Cereal milk is one of those flavors that hits a very specific nostalgic nerve and if you grew up eating Fruity Pebbles you know exactly what I am talking about. That sweet, fruity, slightly artificial but completely irresistible milk left in the bowl at the end is genuinely one of the best flavors in existence and this Fruity Pebbles protein ice cream captures it completely. The technique of steeping the cereal in the milk first before straining it out is the secret that makes the whole base taste like that specific cereal milk and it is the detail that takes this from a good protein ice cream to something that makes people stop and ask what flavor it is before they have even finished their first scoop.

The steep and strain method is so simple and so effective and worth understanding before you start. One cup of Fruity Pebbles steeped in two cups of cold milk for fifteen minutes transfers all of that sweet fruity cereal flavor directly into the milk without any of the soggy cereal texture or the color bleeding that would make the base look muddy. Strain the cereal out after fifteen minutes and what you have left is the most gorgeous slightly pink-tinged cereal milk that smells exactly like Saturday morning cereal and tastes even better frozen into ice cream. It is one of the most clever techniques in the whole protein ice cream series and it works beautifully every single time.

The vanilla protein powder and pudding mix go in after the cereal is strained out and the whole thing gets shaken in a blender bottle or stirred in a bowl until completely combined before going into the pint. The pudding mix is what gives the finished ice cream that smooth scoopable texture after spinning rather than the crumbly result you get without it and it is in almost every single Ninja Creami recipe on this blog for exactly that reason. Thirty six grams of protein for a pint of ice cream that tastes like childhood is genuinely one of the most satisfying things this machine produces.

The fresh Fruity Pebbles mix-in after the first spin is the finishing touch that completes the whole Fruity Pebbles ice cream experience. A quarter cup of fresh dry cereal mixed in using the mix-in setting gives you little pockets of crunchy fruity cereal throughout the creamy base that soften very slightly into the ice cream and create a texture that is so satisfying and so specifically cereal-like that every bite feels like the best part of a bowl of Fruity Pebbles and a pint of ice cream combined into one thing. Make this one first if you have never made a cereal milk Ninja Creami before because it is the flavor that makes the most people immediately understand what this machine is capable of.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

The steep and strain cereal milk technique infuses the entire base with that unmistakable Fruity Pebbles flavor before the protein powder even goes in making this taste specifically like Fruity Pebbles ice cream rather than just vanilla ice cream with cereal on top
Thirty six grams of protein in an ice cream that tastes like Saturday morning cereal is the kind of result that makes the Ninja Creami feel like one of the best purchases you have ever made
Fresh Fruity Pebbles mixed in after the first spin give you crunchy fruity cereal pockets throughout the finished pint that make every few scoops completely different and completely satisfying
The cereal milk base is naturally a beautiful soft pink color from the cereal dye that transfers into the milk during steeping which makes this one of the most visually stunning flavors in the whole protein ice cream series

Key Ingredients:

Fruity Pebbles: One cup steeped in the milk for fifteen minutes to infuse the cereal milk flavor into the entire base before freezing. The steeping is what makes this taste so specifically like Fruity Pebbles ice cream rather than just a vanilla base with cereal mixed in. Additional dry cereal goes in as the mix-in after the first spin for crunch
Milk: Two cups of cold milk that the Fruity Pebbles steep in for fifteen minutes. The milk absorbs the sweet fruity flavor and color from the cereal during steeping and becomes the most perfect naturally flavored cereal milk base for the ice cream
Vanilla protein powder: One scoop adds the majority of that thirty six gram protein total and a subtle vanilla sweetness that works beautifully alongside the fruity cereal milk flavor. Use your favorite vanilla protein powder and a brand you enjoy in smoothies since the flavor comes through in the finished pint
Sugar free vanilla pudding mix: One tablespoon is the texture ingredient that makes the base smooth and scoopable after spinning. Without it the base can come out crumbly and the smooth creamy result you want requires this one tablespoon every single time

Tips for Success:

Steep the Fruity Pebbles for the full fifteen minutes and not less for the most flavorful and vibrant cereal milk. Less time means less flavor transfer and a base that tastes more like vanilla milk than actual Fruity Pebbles
Use a bowl with a handle and spout or pour straight into a blender bottle after straining for the easiest cleanup and the most efficient transfer into the Creami pint without spilling
Strain the cereal out as thoroughly as possible pressing gently on the cereal in the strainer to extract every last drop of flavored milk before discarding the soggy cereal
Add the fresh Fruity Pebbles mix-in right at the end using the mix-in setting rather than stirring by hand so they distribute evenly throughout the entire pint

Storage:

Store Fruity Pebbles protein ice cream in the Creami pint with the lid on in the freezer for up to two weeks. The Fruity Pebbles mix-ins will soften and lose some of their crunch as the pint sits in the freezer which is completely normal. When you are ready to eat it again let it sit at room temperature for five minutes to soften or re-process on the re-spin setting to bring it back to that perfect fresh spun texture. For maximum crunch add fresh Fruity Pebbles on top of each bowl right before eating rather than only relying on the mix-ins.

FAQ:

Can I use a different cereal for the cereal milk base?
Yes and this technique works beautifully with almost any cereal you love. Cinnamon Toast Crunch gives you a warm cinnamon cereal milk that is incredible. Cocoa Pebbles gives you a chocolate cereal milk that tastes like a frozen chocolate milk. Lucky Charms gives you a sweet marshmallow-tinged base that is surprisingly delicious. Any cereal with a distinctive flavor that bleeds into the milk during eating will work with this exact same steep and strain method.

Why does the ice cream come out crumbly after the first spin?
The most common reason is not enough liquid in the base. Make sure you are filling the pint to the max fill line and that you squeezed every last drop of cereal milk through the strainer before adding the protein powder and pudding mix. If it still comes out crumbly after doing both of those things add a small splash of milk and re-spin on the Re-Spin setting before adding the mix-ins and it should come together perfectly.

What Ninja Creami setting should I use?
Process on the Lite Ice Cream setting for the first spin for the most nourishing result with thirty six grams of protein. If the texture is too crumbly after the first spin add a small splash of milk and use the Re-Spin setting before adding mix-ins. Once you add the quarter cup of fresh Fruity Pebbles use the Mix-In setting so they get incorporated evenly throughout the pint.