High-Protein Apple Pie Ice Cream (Ninja Creami)
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Apple pie à la mode, but make it high-protein! This apple pie ice cream combines a creamy vanilla base, cinnamon apples and crunchy cookie pieces for cozy apple pie flavor in every bite. Made in the Ninja Creami, it packs 23 grams of protein per serving!
Fun fact: I used to work at Cold Stone Creamery, and their Apple Pie a la Cold Stone was hands down my favorite ice cream flavor. There’s just something about creamy vanilla ice cream loaded with cinnamon apples and crunchy mix-ins that tastes like apple pie à la mode in every bite.
Naturally, I had to recreate it at home, but with an EBF twist! This apple pie ice cream is made in the Ninja Creami with a cottage cheese and protein powder base, then loaded with cinnamon-maple apples and crunchy cookies. It’s creamy, packed with protein and gives me all the nostalgia of my Cold Stone favorite, just with ingredients I feel good about.
And the best part? You still get chunks of cinnamon apples and crunchy cookies throughout every scoop. It seriously tastes like fall in ice cream form.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This High-Protein Apple Ice Cream
- Protein-packed: Each serving has 23 grams of protein, making it a macro-friendly dessert that actually satisfies.
- Prep ahead: Make the base and apple mixture the day before, then spin and add your mix-ins when you’re ready for dessert.
- Apple pie flavor: Apples cook in butter, maple syrup and cinnamon until tender for that classic apple pie flavor.
- Pie crust shortcut: Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins add the perfect crunch without having to make or bake pie dough.
Ingredients Needed
- milk – helps everything blend together while adding protein to the base. I used Fairlife Lactose-Free Whole Milk, but any milk will work.
- low-fat cottage cheese – gives the base a thick, creamy texture without heavy cream. I used low-fat, but full-fat works too. I’d skip fat-free, as it can make the ice cream icy.
- vanilla whey protein powder – adds protein, sweetness and vanilla flavor. I used Clean Simple Eats, but your favorite whey protein powder will work. I don’t recommend plant-based protein powder because it absorbs more liquid and can change the final texture.
- unsweetened applesauce – adds apple flavor right to the ice cream base. Choose unsweetened so you can control the sweetness. Use store-bought or make my homemade applesauce.
- maple syrup – naturally sweetens both the ice cream base and apple mixture. Be sure to use pure maple syrup.
- apple – I used Honeycrisp for its sweet-tart flavor and firm texture, but any apple variety will work. You can peel the apple, but there’s no need to. The skin will soften from cooking.
- graham crackers – add that pie crust-like crunch! I used Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins, which are gluten-free, but regular cinnamon graham crackers work if you don’t need the recipe to be gluten-free.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Apple Pie Ice Cream
Step 1: Blend all the ice cream base ingredients until smooth.
Step 2: Pour into a Ninja Creami pint and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours.
Step 3: Sauté the diced apple in butter until it starts to soften. Add maple syrup and cinnamon, then cook until tender. Cool completely and refrigerate until needed.
Step 4: Process on the Lite Ice Cream setting. If crumbly, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-Spin cycle. Make a well in the center, add the cooled apples and chopped cookies, then run the Mix-In cycle. Scoop and enjoy with toppings of choice!
Brittany’s Recipe Tips
- Keep the apple pieces small: Aim for roughly ¼-inch pieces so they cook evenly and you don’t end up with big chunks in your scoop.
- Use whey protein powder: I recommend whey for the creamiest texture. Plant-based protein powder absorbs more liquid and can make the ice cream thicker or chalkier.
- Skip fat-free cottage cheese: Low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese works best. Fat-free can result in an icier texture.
- Watch the apples: With only a little butter, they can start to stick. Add a splash of water as needed to loosen them without adding more butter.
How to Store Apple Ice Cream
Smooth any leftover ice cream into an even layer in the Creami pint, cover and return to the freezer. It will freeze solid again, which is totally normal. When ready to enjoy, process again on the Lite Ice Cream setting. The apples and cookies will break down more during re-spinning, so add fresh crushed Sweet Thins before serving for extra crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe was specifically developed for the Ninja Creami, so I haven’t tested it with a traditional ice cream maker or as a no-churn recipe. You could try freezing the blended base in a freezer-safe container, but the texture won’t be as smooth and creamy.
Yes! Any dairy milk should work in this recipe. I used Fairlife for the extra protein, but regular milk is fine. Just keep in mind that it will lower the protein per serving.
I wouldn’t simply leave it out. The powder contributes sweetness, flavor and body, so removing it would change more than the protein count. A version without it would need testing.
I recommend sticking with whey protein powder for this recipe. Plant-based powders absorb more liquid and can result in a thicker, grainier texture.
This is totally normal, especially with lower-fat, high-protein Creami recipes. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and run the Re-Spin cycle. It should become smooth and creamy.
More Creami Recipes to Try
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Apple Pie Ice Cream
Ingredients
Ice Cream Base
- ¾ cup high protein milk, I used Fairlife
- ½ cup low fat cottage cheese
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, I used Clean Simple Eats
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Apple Pie Mix-In
- ½ cup diced apple, I used Honeycrisp
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Mix-In
- ¼ cup chopped Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins
Optional Toppings
- Extra crushed Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the milk, cottage cheese, protein powder, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.¾ cup high protein milk, ½ cup low fat cottage cheese, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce, 1 Tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, Pinch of salt
- Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container. Freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours.
- While the base freezes, make the apple pie mix-in. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the diced apple and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. Stir in the maple syrup and cinnamon and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the apples are tender and lightly caramelized. Add a splash of water as needed if the apples are sticking. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to use.½ cup diced apple, 1 teaspoon butter, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Once ice cream is frozen, process the pint on the Lite Ice Cream setting.
- If the ice cream is crumbly after the first spin, add 1 to 2 Tablespoons of milk and respin.
- Use a spoon to create a well in the center of the ice cream. Add the cooled cinnamon apples and chopped Simple Mills Sweet Thins. Run the Mix-In cycle.¼ cup chopped Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins
- Scoop into a bowl and, if desired, sprinkle with additional crushed Sweet Thins, and finish with a pinch of cinnamon.Extra crushed Simple Mills Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins, Sprinkle of cinnamon
Notes
- Protein powder: I recommend using vanilla whey protein powder for the best texture. Plant-based protein powders absorb more liquid and can make the ice cream thicker or grainier.
- Storage: Smooth leftovers into an even layer in the Creami pint, cover and freeze. When ready to eat, process again on the Lite Ice Cream setting. The apples and cookies will break down more when re-spun, so add fresh crushed cookies before serving for extra crunch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
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