Packed with cookie dough, fudgy brownies, chocolate, and protein, recreate the iconic Half Baked ice cream at home with your Ninja Creami!

If you love Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream, you’re going to flip over this homemade version! It’s packed with rich chocolate flavor, gooey brownie bites, and chunks of cookie dough — all made easily with the Ninja Creami.

Plus, it’s got an extra boost of protein, making it the perfect sweet treat that doesn’t completely derail your nutrition goals.

You’ve got to try a few more of my protein-rich Ninja Creami recipes, like this turtle protein ice cream, Oreo protein ice cream, peanut butter protein ice cream, s’mores protein ice cream, and homemade cookie dough protein ice cream too!

Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this post to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be there when you’re ready!

A cup of creamy ice cream topped with chocolate chips, cookie dough chunks, and brownie pieces, with a spoon sticking out. Scattered chocolate chips are on the wooden surface around the cup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is the perfect combination of indulgent and nutritious. You get all the deliciousness of Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream, but with a protein-packed base that keeps you full longer.

If you have teenage boys in your house, you already know — feeding them is a full time job. No matter how much food they eat, they’re always hungry. And if they’re playing sports or constantly on the go, they’re also on the hunt for protein-packed snacks.

A spoonful of creamy ice cream, mixed with chocolate chunks and cookie dough pieces, is lifted above a container filled with more ice cream and toppings. The background is slightly blurred, emphasizing the desserts texture and ingredients.

That’s where this recipe comes in. It’s a delicious, indulgent way to satisfy their sweet tooth while also sneaking in some extra protein. The best part? They won’t even know it’s a healthier version of their favorite ice cream!

It’s an easy way to enjoy a classic treat while making it just a little bit better for you. Plus, the Ninja Creami makes it ridiculously simple to whip up whenever a craving hits!

Looking for more inspiration? Explore my huge library of delicious and healthy Ninja Creami Recipes. Or join our Ninja Creami Community on Facebook!

Ingredients

Vanilla Premier Protein shake – Creates a smooth, creamy base while adding a boost of protein to every scoop. You can substitute with milk if you want and add your favorite protein powder (or not).
Vanilla dry pudding mix – Helps thicken the mixture and creates rich, scoopable ice cream texture!
Pure vanilla extract – Enhances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the chocolate, cookie dough, and brownie pieces.

Glass bowl with round cookie dough bites featuring chocolate chips. Behind it, a measuring cup with remaining dough and a spoon. Wooden table surface.

Add-ins

Cookie dough bites – Use my homemade cookie dough recipe or buy store-bought. Just be sure that it is safe to eat raw.
Brownie bites, broken up – Fudgy, chewy, and downright delicious, I love using the two bite brownies from the grocery store.
Chocolate syrup – This helps to give this copycat recipe that signature vanilla and chocolate ice cream swirl.
Chocolate chips – Add a satisfying crunch and extra bursts of chocolate in every spoonful.

A glass of frothy milk sits on a wooden surface. Around it are chocolate chips and bowls of chopped cookies and brownies. Three wooden spoons with brass handles are placed nearby.

Instructions

1. Pour the vanilla Premier Protein shake into the Ninja Creami pint container, then add the dry pudding mix and vanilla. Blend well.

2. Place the container on a flat, even surface in your freezer and freeze for 24 hours or until solid.

3. Remove the pint from the freezer, run it under hot water for 30 seconds, and remove the lid.

4. Place the container into the outer bowl of the Ninja Creami, then lock the lid into place.

5. Secure the outer bowl into the Ninja Creami machine and press the “Lite Ice Cream” button. Let the cycle run.

6. If the ice cream looks powdery after the first cycle, hit the “Re-spin” button.

Top view of a blender filled with creamy banana ice cream on a wooden surface. Surrounding the blender are small bowls containing banana slices and cocoa powder. Chocolate chips are scattered nearby.

7. Once creamy, make a small hole in the center, all the way to the bottom, and add in the cookie dough bites, brownie bites, chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup.

A bowl of creamy ice cream with chocolate chips, a spoon placed inside. The ice cream has a light brown color, and small chocolate chips are sprinkled around the bowl. Wooden texture surface and bowls with ingredients in the background.

8. Place the pint back into the machine and press the “Mix-in” button to incorporate everything.

A cup of swirled ice cream topped with chunks of cookie dough, chocolate chips, and brownie pieces on a wooden table. A gold spoon is scooping up a portion. Two small bowls with more toppings are in the background.

9. Scoop into a bowl, add extra cookie dough or brownie bites on top, and enjoy every bite!

A bowl of creamy ice cream topped with chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate pieces. The ice cream is swirled with chocolate and vanilla flavors, and measuring spoons are visible in the background on a wooden surface.

Tips and Tricks

You can substitute a ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum for the dry pudding mix before freezing. This helps prevent ice crystals and still gives it that classic ice cream consistency.
Chop your mix-ins into small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the ice cream.
Freeze your pint container on a flat, level surface to prevent uneven freezing.
If your ice cream is too hard, let it sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature or run it under warm water for 30 seconds before spinning.
Re-spin if needed to get the perfect consistency — sometimes one extra cycle is all it takes.
To prevent icy chunks, try freezing without the lid or scraping off any excess before spinning.
Want a lower sugar option? Swap out chocolate syrup for a drizzle of honey or agave syrup for a different flavor profile.

Be sure to check out my Guide to Perfect Ninja Creami Recipes for more tips, FAQs and troubleshooting.

A cup filled with chocolate and vanilla swirl ice cream topped with chunks of cookie dough, brownies, and chocolate chips. A spoon is placed in the ice cream, and a lid with more cookie dough pieces is visible in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Half Baked ice cream?
The name “Half Baked” comes from combining two treats that are often enjoyed slightly underbaked — cookie dough and brownies. The result is a dessert packed with chewy, gooey texture and rich flavor.

Can I make this recipe without a Premier Protein shake?
Absolutely. You can substitute milk and mix in your favorite protein powder, or simply use whole milk, Fairlife milk, or a dairy-free alternative if you aren’t concerned about the extra protein.

Can I use homemade cookie dough in this recipe?
Yes! Homemade edible cookie dough works perfectly. Just make sure it’s specifically made to be eaten raw by using heat-treated flour and omitting eggs.

What are the best mix-ins for Half Baked ice cream?
Besides cookie dough and brownie bites, popular additions include mini chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, crushed pretzels, peanut butter cups, caramel swirls, or chopped nuts for extra texture and flavor.

How should I store leftovers?
Flatten the top before refreezing in the pint container or an airtight container. If it hardens too much, reprocess it using the same mode you originally used. To prevent ice crystals, press a piece of parchment paper directly onto the surface before sealing and freezing.

Why is my Ninja Creami ice cream crumbly after the first spin?
A crumbly texture is completely normal, especially with protein-based recipes. Simply run the “Re-spin” cycle once or twice until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

When should I use regular mode vs. lite mode on the Ninja Creami?
Regular mode is best for high-fat recipes with a cream base. Lite mode works better for lower-fat recipes like this one, which uses a protein shake as the base.

A container of ice cream topped with cookie chunks and chocolate bits, with a spoon dipped in. In the background, there are bowls with more cookie pieces and an ice cream scoop on a wooden surface.

Looking For More Copycat Recipes?

Try these teenager approved Ninja Creami copycats…

Or sign up for my FREE Copycat Ninja Creami Recipes eBook and I’ll send you a copy! You are then registered for my weekly Newsletter full of fun recipes and inspiring ideas.

Cup of creamy dessert topped with cookie dough chunks and chocolate chips, served with a spoon. The smooth, thick texture and chocolate pieces are visible. The background is a light wooden surface with blurred utensils.

Now, go grab your Ninja Creami and get ready to enjoy the best protein-packed version of Half Baked ice cream ever. Once you taste it, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!

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