Vegan Banana Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

Made with just 5-ingredients, this vegan banana ice cream comes together quick and easy using the Ninja Creami. Each pint packs 20 grams of protein! (vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free)

Dare I say that this is my favorite Ninja Creami creation yet? If you love a good banana pudding, this is basically that in ice cream form. A creamy banana vessel for crunchy vanilla wafers, if you will.

It comes together using just a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand. While using protein powder does make the ice cream higher in protein, you easily make it without. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea so I made sure to include a version without it.

Banana Protein Ice Cream Ingredients

• Dairy-free Milk- Feel free to use whatever kind of milk you prefer. I tend to use soy milk as it’s higher in protein.
• Banana- Make sure you use a medium to large banana that’s spotted.
• Cashews- Raw or roasted both work.
• Protein Powder- Vanilla protein powder is best, just make sure you actually like the flavor. I like to use 1/2 vanilla + 1/2 unflavored, and add a splash of non-alcoholic vanilla extract.
• Honey– Thanks to the sugars in the banana, you shouldn’t need to add a ton of sweetener. You can use honey, pure maple syrup, or even coconut sugar.
• Salt- Just a pinch to play off the sweetness.
• Vanilla Wafers- Be sure to use gluten-free or vegan vanilla wafers, if desired.

How to Make Banana Protein Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)

1. Add everything to a high speed blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Taste test to see if you would prefer more sweetener, salt, or vanilla extract.
3. Transfer to containers. Freeze for 6-8 hours.
4. Remove from freezer and blend with Ninja Creami on the light ice cream setting.
5. Mix-in vanilla wafers, if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Questions + Tips

1. Can I make it nut-free? Yes! You can replace the cashews with 1/2 block of firm tofu.
2. What if I don’t use protein powder? You can omit the protein powder and add 1/4 cup cashews with a splash of vanilla extract (ideally non-alcoholic).
3. Do I need a high speed blender? To properly break down the cashews, you will need something similar to a NutriBullet, Beast blender, or Vitamix.
4. Where can I find gluten-free vanilla wafers? I really like this brand but they are not vegan (only dairy-free). However, this brand is vegan and gluten-free.

More Dairy-free Ninja Creami Recipes to Try