This pumpkin cottage cheese ice cream is a creamy, high-protein fall dessert made with just five ingredients. Using fat-free cottage cheese, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and a zero-calorie sweetener, you can make a delicious homemade pumpkin ice cream for 0 Weight Watchers Points per serving when using verified zero point ingredients.
This easy pumpkin ice cream recipe doesn’t require heavy cream, protein powder, or an ice cream maker. You can prepare it using a blender and your freezer or make it in a Ninja Creami for an extra creamy texture.
Originally created as a keto pumpkin ice cream recipe, this dessert can also be adapted for Weight Watchers. The fat-free cottage cheese version is zero Points, while the original full-fat cottage cheese variation is an option for those following a keto or low-carb diet.
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Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Ice Cream
- 0 Weight Watchers Points: When prepared with fat-free cottage cheese and the verified zero-Point ingredients, each serving is zero Points.
- High in protein: Cottage cheese provides protein without needing to add protein powder.
- Only five ingredients: Everything you need comes together in minutes before freezing.
- No ice cream maker required: Make this pumpkin ice cream in a blender or use your Ninja Creami.
- Keto-friendly option: Use full-fat cottage cheese and a keto-approved sweetener for the original low-carb variation.
- Pumpkin pie flavor: Pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice give this frozen dessert its classic fall flavor.
Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Ingredients
You only need five simple ingredients to make this pumpkin cottage cheese ice cream.
Cottage Cheese (1½ cups): The base of this high-protein ice cream. Plain fat-free cottage cheese is a ZeroPoint food on the standard Weight Watchers program. For a richer keto pumpkin ice cream, you can substitute full-fat cottage cheese, but this will change the WW Points.
Pumpkin Purée (⅓ cup): Use 100% pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling. Unsweetened pumpkin purée adds pumpkin flavor without added sugar and is a Weight Watchers ZeroPoint food.
Powdered Zero-Calorie Sweetener (¼ cup): Use the same zero-Point sweetener you verified in Weight Watchers. A powdered sweetener blends smoothly into the cottage cheese and helps prevent a gritty texture.
Pumpkin Pie Spice (1 teaspoon): Gives this homemade pumpkin ice cream its classic fall flavor.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds flavor and balances the pumpkin and cottage cheese. Use the same vanilla product included in your verified zero-Point calculation.
How to Make Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Ice Cream Without an Ice Cream Maker
This easy no-churn pumpkin ice cream recipe takes about five minutes to prepare before freezing.
Step 1: Blend the Cottage Cheese
Add 1½ cups of fat-free cottage cheese to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and no visible curds remain.
Step 2: Add the Pumpkin and Sweetener
Add ⅓ cup of pumpkin purée, ¼ cup of powdered zero-calorie sweetener, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Blend for approximately 30–60 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed, until everything is fully combined.
Step 3: Transfer to a Freezer-Safe Container
Pour the pumpkin cottage cheese mixture into a shallow freezer-safe container or loaf pan. Spread it evenly.
Step 4: Freeze
Place the container in the freezer for approximately 3–4 hours, or until the mixture reaches your preferred consistency.
Step 5: Serve
Remove the ice cream from the freezer and allow it to soften for 5–15 minutes if needed before scooping.
Enjoy your homemade pumpkin cottage cheese ice cream!
Tip: For the smoothest texture, blend the cottage cheese thoroughly before adding the remaining ingredients. Using powdered sweetener instead of granulated sweetener also helps reduce grittiness.
Scroll down to watch me make this recipe or head over to youtube and be sure to subscribe after watching this low-carb high protein pumpkin ice cream video.
Optimized Nutrition: High Protein Benefits
This isn’t just a delicious dessert; it’s a powerful post-workout or macro-friendly treat. By using cottage cheese as the primary base, this ice cream delivers exceptional nutrition:
- Protein Powerhouse: A single batch of this ice cream provides approximately 25-30 g of high-quality protein, which is excellent for satiety, muscle recovery, and hitting your daily macro goals.
- Low Net Carb: Thanks to the keto sweetener, this dessert remains low in added sugar, with the net carbs coming primarily from the pumpkin, making it a perfect fit for a low-carb or “Dirty Keto” lifestyle.
Ninja Creami Pumpkin Protein Ice Cream (Keto & Weight Watchers)
While this recipe is excellent as a no-churn dessert, the Ninja Creami appliance is the ultimate tool for achieving a professional, store-bought ice cream texture. Follow these specific steps to turn your high-protein pumpkin base into a perfectly creamy pint:
If you want to make this pumpkin cottage cheese ice cream in a Ninja Creami follow the below instructions! This method is especially useful for high-protein, low-fat ice cream recipes because the machine processes the frozen mixture into a smoother consistency.
For a zero-Point Weight Watchers Ninja Creami recipe, use fat-free cottage cheese and the verified zero-Point ingredients. For a keto Ninja Creami pumpkin ice cream, use the original full-fat cottage cheese variation.
Follow the instructions below to prepare and freeze your pumpkin ice cream base before processing it in your Ninja Creami.
How to Make Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Ice Cream in a Ninja Creami
- Blend the ingredients. Blend the cottage cheese until smooth, then add the pumpkin purée, sweetener, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Blend until fully combined.
- Transfer to the pint. Pour the mixture into a compatible Ninja Creami pint, staying within the maximum fill line.
- Freeze the base. Freeze the pint according to the instructions for your specific Ninja Creami model.
- Process the frozen mixture. Once frozen as directed, install the pint and process it using the appropriate program listed in your machine’s instructions.
- Check the texture. If the ice cream is crumbly or powdery, use the Re-Spin function if recommended for your model. Follow your machine’s guidance about adding liquid if needed.
- Serve. Enjoy the ice cream after processing for the creamiest texture.
Zero Point Weight Watchers Pumpkin Ice Cream
If you’re following Weight Watchers, this pumpkin cottage cheese ice cream is an easy way to enjoy a frozen fall dessert without using your daily Points.
This recipe is 0 WW Points per serving when made with the fat-free cottage cheese and other ingredients used in the verified Weight Watchers calculation.
The recipe makes four servings.
How Many Weight Watchers Points Are in Cottage Cheese Ice Cream?
The Points depend on the type of cottage cheese you use.
- Fat-free cottage cheese: 0 Points for the cottage cheese in this recipe.
- 1% cottage cheese: 2 Points per ½ cup, based on the Weight Watchers calculation.
- Full-fat cottage cheese: Points vary by brand and serving size.
Using 1½ cups of 1% cottage cheese adds 6 Points to the entire recipe before accounting for the remaining ingredients.
For the zero-Point version, use plain fat-free cottage cheese, unsweetened pumpkin purée, and the verified zero-Point sweetener and flavorings.
Does Fat-Free Cottage Cheese Make Creamy Ice Cream?
Yes! Blending fat-free cottage cheese creates a smooth base for homemade frozen desserts.
Because fat-free cottage cheese contains less fat than full-fat varieties, the finished ice cream may freeze more firmly.
For the best results, blend until completely smooth and allow the ice cream to soften slightly before serving.
If you have a Ninja Creami, you can also use it to process the frozen mixture into a creamier consistency.
More Easy Ice Cream Recipes
- Keto Chocolate Ice Cream (Easy No-Churn Recipe)
- Guilt Free Ice Cream Sandwiches
- 3 Ingredient Coconut Milk Ice Cream
- Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe
- 25 Best Keto Ice Cream Recipes
FAQ & Troubleshooting: Perfect Keto Pumpkin Ice Cream
Why Is My High-Protein Ice Cream Gritty?
Grittiness is the most common issue when making cottage cheese ice cream, and it’s almost always due to one of two reasons:
- Improper Blending: You must fully blend the cottage cheese first until it is perfectly smooth, with zero curds remaining, before adding the other ingredients. If it starts with curds, it will freeze with curds.
- Granular Sweetener: Granular sweeteners (like non-powdered erythritol or xylitol) do not dissolve well in cold mixtures and will feel grainy when frozen. Always use a powdered/confectioner’s style keto sweetener (like Truvia Powdered Sweetener) for the creamiest result.
Can I Use Liquid Sweetener Instead?
Yes! You can easily swap the powdered sweetener for a few drops of liquid vanilla or pumpkin spice-flavored stevia/monk fruit drops to reduce volume and ensure zero grittiness. Start with 1 tsp and adjust to taste before freezing.
Does It Get Rock Hard in the Freezer?
Like most homemade, low-fat, high-protein ice creams, this recipe will freeze very solid due to the lack of sugar and high protein content.
- No-Churn Method: Let it thaw on the counter for 10-15 minutes before scooping.
- Ninja Creami Method: The CREAMi is designed to handle this, simply hit the “Respin” button if it comes out powdery after the first spin!
How Long Does This Keto Pumpkin Ice Cream Last?
When stored in an airtight, freezer-safe container (like the Ninja Creami pint or a glass container), this ice cream will last and maintain its flavor for up to 1 month in the freezer.
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Pumpkin Cottage Cheese Ice Cream (0 WW Points!)
This pumpkin cottage cheese ice cream is a creamy, easy fall dessert made with five simple ingredients. The fat-free cottage cheese version has approximately 8.5 grams of protein per serving, based on the ingredients used. Includes no-churn instructions and tips for making it in a Ninja Creami.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups plain fat-free cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup 100% pure pumpkin purée
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ cup powdered zero-calorie sweetener, adjusted to taste
Instructions
- In a Food Processor: Add the 1 & 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, 1/3 cup of pumpkin, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and the 1/4 cup of powdered keto sweetener into the bowl of your food processor or high-speed blender.
- Secure the lid and process the ingredients until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform. Scrape down the sides if necessary to ensure everything is fully incorporated. This only takes about 30–60 seconds.
- Carefully pour the creamy mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe container. A loaf pan or a flat dish works great for faster freezing.
- Place the container in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours. The mixture should be firm but still easy to scoop.
- For the best texture, let the ice cream sit out at room temperature for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade, low-carb pumpkin ice cream!
Notes
Blend cottage cheese until smooth before moving on to the next step.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 72Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 4mgSodium 323mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 0.6gSugar 4.8gProtein 8.5g
The nutrition in recipes is calculate by AI, mistakes happen. It is highly recommended to check carb counts to make sure these recipes fit into your diet. Also, if you are following a specific diet or have allergies to certain foods, be sure to do your research on products before considering it safe to consume.
About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.