Banana Cream Protein Ice Cream

Directions

1. 1Mash the banana, then blend it with the milk, protein powder, and pudding mix until smooth.
2. 2Pour the base into a Creami pint, keeping below the max-fill line.
3. 3Freeze the pint flat for about 24 hours.
4. 4Process on the Lite Ice Cream preset.
5. 5Re-spin if the texture is still powdery.
6. 6Sprinkle the walnuts on top and run the Mix-In cycle.

Tips

• Freeze your pint completely solid for the full 16-24 hours, flat on a shelf, before running the Ice Cream program; a partially frozen pint will shave unevenly and come out crumbly.
• If your scoop comes out powdery or icy instead of creamy, add just a tablespoon or two of milk and re-spin on the Ice Cream program to get that smooth texture back.
• Use ripe bananas that are yellow with some brown spots, they're softer and blend more smoothly when the Creami processes the frozen pint.

Variations

• Swap the vanilla protein powder for chocolate protein powder and reduce the banana to half, then add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for a banana-chocolate flavor.
• Skip the pudding mix and add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter powder to the liquid base before freezing for a banana-PB cream version.
• Use whole milk instead of reduced-fat milk and add 2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the base for a richer, creamier result after spinning.

FAQ

Can I use frozen bananas instead of fresh ones?

Yes, thaw them completely first so they blend smoothly into your liquid base before you freeze the pint. Frozen bananas tend to be wetter, so you might need slightly less milk.

My pint didn't freeze solid after 24 hours, what went wrong?

Your freezer may not be cold enough, usually below 0 degrees Fahrenheit is needed. Try leaving it another 6-8 hours or check that your freezer temperature setting is correct.

Can I make this lighter with fewer calories?

Use skim milk instead of reduced-fat, choose a lower-calorie protein powder, and skip the sugar-free pudding mix, just adding a mashed banana for natural sweetness; the texture will be slightly less creamy but still good after spinning.

How long will the frozen pint keep in my freezer?

It stays good for up to 2 weeks, though it's best used within the first week before ice crystals form. Keep it wrapped or in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Nutrition

Per serving · makes about 2 servings · estimated