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Protein Shake Recipe

Name: How to Make Protein Shakes
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 frozen banana (in chunks); 1 scoop (25 g) vanilla protein powder; ¾ cup almond milk; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ Tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseed (optional); handful of ice; ½ cup cold brew; ½ cup non-dairy milk (I like oat or coconut milk for extra creaminess); 1 frozen banana (in chunks); ¼ cup frozen cauliflower rice (or ice); 1 scoop (25 g) vanilla protein powder (or chocolate protein powder); ½ Tablespoon chia seeds; ¼ teaspoon cinnamon; 1 Tablespoon almond butter; 1 frozen banana (in chunks); 1 scoop (25 g) vanilla protein powder; ¾ cup milk; ¼ cup Greek yogurt (or additional milk); ½ Tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseed (optional); 1 scoop (25 g) chocolate protein powder; ½ Tablespoon cocoa powder; 1 frozen banana (in chunks); ¾ cup milk; ½ Tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseed (optional); handful of ice; coconut whipped cream, for topping (optional); 1 scoop (25 g) vanilla plant-based protein powder; 1 cup frozen mixed berries; handful of spinach (optional)

Brittany Mullins, Certified Health CoachUpdated Oct 08, 2026

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Servings: 1

5 mins

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These six protein shake recipes come together in just 5 minutes, with creamy, delicious options for chocolate lovers, coffee fans and anyone craving something fruity.

Six protein shakes arranged on a marble board, topped with berries, banana slices, peanut butter, chopped peanuts and whipped cream.

As a health coach, I’m constantly telling my clients they need to prioritize protein! Whole food sources are always best, but sometimes you need a quick boost and that’s exactly where protein shakes come in.

I’ve spent years developing protein shake recipes for myself and my clients, testing countless protein powders, flavor combinations and blending techniques to figure out what actually makes a shake taste incredible instead of chalky, thin or overly sweet. The six flavors in this post (vanilla, chocolate, coffee, banana, peanut butter and vegan berry) are my go-to base recipes and some of the most made shakes on this blog!

For me, the best protein shakes are creamy, flavorful and easy to customize. Every shake recipe below packs at least 20 grams of protein and comes together in 5 minutes flat. Once you’ve got the base down, you can experiment with fun variations like my muddy buddy protein shake or cookies and cream protein shake.

6 Protein Shake Recipes to Try
How to Make a Protein Shake
Choosing a Protein Powder
How to Make a Protein Shake Without Banana
Protein Shake Recipe FAQs
More High-Protein Snacks to Try
How to Make Protein Shakes Recipe

6 Protein Shake Recipes to Try

Six protein shakes in glasses with assorted toppings, including fresh berries, banana slices and whipped cream.

Looking for protein shake ideas beyond your usual flavor? These six options take about 5 minutes to blend, and you’ll find the measurements for each in the recipe card below.

Vanilla: Frozen banana, vanilla protein powder and a little vanilla extract make a creamy base, with cinnamon for a touch of warmth. A good starting point if you’re new to homemade protein shakes.
Chocolate: Chocolate protein powder and cocoa powder give this one extra chocolate flavor. Add a little coconut whipped cream if you want to make it feel more like dessert.
Coffee: Cold brew, almond butter and a hint of cinnamon turn your shake into a coffee treat. Try it with vanilla protein powder or use chocolate for a mocha flavor.
Banana: Greek yogurt adds creaminess and a little tang to this banana-forward shake. It’s a simple option for using those ripe bananas you tucked away in the freezer.
Peanut butter: Two tablespoons of peanut butter give this shake plenty of nutty flavor. Paired with frozen banana, it’s thick, creamy and especially good for peanut butter lovers.
Vegan berry: Mixed frozen berries, plant-based protein powder and nut butter make a fruity option without banana. Toss in the optional spinach if you’d like to add some greens.

How to Make a Protein Shake

Side by side photo of ingredients for a peanut butter protein shake before and after being blended.

Step 1: Choose a flavor and gather its ingredients from the recipe card below. Add the milk or cold brew to your blender, followed by the remaining ingredients, leaving any toppings out.

Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy. If the shake is too thick, add a splash of milk and blend again. For a thicker shake, add a little ice or more frozen fruit. Pour into a glass, add any toppings and enjoy.

Choosing a Protein Powder

When making protein shakes with protein powder, start with a powder you actually enjoy. Blending can improve the texture, but it won’t disguise a flavor you don’t like.

I like Nuzest for a plant-based option, and I’ve shared more favorites in my protein powder guide. Here’s what to keep in mind for these recipes:

Flavor: Vanilla works with most of the shakes here. Chocolate adds richness to the chocolate shake and gives the coffee version a mocha flavor.
Plant-based or whey: Either works in these shakes. For a vegan version, use plant-based protein powder, non-dairy milk and dairy-free yogurt if you’re making the banana flavor. Adjust the milk as needed, since different powders can change the thickness.
Scoop size: These recipes call for 25 grams of protein powder. Scoops vary by brand, so check the label or weigh your powder. That’s 25 grams of powder, not 25 grams of protein.

If you’re choosing whey, you’ll likely see both concentrate and isolate on the label. Both work in these shakes, but isolate is filtered further to remove more lactose and fat, leaving a higher proportion of protein. Both are still dairy-based.

How to Make a Protein Shake Without Banana

Frozen banana adds both sweetness and creaminess, so your shake will taste a little different when you leave it out. My vegan berry version is already banana-free, or you can try one of these swaps:

Frozen fruit: Berries, mango or peaches add sweetness and thickness. Choose a fruit that works with your shake’s flavor, since you’ll taste it more than banana.
Frozen milk cubes: Freeze your favorite milk in an ice cube tray and use about 1 cup in place of the banana. This adds thickness without as much dilution as regular ice.
Frozen cauliflower rice: Start with ¼ cup, blend and adjust from there. I like this option when I want to add some veggies, but it won’t add the sweetness of banana.
Ice: About 1 cup gives the shake a colder, slushier texture. It’s an easy option, although the result won’t be as creamy.

Taste after blending. If your shake needs a little sweetness, add a small drizzle of maple syrup or honey, using maple syrup to keep it vegan.

Overhead view of six protein shakes with fresh berries, sliced banana, peanut butter drizzle and whipped cream with chocolate pieces or coffee beans.

Protein Shake Recipe FAQs

Can I make a high protein shake without protein powder?

Yes! Greek yogurt or cottage cheese can add protein and creaminess without powder. You’ll need to adjust the milk to get your preferred consistency, and you may want a little vanilla extract or sweetener to replace the flavor from the powder. The finished shake’s protein content will depend on the ingredients and amounts you use.

Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?

Absolutely. Dairy milk works in these recipes and adds more protein than most almond milks. Unsweetened soy milk is another option that contributes protein if you prefer a dairy-free shake.

What’s the difference between a protein shake and a smoothie?

There’s plenty of overlap! Protein shakes are made with an emphasis on protein, often from protein powder, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Smoothies can include those same ingredients, so a smoothie can also be a protein shake. These recipes combine a protein source with fruit and other ingredients for a creamy blended drink.