Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream

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Is Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey still everyone’s go-to ice cream flavor? The combination of banana ice cream, chocolate chunks, and walnuts has definitely had people in a chokehold for a little minute now and understandably so. But while that may be the case, a full pint of the classic version comes with quite a hefty amount of sugar, fat, and calories. And don’t get me wrong—I fully support treating yourself to the real thing whenever the craving hits. Butttttt if I were able to tell you that you could enjoy all the flavors of Chunky Monkey in a high-protein, lower-calorie version that tastes just as indulgent, I think that might be an option worth considering!

Soooooo are you considering? Because that’s exactly what this Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream is. It’s everything you love about the original—the creamy banana base, the rich chocolate, the crunchy walnuts—but in a Ninja Creami pint that’s packed with protein and fits right into a balanced lifestyle. So let’s get into the recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• High in Protein: Unlike regular ice cream, this one has a solid amount of protein to keep you fuller longer.
• Lower in Calories: You get all the indulgence without the extra sugar.
• Customizable: Prefer more mix-ins? Want to swap out the sweetener? You can absolutely tweak it to your liking.
• Super Easy to Make: No fancy techniques—just blend, freeze, and let the Ninja Creami work its magic.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the ice cream base:

• 1 ½ cups (360 mL) 2% milk – The perfect balance of creaminess and lower fat content.
• 1 scoop (31g) vanilla protein powder – Brings in lots of protein while adding sweetness and thickness.
• 7g sugar-free vanilla pudding mix – This helps with texture, making the ice cream extra-creamy.
• 7g sugar-free banana cream pudding mix – Gives that signature banana flavor without the need for actual bananas.
• 1 tsp vanilla extract – Enhances the flavor and gives a little extra depth.
• 1 tsp stevia (or sweetener of choice, to taste) – Adjust based on your sweetness preference.
• Pinch of salt – Balances out the flavors and enhances the sweetness.

For the mix-ins:

• 15g chopped semi-sweet chocolate (or chocolate chips) – You need that rich chocolatey bite!
• 10g walnuts – Brings in that classic chunky crunch.

How to Make Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream

Step 1: Blend Your Ice Cream Base

Start by adding all of your base ingredients (milk, protein powder, pudding mixes, vanilla extract, stevia, and salt) into a blender. Blend until everything is completely smooth—this ensures that your ice cream has an even texture and no clumps of powder.

Step 2: Freeze the Mixture

Pour your blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint, making sure it’s on a level surface in your freezer. Freeze for at least 24 hours—yes, it’s a long wait, but it’s worth it!

Step 3: Spin the Base

Once your base is completely frozen, remove it from the freezer and run the pint under hot water for 1-2 minutes (all sides, including the bottom).

Spin the pint on Light Ice Cream mode. If the texture is crumbly after the first spin (which is normal), re-spin 1-2 more times until it reaches that perfect creamy consistency.

Step 4: Add the Mix-Ins

Once the base is smooth and creamy, create a well in the center (if one hasn’t already formed) and add your chopped chocolate and walnuts. Save a little of each for topping later!

Spin the ice cream on Mix-In mode to evenly distribute all that chocolatey, nutty goodness.

Step 5: Top & Enjoy!

Sprinkle the remaining chopped chocolate and walnuts over the top, and boom—your Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream is ready to enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for the Best Ninja Creamy Ice Cream

• Use 2% Milk for the Best Texture
  • While you can use other milk alternatives, 2% milk strikes the best balance between creaminess and lower fat content. Skim milk can be a little too icy, and full-fat milk can be heavier.
• Don’t Skip the Pudding Mix
  • The sugar-free pudding mix is the key to getting that thick, scoopable texture. If you leave it out, the ice cream may turn out a little too icy.
• Re-Spin As Needed
  • If your ice cream comes out crumbly after the first spin, don’t panic! Just re-spin it 1-2 times until you get the consistency you like.
• Customize Your Mix-Ins
  • Love extra chocolate? Go for it. Prefer pecans over walnuts? That works too! The mix-ins are completely up to you.

Customizing Your Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream

One of the best things about making your own ice cream in the Ninja Creami is how customizable it is. There are plenty of ways to tweak this Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream to your liking so you can create your perfect version and below are some customization options to consider!

1. Swapping Banana Pudding Mix for Real Bananas

The sugar-free banana pudding mix gives this recipe its banana flavor without adding extra carbs or altering the texture too much. However, if you prefer a more natural approach, you can use real bananas instead.

How to Substitute:

• Use ½ of a ripe banana (about 50g) in place of the banana pudding mix. Blend it into the base along with the other ingredients before freezing.

2. Changing the Milk for Different Textures

The 2% milk in this recipe strikes a balance between creaminess and a lower calorie count, but you can swap it out depending on your texture and dietary preferences.

• For an even creamier texture: Use whole milk or a mix of half-and-half and 2% milk.
• For a lower-calorie option: Use unsweetened almond milk or fat-free milk.
• For a dairy-free version: Use unsweetened oat milk or coconut milk (light or full-fat).

3. Adjusting the Sweetness

This recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of stevia (or sweetener of choice), but you can customize this based on your taste preferences and the sweetness of your protein powder.

Sweetener Options & Adjustments:

• For a more natural option: Use maple syrup or honey
• For a zero-calorie option: Use monk fruit sweetener, erythritol, or allulose
• For a richer depth of flavor: Try coconut sugar

4. Switching Up the Mix-Ins

Walnuts and chocolate are the classic Chunky Monkey mix-ins, but if you want to switch things up, here are some ideas:

Chocolate Alternatives:

• Dark Chocolate Chunks: More intense flavor and lower sugar.
• White Chocolate Chips: Sweeter and adds a creamy contrast.
• Cacao Nibs: A sugar-free, crunchy option with a slight bitterness.

Nut Alternatives:

• Pecans: A softer, buttery option.
• Almonds: Slightly crunchier than walnuts.
• Peanut Butter Swirl: Instead of whole nuts, swirl in 1 tbsp of peanut butter before the mix-in cycle.

Fun Add-Ons:

• Mini Marshmallows: For a s’mores-style twist.
• Shredded Coconut: A tropical spin on the classic.
• Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.

5. Making It Even Higher in Protein

While this recipe already includes a solid amount of protein, you can boost it further without affecting the texture too much.

Ways to Add More Protein:

• Add an extra ½ scoop of protein powder – Just be mindful of sweetness.
• Blend in ¼ cup of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese – This thickens the base and adds protein.
• Use Fairlife milk instead of regular milk – It’s ultra-filtered and higher in protein.

6. Turning It Into a Dairy-Free or Vegan Version

If you’re dairy-free or vegan, you can still enjoy this recipe with a few swaps:

Dairy-Free Base Alternatives:

• Use unsweetened oat milk or coconut milk instead of 2% milk.
• Use a plant-based protein powder instead of whey (like pea or soy protein).
• Swap the pudding mix for cornstarch or xanthan gum to help thicken the base.

Dairy-Free Mix-In Swaps:

• Use dairy-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs.

7. Adding a Fun Twist to the Flavor

Want to get creative? Try one of these variations:

• Mocha Chunky Monkey – Add 1 tsp of instant espresso powder to the base for a coffee kick.
• Peanut Butter Banana – Swirl in 1 tbsp of peanut butter before the mix-in cycle.
• Caramelized Banana – Instead of banana pudding mix, blend in ½ of a banana that’s been sautéed in 1 tsp of maple syrup for extra richness.
• Chocolate Lover’s Chunky Monkey – Use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla for a double-chocolate hit.

More Ninja Creamy Recipes to Try

If you loved this Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream, here are some other flavors to check out next:

• Oreo Birthday Cake Protein Ice Cream – A cookies-and-cream dream with a birthday cake twist!
• Banana Pudding Protein Ice Cream – If you love cinnamon sugar, this one’s for you.
• Rice Krispie Treat Protein Ice Cream – Sweet, gooey, and nostalgic.
• Orange Creamsicle Protein Ice Cream – A refreshing blend of vanilla and citrus.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it—your Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream is officially ready to be devoured! This recipe seriously gives you all the best parts of the original, but in a way that fits into any high-protein or balanced eating plan. There’s so much room to experiment and make it your own so this one is definitely worth making.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! And if you switch up the mix-ins, I’d love to hear what combos you come up with. Enjoy!