The Best High Protein Ice Cream — And It's Not Even Close
The Best High Protein Ice Cream — And It's Not Even Close
There are dozens of high-protein ice creams on the market. Most of them add protein powder and call it a day. Smearcase FroCo™ is built differently — protein from real cottage cheese, up to 44 grams per pint, and no artificial anything.
How We Define "High Protein Ice Cream"
According to dietitians, high-protein ice cream generally contains 6 to 10 grams of protein per serving. Most products achieve this by adding whey protein isolate, milk protein concentrate, or plant-based protein powders to a conventional ice cream base. The protein is an ingredient — added after the fact to hit a marketing number.
Smearcase takes a fundamentally different approach. Our protein comes from cottage cheese — the primary ingredient in every pint. Cottage cheese is one of the most protein-dense whole foods available, naturally rich in both casein and whey protein. We don't add protein to the product. The product is protein.
That distinction is increasingly important to consumers. According to NIQ research, 33% of consumers trust naturally occurring protein more than added protein. Only 7% trust added protein more. Smearcase is on the right side of that equation.
Smearcase FroCo™ by the Numbers
How Smearcase Compares to Every Other High Protein Ice Cream
| Brand | Protein / Pint | Protein Source | Sweetener | Artificial Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smearcase FroCo™ | 39–44g | Cottage cheese (natural) | Real cane sugar | None |
| Protein Pints | 30g | Whey isolate (added) | Stevia / monk fruit | None |
| Enlightened | ~24g | Milk protein conc. (added) | Erythritol + stevia | Some |
| Halo Top | ~20g | Milk protein conc. (added) | Erythritol + stevia | Some |
| Regular Ice Cream | ~8–12g | Dairy (natural) | Real sugar | Varies |
Smearcase has more protein per pint than Halo Top and Enlightened combined. Compared to Protein Pints — the closest competitor — Smearcase delivers 47% more protein, from a cleaner source, with no artificial sweeteners.
What to Look For When Buying High Protein Ice Cream
Not all high-protein ice creams are created equal. Here's what matters when you're reading the label:
The Protein Wave Is Here
According to NIQ's 2026 Protein's Paradox report, 71% of consumers say protein is very or extremely important to their daily diet, and 60% are making an intentional daily effort to consume more protein. Products in the 30–40g protein per serving tier are growing at 21.1% — the fastest-growing protein tier in all of food and beverage.
Smearcase FroCo™ sits squarely in that tier. At 39–44 grams per pint and approximately 10–11 grams per serving, every flavor of Smearcase is positioned in the highest-growth protein segment — with the added benefit of being the only product in that tier made from real whole-food cottage cheese.
Where to Buy High Protein Ice Cream
44 grams. Real cottage cheese. No compromises.
The highest protein ice cream pint on the market.