Bored of making plain shakes with protein powders? I’ve got some easy recipes for you that are healthy, delicious, and interesting new ways to add protein to your diet. Enjoy these protein-packed snacks and say goodbye to flavorless protein powder forever.
this RECIPE
As you probably know, the body needs proteins to make new cells and repair damaged ones. So, eating enough protein is critical for overall good health. Plus, it can help with weight loss.
Adding a protein powder supplement to your daily meal plan may provide you with an extra energy boost. I usually have a protein smoothie at lunch like this Banana Protein Shake. A good protein supplement may also help build muscles, and you can reach your total daily protein intake goals without the unnecessary extra calories.
But I understand that it can get extremely boring to add a scoop of protein powder to water in a shaker bottle.
I know I was bored of glugging down an unappetizing protein shake. So Dustin and I started thinking about a solution and yes, we created cleanish Brand Protein Powder. I'll go into that more below!
The truth is, there are many interesting ways to eat protein powder. I’m going to share some of my favorite recipes with you that use protein powder - you can use vanilla protein powder or chocolate protein powder - according to your preference.
Try out my protein powder recipes, whether you’re looking for sweet or savory high protein snacks. I promise you; you’ll never wonder how to include more protein in your diet again.
My Top 5 Protein Powder Recipes
1. Banana Protein Pancakes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Protein content: 7 grams per serving of 2 pancakes
These fluffy and filling pancakes are easy to rustle up and super healthy. Besides vanilla protein, they contain the nutritious goodness of oatmeal, bananas, eggs, and flaxseed.
The baking powder gives them a tempting fluff, and the cinnamon and coconut oil lend a delicate flavor to the pancakes.
This is a quick protein-packed recipe that’s great for busy workday mornings. And with just 102 calories per serving, you can treat yourself to some maple syrup without guilt.
The protein pancakes can be stored for 3-4 days in an airtight container, so you can make a bigger batch and enjoy later.
Full recipe here.
2. Protein Shakes
Banana Shake
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Protein content: 38.2 grams per serving
This thick, creamy protein shake is incredibly satisfying!
Made with full-fat Greek yogurt and sugar-free almond milk, it’s my favorite way to enjoy a healthy breakfast that’s ready in under 5 minutes. The cinnamon flavor is usually all that’s needed, but you can go ahead and add chocolate chips or a dash of cocoa powder if you are craving a chocolate hit.
Frozen banana gives this shake a smoother, creamier texture, but if you only have fresh bananas on hand, they work alright, too. If you don’t care much for bananas, go ahead and add a fruit you enjoy, such as frozen berries (blueberries and raspberries are good options).
Check out this banana shake recipe.
Orange Shake
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Protein content: 25.6 grams per serving
Looking for healthy recipes that make for a great post-workout meal? This refreshing orange shake has over 25 grams of protein and can be made quickly and easily in a blender or food processor.
The frozen banana in this recipe gives it more flavor and bulk. Plus, it satisfies your sweet tooth.
I use almond milk, but you can go with a milk of your choice. I’ve found that coconut milk goes well with these flavors too. If you want your shake to be plant-based, replace Greek yogurt with vegan yogurt. Using cleanish Brand Protein Powder will fit the vegan requirement too, as our recipe is plant-based and dairy-free.
Full recipe on this post.
Strawberry Shake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Protein content: 31.7 grams per serving
This refreshing, tasty strawberry shake is one of my favorite protein powder recipes. It works great for breakfast and as a post-workout snack.
It keeps me feeling full for longer, so it’s great when I’m trying to get rid of a few extra pounds. The strawberries are a great source of fiber and super tasty, especially when they’re in season.
Honey adds a nice touch of sweetness to this recipe and has many important nutrients, too.
With over 30 grams of protein per serving, this shake is an excellent way to boost your metabolism and keep any cravings for a high-calorie dessert at bay.
Check out the full recipe here.
Coffee Shake
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Protein content: 24.8 grams per serving
This blend contains two of my favorite ingredients - coffee and almond butter.
I use chocolate protein powder in this shake to give it that extra kick of flavor. If you’re wondering, it’s perfectly fine to mix whey protein and coffee.
If you’re not counting calories too strictly, go ahead and add some chocolate chips to make it even tastier. Just avoid adding a sweet syrup if you can.
And here’s a tip - if you’ve added too much milk and want a thicker consistency, a little bit of almond flour or almond meal will do the trick.
Detailed recipe here.
3. Peanut Butter Protein Cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Protein content: 9 grams per cookie
While most cookies and baked goods are reserved for cheat days and cannot claim to be healthy, these flourless peanut butter protein cookies contain 9 grams of protein each, so there’s no doubting the health factor.
With just four ingredients, these cookies are super easy to make. The sweetness of coconut sugar satisfies your sweet tooth, and the peanut butter lends the rich flavor of peanuts.
If you find the cookie dough is too crumbly, just add some more peanut butter, and it should bind well.
Check out my recipe in this post!
4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Protein Content: 15 grams of protein per serving
Around mid-day, I start to experience a dip in energy. That’s when I’m most likely to eat an unhealthy snack like ice cream.
I keep these chocolate peanut butter protein bars on hand to prevent that from happening.
They are protein packed, high in fiber, low sugar, and low carb. The rolled oats and chia seeds give them great texture, and the cinnamon and cocoa flavors are my all-time favorites.
These protein bars store well at room temperature for up to a week, and you can also freeze them.
Here’s the complete recipe.
5. Protein Smoothies
Green Smoothie
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes
Protein content: 37.5 grams of protein per serving
This healthy green smoothie is made with baby spinach, frozen banana, peanut butter, and coconut milk. You can always swap out the spinach for another green leafy veggie like kale, depending on what’s available on your supermarket shelf.
This smoothie is one of my favorite protein powder recipes because it’s nutritious, tasty, and refreshing. I find that it keeps hunger pangs at bay for hours.
Now, what could be better than a recipe that includes both fruits and veggies?
Beet Protein Smoothie
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Protein content: 6.2 grams of protein per serving
This vibrant pink smoothie doesn’t just look good, it also tastes delicious and is full of the goodness of beet, including a whole host of vitamins, omega 3s, antioxidants, fiber, and of course, protein.
If you don’t want to add protein powder, nut butter can be a good substitute. I also like to sprinkle some flaxseed or chia seeds toppings for texture and nutrition.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Protein content: 32.7 grams of protein per serving
When October comes around, we all start to scramble for pumpkin recipes to get into the season's spirit. This pumpkin cheesecake smoothie is one of my favorite protein powder recipes in the fall because it’s got all the flavors I love - pumpkin spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and ginger.
What’s more, it’s healthy, high in protein, and easy to make. Just add the almond milk a little bit at a time to get the liquid or thick consistency you want.
Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Protein content: 35 grams of protein per serving
Consuming anything that has “blueberry muffin” in its name sounds unhealthy. But this smooth concoction is packed with the goodness of berries and rolled oats and is super healthy.
It packs the sweetness and yumminess of fruits and the delicate flavors of cinnamon and banana.
If you like your smoothies thick, go easy on the almond milk. If you want it thinner, hold back on the yogurt.
Can You Cook With Protein Powder?
Yes, you can absolutely cook with protein powder, including baking and putting it in a microwave. That’s because protein powders are just like real foods. Heating them will not destroy them in any way.
So, just like you can cook other high protein foods like cottage cheese, egg whites, meat, etc., you can cook protein powder - it’s 100% safe.
Wrapping Up
I hope you’ll enjoy my protein powder recipes, and they will inspire you to experiment some more.
There’s really no need to drink protein powder like a chore. You can combine protein powders with other healthy ingredients and come up with delicious snacks that are quick and easy to make.
And with cleanish Brand Protein Powder coming in flavors like Chocolate + Sea Salt, Vanilla Bean and also Caramel Latte, you'll have a blast adding protein powder to tasty recipes like the ones I've highlighted above. Clean ingredients make this naturally sweet protein powder ultra tasty.
Stay tuned for more protein powder recipes, and tell me how you got along with these ones!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have a wide range of knowledge on various topics, including protein powders and recipes that incorporate them. I have been trained on a large corpus of text, which includes information from various sources such as articles, books, and websites. This extensive training allows me to provide accurate and detailed information on a wide range of topics, including the concepts used in this article.
Protein Powders
Protein powders are a popular dietary supplement used to increase protein intake. They are made from various protein sources such as whey, casein, soy, pea, and hemp. These powders are commonly used by athletes, bodybuilders, and individuals with specific dietary needs to enhance muscle growth, aid in recovery, and support overall health.
Protein powders are a convenient and versatile way to add protein to your diet. They can be easily mixed with water, milk, or other liquids to create a protein shake or smoothie. Additionally, protein powders can be incorporated into various recipes to increase the protein content of meals and snacks.
Benefits of Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in the body. It is necessary for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues, including muscles, bones, skin, and organs. Protein is composed of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein molecules.
Including an adequate amount of protein in your diet has several benefits:
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Muscle growth and repair: Protein is crucial for building and repairing muscles. It provides the necessary amino acids needed for muscle protein synthesis, which is the process of building new muscle tissue.
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Weight loss and weight management: Protein is more satiating than carbohydrates or fats, meaning it can help you feel fuller for longer. This can aid in weight loss by reducing hunger and preventing overeating.
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Metabolism and energy: Protein has a higher thermic effect compared to carbohydrates and fats, which means that the body burns more calories during digestion and absorption. This can slightly increase metabolism and energy expenditure.
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Bone health: Protein is important for maintaining bone health and preventing age-related bone loss. It plays a role in the production of collagen, a protein that provides structure and strength to bones.
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Overall health and well-being: Protein is involved in various bodily functions, including the production of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. It also helps maintain a healthy immune system and supports the repair of damaged cells.
Protein Powder Recipes
This article offers a variety of protein powder recipes that are both healthy and delicious. Here is a summary of the recipes mentioned:
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Banana Protein Pancakes: These pancakes are made with vanilla protein powder, oatmeal, bananas, eggs, and flaxseed. They are a protein-packed and filling breakfast option.
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Protein Shakes: The article provides recipes for several protein shake variations, including Banana Shake, Orange Shake, Strawberry Shake, and Coffee Shake. These shakes are made with protein powder, various fruits, and other ingredients such as almond milk, Greek yogurt, and almond butter.
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Peanut Butter Protein Cookies: These flourless cookies are made with peanut butter, protein powder, coconut sugar, and eggs. They are a healthier alternative to traditional cookies and provide a good amount of protein.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars: These bars are made with protein powder, rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, cocoa, and other ingredients. They are a nutritious and convenient snack option.
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Protein Smoothies: The article provides recipes for Green Smoothie, Beet Protein Smoothie, Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie, and Blueberry Muffin Smoothie. These smoothies are made with protein powder, fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients such as almond milk, peanut butter, and coconut milk.
Conclusion
Protein powders are a versatile and convenient way to increase protein intake. They can be used to make protein shakes, smoothies, and various recipes to add flavor and nutritional value to meals and snacks. This article offers a range of delicious protein powder recipes that can help you incorporate more protein into your diet while enjoying tasty and nutritious dishes.
