13 High-Protein Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Recipes

Let’s get one thing straight: the idea that you have to choose between hitting your protein goals and eating ice cream is absolute nonsense. Whoever came up with that rule clearly never tried high-protein ice cream that actually tastes good.

Here’s the deal—these protein ice cream recipes aren’t the chalky, sad excuses for dessert you’re imagining. We’re talking creamy, legitimately delicious frozen desserts that pack at least 15g of protein per serving while still satisfying that ice cream craving. No ice cream maker required for most of these (because who actually has counter space for that?), and definitely no weird ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Whether you’re trying to sneak more protein into your diet, looking for post-workout treats that don’t derail your macros, or just want dessert that doesn’t make you feel like garbage afterward, these recipes have you covered. From chocolate to fruity to “wait, this has protein in it?!” options, there’s something here for every ice cream lover.

Ready to revolutionize your freezer game? Let’s make some magic happen.

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1. Classic Chocolate Protein Nice Cream

The gateway recipe that’ll make you a believer in healthy ice cream.

This is the base recipe you’ll make a million times once you realize how stupidly easy it is.

Ingredients

• 3 frozen bananas, sliced
• 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Freeze banana slices for at least 4 hours (overnight is better).
2. Toss frozen bananas into a food processor or high-speed blender.
3. Add protein powder, almond milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt.
4. Blend until smooth and creamy—this takes about 3-5 minutes. Stop and scrape down sides as needed.
5. Eat immediately for soft-serve texture, or freeze for 2 hours for traditional ice cream consistency.

Why You’ll Love It

About 20g protein per serving and it tastes like actual chocolate ice cream, not frozen sadness. The banana provides natural sweetness and that creamy texture without any cream. I make a batch of this every Sunday and keep it in the freezer for weeknight dessert emergencies. Some people swear by adding a tablespoon of peanut butter, which honestly makes it taste like a Reese’s cup in ice cream form.

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2. Peanut Butter Cup Protein Popsicles

When you want dessert on a stick that still counts as gains.

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
• Popsicle molds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend Greek yogurt, almond milk, peanut butter, honey, and protein powder until smooth.
2. Stir in chocolate chips by hand.
3. Pour mixture into popsicle molds.
4. Insert sticks and freeze for at least 6 hours.
5. Run molds under warm water for 10 seconds to release popsicles easily.

Why You’ll Love It

Around 12g protein per popsicle and they’re perfectly portion-controlled (which is clutch when you have zero self-control around ice cream). The Greek yogurt makes these super creamy without being icy. I once made these for a BBQ and people lost their minds when I told them they were basically protein snacks. Kids love them too, which makes sneaking protein into picky eaters way easier.

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3. Cookies & Cream Protein Shake Smoothie Bowl

It’s a smoothie bowl. It’s ice cream. It’s both, and it’s glorious.

Ingredients

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup frozen cauliflower (trust me on this)
• 1 scoop vanilla or cookies & cream protein powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3 Oreo thins or similar cookies, crushed
• Sugar-free whipped cream (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen banana, cauliflower, protein powder, and almond milk until thick and smooth.
2. Pour into a bowl (it should be super thick—almost ice cream consistency).
3. Top with crushed cookies.
4. Add whipped cream if you’re feeling fancy.
5. Eat immediately with a spoon.

Why You’ll Love It

The frozen cauliflower is invisible but adds volume and creaminess without any taste. Seriously, you cannot tell it’s there. About 25g protein and it feels way more indulgent than it actually is. This is my go-to when I want ice cream for breakfast but need to pretend I’m being an adult. The crushed cookies give you that textural crunch that makes this feel like real dessert.

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4. Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream

All the cheesecake vibes, none of the guilt (or oven time).

Ingredients

• 2 cups frozen strawberries
• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat works great)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 graham crackers, crushed

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen strawberries, cottage cheese, protein powder, cream cheese, honey, and vanilla until completely smooth.
2. Pour into a freezer-safe container.
3. Freeze for 3-4 hours, stirring every hour to prevent ice crystals.
4. Scoop and top with crushed graham crackers.

Why You’ll Love It

Cottage cheese is the secret weapon here—it adds crazy protein (around 22g per serving) and makes this ridiculously creamy. You legit cannot taste the cottage cheese at all, which is saying something because I usually hate cottage cheese in desserts. The cream cheese gives you that authentic cheesecake tang. IMO, this is the best protein frozen dessert for people who think healthy ice cream always tastes fake.

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5. Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Freeze

Refreshing, chocolatey, and shockingly not made with toothpaste flavoring.

Ingredients

• 3 frozen bananas
• 2 cups fresh spinach (I know, just go with it)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips, chopped
• Pinch of spirulina for color (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen bananas, spinach, protein powder, almond milk, and peppermint extract until smooth.
2. Add spirulina if you want that classic mint green color (totally optional).
3. Fold in chopped chocolate chips.
4. Serve immediately or freeze for firmer texture.

Why You’ll Love It

The spinach disappears completely but adds nutrients and helps achieve that mint color naturally. About 18g protein per serving and it tastes like the ice cream you’d get from a fancy scoop shop. The peppermint extract is strong, so start with less and add more to taste. I learned this the hard way when I made toothpaste-flavored ice cream on my first attempt :/

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6. Coffee Protein Fro-Yo

For when you need caffeine and dessert at the same time.

Ingredients

• 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder
• 3 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dissolve instant coffee in 1 tbsp warm water.
2. Mix Greek yogurt, dissolved coffee, maple syrup, protein powder, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze for 4-5 hours.
5. Let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping.

Why You’ll Love It

This is basically affogato meets frozen yogurt meets protein shake. Around 15g protein per serving and the coffee flavor is strong enough to actually wake you up. The chocolate chips add little pockets of sweetness that balance the coffee’s bitterness. I make this on Sunday nights and eat it throughout the week as a post-dinner pick-me-up that doesn’t wreck my sleep schedule.

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7. Peanut Butter Banana Protein Soft Serve

Three ingredients. Seriously, just three.

Ingredients

• 3 frozen bananas, sliced
• 3 tbsp powdered peanut butter (PB2 or similar)
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen banana slices until creamy.
2. Add powdered peanut butter and protein powder.
3. Blend until smooth.
4. Eat immediately—it’s perfect soft-serve consistency right away.

Why You’ll Love It

Powdered peanut butter is the MVP here—all the flavor, way less fat and calories than regular PB. About 22g protein and it literally takes 3 minutes to make. This is my lazy Sunday afternoon dessert when I want something sweet but don’t want to actually do anything. The texture is so close to Dairy Queen soft serve that it’s kind of scary.

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8. Vanilla Protein Frozen Custard

Rich, creamy, and basically adult ice cream that happens to be healthy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened cashew milk
• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum (helps with texture)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Whisk cashew milk and protein powder in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks with honey.
3. Slowly pour hot milk mixture into egg yolks while whisking constantly (this is tempering—don’t skip it or you’ll get scrambled eggs).
4. Return everything to the pan and cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened (about 5 minutes).
5. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and xanthan gum.
6. Chill completely, then freeze in a container for 4-6 hours, stirring every hour.

Why You’ll Love It

This is the fanciest recipe on the list, but it’s legitimate custard texture. Around 18g protein per serving and tastes like premium ice cream from an actual ice cream parlor. The egg yolks make this incredibly rich and smooth. FYI, you can skip the xanthan gum, but it really does help prevent ice crystals and keeps the texture creamy. This is my special occasion high-protein ice cream when I want to impress people (or myself).

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9. Chocolate Avocado Protein Pops

Sneaky healthy and ridiculously fudgy.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Popsicle molds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients until completely smooth (the avocado needs to disappear completely).
2. Pour into popsicle molds.
3. Freeze for at least 6 hours.
4. Run under warm water to release from molds.

Why You’ll Love It

The avocado makes these crazy creamy and adds healthy fats that help you stay full. About 10g protein per pop and they taste like fudge popsicles. You literally cannot taste the avocado, which is perfect for people who claim they hate avocado in desserts. These are amazing post-workout treats because you get protein, healthy fats, and chocolatey satisfaction all at once.

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10. Blueberry Muffin Protein Nice Cream

Dessert that tastes like breakfast but is actually neither (and both).

Ingredients

• 3 frozen bananas
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp granola for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen bananas, blueberries, protein powder, almond milk, and cinnamon until smooth.
2. Serve immediately topped with granola for crunch.

Why You’ll Love It

This genuinely tastes like blueberry muffin batter in ice cream form. Around 17g protein and the blueberries add antioxidants and natural sweetness. The granola on top gives you that muffin top crunch. I make this for breakfast sometimes and pretend it’s a smoothie bowl, but let’s be real—it’s ice cream and I’m okay with that.

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11. Salted Caramel Protein Gelato

Fancy name, easy execution, incredible results.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened cashew milk
• 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 3 tbsp sugar-free caramel sauce
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp xanthan gum

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend cashew milk, protein powder, caramel sauce, sea salt, vanilla, and xanthan gum until smooth.
2. Pour into a freezer-safe container.
3. Freeze for 5-6 hours, stirring every 90 minutes.
4. Drizzle extra caramel sauce on top when serving.

Why You’ll Love It

The sea salt elevates this from “pretty good” to “wait, is this from a gelato shop?” territory. About 16g protein per serving and the sugar-free caramel sauce keeps the sugar content low without sacrificing flavor. Some people skip the xanthan gum, but it really makes the texture smoother and less icy. This is my go-to when I want to feel fancy without leaving my couch.

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12. Tropical Mango Protein Sorbet

Vacation vibes in frozen form.

Ingredients

• 3 cups frozen mango chunks
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup coconut water
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tbsp honey

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen mango, protein powder, coconut water, lime juice, and honey until smooth.
2. Serve immediately for sorbet texture, or freeze for 2 hours for firmer consistency.

Why You’ll Love It

This is refreshing, fruity, and dairy-free for anyone who’s lactose intolerant. Around 14g protein and tastes like summer regardless of what month it is. The lime juice brightens everything and keeps it from being too sweet. I made this for a pool party last summer and people went nuts for it. Nobody believed it had protein powder in it until I showed them the container.

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13. Double Chocolate Chunk Protein Freeze

Maximum chocolate with maximum protein. No compromises.

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks
• 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Blend frozen bananas, cottage cheese, protein powder, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and almond milk until completely smooth.
2. Fold in chocolate chunks by hand.
3. Freeze for 3-4 hours, stirring once halfway through.
4. Let sit for 5 minutes before scooping.

Why You’ll Love It

This is the highest protein recipe on the list at around 28g per serving. The cottage cheese plus protein powder combo is protein overload in the best way possible. The chocolate chunks add texture and extra indulgence. This is my post-leg-day dessert because it’s basically a protein shake disguised as premium ice cream. If you’re skeptical about cottage cheese in ice cream, this is the recipe that’ll convert you.

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The Final Scoop

These 13 high-protein ice cream recipes prove that you don’t have to choose between your fitness goals and your love of frozen desserts. Each recipe delivers at least 10g of protein (most way more), uses ingredients you can actually find at regular grocery stores, and tastes legitimately good—not just “good for healthy ice cream.”

The best part? Most of these don’t require an ice cream maker, which means you’re not dropping $200 on a gadget that’ll sit in your cabinet gathering dust. Just a blender or food processor, a freezer, and a willingness to experiment with protein frozen desserts that actually deliver on flavor.

Whether you’re team chocolate, team fruit, or team “I’ll eat any ice cream that has protein in it,” there’s something here for everyone. Prep a few batches on meal prep Sunday, and suddenly you have desserts that support your goals instead of sabotaging them.

Now stop reading and go make some ice cream. Your freezer is looking way too empty, and your protein intake could use the boost 🙂