freezer.
• If it gets a little too firm between servings, re-spin it for a soft, creamy texture.
• Try not to store more than a week, flavor starts going downhill after a few days.
• Don’t let it sit out too long or it’ll get icy. Quick scooping wins.

Can I put cottage cheese in Ninja Creami?

Yes! You can absolutely use cottage cheese in the Ninja Creami. It’s what makes this recipe work so well. The texture, once blended and frozen, transforms like magic. If you’re worried about it tasting “cheesy” trust me, with the right flavors it doesn’t at all. In fact, some of the most popular Ninja Creami recipes rely on cottage cheese for that rich, creamy base. So, feel free to keep experimenting with it.

Can I use cottage cheese as a substitute for cream cheese?

You can do it, but it’s a little different. For ice cream, the swap is usually totally fine. In baking, though, cottage cheese won’t set exactly like cream cheese and can be a bit watery. If you blend it enough, it’s much closer to a cream cheese texture. Still, for something like cheesecake, I’d stick to the real thing (unless you’re feeling adventurous and ready for surprises).

What not to put in Ninja Creami?

Okay, don’t put big chunks of hard stuff, like whole nuts or cookies, directly in before freezing. They get weird and sometimes mess up the blade (oops, learned that the hard way). Overly watery ingredients (like straight watermelon or plain fruit juice) will also go icy—not creamy. Alcohol doesn’t freeze right either. Basically, stick to smooth, blended bases. For crunchy or chunky stuff, mix it in after spinning. You’ll save yourself a ruined dessert and a headache.

Conclusion

So, maybe cottage cheese ice cream ninja creami sounded a little out there at first—don’t worry, you’re not alone. But with the right base it becomes super creamy, easy to change up, and perfect for healthy cravings. Plus, this method is hands down easier than you ever thought homemade ice cream could be. Still on the ice cream hunt? Try this perfect vanilla or even go wild with a protein milkshake. If you want even more inspiration, the Cottage Cheese Ice Cream (Ninja Creami Recipe) from The Balanced Nutritionist is a solid resource. Grab your Ninja Creami, don’t be afraid to get a little weird with the mix-ins, and let yourself be surprised. Happy spinning and let me know how it turns out!

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