This Ninja Creami Strawberry Ice Cream is thick, creamy and packed with real strawberry flavour, but much lighter than traditional strawberry ice cream. Made with Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, it has 18 grams of protein per serving for just 197 calories.
There is no protein powder, pudding mix or heavy cream needed. Just Greek yogurt, milk, strawberries and a little maple syrup. It's exactly the kind of dessert I want when I am craving something sweet and creamy but still want a healthier, high-protein option.
The Greek yogurt gives it plenty of body and protein, ripe strawberries provide the fresh fruity flavour, and the Ninja Creami transforms the frozen mixture into a smooth, scoopable strawberry ice cream.
If you love healthier homemade frozen desserts, this is one to keep stocked in the freezer all summer. The bonus is my kids love it too.
This is somewhere between strawberry frozen yogurt and classic strawberry ice cream. It has the slight tang and extra protein from Greek yogurt but, once spun in the Ninja Creami, the texture is perfectly smooth and creamy.
Recipe update: This recipe was originally published on 25 June 2025 and fully retested in September 2026. The original recipe still worked well, but I've expanded the instructions, tips and FAQs.
Equipment note: I tested this recipe in the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe NC501UK using a 709ml Deluxe Tub. The Deluxe uses a larger tub than the original Ninja CREAMi, so if you have a different model, always make sure the mixture stays below the MAX FILL line. I haven't tested the full quantities in the smaller standard CREAMi tubs.
Looking for more Ninja Creami recipes? Why not try our better than Starbucks Ninja Creami Creamiccino, refreshing Mixed Berry Sorbet, Oreo packed Ninja Creami Cookies and Cream, our delicious Ninja Creami Peach Ice Cream or our tangy Ninja Creami Lemon Ice Cream?
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Jump to:
- Why You'll Love It
- Recipe Overview
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
- How Much Protein Is in This Strawberry Ninja Creami?
- Variations
- How To Make Ninja CREAMi Strawberry Ice Cream
- Troubleshooting Guide
- How To Get More Strawberry Flavour
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Refreezing
- Dannii's Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Strawberry Recipes
- Recipe
- Feedback
Why You'll Love It
- High protein: Each serving contains 18 grams of protein, mostly from the Greek yogurt and milk.
- No heavy cream: Greek yogurt gives the base creaminess without needing double or heavy cream.
- No protein powder or pudding mix: You don't need protein powder or pudding mix to make a high-protein Ninja Creami.
- Real strawberries: Fresh ripe strawberries give it a proper strawberry flavour rather than relying on flavourings.
- Low fat: Using 0% Greek yogurt and skimmed milk keeps it lighter, with just 1 gram of fat per serving.
- Easy to customise: Adjust the sweetness, use fresh or frozen strawberries and add your favourite mix-ins after spinning.
- Simple ingredients: You only need four ingredients for the basic recipe.
Recipe Overview
- Taste: Fresh and fruity strawberry flavour with a subtle tang from the Greek yogurt.
- Texture: Thick, smooth and scoopable. The 0% Greek yogurt keeps it lighter, while still giving the base plenty of body.
- Difficulty: Very easy. Mix the four ingredients, freeze for 24 hours and process in the Ninja Creami.
- Time: 5 minutes hands-on preparation, plus 24 hours freezing.
- Nutrition: 197 calories and 18 grams of protein per serving, with just 1 gram of fat.
- Yield: 2 servings from one Ninja CREAMi Deluxe Tub.
- Equipment: Tested in a Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. See my notes below if you have a different CREAMi model.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Greek yogurt - Use a thick Greek yogurt rather than a thinner natural yogurt. Its higher protein content and thick texture give the frozen base plenty of body. We use 0% Greek yogurt to keep this a lighter, high-protein dessert, but 2%, 5% or full-fat Greek yogurt will give you an increasingly rich and creamy result. Using Greek yogurt is also what allows us to make this Ninja Creami strawberry ice cream without heavy cream.
- Milk - We use skimmed milk to keep the calories and fat lower. Semi-skimmed or whole milk will work too and will produce an increasingly rich texture.
Milk also loosens the thick Greek yogurt enough for the Ninja Creami base to freeze and process properly. - Strawberries - The better your strawberries taste before freezing, the better your strawberry ice cream will taste afterwards.
Use ripe, fragrant strawberries when possible. Strawberries taste less intense once frozen, so pale or underripe berries can result in a fairly mild finished flavour.
Hull and chop them before adding them to the base. For an even smoother texture and stronger strawberry colour, you can mash or blend the strawberries before freezing. - Maple Syrup - Strawberries provide natural sweetness, but frozen desserts need a little additional sweetness because flavours aren't as strong when very cold.
We use maple syrup because it mixes easily into the yogurt base. Honey or agave syrup can also be used.
Taste your strawberries first. Very ripe summer strawberries may need slightly less sweetener, while less sweet berries may need a little more.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
Yes. Frozen strawberries make this a useful year-round recipe rather than something you can only make during strawberry season.
For the easiest mixing, allow frozen strawberries to soften slightly first, then chop, mash or blend them into the yogurt mixture rather than leaving large frozen pieces.
Fresh strawberries usually have the best fresh flavour when they are in season, but good-quality frozen berries are a useful alternative during the rest of the year.
How Much Protein Is in This Strawberry Ninja Creami?
There are 18 grams of protein in one serving of this recipe. That comes naturally from the Greek yogurt and milk rather than from adding protein powder.
For us, that is one of the biggest advantages of making strawberry ice cream this way. It still tastes like dessert, but it is far more satisfying than a traditional ice cream made primarily from cream and sugar.
Protein powder is useful in some Ninja Creami recipes, but it isn't necessary for every high-protein ice cream. It also changes both the flavour and texture depending on the brand used.
If you regularly use protein powder and want an even higher-protein version, you could experiment with strawberry or vanilla protein powder, but remember that adding dry ingredients can make the frozen mixture thicker and may mean the liquid quantities need adjusting.
A serving also contains approximately 197 calories and just 1 gram of fat when made with 0% Greek yogurt and skimmed milk.
If your main reason for buying a Ninja Creami was to make healthier, high-protein desserts, this is exactly the kind of recipe it is brilliant for.
Variations
Basil - Strawberries and basil work surprisingly well together. Add only a small amount of finely chopped fresh basil so it doesn't overpower the strawberries.
Eton Mess Creami - Top the finished ice cream with crushed meringue, sliced strawberries and a small drizzle of strawberry jam (try my Chia Seed Jam) for an Eton Mess-style dessert.
Dark Chocolate - When it comes to the mix-ins, some dark chocolate chips complement the strawberries really well.
Strawberry cheesecake - Add some crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits after spinning and use the Mix-In program. A little light cream cheese can also give the base more of a cheesecake flavour, although this will alter the nutritional information.
How To Make Ninja CREAMi Strawberry Ice Cream
- Make the strawberry yogurt base: Add the Greek yogurt, milk, maple syrup and prepared strawberries to your Ninja Creami deluxe tub.
- Mix: Stir everything really well so the maple syrup and yogurt are evenly combined and the strawberries are distributed throughout the base.
💡 If you prefer a completely smooth strawberry ice cream rather than small pieces of fruit, mash or blend the strawberries first.
⚠️ Do not fill the container above the MAX FILL line.
- Freeze for 24 hours: Put the lid onto the tub and place it on a flat surface in the freezer for 24 hours.
⚠️ Freezing the tub level is important because you want an even frozen surface before it goes into the machine.
- Spin: Remove the lid and place the frozen tub into the outer bowl. Attach the outer bowl lid and put it into the Ninja Creami.
Spin: Remove the lid and place the frozen tub into the outer bowl. Attach the outer bowl lid and put it into the Ninja CREAMi. I use the LITE ICE CREAM setting for this low-fat Greek-yogurt base.
- Re-spin until creamy: Put the tub back into the machine and use the Re-Spin function.
💡 It may take one or two Re-Spin cycles to become completely creamy because this recipe is made with fat-free Greek yogurt rather than heavy cream.
If it is still very dry after re-spinning, add around a tablespoon of milk to the centre and re-spin again.
It should transform into a thick, creamy strawberry ice cream.
Troubleshooting Guide
|
Problem |
Likely cause |
Fix |
|
Ice cream is powdery or crumbly after the first spin |
The base is very cold and is also low in fat, which can make a first spin look dry. |
If you aren't adding mix-ins, use Re-Spin. If it is still very dry after that, add about 1 tablespoon of milk and process again. |
|
Ice cream is too soft or runny |
The base may not have frozen completely, or your freezer may not be cold enough. |
Return the tub to the freezer for several hours until completely solid, then process again. Next time, freeze it level for the full 24 hours. |
|
The ice cream is very hard after refreezing |
This is normal with a low-fat homemade ice cream once it freezes solid again. |
Smooth the surface before refreezing. When you want to eat it again, process the hard leftovers using the original program, rather than Re-Spin. |
|
The strawberry flavour is too mild |
The strawberries may be underripe, or their flavour has become muted after freezing. |
Use very ripe strawberries. You can also gently warm the berries before making the base or add crushed freeze-dried strawberries after processing. |
|
The ice cream tastes too tangy or not sweet enough |
0% Greek yogurt has more tang, and very cold food tastes less sweet. |
Taste your strawberries before making the base and increase the maple syrup slightly if needed. A 2% or 5% Greek yogurt will give a richer, less sharp result. |
|
There are noticeable pieces of strawberry in the ice cream |
The strawberries were left in larger pieces before freezing. |
Mash or blend the strawberries into the yogurt mixture before freezing if you want a completely smooth strawberry ice cream. |
Adding mix-ins? If the first spin looks a little crumbly but you're planning to add chocolate, biscuits or another mix-in, add them and use the Mix-In program rather than automatically running Re-Spin first.
How To Get More Strawberry Flavour
Really ripe strawberries are the easiest way to improve the flavour.
If your strawberries are lacking in flavour, gently warming them before combining them with the other ingredients can help release more juice and intensify both the strawberry flavour and colour.
You can also add a small splash of vanilla extract and a tiny pinch of salt. Neither should dominate the strawberry; they simply help make the other flavours taste more rounded.
For an extra strawberry hit after spinning, add some crushed freeze-dried strawberries using the Mix-In function or sprinkle them over the top.
Serving Suggestions
This high-protein strawberry ice cream is delicious straight from the Ninja Creami, especially with a few fresh strawberries on top.
For an Eton Mess-inspired dessert, add crushed meringue and a little strawberry jam.
Freeze-dried strawberries add lots of flavour and crunch without making the ice cream watery.
You could also add:
- A spoonful of strawberry compote
- Dark chocolate chips
- Fresh strawberries
- Crushed graham crackers or digestive biscuits
- A little homemade chocolate sauce
- Chopped nuts
- Granola
Storage and Refreezing
Ninja Creami ice cream has its best texture immediately after processing.
If you have leftovers, smooth the surface so it is level, replace the lid and return the tub to the freezer.
It will become firm again after freezing. If it is still soft enough to scoop when you want to eat it, simply serve it. If it has frozen solid, put the Deluxe Tub back into the Ninja Creami and process it again using the same program you originally used, rather than the Re-Spin program.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Use the ripest strawberries you can find for the best flavour.
- 0% Greek yogurt keeps this recipe low fat, while a higher-fat Greek yogurt will give you a richer texture.
- Fresh strawberries give the brightest flavour, but frozen strawberries work too. Let frozen berries soften slightly before mashing or blending them into the base.
- A splash of vanilla extract and tiny pinch of salt can help bring out the strawberry flavour.
- If your berries are lacking in flavour, gently warming them first can help release their juices and intensify both the flavour and colour.
- Don't panic if the first spin looks crumbly. Low-fat Greek-yogurt Creamis often need a Re-Spin before becoming smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
I tested this recipe in the Ninja CREAMi Deluxe, which has a larger tub than the original Ninja CREAMi. If you are using another model, do not use the full mixture if it takes you above your machine's MAX FILL line. I haven't tested a scaled-down version in the standard CREAMi yet, so I can't guarantee exactly the same results.
"Healthy" means different things to different people, but this recipe is considerably lighter than a traditional cream-based strawberry ice cream. One serving contains approximately 197 calories, 18 grams of protein and 1 gram of fat when made with 0% Greek yogurt and skimmed milk.
Technically, because Greek yogurt is the main ingredient, it is very close to a strawberry frozen yogurt. However, after processing in the Ninja Creami it has the smooth, creamy consistency we associate with ice cream, which is why we call it strawberry ice cream.
We recommend freezing this recipe for the full 24 hours so that the tub is frozen completely before processing.
Yes. For this recipe, let them soften slightly and mash or blend them into the yogurt and milk mixture before the whole tub is frozen.
Yes. This recipe uses thick Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, which gives it a creamy texture while also adding protein. Using 0% Greek yogurt and skimmed milk keeps each serving to around 197 calories and 1 gram of fat.
No. This recipe contains 18 grams of protein per serving naturally from Greek yogurt and milk, so no protein powder is needed. That also means you don't have to account for the changes in flavour or texture that different protein powders can cause.
Because this is a low-fat recipe made with 0% Greek yogurt, I use the LITE ICE CREAM setting on my Ninja CREAMi Deluxe. After the first spin, use Re-Spin if the mixture is still powdery or crumbly.
More Strawberry Recipes
If you've tried this homemade strawberry ice cream, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy and use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
High Protein Ninja CREAMi Strawberry Ice Cream
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 250 g (1¼ cups) of 0% fat Greek yogurt
- 250 ml (1 cup) of Skimmed milk
- 140 g (1 cup) of Strawberries - hulled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons of Maple syrup
Instructions
- Make the strawberry yogurt base: Add the 250 g of 0% fat Greek yogurt, 250 ml of Skimmed milk, 2 tablespoons of Maple syrup and 140 g of Strawberries to your Ninja Creami deluxe tub.
- Mix: Stir everything really well so the maple syrup and yogurt are evenly combined and the strawberries are distributed throughout the base.
- Freeze for 24 hours: Put the lid onto the tub and place it on a flat surface in the freezer for 24 hours.
- Spin: Remove the lid and place the frozen tub into the outer bowl. Attach the outer bowl lid and put it into the Ninja CREAMi. I use the LITE ICE CREAM setting for this low-fat Greek-yogurt base.Don't worry if it looks dry or crumbly after the first spin - that is very common with low-fat and high-protein Ninja Creami recipes.
- Re-spin until creamy: Put the tub back into the machine and use the Re-Spin function.
Recipe Notes
- Use the ripest strawberries you can find for the best flavour.
- 0% Greek yogurt keeps this recipe low fat, while a higher-fat Greek yogurt will give you a richer texture.
- Fresh strawberries give the brightest flavour, but frozen strawberries work too. Let frozen berries soften slightly before mashing or blending them into the base.
- A splash of vanilla extract and tiny pinch of salt can help bring out the strawberry flavour.
- If your berries are lacking in flavour, gently warming them first can help release their juices and intensify both the flavour and colour.
- Don't panic if the first spin looks crumbly. Low-fat Greek-yogurt Creamis often need a Re-Spin before becoming smooth.
Nutritional Information
Where nutritional information is provided, it is approximate and calculated using online tools. Values can vary depending on the ingredients and brands used, but we endeavour to be as accurate as possible.
All timings are a guide and may vary depending on the ingredients, equipment and, where relevant, the appliance used. Changing the serving size may also affect the time needed.
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