Ready for the perfect summer treat!? This Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream is fresh, bright, and perfectly sweet! Secretly packed with nutritious ingredients and protein, and bursting with strawberry flavor, it makes the perfect healthy frozen dessert! It’s also great for most diets as it’s vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and refined sugar-free!
Strawberry shortcake ice cream
Nothing beats homemade ice cream and the Ninja Creami is a LIFE CHANGER. Whip up healthy ice cream in minutes, like this strawberry shortcake recipe, which is as easy as it is delicious. This ninja creami recipe starts with a creamy vanilla bean base, with the addition of strawberries, and an optional scoop of protein for the satiety/blood sugar side of things! Best part? You can choose to use fresh or frozen strawberries, however I like to use a mix of freeze dried strawberries and frozen! This ice cream comes together with a mix of coconut or greek yogurt for tang, creamy coconut milk, and fresh strawberries which gives this ice cream a strawberry shortcake/strawberry cheesecake vibe that is just divine.
Most Ninja Creami recipes require pudding mix and other additives, but today were making the creamiest ice ceam without it – just simple, natural ingredients that don’t sacrifice flavor or texture! Looking for more healthy ice cream recipes? Try my sugar cookie ice cream, mint chocolate chip ice cream, my no-bake, homemade ice cream sandwiches, or homemade strawberry shortcake ice cream bars!
Why you’ll love this ninja creami recipe
- Dietary friendly: This ice cream is dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, grain-free, and vegan!
- Nutritious: Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup, made with freeze dried strawberries for maximum flavor, and packed with protein, this makes a delicious, healthy dessert! No preservatives or weird ingredients! Made with real strawberries – no artificial flavors or sweeteners are used! The strawberry flavor comes from freeze dried and fresh or frozen strawberries.
- No pudding mix – Most ninja creami recipes require pudding mix, but not this one! We make it creamy without having to add any additives.
- Fully customizable: Naturally low-carb and dairy-free, but you can make it extra indulgent by using full-fat canned coconut milk for the richest, creamiest outcome! You can also switch up the mix-ins and berries used!
- Perfect for summer (or anytime you’re craving fresh strawberries!)
Video – watch me make healthy strawberry shortcake ice cream!
Can you make Healthy strawberry ice cream without a ninja creami?
Yes, however this recipe is best with the Ninja Creami. I will say, I am hesitant to add another kitchen gadget to my collection but it has quickly become my most-used appliance! It can literally turn anything into soft serve, sorbet, or ice cream – you can even turn basic protein shakes into ice cream (my personal favorite way to use it).
You can also use a classic ice cream machine to make ice cream! Ensure your ice cream bowl is frozen over night, then turn the machine on and follow the instructions per your personal machine!
How to make ice cream without an ice cream maker
Simply blend everything in a blender, pour into an ice cube tray, and freeze overnight. When you’re ready to eat it, blend it in a blender with a splash of milk and it’ll create a creamy texture!
Vegan strawberry ice cream
This recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free because of the canned coconut milk! Canned coconut milk makes an amazing substitute for heavy cream in ice cream recipes. It still adds that classic richness and creaminess we all love – hold the dairy 😉 The coconut milk doesn’t add a strong coconut flavor, either, however you can substitute another milk of choice, just keep in mind it may not be as creamy!
How to Make Strawberry Ice Cream in the Ninja Creami
Tools
- Ninja Creami – if there is one kitchen gadget I use the most, it’s my Ninja Creami! You can even turn simple protein shakes into ice cream! I couldn’t recommend them more!
- Blender – I love using my beast blender for this! They’re adorable too 😉
Ingredients
- Lite canned coconut milk – I prefer using a can of lite coconut milk as it’ll create a creamier texture than some other non-dairy milks! The ice cream doesn’t have a strong coconut flavor and really adds to the freshness! If you don’t want to use canned coconut milk, simply use a dairy-free milk like cashew milk or regular milk. The thicker the milk the better!
- Freeze-dried strawberries – I like to use a mix of frozen strawberries and freeze-dried strawberries. I really feel as though the freeze dried strawberries adds an extra boost of strawberry flavor. PLEASE try it! I’ve also added in a few spoonfuls of this freeze dried strawberry powder instead!
- Honey or maple syrup
- Protein powder – Vanilla or strawberry protein works best here! I love Macro Mike Strawberry Milkshake or their almond protein in Vanilla Buttercream! You can use my code “amb-dani” for a discount!
- Cashew or almond butter – Cashew butter works best here! If you don’t have any, you can also use 1/4 cup raw cashews. Granola butter or sunflower butter are great a nut-free options! I wouldn’t recommend peanut butter as it’ll completely change the flavor of the ice cream.
- Vanilla extract & Sea salt
- Optional crumble: protein powder, almond flour, coconut sugar, coconut oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix the Base
In a bowl, whisk together milk, cream, sugar, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and salt. Stir in the strawberry puree.
Step 2: Freeze the Base
Pour the mixture into the Ninja Creami pint container. Secure the lid and freeze for at least 24 hours on a level surface.
Pro Tip: Let the pint sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes and add a splash of milk on top of the solid ice cream BEFORE spinning it. This helps ensure a creamy texture!
Step 3: Spin It & Check texture
Once fully frozen, place the pint in the Ninja Creami outer bowl, secure the lid with the blade, and process on the “Lite Ice Cream” setting. If it looks crumbly after the first spin (common!), this is pretty normal. Just use the “Re-Spin” function once or twice until it reaches that perfect creamy texture. I typically do this anyway just to reach the creamiest texture!
Want it richer? Add a splash of milk or cream before re-spinning.
Optional add-ins
- Strawberry shortcake topping (shared this in the recipe card!)
- Fresh chopped strawberries.
- A swirl of strawberry jam.
- A dollop of coconut yogurt, greek yogurt, or coconut whipped cream.
- Top with granola or chopped nuts.
Expert Tips & Substitutions
- Dairy-free? This recipe is naturally dairy-free and vegan if you use a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free milk! Canned coconut milk is a great option to make things even creamier!
- No sugar? Replace the maple syrup or honey monk fruit sweetener.
- Extra fruity? Fold in diced strawberries after spinning or swirl in a spoonful of strawberry jam!
- To get the creamiest texture: For the creamiest ninja creami’s, let the pint sit out on the counter for 10 minutes prior to spinning it!
- Don’t want to wait for the ice cream to freeze? I get it, sometimes we want the ice cream NOW. This is why I usually double the recipe to have a pint in the freezer ready to go when the craving hits! I purchased extra pints and meal prep ice cream flavors for the week!
More healthy frozen desserts to try
- Dilly bars
- 2 ingredient orange sorbet
- Healthy snickers bites
- 2 ingredient Rolo’s
- Vegan frozen yogurt
- Strawberry yogurt bites
- Strawberry cheesecake yogurt parfait
If you try this recipe and love, it’d mean the world to me if you left a star rating and review below and tag me in your creations on Instagram @danishealthyeats!
Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream (high protein!)
Ingredients
Ice cream
- 1/2 cup thick coconut yogurt or greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup non-dairy milk or regular milk (I used almond milk)
- 1 can lite coconut milk *see notes for subs
- 1 scoop strawberry or vanilla protein powder *linked the one i used in the notes!
- 3/4 cup freeze dried strawberries (I use Trader Joe's)
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, chopped
- 3-4 tbsp cashew butter or almond butter *I like 4 tbsp but up to your taste preferences!
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract & pinch of sea salt
Strawberry shortcake crumble
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 2 tbsp of your favorite protein powder
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar or monk fruit
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- vanilla extract & pinch of sea salt
Optional additions
- coconut whip, strawberry jam, etc.
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all of the ice cream ingredients. Blend until completely smooth, taste, & adjust as you'd like. You can add a little more protein, more strawberries, sweetener, etc.
- Note that the ice cream mixture will taste sweeter than it does once frozen – so if it's too sweet, trust the process! It won't be too sweet after! But also keep that in mind – if your ice cream mixture doesn't taste sweet enough, add more!
- When it's to your liking, pour the ice cream into the ninja creami pint. Place in the freezer, preferably over-night. I'll usually prep two of these to have in the freezer ready to go when the ice cream craving hits!
- Once it's completely frozen, leave the pint out on the counter for 10 mins. Then place in the ninja creami bowl and place the lid on it. Use the "lite ice cream" setting, then "re-spin" once or twice more until it's creamy! If it looks crumbly at any point, you can add a splash of milk – that'll make it richer!
- I like to fold the strawberry shortcake crumble in myself. Simply mix everything together until a crumbly mixture forms. Sprinkle it onto the ice cream and fold it in. You can also fold in strawberry jam, etc. Top with coconut whip if you'd like!
How to make strawberry ice cream without an ice cream maker
- Follow the blending instructions above, but instead of pouring it into the ninja creami pint, pour the ice cream mixture into ice cube trays. Freeze overnight. When ready to eat, add the cubes to a blender with a splash of milk. Blend until smooth.
This was SO GOOD I will be making it constantly lol the crumble was the best touch!