Need more high-protein drinks? Try my chocolate protein shake, peanut butter protein shake, coffee protein shake, and protein coffee next. I love protein shakes as much as the next guy, but I can’t be fooled into thinking of them as ‘dessert.’ So, I started making healthy milkshakes with protein powder. It’s a delicious way to meet my macros for the day, and it actually TASTES like dessert. Win-win!
Why I love this recipe
30+ grams of protein. These help me build muscle, have more energy, and curb’s my appetite between meals. Easy to customize. I’m starting off with the vanilla protein milkshake (my favorite!), but I also included several delicious flavor combinations. Simple ingredients. No lengthy ingredient list here. Just a few kitchen staples and some fun toppings. Doesn’t taste like a protein treat. Smooth, creamy, and feeds your soul, like all good milkshakes should.
Ingredients needed
Protein powder. I used bourbon vanilla brown rice protein powder, but any type of protein powder will do. Just make sure it has a flavor you enjoy, as it’s a main component in the shake. Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk works. For extra protein, use Fairlife ultra-filtered milk (it has almost double the protein of any other milk) or even cow’s milk (6-7 grams of protein per cup). Ice cream. For the vanilla shake, I used vanilla ice cream. Vanilla extract. A must for any good milkshake. Ice cubes. For blending. Toppings. I topped mine with whipped cream, sprinkles, and cherries, but play around with whatever toppings you like!
How to make protein milkshakes
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. While I’m partial to my vanilla ice cream shakes, I had to include some popular flavor combinations so you can shake things up (no pun intended)!
Chocolate. Use chocolate protein powder and add one teaspoon of cocoa powder. Strawberry. Add one cup of fresh or frozen strawberries. Cookies and cream. Add one cup of crushed Oreos, plus more for garnish. Chocolate peanut butter. Use chocolate protein powder, add one tablespoon of creamy peanut butter, and top with crushed peanuts. Malted. Add two tablespoons of malted milk powder to the shake.
Step 1- Blend. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Step 2- Garnish. Pour the mixture into a glass and decorate it with your toppings. Serve with a straw, and enjoy!
Arman’s recipe tips
Add an extra protein boost. Swap the vanilla ice cream for my protein ice cream or cottage cheese ice cream. Lower the calories. If you’re on a lower-calorie diet, you can swap the ice cream for vanilla Greek yogurt. Swap the ice. Ice is great, but you can add more flavor (plus vitamins, potassium, and fiber) if you swap the ice for a frozen banana!
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Give it a stir before serving in case there is any separation. To freeze: Transfer leftovers to an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, store the cubes in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. To re-mix, add it to a blender with a splash of milk and blend until smooth.
More high protein snacks
Homemade protein bars Protein balls Protein granola bars Protein cookie dough Or any of these high protein snack recipes
