Pimp your protein shake with these 20 delicious recipes!
- Reading time: 11 min.
Protein is one of the most important building blocks of our body. As a strength athlete, you need a bit more protein than the average person to stimulate muscle recovery and growth. A protein shake is a convenient tool for this when you find it difficult to get all your protein from food. Additionally, drinking a shake has its benefits; you don't have to consume kilos of chicken every day, you can easily take your shake anywhere, and a shake is also relatively cheaper than, for example, chicken or beef. However, such a shake can sometimes become a bit boring. With these 20 delicious protein shake recipes, boring shakes are a thing of the past!
To help you get your protein in a quick and easy way, we’ve compiled the tastiest protein shake recipes for you! These shakes are perfect for breakfast, pre-workout, post-workout, pre-bedtime, or just as a tasty snack. We've used whey proteins for almost all recipes. Of course, you can replace them with casein proteins if you prefer. This is especially useful when you take the shake pre-bedtime. Just keep in mind that the nutritional values of the shake will then change. Read here to find out which type of protein best suits your goals.
Protein shakes with coffee
The best of both worlds combined: coffee and protein, in one shake! Perfect for the coffee lovers among us, great for waking up in the morning or getting an extra boost before your workout.
Protein Frappuccino
A delicious, creamy iced coffee... perfect for summer! The only downside is that it’s often packed with sugar and fat. So why not whip up your own protein frappuccino in no time? This shake is great for waking up in the morning, as a pre-workout boost, or just as a tasty snack! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Delicious Cappuccino or Vanilla
- 1 cup of coffee, cooled
- 5 ice cubes
- 200 ml skimmed milk
- A splash of Light Caramel Syrup
Start by brewing a cup of coffee and let it cool thoroughly. You can place it in the fridge to speed up the process. Then, pour the coffee, milk, ice cubes, and whey into a blender, and add caramel syrup to taste. Blend it all together, and your protein frappuccino is ready!
Nutritional values: 142 kcal / 11 grams of carbohydrates / 1 gram of fat / 22 grams of protein.
Wake-Up Shake
With this shake, you’re guaranteed an energy boost thanks to the caffeine it contains! Ingredients:
- 30 grams of Whey Isolate Chocolate
- 50 grams of banana
- 20 grams of oatmeal
- 2 teaspoons of instant coffee
- 300 ml unsweetened almond milk
- A splash of Light Caramel Syrup
Put all the ingredients, except the Caramel Syrup, into a blender and mix them well. Now, add some Caramel Syrup to taste and blend it again. If you find the shake too thick, you can add some water or ice cubes.
Nutritional values: 263 kcal / 23 grams of carbohydrates / 5 grams of fat / 31 grams of protein.
Delicious Sweet Protein Shakes
We all have cravings from time to time. That intense desire for a delicious piece of cake or that oh-so-tasty chocolate bar. With these shakes, you can satisfy those cravings perfectly. Each of these shakes is inspired by all sorts of sweet treats, but they’re packed with protein! What more could you want?
Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie
Who doesn’t love carrot cake? The only downside might be the calories, mostly from carbs and fats. With this delicious carrot cake protein smoothie, you can enjoy that wonderful carrot cake flavour packed with protein! The whey in this recipe can easily be replaced with casein, making it the perfect pre-bedtime snack. But it’s also delightful as a snack during the day! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Vanilla
- 75 grams of banana
- 50 grams of grated carrot
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 50 grams of 0% fat Greek yoghurt
- A pinch of spice mix (like gingerbread spices)
Throw all the ingredients into the blender. Be cautious with the spice mix, as it has a very strong flavour. You can always add more later if needed. Blend everything well, and your liquid carrot cake is ready! You can also add some crushed walnuts or raisins if you like.
Nutritional values: 202 kcal / 20 grams of carbohydrates / 3 grams of fat / 23 grams of protein.
Schwarzwälder Kirsch Shake
Schwarzwälder Kirsch is another one of those delicious cakes. Now you can enjoy it in shake form! Easy to make, quick to prepare, and packed with protein. Perfect! Ingredients:
- 30 grams of Whey Isolate Chocolate
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 50 grams of banana
- 100 grams of frozen cherries
- 5 ice cubes
Place all the ingredients in your blender, mix well, and enjoy! To make it extra delicious, you can add a bit of (light) whipped cream on top.
Nutritional values: 243 kcal / 26 grams of carbohydrates / 3 grams of fat / 29 grams of protein.
Snickers Protein Shake
"Hungry? Grab a Snickers!" Or even better, drink a Snickers protein shake. This shake has the delicious Snickers flavour and is packed with protein... a win-win! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Delicious Chocolate-Caramel
- 5 to 10 ice cubes
- 10 grams of cocoa powder
- 100 ml water
- 75 grams of cottage cheese
- 20 grams of Protein Peanut Butter
- A splash of Light Caramel Syrup (optional)
Place the water, cottage cheese, whey, cocoa powder, and Protein Peanut Butter into a blender. Blend until smooth, then gradually add the ice cubes, one by one, until the shake reaches your desired thickness (depending on your preference). Optionally, add a splash of Caramel Syrup, and enjoy your protein-rich Snickers shake!
Nutritional values: 284 kcal / 5 grams of carbohydrates / 12 grams of fat / 37 grams of protein.
Oreo Milkshake
Oreo cookies, those delicious chocolate biscuits with a creamy layer... now in a creamy, protein-rich milkshake version. Perfect as a pre-bedtime shake, or as a post-workout treat if you replace the casein with whey. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Night Protein Cookies & Cream
- 100 grams of cottage cheese
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 2 Oreo cookies
- 10 grams of cocoa powder
Blend all the ingredients together. If you prefer a thinner shake, you can add a bit more almond milk. After blending, the shake is best enjoyed if you let it sit in the fridge for half an hour to an hour. This allows it to thicken and develop a more milkshake-like texture. But if you can't wait that long, which we totally understand, you can enjoy this delicious shake right away!
Nutritional values: 333 kcal / 18 grams of carbohydrates / 13 grams of fat / 35 grams of protein.
Apple Pie Shake
The only difference between this shake and the delicious apple pie your mother used to bake is that this shake contains 24 grams of protein. This shake also has a good amount of carbohydrates and fats, making it suitable for any time of day. You can easily replace the whey with casein, making it a perfect pre-bedtime shake. It’s also great as a breakfast option, or pre- or post-workout. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Vanilla
- 100 grams of apple, chopped
- 300 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 10 grams of almonds
- 25 grams of oatmeal
- A pinch of cinnamon (to taste)
First, put the apple and almond milk in the blender and mix well. Make sure to chop the apple into small pieces so the blender can easily break them down. You should also finely chop the almonds beforehand. Once the apple and almond milk are blended, add the remaining ingredients. Blend everything thoroughly, and you’re ready to enjoy your apple pie shake!
Nutritional values: 316 kcal / 31 grams of carbohydrates / 11 grams of fat / 24 grams of protein
Peanut Explosion
This shake is rich, creamy, and tastes like chocolate and peanut butter. If that doesn’t satisfy your cravings, we don’t know what will. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Chocolate
- 20 grams of Protein Peanut Butter
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 50 grams of banana
- A pinch of cinnamon
To prepare this shake, follow the standard procedure: put everything in the blender, blend, and enjoy your shake.
Nutritional values: 241 kcal / 12 grams of carbohydrates / 9 grams of fat / 28 grams of protein
Salted Caramel Milkshake
Chocolate with salted caramel is becoming more popular, and for good reason; it’s delicious! Now you can enjoy it guilt-free with this shake. Perfect after your workout, or as a pre-bedtime shake if you replace the whey with casein. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Delicious Chocolate-Caramel
- 200 ml skimmed milk
- A splash of Light Caramel Syrup
- A pinch of sea salt
This delicious shake is ready in just a few minutes. Put all the ingredients in the blender, blend, and you’re done! Tip: If you want a thicker and creamier shake, try replacing the milk with yoghurt, or add some banana.
Nutritional values: 142 kcal / 11 grams of carbohydrates / 1 gram of fat / 22 grams of protein
Choco Banana Dream
This shake combines banana, chocolate, and peanut butter. With those three ingredients, you can’t go wrong! In no time, you’ll have a shake that’s rich in protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This shake is great for breakfast, but also works well as a pre- or post-workout option. Ingredients:
- 30 grams of Whey Isolate Chocolate
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 10 grams of almonds
- 50 grams of banana
- 10 grams of Protein Peanut Butter
- 20 grams of oatmeal
Finely chop the almonds before adding them to the blender. Then, put all the ingredients into the blender and blend until you have a delicious, creamy shake. You can also blend in some ice cubes for a crunchy bite.
Nutritional values: 361 kcal / 25 grams of carbohydrates / 13 grams of fat / 37 grams of protein
Strawberry Cheesecake Shake
A delicious strawberry cheesecake... but in shake form. You’ll want to drink this shake all day long because it’s just that tasty! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Vanilla
- 50 grams of cottage cheese
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 100 grams of strawberries (frozen)
- 20 grams of 0% fat Greek yoghurt
- 5-10 ice cubes
- A splash of strawberry syrup
Put all the ingredients, except the ice cubes and strawberry syrup, into the blender. Blend until smooth. You can then add some ice cubes to thin the shake if needed. Finally, add a splash of strawberry syrup and stir it into the shake. For an authentic cheesecake effect, you can top the shake with some crushed biscuits... Enjoy!
Nutritional values: 193 kcal / 9 grams of carbohydrates / 6 grams of fat / 27 grams of protein
Blueberry Cheesecake Shake
For cheesecake lovers, we have the Blueberry Cheesecake Shake in addition to the Strawberry Cheesecake Shake. This shake is also delicious, quick to make, and packed with protein! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Vanilla
- 50 grams of cottage cheese
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 100 grams of blueberries (frozen)
- 20 grams of 0% fat Greek yoghurt
- 5-10 ice cubes
- A splash of blueberry syrup
As with the Strawberry Cheesecake Shake, put all the ingredients except the ice cubes and blueberry syrup into the blender. Once you have a smooth blend, you can add the ice cubes one by one. Finally, add some blueberry syrup to taste and enjoy!
Nutritional values: 195 kcal / 10 grams of carbohydrates / 5 grams of fat / 27 grams of protein
Banana-Chocolate Milkshake
This banana-chocolate milkshake tastes just as good as a "real" milkshake, but with better nutritional values. It’s perfect as a tasty snack, or as a pre- or post-workout treat. Ingredients:
- 30 grams of Whey Isolate Chocolate
- 200 ml skimmed milk
- 75 grams of banana (frozen)
- 2-5 ice cubes
Make sure to freeze 75 grams of banana slices before making this shake. Put the whey, milk, and frozen banana into the blender and mix everything together. Then add some ice cubes. The amount depends on how thick you want your shake. For a thinner shake, add more ice cubes.
Nutritional values: 235 kcal / 25 grams of carbohydrates / 1 gram of fat / 33 grams of protein
Fruit Shakes
Adding fruit to your shake not only gives it a delicious, fresh taste but also adds extra vitamins! The recipes below are for the tastiest shakes packed with plenty of fruit, perfect for starting your day or recovering after a tough workout.
Blueberry/Oatmeal Shake
This shake with blueberries and oatmeal is perfect as a refreshing, summery breakfast, but also as a pre- or post-workout shake. The blueberries provide plenty of vitamins and antioxidants! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Strawberry, Raspberry, or Chocolate
- 100 grams of blueberries (frozen)
- 25 grams of oatmeal
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
If you use the Strawberry or Raspberry Whey Isolate for this shake, it will have a nice, fresh, fruity flavour. If you prefer a chocolate twist, go for the chocolate flavour. Put all the ingredients in the blender, blend... and your fruit shake is ready!
Nutritional values: 234 kcal / 23 grams of carbohydrates / 5 grams of fat / 22 grams of protein
Blueberry/Oatmeal Shake
This shake with blueberries and oatmeal is perfect as a refreshing, summery breakfast, but also as a pre- or post-workout shake. The blueberries provide plenty of vitamins and antioxidants! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Strawberry, Raspberry, or Chocolate
- 100 grams of blueberries (frozen)
- 25 grams of oatmeal
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
If you use the Strawberry or Raspberry Whey Isolate for this shake, it will have a nice, fresh, fruity flavour. If you prefer a chocolate twist, go for the chocolate flavour. Put all the ingredients in the blender, blend... and your fruit shake is ready!
Nutritional values: 234 kcal / 23 grams of carbohydrates / 5 grams of fat / 22 grams of protein
Protein-Rich Piña Colada
This shake resembles the delicious tropical cocktail piña colada, but without the alcohol and with added protein! A refreshing shake, perfect for summer. Not only is this shake packed with protein, but it also contains a sneaky bit of spinach for added vitamins and minerals. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Vanilla
- 300 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 50 grams of 0% fat Greek yoghurt
- 50 grams of banana
- 75 grams of pineapple chunks (frozen)
- 20 grams of spinach leaves
- 10 grams of shredded coconut
Throw all the ingredients into the blender, blend well, and your protein-rich piña colada is ready in no time.
Nutritional values: 288 kcal / 22 grams of carbohydrates / 11 grams of fat / 24 grams of protein
Green Health Shake
This green shake is super healthy and packed with iron, fibre, vitamins, and protein. A great vitamin boost to start your day or to recover after a tough workout! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Banana or Coconut
- 100 grams of mango chunks (frozen)
- 50 grams of banana
- 20 grams of spinach leaves
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
Pour the almond milk into the blender first, then add the other ingredients. Blend everything, and your vitamin boost is ready. For an extra touch, you can sprinkle some cacao nibs or shredded coconut on top.
Nutritional values: 213 kcal / 25 grams of carbohydrates / 3 grams of fat / 20 grams of protein
Strawberry-Coconut Shake
If you’re looking for a refreshing, summery, and protein-rich thirst-quencher, this shake is perfect! It’s great as a pre- or post-workout drink, or just as a tasty snack. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Strawberry
- 100 grams of strawberries (frozen)
- 200 ml coconut water
- 10 grams of shredded coconut
The preparation is simple: put all the ingredients in the blender, blend them together, and your summery shake is ready.
Nutritional values: 214 kcal / 18 grams of carbohydrates / 8 grams of fat / 19 grams of protein
Vanilla-Kiwi Shake
Another refreshing, fruity shake is this vanilla-kiwi shake. Packed with both vitamins and protein: two benefits in one! Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Vanilla
- 150 grams of kiwi (chopped)
- 50 grams of banana
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
First, chop the kiwi into small pieces. Then, put the kiwi and other ingredients in the blender and blend until you have a smooth, creamy shake.
Nutritional values: 242 kcal / 28 grams of carbohydrates / 4 grams of fat / 20 grams of protein
Strawberry Milkshake
Just as tasty as a real milkshake, this protein-rich version with strawberries is perfect for cooling down after your workout or as a refreshing snack on a warm day. Ingredients:
- 20 grams of Whey Isolate Strawberry
- 100 grams of strawberries (frozen)
- 50 grams of banana
- 200 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 5 ice cubes
Put all the ingredients except the ice cubes into the blender and blend them together. Then, add the ice cubes one by one until the milkshake reaches the desired thickness. The more ice cubes you add, the thinner the shake will be. Extra tip: top the milkshake with some shredded coconut for added flavour.
Nutritional values: 181 kcal / 17 grams of carbohydrates / 4 grams of fat / 20 grams of protein
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of protein shake recipes to transform your “boring” shake into a real treat. Plus, all these recipes are super easy and quick to make. So, from now on, there’s no excuse to skip your shake!
However, it’s important to remember that while these protein treats are delicious and nutritious, they should be consumed in moderation. Excessive calorie and protein intake can hinder your fitness goals. Always keep an eye on your daily needs and adjust your calorie and protein intake to suit your specific goals.
To help you with this, we have a handy macros and calories calculator available. This will allow you to calculate exactly what you need to perform optimally and achieve your goals.
So enjoy your delicious, protein-rich treats, but always keep an eye on your nutritional intake. This way, you’ll stay on track towards becoming a healthier, stronger version of yourself.