Banana and Red Fruit Protein Smoothie with the Ninja Slushi

Using the Ninja Slushi turns a classic post-workout shake into a truly refreshing drink. I have to admit that in my first attempt with just whey and water, it blocked: the sugar in the syrup is essential to give the drink the right texture. Once I mastered this detail, I got a result that was really thick and very pleasant to sip through a straw after training. It is the perfect balance between the indulgence of fruit and the nutritional intake of a classic shake.

Banana and red fruit protein smoothie in the Ninja Slushi

Recipe by Camille RoosCourse: Smoothie / frozen juiceCuisine: FitnessDifficulty: Easy

Servings

3

people

Prep

5

minutes

Freeze time

45

minutes

Total time

50

minutes

A rich and fruity preparation that turns into a real frozen dessert using the Milkshake programme.

Ingredients

• 600 ml milk (dairy or plant-based like almond/oat)

• 60 g protein powder (vanilla or unflavoured)

• 200 g ripe bananas, mashed into a puree

• 150 g red fruit puree (or thawed and blended frozen fruit)

• 60 ml agave syrup (or honey)

Instructions

• First, blend the milk, protein powder, bananas, red fruits, and agave syrup in a standard blender. Blending beforehand prevents the protein from clumping on the sides of the machine.
• Pour the completely smooth preparation into the vessel of the Ninja Slushi, checking that the level is between the min and max markings. Remember that the sugar in the syrup prevents it from freezing into a solid block.
• Select the Milkshake programme and let the machine run until the three beeps that signal the drink is ready (approximately 45 minutes).

Chocolate-peanut version

Replace the fruit with 40 g of unsweetened cocoa and 2 large tablespoons of peanut butter, while strictly keeping the agave syrup for the ice texture.

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The trap of pure protein in the machine

When I started testing fitness recipes with my appliance, I wanted to keep it simple: just water, whey powder and off we go. Big mistake! In a standard blender, it works, but this type of machine operates by continuous cooling. Without a sufficient amount of carbohydrates, the liquid will literally freeze into a hard block and strain the motor. The agave syrup in this recipe is not there just for the taste: it acts as an essential antifreeze to get that thickness so pleasant to drink with a straw. If you track your macros very closely, you can slightly reduce the amount of syrup, but ensure you stay above 4% sugar, the manufacturer’s threshold. Choosing a very ripe banana also helps a lot to add binding, as I explain in my banana spinach avocado smoothie in the Ninja Slushi recipe.

The importance of pre-mixing and the right programme

You might be wondering why I make you dirty a mixer before using the main vessel. It is a step I adopted very quickly. Protein powders have a nasty habit of clumping if you pour them directly into cold liquid without strong agitation. By blending first, you get a perfectly smooth base, which is the secret to a really high-quality frozen red fruit smoothie in the Ninja Slushi. Regarding the setting, I systematically use the Milkshake programme for preparations containing dairy products or plant milks. It is available on all three models. If the machine beeps twice per minute and the temperature lights turn on one by one from top to bottom, it is a lack of sugar: add 15 to 30 ml of syrup per serving, mixed separately with a little of the base before pouring, then restart the programme.

Which protein powder flavour did you choose for this recipe?

Frequently asked questions

Why does my machine beep or flash during preparation?

Two beeps per minute with temperature lights that turn on one by one from top to bottom indicate a lack of sugar. Add 15 to 30 ml of syrup per serving, mixed separately with a little of the base before pouring, then restart the programme.

Can I use plant-based protein instead of whey?

Yes, but keep in mind that plant proteins (pea, rice) often absorb more liquid. If the mixture is too dense after 20 minutes, add a splash of plant-based milk.

Does the Frozen Juice programme work for this recipe?

I stick to Milkshake, the programme for dairy and creamy bases; Frozen Juice is intended for juices.

How do I store leftover protein smoothie?

Do not leave any ingredients in the vessel for storage, that is the manufacturer’s instruction. Pour the excess into an airtight container in the fridge and consume it within the day.