Easy Protein Ice Cream Recipe (Low-Carb & Keto)

Eating healthy does not mean you have to deprive yourself of all the yummy and delicious sweets you might crave. While following a keto diet does mean eliminating sugar from your diet, which takes regular ice cream off the table, you can make many different flavors of keto ice cream with just a few simple ingredients.

Is Protein Ice Cream Keto Friendly?

Yes, protein ice cream can be keto-friendly depending on its ingredients and nutritional composition.

Traditional ice cream is full of sugar and has little to no nutritional value. You can make your own healthy ice cream using protein powder to add nutrients and make this a snack that will help you feel full.

How Many Calories Are in Protein Ice Cream?

The calorie and carb count really does depend on the ingredients you use. The coconut milk ice cream below is about 100 calories and 2 net carbs per 8 ounce serving, assuming you use unsweetened coconut milk and a very low carb, sugar-free protein.

The almond milk and avocado recipe made as written, will yield a delicious high-protein ice cream that is about 150 calories and 2 net carbohydrates per serving size.

As soon as you mix in candies, fruit, nut butter, etc., you add to the calories and carbs. If you want to keep your treat very low calorie you are best off trying not to add in too much extra.

1. Coconut Milk Protein Ice Cream Recipe

One option is to make your ice cream dairy-free by using a coconut milk base. The flavor protein powder you use will impact the ice cream flavor.

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Freeze time: 4+ hours

Ingredients

• 30 ounces of unsweetened coconut milk

• 1 teaspoon sugar free vanilla extract

• 1 ¼ cup keto-friendly flavored protein powder

Instructions

• Prepare a loaf pan by spraying it with non-stick spray or lining it with parchment paper.

• Place all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until it is smooth.

• Pour into the prepared pan.

• Freeze for several hours.

• Once it is frozen solid, you will want to remove it from the freezer for 10 minutes or so before serving.

2. Almond Milk Protein Ice Cream Recipe

Although it will have the lowest carbohydrates if you use unsweetened, unflavored almond milk, you can also use flavored or sweetened. Just be aware that making these changes impacts the carb count.

Ingredients

• 2 large avocados

• 1 ½ cup sugar-free granulated sweetener

• ½ cup cocoa powder

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk

• 1 teaspoon sugar-free vanilla extract

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.  

• If you have an ice cream maker pour the mixture into the maker and follow the directions. (If you are looking for an ice cream maker, check out the Ninja Creami.)

• No Churn directions: add the smooth almond milk ice cream base to a large plastic freezer bag and seal it closed.  

• Put the bag in the freezer. Remove it every so often and knead the bag. Check every 15 minutes or so. Continue kneading every 15-20 minutes until it is the correct consistency.

Can I Put Protein Powder in Ice Cream?

Yes, you can. Adding protein powder to homemade ice cream is a great way to gain nutrients and flavor and help you feel full.

Let’s talk about different protein powder flavors and how to use them with other ingredients to create interesting flavors.

• Chocolate: Chocolate protein powder makes good chocolate ice cream but is also great used with mix-ins. If you love chocolate-covered strawberries, you will love a chocolate protein base ice cream with chunks of delicious strawberries!

• Chocolate Peanut Butter: What two tastes go together better than chocolate and peanut butter? We can’t imagine what that might be.

• Cookies and Cream: There are many brands of protein powder that sell cookies and cream flavor. One of our favorites is Quest.

• Vanilla Protein Powder: Vanilla is an excellent choice because you can use it with almost any flavor.

Low-Carb or Sugar-Free Mix-Ins

• Fruit: Your favorite low-carb fruits will go great with the keto ice cream.

• Nuts or Nut Butter: Nuts add a delicious and satisfying crunch to ice cream. Nut butters come in various flavors and can add protein and also flavor.

• Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips: Pick your favorite flavor of sugar-free chips to add to the ice cream.

• Sugar-Free Candy: Some of our favorite options for this include sugar-free Reeces Peanut Butter Cups or Russel Stovers Candy Covered Chocolate Gems.