This high-protein, low-carb Ninja Creami piña colada ice cream is creamy, tropical, and sweet, thanks to cottage cheese and a sugar-free drink mix!

This high-protein, low-carb Ninja Creami piña colada ice cream is tropical, creamy, refreshingly sweet, and yummy when topped with unsweetened coconut flakes. It's just like the real thing but without the extra sugar or calories.

You likely wouldn't guess it’s a healthier version by the taste. It’s smooth, indulgent, and gives you that classic piña colada vibe. The secret to this flavor-packed ice cream is using Margaritaville Zero-Sugar Piña Colada Drink Mix, which is available on Amazon and many large grocers.

Cottage cheese makes the base nice and creamy while keeping the recipe high in protein and low in carbs. It brings a bit of tang that blends well with the pineapple and coconut, giving you that piña colada feel in ice cream form.

This one’s perfect for summer, but honestly, it’ll bring vacation vibes any time of year. Here's to easy, breezy protein desserts!

INGREDIENTS

Margaritaville Zero-Sugar Piña Colada Drink: This mix gives this ice cream all the tropical flavor without refined sugar. We haven't tried other zero-sugar pina colada flavorings since this is our typical go to. You can get on Amazon or at large grocers.

Full-fat (4%), small-curd cottage cheese: Cottage cheese is the key ingredient for making a creamy, high-protein vanilla ice cream. We use a full-fat (4% milk fat) cottage cheese for a creamier texture.

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: To create the right consistency, you need a liquid. We use unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk since it's keto-friendly and low in calories. You may substitute with another type of low-carb milk like unsweetened macadamia milk.

Allulose: Unlike other sugar-free sweeteners, allulose has little to no aftertaste, which is important when making a simple flavor like vanilla and using a larger amount of sweetener. Since we are using a higher amount of allulose, we combine with liquid monk fruit sweeter (see below for more information).

Liquid Monk Fruit Sweetener: Please note we use a liquid monk fruit sweetener, not powdered or granular. If you don't have, you could replace with another ⅛ cup of allulose or another sugar-free liquid sweetener such as liquid Stevia (if you are accustomed to the aftertaste), liquid Splenda, or liquid Truvia.

Guar Gum: Guar gum is thickening agent that helps create a creamy texture in the ice cream.

Xanthan Gum: Xanthan gum helps improve the texture and reduces ice crystals. Xanthan gum and guar gum work well together to produce the best texture.

How To Make

STEP 1. Combine all the dry ingredients (allulose, sugar-free pina colada powder, guar gum, xanthan gum) and whisk until well blended.

STEP 2: Combine all the wet ingredients (almond milk, cottage cheese, liquid monkfruit) in a blender and add the blended dry ingredients. Mix until thoroughly blended.

STEP 3: Pour the blended mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container and place in the freezer. Let freeze for at least 24 hours.

STEP 4: After freezing, take the lid off the pint container and place in the Ninja Creami outer bowl. Install the Creami paddle into the outer bowl lid, place the lid on the outer bowl and lock into place according to the instructions in the Creami manual. Select the Lite Ice Cream mode, and it will spin for several minutes.

STEP 5: When it stops spinning, take the container out and assess the consistency of the ice cream. If it's powdery in texture, then you'll need to respin until smooth. If you need to respin, place the outer bowl lid back on and lock it back into the Ninja creami and push respin.

STEP 6: When done spinning, serve immediately. Top with desired toppings.

STORING THE ICE CREAM

Ice cream made by the Ninja Creami is best when eaten immediately. Since this ice cream is made with cottage cheese, it stores better than our other ice creams without heavy cream.

If you have leftovers, simply store in the freezer and serve when desired. You may need to let it thaw slightly for a few minutes but there is no need to respin this ice cream before serving left overs.

More Ninja Creami Recipes

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

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