Chai Apple Cider Protein Ice Cream

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Okay, so last year for my birthday, my best friend took me to one of those, um, Christmas light things that you walk through at the botanical gardens. This was after a full day of doing things I love, and one of the things I love is CHRISTMAS.

Anyway, while we were there, there was this little cart selling concessions and all that jazz, and one of the things I decided to get was a chai apple cider. Mainly because I was freezing, but also because I had been in the spirit of trying new things. And honestly, I never really considered myself an apple cider fan — which is really because I had never had it — but I knew I liked chai, so I was like, ya know what… one chai apple cider, please ☝️.

And boom, my life was changed forever. I cannot express how delicious it was. I was like, omg, a whole entire lifetime deprived of such a delicacy!! Why meeeeeeeee?!

But yeah, it was so good that we had to get seconds. And also, now that I’m thinking about it… idk if this recipe is considered fall-ish or Christmas-ish. But at the end of the day, ’tis the season, and I’m not required to specify which season, so I win!

I really want to say “um” again, but I feel like it might be annoying to keep reading that “word.” So instead of saying it directly, I’m just going to write about how I want to say it before moving on to say that I just realized I never formally introduced this recipe, so here we are.

Ladies and gentlemen, Chai Apple Cider Protein Ice Cream — the ice cream that you never knew about but will dream about.

Let’s get into the recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Apple + chai = iconic duo – Apple cider vibes + chai latte vibes in one creamy pint.
• High protein – With protein powder and milk, this ice cream is filling and functional.
• No weird extras – Just real ingredients you probably already have at home.
• Spiced just right – Pumpkin pie spice (or apple pie spice) makes it taste like fall in every bite.
• Endlessly customizable – Swap spices, toppings, or mix-ins to make it your own.

Ingredients

Ice Cream Base

• 240 ml (1 cup) 2% milk
• 120 ml (½ cup) brewed chai tea (cooled)
• 113 g (1 single-serve cup) cinnamon applesauce
• 31 g (1 scoop) vanilla protein powder
• 14 g sugar-free vanilla pudding mix
• 8 g brown sugar substitute
• ¾ tsp pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice
• ⅛ tsp salt

Optional Toppings

• Extra cinnamon or pie spice for dusting
• Crushed graham crackers for crunch
• A drizzle of sugar-free caramel sauce (trust me, amazing here)

Instructions

Blend it up

Add milk, cooled chai tea, applesauce, protein powder, pudding mix, sweetener, spice, and salt to a blender. Blend until smooth.

Freeze

Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint, making sure the surface is level. Freeze on a flat surface for 24 hours.

Spin

When ready, run the pint under hot water for 1–2 minutes. Place into the Ninja Creami and run on Light Ice Cream mode. Re-spin as needed If the texture looks crumbly, don’t panic. Just hit re-spin once or twice until creamy.

Serve + top

Scoop into a bowl or not, sprinkle with extra spice or cinnamon, and enjoy your cozy fall pint. Bonus points if you add caramel drizzle or crunchy bits.

Customization Ideas

This recipe is already dreamy, but here’s how you can switch it up:

• Extra chai kick – Steep your chai tea stronger for a bolder flavor.
• Caramel apple vibes – Drizzle with caramel sauce and add crushed pretzels or nuts.
• Pumpkin-chai mashup – Swap half the applesauce for pumpkin puree.
• Dairy-free option – Use almond or oat milk and a plant-based protein powder.
• Chunky mix-ins – Stir in crushed graham crackers, granola, or candied pecans after the re-spin.

Tips & Tricks

• Cool your chai – If your tea is warm when blended, it can mess with freezing consistency. Make sure it’s cooled to room temp.
• Applesauce hack – The cinnamon applesauce adds flavor, but plain works too. Just bump the spices a little.
• Don’t skip the salt – A tiny pinch makes the sweet and spiced flavors pop.
• Level surface = creamy results – Freeze your pint flat to avoid lopsided textures later.
• Batch it – Brew extra chai and freeze a couple of pints at once. You’ll thank yourself later.

Flavor Notes: Chai Meets Apple

This ice cream really shines in the way the flavors balance each other. The chai brings in cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger — all warm, cozy spices that scream fall. The applesauce adds natural fruitiness and that classic cider feel without being overpowering. Together, it’s like sipping a hot chai apple cider, but in creamy, spoonable form.

And honestly? The more it melts, the more the flavors open up. Don’t rush it — let it sit for a minute and it gets even better.

Pairing Ideas

Because yes, ice cream can have pairings:

• On the side of apple crisp – warm + cold contrast = unmatched.
• With graham crackers – dip them right into your bowl.
• As a float – scoop into a glass and pour sparkling apple cider over top for a festive twist.
• Topped with nuts – toasted pecans or walnuts add amazing crunch.
• Breakfast (don’t judge) – put a scoop over warm oatmeal. Game changer.

Cozy Vibes Section (because it deserves its own)

Let’s be honest: part of the fun of this recipe isn’t just the flavor, it’s the whole experience. Chai apple cider protein ice cream feels like something you’d eat curled up in a blanket while watching leaves fall outside your window. It’s not just dessert; it’s a mood.

If you’re the type of person who lives for fall candles, cozy socks, and oversized sweaters, this recipe fits right in. And if you’re not… well, this might convert you.

More Ninja Creami Recipes to Try

Once you fall in love with this Chai Apple Cider pint, here are more high-protein creations to keep the vibe going:

• Honey Graham Protein Ice Cream – sweet graham flavor that’s basically a campfire memory in a pint.
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream – tangy, creamy, and topped with graham crumbs.
• Cinnamon Tostone Crunch Protein Ice Cream – crunchy, cinnamony, and ridiculously fun.
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Protein Ice Cream – pumpkin + cinnamon sugar swirl magic.
• Butter Pecan Protein Ice Cream – nutty, rich, and surprisingly high-protein.

FAQ

Do I have to use chai tea?

Yes and no. Chai gives this recipe its signature vibe, but you can sub with black tea + extra spice if that’s what you have.

Can I skip the pudding mix?

You can, but it really helps the texture. Without it, your ice cream might be a little icier.

How sweet is this recipe?

It’s lightly sweet. If you prefer dessert-level sweetness, add a little more brown sugar substitute.

What if my pint comes out icy?

That happens sometimes with protein ice cream. Just re-spin, and if needed, add a splash of milk before re-spinning.

Can I use fresh apples instead of applesauce?

Not reallyyyyy — applesauce blends smoothly and freezes well. Fresh apples would leave icy chunks.

Is this dairy-free friendly?

Absolutely! Just sub the milk, protein powder, and pudding mix with dairy-free versions.

Final Thoughts

Okay, so leave with this: you’re walking through an apple orchard, cup of steaming chai tea in one hand, caramel apple in the other, and the crisp air is basically telling you to romanticize your whole life. But instead of balancing drinks and sticky apples, you’re holding a spoon. A spoon that’s diving into the creamiest, coziest, most fall-coded ice cream ever: Chai Apple Cider Protein Ice Cream.

I love that this recipe feels a little fancy without requiring anything complicated. Brew some chai, blend a few ingredients, freeze, and spin. That’s it. And when you crack into that first spoonful, it’s all the payoff with none of the guilt.

So the next time you’re craving something fall-inspired but still light and nourishing, skip the bakery line and make this pint instead. Your Ninja Creami has officially earned its keep on your counter.