The protein craze has totally taken over. And I’ll admit, I’ve been fully indoctrinated. But when it comes to protein desserts, the one thing that’s lacking is a truly healthy high-protein ice cream. They’re all made with a zillion ingredients and additives, and for some reason most still don’t even resemble ice cream. That is, until I developed this 2-ingredient protein ice cream recipe. Just milk and protein powder – that’s it! Frozen, then churned in a Ninja Creami for a seriously delicious high-protein frozen treat. It’s also totally easy to customize with your favorite flavors and mix-ins. Next time I plan on mixing in some of my 4-ingredient protein brownie chunks for even more protein – YUM!
Why You’ll Love This Protein Ice Cream
Only 2 ingredients.
High-protein – 35 grams of protein, to be exact!
Healthy, low-calorie option – only 300 calories for the whole pint.
Perfect for post-workout recovery or a healthy, high-protein dessert.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Different flavors: Use chocolate, strawberry, or any flavored protein powder
Dairy-free: Swap cow’s milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk
Mix-ins: Add dark chocolate chips, berries, or crushed cookies after spinning
Lower sugar: Use an unsweetened protein powder
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this in an ice cream maker?
Yes! You can make this protein ice cream in a standard ice cream maker by following the same ingredient ratios and churning according to your machine’s instructions until thick and creamy.
How much protein does this protein ice cream contain?
One serving contains 35 grams of protein and about 300 calories.
Can I make a different ice cream flavor?
Absolutely! Use any flavored protein powder—chocolate, cookies & cream, or strawberry all work perfectly.
2-Ingredient Protein Ice Cream Recipe (35g protein!)
This 2-ingredient protein ice cream is a creamy, high-protein treat with just milk and protein powder! Each serving contains 35 grams of protein and only 300 calories, making it perfect for a post-workout snack or healthy dessert. Super easy to make in a Ninja Creami, this healthy ice cream tastes just like classic vanilla ice cream!
Add both ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth, or add both ingredients to the Ninja Creami container and blend them together with a milk frother.
Freeze the ice cream mixture for 24 hours, then remove it from the freezer and let it thaw slightly for about 10 minutes.
Place the container into your Ninja Creami and spin it on the light ice cream mode. Then, respin it two more times or until it’s thick but super creamy. Enjoy right away or transfer to a container and freeze for later on!
We all need a solid vanilla cupcake recipe in our back pocket when the occasion arises. For me, this occasion my son’s upcoming 2nd birthday party (time flies!). But for you, this could be a birthday party, baby shower, holiday party, or a simple Tuesday night when you’re craving something sweet.
Now you might be wondering, what makes these gluten-free cupcakes the best ever?? Well, for one very simple reason. They taste identical to their non gluten-free counterparts. Meaning, those with celiac disease or a gluten allergy/intolerance can enjoy these perfect vanilla cupcakes with everyone else. So no one will feel left out or dissatisfied!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Pantry Staples: This recipe’s ingredients are all items you may have right on hand in your pantry which will make this a super easy vanilla cupcake recipe to put together!
Classic Vanilla Cupcake Taste: This gluten-free cupcake tastes exactly like a classic vanilla cupcake so no need to worry about anyone missing out on this sweet treat!
Versatile and Customizable: Feel free to use dairy-free milk and dairy-free butter for these cupcakes! You can also use egg replacement to make these vegan! If taking this option, I recommend the Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and Elmhurst Almond Milk. You can also add any cupcake toppings like sprinkles, cupcake jams or toppers to make them special for any birthday or holiday event!
What You’ll Need
All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour: I swear by the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour for all my gluten-free baking needs. It does a perfect job at keeping your bakes together, and mimicking the taste and texture of regular all purpose flour. Though you can definitely use whatever brand of all purpose gluten-free flour you prefer! I’ve also tried King Arthur and Nature’s Promise gluten-free flour blends, and they work great as well. Make sure your gluten-free flour contains xanthan gum. If not, add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dry ingredients.
Butter: I used non-dairy butter, but any butter will work in this recipe. Salted or unsalted butter won’t make much of a difference either, so use whichever you have on-hand! Just remember to bring it to room temperature first, so that it’s soft.
Sugar: White sugar or cane sugar both work well in these gluten-free vanilla cupcakes. You can try using either coconut sugar or maple sugar in its place for a slightly healthier recipe, though I haven’t had the chance to test these options myself yet.
Eggs: These eggs will be the binder that holds the batter together for these cupcakes. Make sure that they’re room temperature. Room-temperature eggs are important because they’ll ensure that your cupcakes rise and have a nice fluffy texture!
Vanilla Extract: this will add the perfect balance of sweetness and warm vanilla flavor these vanilla cupcakes need.
Milk: Feel free to use your favorite non-dairy milk if you’d like! The milk will also help to make sure your cupcakes have a nice fluffy texture!
How to Make The Best Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
Prepare your dry and wet ingredients: Whisk together the gluten-free flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with either a hand or stand mixer until fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time, then add the vanilla extract.
Bake Your Cupcakes: Once you’ve slowly combined your wet and dry ingredients into a batter, fill your cupcake liners and bake cupcakes for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Frost Your Cupcakes: Make the frosting by adding all of the frosting ingredients to a large bowl and beating with either a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Once they’ve cooled, decorate with frosting and sprinkles if you’d like!
Pack & Store: Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Top Tips
Beat the butter and sugar together really well in the third step of this recipe. The goal is to introduce as much air to the mixture as possible. This will result in a lighter and fluffier gluten-free vanilla cupcakes!
Use an ice cream scoop or large cookie scoop to fill your cupcake molds. This simple trick makes filling your vanilla cupcake tin much quicker and easier. This also guarantees even-sized cupcakes that will bake at the exact same rate!
Sub the vanilla frosting for a cream cheese frosting instead! To do this, replace the butter with 1/4 cup butter plus 1/2 cup softened cream cheese. Whip all ingredients together just as you would the vanilla frosting, then spread over your cooled gluten-free vanilla cupcakes.
Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs
Make it Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free butter and non-dairy milk to make these gluten-free anddairy-free vanilla cupcakes! If taking this option, I recommend the Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks and Elmhurst Almond Milk.
Make it Vegan: For vegan vanilla cupcakes, follow the same modifications as you would for the dairy-free version above. Then, use your favorite vegan egg replacement in place of the eggs – I recommend this one from Bob’s Red Mill.
5 from 3 votes
Best Ever Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes
I don't mean to brag, but these gluten-free vanilla cupcakes are truly the best ever! Perfectly soft, fluffy, sweet, and moist (sorry if that word makes you cringe!). Whip up a batch of these gluten-free cupcakes for your next party as a fun treat even gluten-eaters will love.
Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit and line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar with either a hand or stand mixer until fluffy. Beat in one egg at a time, then add in the vanilla extract.
With your mixer on low speed, add 1/3 of the flour mixture into the butter mixture, then about half of the milk. Then, add in another 1/3 of the flour mixture, then the remaining milk, then the remaining flour mixture.
Once batter is fully combined, transfer ¼ cup of batter into each cupcake mold. Bake cupcakes for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Remove cupcakes from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Make the frosting by adding all frosting ingredients to a large bowl and beating with either a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy.
Once cupcakes have cooled, decorate with frosting and sprinkles if you’d like.
Video
Notes
Make sure your gluten-free flour contains xanthan gum. If not, add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the dry ingredients.Store cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Perfectly smooth and creamy vegan ice cream – no fancy equipment required! Only three ingredients, this super easy plant-based recipe comes together in just two steps. The BEST sweet (but not too sweet) summertime treat!
What You’ll Need To Make No-Churn Vegan Ice Cream
Full-Fat Coconut Milk – Two cans (must be canned!) of full-fat coconut milk are the base of this creamy vegan ice cream recipe. I use and love the Native Forest Coconut Milk, but any unsweetened full-fat coconut milk should work. Other brands I recommend are Thai Kitchen and A Taste of Thai Coconut Milk.
Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk – I used Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk in my ice cream and it turned out perfect! However, I’m sure any brand of sweetened condensed coconut milk will work. And it doesn’t have to be coconut milk either, your sweetened condensed milk can be made of any non-dairy milk!
Vanilla Extract – A touch of vanilla extract for that deliciously sweet vanilla flavor! For an extra fancy ice cream, you can add a touch of vanilla bean paste as well.
Pinch of Salt – While not totally necessary, a pinch of salt helps to bring out the sweetness of this recipe! You’re gonna have to trust me on this one, a tiny pinch of salt goes a long way here. I highly recommend giving it a try!
Adjust The Flavors
Make it Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream: For a chocolate version, add 1/2 cup cocoa powder into the blender. And, for double chocolate (because why the heck not?!) swirl in some mini chocolate chips before freezing.
Add Cookie Dough: If you’re a cookie dough ice cream lover like me, sprinkle small scoops of this Healthy Cookie Dough into the coconut milk mixture right before freezing.
Make it Vegan Coffee Ice Cream: Blend a quarter cup of instant coffee powder in with the rest of the ingredients for a caffeinated twist!
4.12 from 9 votes
No-Churn Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
Perfectly smooth and creamy vegan ice cream – no fancy equipment required! Only three ingredients, this super easy plant-based recipe comes together in just two steps. The BEST sweet (but not too sweet) summertime treat!
