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What’s New in March: Protein-Powered Retail and Out-Of-Home Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Innovations (Special Edition)

In this special edition, we’ve rounded up some of the latest protein-based launches appearing in freezer aisles and out-of-home worldwide. These new ranges show how manufacturers are responding to consumers seeking better-for-you options without sacrificing indulgence, with many products still delivering rich coatings, caramel swirls, crunchy inclusions, and bold flavors.


Claiming our Pick of the Month is the Mango Dream + Protein Dessert Bar from Denada, a better-for-you frozen novelty that blends indulgence with functionality.


Keep reading to explore some of the latest protein-forward dairy ice cream and frozen dessert innovations making waves around the world.



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Denada Mango Dream + Protein Dessert Bars (Australia)


Denada’s new Mango Dream + Protein Dessert Bar brings a tropical twist to the functional frozen dessert category.


The new bar features creamy mango ice cream coated in smooth white chocolate and contains 9g of protein per 71g serving, 151 calories, and is 95% sugar-free.


The product is sold in multi-bar packs, typically 4 × 71 g bars (284 g total), exclusively at Coles supermarkets across Australia. A box typically retails for around AUD $13 (approximately USD $8.50).



Gym Bod Introduces Choc Top Collection (Australia)


Gym Bod has introduced a new Choc Top Collection, combining creamy frozen dessert with inclusions and the brand’s signature chocolate coating on top for you to crack through.


Three flavors are available, with each 475mL (16oz) tub offering 21g of protein and being 97-98% sugar-free. A 90g serving size packs 7g of protein. Coles’ website describes the flavors as follows:


  • Gym Bod Cookies & Cream Choc Top: Smooth, creamy, low-calorie vanilla ice cre*m loaded with Oreo-style cookie pieces and topped with a rich chocolate layer

  • Gym Bod Choc Pudding Choc Top: Smooth, creamy, low-calorie milk chocolate ice cre*m swirled with sweet chocolate brownie pieces and topped with a rich chocolate layer

  • Gym Bod Peanut Brittle Choc Top: Smooth, creamy, low-calorie peanut butter ice cre*m blended with crunchy brittle pieces and topped with a rich chocolate layer


The new pints retail for AUD$ 11.00 (approximately USD $7.60) at Coles stores nationwide.



Pocotein High-Protein Ice Cream Gelato Gift Assortment (Japan)


Pocotein has introduced a high-protein gelato-style ice cream assortment positioned as a low-sugar, high-protein frozen dessert.


Marketed as a premium handmade gelato gift set, the Pocotein assortment is available online in Japan through Amazon. Each 120mL (4oz) cup delivers 10g of protein with around 100 calories. The flavors include:


  • Organic Cocoa

  • Vanilla

  • Matcha


The sets are available in various sizes, ranging from 6 to 24 cups. A 12-pack retails for JPY 4,980 (approximately USD $33.00).


 

TURBO Protein Ice Cream by Deni Avdija (Israel)  

 

Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija has entered the frozen dessert category with the launch of TURBO, a new line of protein-enriched dairy ice creams designed to balance indulgence with functional nutrition.  

 

The range is made with milk and cream, delivers 17g of protein per 150g cup, and contains no added sugar, red sugar, or saturated fat. Calorie counts range from 150 to 175 calories per 100g, depending on the flavor.  

 

Avdija was closely involved in flavor development and product testing, aiming to create an ice cream that meets both performance-minded and everyday consumer expectations without compromising taste. 

 

TURBO protein ice creams are sold with a recommended retail price ranging from NIS 24–28 (USD 6.50–7.60) per tub, depending on the retailer and flavor. The range is currently available across major Israeli retail channels, including Tiv Taam, Carrefour Israel, Super Yuda, and Volt Market. 

 


Frozen Power x Myprotein Layered Protein Bar Ice Cream (United Kingdom)


Frozen Power has partnered with sports nutrition brand Myprotein to transform its protein bars into ice cream novelties! The concept takes the familiar layered structure of Myprotein bars and reimagines it as a frozen dessert in the following flavors:


  • Strawberry Swirl: Creamy strawberry protein ice cream with freeze-dried fruity bits, layered on a chewy protein cookie base and a delicate white glaze

  • Salted Caramel: Rich protein-based caramel ice cream, balanced with a subtle salty note, layered on a chewy cookie base and finished with a smooth milk chocolate glaze

  • Cookie Crunch: Milky protein ice cream with real cocoa cookie pieces, a chewy protein choc cookie base, and a delicate chocolate coating, topped with crunchy cookie bits


Each bar contains 5.2 to 5.6g of protein and 1.4 to 1.8g of sugar. They’re available throughout the UK at Iceland Foods stores and The Food Warehouse locations for £4.00 (USD 5.37) per 3x40g packs.

 


Smooy’s New +PROTEIN Ice Cream (Spain)


Natural frozen yogurt chain Smooy has introduced its new +PROTEIN ice cream, delivering 20 grams of protein per 500g.


As part of the product launch, the brand is offering a rotating weekly-flavor program that lets consumers discover new combinations throughout the year. During February, Smooy featured two limited-time themed flavors:


  • Valentine’s Day: Strawberry +PROTEIN ice cream with acidic heart candies

  • Chinese New Year: A tropical blend of dragon fruit, mango, and passion fruit, paired with fortune cookie pieces


Pricing varies by size: Mini (around 100g), Classic, and Maxi and customizable toppings.



Blue Bell’s High-Protein Frozen Dairy Dessert Pints (United States)


U.S. ice cream brand Blue Bell Creameries has announced a new product line called Blue Bell PRO, expanding into the growing high-protein frozen dessert segment.


The new pints will come in five flavors, offering 33–35g of protein per 473mL (16oz) pint (up

to 12 grams of protein per approximately 112g serving):

  • Chocolate

  • Coffee

  • Salted Caramel

  • Strawberry

  • Vanilla

The product is also low in fat, gluten-free, and contains no added sugars.


It’s expected to arrive in stores across the brand’s U.S. distribution footprint in spring 2026.



Swoop High-Protein Ice Cream Pints (United States)


Swoop has introduced a new line of high-protein ice cream 473mL (16oz) pints, each containing 30g of whey protein. An 80g serving contains 10g of protein.



The ice cream is made with clean-label ingredients, including avocado oil and coconut nectar for sweetness, and contains no refined sugar, sugar alcohols, allulose, stevia, or GMOs. The range launches in five flavors:


  • Vanilla Surge: Pure, creamy vanilla done right

  • Mighty Mint Chip: Cool, creamy mint with a clean, refreshing finish, studded with rich dark chocolate flakes sweetened with date sugar

  • Peanut Butter Chip Blitz: Creamy ice cream with a salty peanut butter ribbon and dark chocolate flakes sweetened with date sugar

  • Chocolate Charge: Bold cocoa flavor and velvety texture

  • Jumpin’ Java Chip: Bold coffee flavor meets creamy indulgence, finished with dark chocolate flakes sweetened with date sugar


Each new pint costs approximately USD 6.99 and can be found at Target stores nationwide.



Startup Ice Cream Brand Natty Launches (United States)


U.S. startup Natty Ice Cream, founded by Tyrel Johnson, is gaining traction in the functional frozen dessert space! The brand’s pints deliver around 430 calories, 35g of protein, and 15g of fiber, while avoiding seed oils, artificial sweeteners, and sugar alcohols such as sucralose or erythritol. Each 100g serving contains 12g of protein. According to the brand’s website, the range includes the following flavors:


  • Madagascar Vanilla Bean: Pure vanilla bean meets a luxuriously smooth texture and flavor

  • Dutch Chocolate: Rich, indulgent chocolate made with a blend of premium cocoa powder

  • Strawberry Swirl: Sweet and succulent strawberry ice cream made with real organic strawberries

  • Mint Cookies & Cream: A creamy and subtle mint ice cream with chunks of delicious gluten-free cookies spread throughout


Developing the product required extensive R&D—more than 300 formulation versions—to achieve a “creamy texture” (as described by the brand) that remains soft and scoopable straight from the freezer, a challenge for high-protein, lower-fat ice creams.


The product is available in select stores in California and Arizona for USD 12.99 per 14oz (414mL) pint. The brand also recently held a pop-up event on Venice Beach during Expo West.



'ndulge Launches 5 Flavors of Frozen Protein Bars (United States)


‘ndulge has introduced a new line of high-protein frozen dessert bars made with creamy Greek yogurt.


The bars combine real milk and cream with Greek yogurt and clean ingredients to create a rich, creamy frozen dessert experience. Each bar contains 10g of protein and fewer than 160 calories, while also delivering gut-friendly probiotic cultures and low sugar levels.


The lineup currently includes the following flavors:


  • Salted Caramel Almond: Sweet caramel swirled with real cream, sprinkled with savory sea salt, coated in chocolate, and finished with crunchy almonds

  • Chocolate Caramel Cookie: Velvety chocolate Greek yogurt swirled with ribbons of caramel, coated in milk chocolate, and finished with crunchy cookie bits

  • Vanilla Almond: Premium Madagascar vanilla Greek yogurt dipped in an almond-studded milk chocolate coating

  • Mint Chip: Creamy, refreshing mint dotted with dark chocolate chips

  • Chocolate Fudge Chip: Velvety cocoa base with chocolate chips throughout


The new products are distributed through major U.S. grocery chains, including Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, H-E-B, and Food Lion. They’re sold in 3x3oz (3x88mL) packs for USD 6.99-7.99, with each bar providing a single serving of approximately 70g.



David Protein Teases a High-Protein Ice Cream Launch (United States)


Protein brand David Protein appears to be preparing a move into the frozen dessert category with a teaser campaign spotted during the recent Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California.


Attendees reported seeing white box trucks circulating the convention center displaying branding for what appears to be “David Ice Cream.”


The promotional graphics featured a pint highlighting key nutritional highlights: 30 grams of protein, 260 calories, and just 2 grams of sugar, signaling a potential entry into the rapidly expanding high-protein ice cream segment.


The marketing stunt featured the brand’s signature cartoonishly muscular cow mascot and the phrase “Where our ice cream comes from,” reinforcing the company’s playful, irreverent branding.


While the company didn’t exhibit at Expo West and hasn’t formally announced the product, the teaser suggests David Protein may be positioning itself to compete in the growing functional ice cream market.


Details such as flavors, packaging format, pricing, and retail availability have yet to be confirmed.



Two New Flavors of NanaPops Ice Cream Bars (Canada)


NanaPops has introduced two new flavors of NanaPops (banana-based frozen bars), each with 7g of protein:


  • Chocolate Peanut Butter NanaPops: Chocolate and peanut butter on a stick

  • Banana Bread NanaPops: The wholesome taste of homemade Banana Bread packed inside a popsicle


Each pack contains 4x60mL (240mL/8oz) bars for CAD 7.99 (USD 5.88). They’re available at numerous retailers nationwide.


 

 

Want to be featured in our next dairy ice cream round-up? Email Andrea Montreuil from Innodelice with more details!

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ABOUT INNODELICE

Founded by former executives in the ice cream industry, INNODELICE aims to create a worldwide ecosystem of solutions within the frozen dessert industry. Thanks to the relationships fostered by INNODELICE, manufacturers, brands, importers, distributors, and suppliers can discover, buy, and sell solutions to grow their businesses. These solutions include co-manufactured and branded products and innovative and competitive ingredients, packaging, and services. Our collaboration model generates lower costs and fewer risks for our participating partners while optimizing their time to market. To learn more about INNODELICE, contact Andrea Montreuil or visit www.innodelice.com.

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