Snickers Protein Ice Cream with Cottage Cheese

5 from 8 votes

Nicole Bonilla

|

JUMP TO RECIPE ASK AI CHEF

This Snickers protein ice cream is a no-churn frozen dessert made with blended cottage cheese, protein powder, peanut butter caramel, chocolate, and peanuts. It delivers classic Snickers flavor with a creamy texture using simple ingredients and no ice cream maker.

Cals: 319 | Protein: 16 | Sugar: 19 | Fat: 18 | Fiber: 2 | Diet: Gluten-Free
High-protein Snickers ice cream with cottage cheese and maple syrup in a bowl.

Try this fun way to satisfy your Snickers craving with my Snickers Protein Ice Cream made with cottage cheese. It’s full of chunky mix-ins like peanuts, a quick peanut butter “caramel,” and chocolate chips, naturally sweetened with a little maple syrup, and higher in protein thanks to vanilla protein powder. It’s simple to make, no ice cream maker needed, and ready in about two hours.

I used to skip ice cream altogether because it felt like empty sugar with no real benefit. When cottage cheese ice cream went viral, I finally found a way to enjoy one of my favorite treats again — but in a way that actually supports how I want to feel. All the flavors come together in a heavenly bite that leaves me feeling great even after I eat it.

Does Snickers cottage cheese ice cream taste like regular Snickers ice cream?

Yes. This ice cream has the same creamy, chocolate-peanut flavor and chunky texture you expect from a Snickers-style dessert. The difference is that it’s made by blending cottage cheese and protein powder, which creates a lighter, more balanced frozen treat without traditional ice cream ingredients.

Why This Snickers Protein Ice Cream Works

  • Cottage cheese and protein powder are blended until smooth, creating a creamy base without heavy cream or eggs.
  • Freezing the ice cream in a shallow container helps it firm up evenly while staying scoopable.
  • Peanut butter caramel and melted chocolate are layered, not mixed, so each scoop has distinct ribbons and texture.
  • Crunchy peanuts are added last, giving the ice cream that classic Snickers bite.
  • No ice cream maker is required, which keeps the process simple and easy to repeat at home.
High-protein Snickers ice cream with cottage cheese and maple syrup

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make the Snickers Protein Cottage Cheese Ice Cream recipe:

  • Cottage Cheese: You can use low-fat or full-fat cottage. Since it will be blended smooth you can use either large curd or small curd. Use Greek yogurt for a smoother texture and tart flavor if you like.
  • Vanilla Protein Powder: Vanilla-flavored protein powder tastes best. But you can also swap with chocolate protein powder for a more indulgent flavor. This is my favorite plant-based protein powder that is naturally sweetened. You can also omit the protein powder.
  • Almond Milk: Substitute with any milk you have on hand like oat, coconut, or regular dairy milk.
  • Maple Syrup: Swap with honey or agave syrup if you prefer a different natural sweetener.
  • Vanilla Extract: You can omit it or replace it with a small amount of almond extract can be used for a nutty twist.
  • Peanut Butter: Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor or to make it peanut-free.
  • Peanuts: Chopped almonds or cashews are a great alternative if you want to switch up the nuts.
  • Chocolate Chips: You can use variety of meltable chocolate you like. Try dark chocolate, sugar-free chocolate chips, or even chopped chocolate bars. Mini chocolate chips are a convenient option if you don’t want to melt down the chocolate first.
  • Coconut Oil: You can use butter or any neutral oil like avocado oil.

This Snickers protein ice cream is naturally gluten-free and easy to adjust with a few simple swaps:

  • Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free as written.
  • Dairy-Free: Use a plain, unsweetened dairy-free yogurt (such as coconut- or cashew-based) and a dairy-free protein powder. The texture will be slightly different, but it still freezes well.
  • Lower Sugar: Reduce the maple syrup slightly or use a liquid sugar-free sweetener to taste.

💡 Pro Tip: If you try a substitution, let us know how it worked for you in the comments.

High-protein Snickers ice cream with cottage cheese and maple syrup in a bowl.

How to Make My No Churn Snickers Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Recipe

Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making my easy Snickers ice cream. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Blend the Ice Cream

In an upright blender, food processor, or blender cup, combine 1-1/2 cups cottage cheese, 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup almond milk, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy.

Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe shallow container and smooth the top with a spatula.

Adding ice cream ingredients to a blender cup.
Pouring cottage cheese mixture in a shallow dish.

Step 2: Add the Peanut Butter and Chocolate

In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup peanut butter with 2 tablespoons maple syrup until smooth. Drizzle the peanut butter mixture over the cottage cheese base making thick ribbons.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup peanuts evenly over the mixture. Gently swirl all the ingredients together with a spoon to maintain separate ribbons of peanut butter and chocolate.

Freeze for at least 2 hours or until firm.

Melting chocolate chips with coconut oil.
Swirling chocolate over the ice cream.
Swirling chocolate, peanut butter and ice cream together.
High-protein Snickers ice cream with cottage cheese and maple syrup in a bowl.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • Blending Tip: Make sure your cottage cheese is blended until completely smooth to avoid any grainy texture.
  • Chocolate Chips: You can sprinkle the chocolate chips over the ice cream instead of melting it down with coconut oil. Mini chocolate chips work well for this.
  • Ice Cream Consistency: For best results, allow the frozen ice cream to thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes until scoopable.

Delicious Protein Ice Cream Serving Suggestions

  • Drizzle with extra peanut butter for added richness.
  • Top with chocolate sauce or extra melted chocolate.
  • Add sliced bananas for a classic Snickers pairing.
  • Sprinkle with chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
  • Serve slightly softened for the creamiest texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. Just let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping—it softens perfectly and keeps its creamy texture.

Yes, you can leave out the protein powder and it’ll still be delicious! You’ll lose a bit of the Snickers-style flavor boost, but you can add extra vanilla extract or a little cocoa powder to enhance the taste.

Blending the cottage cheese until ultra-smooth is key. The small amount of fat in the peanut butter and chocolate also helps keep it creamy without needing an ice cream maker.

Definitely! It’s lower in sugar than regular ice cream and packed with real food ingredients. My kids love it, especially when they get to sprinkle on extra chocolate chips or chopped peanuts.

Yes! Just use a dairy-free cottage cheese and plant-based protein powder. You can also swap the chocolate chips for a dairy-free brand. It still turns out creamy and full of flavor.

Yes, it needs at least 2 hours in the freezer to set. That gives it the scoopable ice cream texture. If you prefer soft-serve, you can enjoy it right after blending—it’s totally up to you!

While my homemade Snickers recipes are naturally gluten-free, regular Snickers bars are not considered gluten-free due to potential cross-contamination during manufacturing. If you’re dealing with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it’s safer to stick with homemade versions like this recipe.

Learn more about Snickers and gluten →

Do you love no-churn ice cream? Check out more of my easy cottage cheese ice cream recipes:

More Dessert Recipes

High-protein Snickers ice cream with cottage cheese and maple syrup in a bowl.

Snickers Protein Ice Cream with Cottage Cheese

Gluten-Free
This Snickers protein ice cream is a no-churn frozen dessert made with blended cottage cheese, protein powder, peanut butter caramel, chocolate, and peanuts. It delivers classic Snickers flavor with a creamy texture using simple ingredients and no ice cream maker.
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 5
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In an upright blender, food processor, or blender cup, combine 1-1/2 cups cottage cheese, 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup almond milk, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Blend until smooth and creamy.
    Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe shallow container and smooth the top with a spatula.
  • In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup peanut butter with 2 tablespoons maple syrup until smooth. Drizzle the peanut butter mixture over the cottage cheese base making thick ribbons.
  • Melt 3 tablespoons chocolate chips with 2 teaspoons coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the ice cream mixture, creating chocolate ribbons.
  • Sprinkle 1/4 cup peanuts evenly over the mixture. Gently swirl all the ingredients together with a spoon to maintain separate ribbons of peanut butter and chocolate.
  • Freeze for at least 2 hours or until firm.

Video

Notes

Blending Tip: Make sure your cottage cheese is blended until completely smooth to avoid any grainy texture.
Chocolate Chips: You can sprinkle the chocolate chips over the ice cream instead of melting it down with coconut oil. Mini chocolate chips work well for this.
Ice Cream Consistency: For best results, allow the frozen ice cream to thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes until scoopable.

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 16gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 234mgPotassium: 295mgFiber: 2gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 88IUCalcium: 131mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cottage cheese ice cream, high protein, no churn, protein dessert, Snickers
Help Fellow Cooks!Your 5-star review helps other families discover recipes that actually work!

Important Disclaimer

This recipe is created by a home cook and not a medical professional. Our ingredient philosophy is reviewed by RDNs, but this specific post is not personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for dietary concerns.

Learn more about our RDN review process here

Looking for more ways to cook and bake with cottage cheese?
Browse all of my cottage cheese recipes, including breakfasts, desserts, sauces, snacks, and savory meals.

Looking for more desserts made without refined sugar?
Browse all of my naturally sweetened dessert recipes, made with maple syrup, honey, fruit, and other simple sweeteners for treats that feel familiar and satisfying.

Nicole Bonilla is the creator of Gentle Tummy, where she develops gluten-free, higher-protein recipes with simple ingredient swaps that support gentle digestion. Every recipe is tested in her own home kitchen and designed to make familiar comfort foods easier to prepare and enjoy.

19 Comments

  1. It just went into the freezer! I had to sub a couple of ingredients but will have them tomorrow👍! Was out of peanuts and vanilla (that’s a first 😳)been cooking/making healthy treats a LOT lol. Anyway, used cashews, and they are really good for us too😜as well as almond extract. I taste tested the batter, then peanut butter and was SHOCKED!!!!! It IS DELICIOUS to the point I may never buy ice cream again! I can make big batch’s and the fact that it’s loaded with all that protein (I also used my Naked PB protein powder) which gave more peanut butter flavor to the base!!!! I’m so happy to keto making healthier things for my family!!!! Thank you SO much for this recipe! It took ten min to make and five to clean up👍👏😜😘😋

    Reply

  3. Easy to make, turned out delicious and healthy-food-eschewing husband actually wanted seconds!!

    Reply

  8. oh my goodness…this tastes so good!!! My husband is diabetic and we LOVE Snickers. This ice cream hit the spot and was really easy to make. Thank you, Nicole!!

    Reply

  9. I am obsessed with this recipe!!! It has all the Snickers flavor with way less sugar 🙂 I hope you love it, too!

    Reply

    1. Hi
      I would like to make this as a single serve, any suggestions for amounts to use.
      Thanks for such great recipes.
      Sue in the UK

      Reply
5 from 8 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating