30 Homemade Protein Ice Cream Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

Protein ice cream has taken over grocery store shelves and become a popular, healthy alternative to the traditional ice cream we know and love. Packed with protein, the frozen treat is helpful in muscle recovery and overall health. However, those small ice cream containers come with a hefty price tag. Enter homemade protein ice cream recipes you can make from the comfort of your kitchen. They’re just as healthy, if not more, since you control what goes into them. Take a look at our favourite recipes to make for a guilt-free treat!

What is “Protein Ice Cream”?

Protein ice cream is a healthy, low calorie ice cream alternative that tastes like your favourite frosty dessert, but is high in protein and offers other health benefits. It’s super easy to make at home, with only a few ingredients required. Most recipes use protein powder, a milk base (dairy or dairy free), frozen bananas and maybe a few additional ingredients. Making homemade protein ice cream puts you in control of the ingredients, allowing you to customize for flavour preferences and food sensitivities. Protein ice cream is significantly lower in calories than traditional ice cream, containing less than half the amount of the average ice cream. If you’re conscious about weight management, protein ice cream is a great guilt-free treat to substitute for your favourite high calorie sweets.

What Kind of Protein Powder Should I Use?

Using a whey + casein blend protein powder will make your ice cream thick and creamy. You can make it with whey protein powder alone, but the casein is what gives it the indulgent texture. You can also use a protein powder with collagen peptides if you’re looking to enhance your hair, skin, nails and joints. If you’re vegan or dairy-free, opt for a plant-based protein powder, such as the Orgain Organic Protein Powder made with pea, brown rice and chia seeds.

How to Make Homemade Protein Ice Cream

1. Start with a Milk Base
You’ll need a milk base for your protein ice cream recipes. Many protein ice cream recipes are actually dairy-free and call for almond milk, cashew milk or coconut milk as their base. Full fat coconut milk will give your ice cream an ultra creamy and smooth texture. It helps make your protein ice cream scoopable so you can enjoy it like the real thing.

2. Frozen Bananas
Frozen bananas are often used in protein ice cream recipes. They become creamy when frozen and blended and add a natural sweetness to your dish. They make an awesome healthy ice cream base and banana mixes well with so many other flavours.

3. Add Your Protein
Now, you’ll want to add your protein powder of choice. You can use flavoured protein powder if you wish, to enhance a specific flavour, such as chocolate or vanilla. Protein powder is what gives protein ice cream its added health benefits. It helps you stay full and satisfied for longer, enhances your immune system and is beneficial for heart, brain and skin function. It also enhances muscle growth and repair, so is ideal as a pre or post-workout snack.

4. Customize Flavour
The great thing about making homemade protein ice cream is that you can completely customize it to your flavour preferences. Whether you like vanilla, chocolate, peppermint, cookies and cream or strawberry, you can make the perfect ice cream for you. Plus you can add other fruits and berries to add the taste and health benefits.

5. Combine All Ingredients in a Food Processor
If using frozen bananas, immediately add them to the food processor once you take them out of the freezer. The ice cream won’t work if the bananas aren’t frozen, so this is key. Add the other ingredients and blend until smooth. You may need to scrape the sides a couple of times before you ice cream is ready.

6. Add Texture
If you want to add texture to your protein ice cream, top it with chocolate chunks, nuts, coconut flakes, sprinkles, fruit pieces, or any other toppings you desire. You can never go wrong giving your ice cream an extra bit of crunch!

10 Easy Homemade Protein Ice Cream Recipes

1. Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Ice Cream | Secretly Healthy Home
2. Peppermint Protein Ice Cream | Oxygen Mag
3. Chocolate & Vanilla Protein Ice Cream | The Protein Chef
4. Chocolate Banana Protein Ice Cream | Jennifer Meyering
5. 30-Second Protein Ice Cream | My Protein
6. Banana Berry Protein Ice Cream | Protein Pow
7. Healthy Vanilla Protein Ice Cream | Desserts with Benefits
8. Apricot Protein Ice Cream | Protein Pow
9. Banana Protein Ice Cream | Healthy Substitute
10. Banana Almond Protein Ice Cream | Protein Pow

10 Dairy Free Homemade Protein Ice Cream Recipes

1. Vegan Vanilla Protein Ice Cream | The Big Man’s World
2. Chocolate Banana Protein Ice Cream | Fit Foodie Finds
3. Dairy Free Ice Cream (2 Ways) | Eating Bird Food
4. Chocolate Dairy Free Protein Ice Cream | Fitnessista
5. Turmeric Pina Colada Protein Ice Cream | Mipstick
6. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Ice Cream | Nutritionist Reviews
7. Keto Chocolate Protein Ice Cream | Wholesome Yum
8. Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Ice Cream | Veggie Balance
9. Cookies and Cream Protein Ice Cream | Healthy Fitness Meals
10. Protein Packed Strawberry Ice Cream | Mugs for Muscles

10 Vegan Homemade Protein Ice Cream Recipes

1. Vegan Chinky Monkey Protein Ice Cream | The Baking Fairy
2. Banana Cashew Protein Powder | Protein Pow
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream | Secretly Healthy Home
4. 3-Ingredient Vegan Protein Ice Cream | Healthy Helper
5. Vegan Strawberry Protein Ice Cream | Alt Protein
6. Vegan Banana Protein Ice Cream | VegFAQs
7. Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream | Bites of Wellness
8. Coconut Chocolate Protein Ice Cream | Happy Way
9. 3-Ingredient Healthy Vegan Protein Ice Cream | The Daily Meal
10. Vegan Turmeric Protein Ice Cream | Eat or Drink

Protein ice cream has changed the dessert game, offering a healthy alternative to everyone’s favourite cold and decadent treat. Try out these homemade recipes for a protein-rich spin on traditional ice cream.

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30 Homemade Protein Ice Cream Recipes for Weight Loss (1)

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30 Homemade Protein Ice Cream Recipes for Weight Loss (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze protein shakes to make ice cream? ›

If you don't want to thaw out your shakes, you could turn them into a high-protein ice cream. By adding a few grams of xanthan gum to the original mix and then freezing, you'll have a delicious treat packed with essential macronutrients.

Can you mix protein powder into ice cream? ›

As the chocolate chips melt, whisk in the protein powder. Dip a spoon into the mixture (make sure to let it cool before tasting!) and add any sweetener you'd like as needed. Pour the mixture into the ice cream maker and turn it on. It will take 20-30 minutes until it has the texture of soft serve.

Can you eat protein ice cream everyday? ›

But the perks of added-protein ice cream don't mean it should be a diet staple. “If you're going to eat ice cream, you can get a little more out of the treat by choosing one with protein,” says Zumpano. “But I wouldn't suggest relying on ice cream as a main protein source.”

How do you thicken protein ice cream? ›

Instant Pudding: Adding a little bit of instant pudding mix helps give the protein ice cream a creamier and thicker texture and adds a boost of flavor. Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that is used to improve texture and consistency. It helps give a super creamy texture to protein ice cream.

Why are you not supposed to freeze protein shakes? ›

You can put any shake with protein in it in the freezer without affecting the protein's nutrients, digestibility or absorption. If you're happy to sacrifice some of the freshness of the taste, there's nothing harmful about pre-mixing your shake and all of the nutrients will be preserved.

Why can't i freeze protein shakes? ›

Freezing for a short time will not reduce the nutritional values of the protein shake. However, the process can affect the texture and mouth feel: like affecting the air bubble dispersion in the body and dispersion of proteins if theynwere in colloidal state before freezing.

What type of protein powder is best for ice cream? ›

Protein powder: I recommend whey protein powder because it produces smoother and creamier ice cream without tasting grainy. You can however still use vegan protein powder or casein. Nut butter: for the best taste use almond butter or cashew butter, they are sweet and delicate.

Why can't you mix protein powder with dairy? ›

However, when you consume protein with milk, it adds up to 8-10 grams more protein to a serving and this extra protein slows down the digestion. When you mix protein with milk, it coagulates the shake and makes whey protein to stay long which makes it slow to digest with a constant supply of amino acid to the body.

What can you not mix protein powder with? ›

The addition of real milk powder may lead to bloating, constipation and probably dysentery because of it's high lactose and sugar level. Don't add ingredients such as soy protein which contains chemical compounds that can lead to hormonal disturbance in some people. Avoid mixing vegetable oils that contain trans fats.

Is it OK to eat ice cream while trying to lose weight? ›

Ice cream

A small portion of ice cream is fine every now and then, but the problem is that it's easy to consume massive amounts in one sitting. Be sure to serve yourself a small portion of ice cream instead of eating straight from the container so you won't eat too much.

Can I eat ice cream everyday and still lose weight? ›

“The good news is that you can still eat ice cream daily and lose weight,” Jacobson says. “The key is to be mindful of the portion size and how that fits into your overall calorie and added sugar intake.

How healthy is protein ice cream? ›

Fans of protein ice cream say it's healthy due to the reduced fat and sugar within the average serving size, along with the added protein. One protein ice cream brand has an average of 2 grams of fat and 6 grams of sugar, while competitors have 16-17 grams of fat and 20 grams of sugar.

What is the best thickener for homemade ice cream? ›

Egg Yolks: The most traditional thickening agent, egg yolks contain natural proteins and fats that contribute to a rich and luxurious texture in custard-based ice creams. Cornstarch: Often used in non-custard ice creams, cornstarch mixed with milk helps thicken the base and create a smooth mouthfeel.

What happens if you add too much xanthan gum to ice cream? ›

Be careful when measuring Xanthan, too much and the ice cream will get a slimy texture. This is one of the best stabilizers to reduce ice crystal size and protect against the heat-thaw cycle.

Can you pre make protein smoothies and freeze them? ›

After you've made your smoothie, pour it into a mason jar and close it with a lid. Freeze. Place your mason jar in the fridge for 2-3 hours, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What happens if you freeze a Premier Protein shake? ›

NO! If you fully freeze a Premier Protein shake, when thawed it will have a thick granular texture, sort of like Cream of Wheat. A few of mu chocolate ones got too close to cooling unit in small dorm type fridge, they froze to the point where the package was bulging (but did not burst).

Does freezing affect protein? ›

During freezing, the physical environment of a protein changes dramatically leading to the development of stresses that impact protein stability. Low temperature, freeze-concentration, and ice formation are the three chief stresses resulting during cooling and freezing.

Can you freeze dry protein shakes? ›

Simply make a large batch of protein shake in your blender by adding milk, protein powder, and any fruit or other ingredients you desire. Blend the shake and pour it into a tray and freeze dry. Once freeze dried, the dried shake can easily be ground into a powder and placed into an airtight container.

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