6 high protein smoothies that taste so good it feels like you’re drinking dessert! Most of these recipes taste like a milkshake but with so many nutritional benefits. Complete, well-balanced meals with some customizations if you’re just looking for a quick, delicious snack or post-workout treat.
I like to say that these smoothies are the best of both worlds – creamy, thick and sweet enough to feel like dessert, yet balanced with protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied.
The wonderful thing about smoothies is that there are many ways to customize based on your preferences, dietary allergies, or if you want to drink one as a snack or as a meal.
The Delicious Recipes
Click on the links for the full recipe and nutritional information, plus easy customization ideas as well.
1. Cherry Cheesecake Smoothie
This dark cherry cottage cheese smoothie is thick, creamy and tastes just like cheesecake! No cream cheese in this one, the cottage cheese adds the perfect amount of tang and the cheesecake pudding mix provides some sweetness.
This smoothie has 245 calories, 17 grams of protein, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber and 20 grams of sugar (with honey included), a great option for a lighter meal, healthy post-workout or mid-day snack! I recommend adding a scoop of unflavored protein powder if consuming as a meal.
Ingredients for One Serving
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds or ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon Jell-o Instant Cheesecake Pudding Mix
- 1/2 cup dark frozen cherries, or preferred fruit
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or preferred milk
- Drizzle of honey (optional)
This is a popular recipe of mine and I think it tastes amazing even if you don’t like cottage cheese! Just add all the ingredients to the blender and top with whipped cream!
2. Creamy Pistachio Pudding Cottage Cheese Smoothie
Since the cherry cheesecake smoothie was so popular, I had to make this creamy pistachio pudding version of it. Sure, pudding mix isn’t the most nutritious add-in, but it provides a lot of flavor and texture to a smoothie.
The ingredients might sound scary, but in the small amounts provided in these boxes, they are all recognized as safe (I promise).
This smoothie is so thick and creamy that it feels like a milkshake but is high in protein, fiber, iron and calcium. The nutty pistachio flavor pairs well with the sweet banana and tangy cottage cheese.
Each smoothie has 17 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber. Easily increase the protein content with protein powder or Fairlife milk for a higher protein meal.
Ingredients for 12 Ounce Serving
- 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. I used 2% Good Culture small curd cottage cheese.
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Instant Jell-O Pistachio Pudding mix.
- 1/2 frozen banana. This makes the smoothie even thicker. If you don’t have a frozen banana, can sub with a very ripe fresh banana and 4-5 ice cubes.
- 1 cup almond milk, vanilla or unflavored. To increase the protein content, sub with a higher protein milk like skim or Fairlife.
- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.
- 1 teaspoon of honey, or more depending on your preferences.
- Whipped cream for garnish, optional (but highly recommended).
Blend until smooth and well-combined. Taste test and adjust sweetness by adding more honey. If too thick, add a splash of milk depending on your consistency preferences.
3. Creamy Vanilla Pumpkin Protein Smoothie
This is another thick and creamy smoothie featuring pumpkin, peanut butter, and vanilla pudding mix. Omit the pudding mix, if preferred, but it really adds to the “dessert” feel. It’s so good, not just for the fall season!
This smoothie covers all the bases in a convenient way. Everything you could ask for in a well-balanced meal: this protein smoothie has it! 40 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, probiotics from the Greek yogurt, good source of calcium with potassium, iron, and vitamin D! It takes less than 5 minutes to make, too.
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree.
- 1/2 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt. I love using Oikos Triple Zero Vanilla Bean but it is higher in sugar.
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder. Protein powder can be omitted – especially if using Fairlife or skim milk!
- 1/2 cup of vanilla almond milk. If subbing with cow’s milk, start with just 3 ice cubes – this will thicken the smoothie substantially! You may need to add more liquid.
- 1 1/2 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix. Sub with instant cheesecake pudding mix for a pumpkin cheesecake flavor!
- 2/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- 2/8 teaspoon cinnamon.
- 7 ice cubes.
- 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.
- Drizzle of maple syrup, optional – taste test and add if you prefer a sweeter smoothie.
- Whipped cream, optional, but highly recommended.
Blend for about 60 seconds to ensure that the pudding thickens the smoothie.
4. Date Chocolate Peanut Butter Collagen Smoothie
Dark chocolate and peanut butter is a classic flavor combination – and the flavors of this smoothie do not disappoint. What is so exciting about this smoothie is that yes, it tastes like chocolate, but uses cacao powder which has anti-inflammatory properties and supports brain health!
No refined sugars here yet you still get that rich, chocolatey flavor. It’s super simple to make, too – just 6 simple ingredients. Naturally sweetened with dates, which adds fiber and more nutrients that fight inflammation.
Makes one 10-12 ounce serving.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk (1 cup) or preferred milk. Skim milk would increase the protein content.
- Unsweetened Dark Cacao Powder (1 tablespoon). I used Hershey’s Special Dark 100% cacao powder.
- Collagen Protein (4 tablespoons or serving size listed on label). My go-to is the Vital Protein Collagen Peptides. Sub with any protein powder you prefer!
- Peanut Butter (1 tablespoon)
- Medjool Pitted Dates (2). I love Natural Delights Pitted Medjool Dates and find they are pretty soft. Talk about softening the dates.
- Ice Cubes (about 4 large ice cubes).
- Frozen Banana, optional. Mixed berries or spinach could also be added if consuming this smoothie as a meal.
Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and puree for at least 45 seconds, until smooth and well-combined. Pour into a glass and enjoy! This smoothie is best if consumed immediately.
The dates should be very soft or else the blender may leave small chunks. To soften the dates, place them in a bowl with hot water and allow them to soak for 10-20 minutes prior to blending.
Each serving has 361 calories, 26 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. A delicious smoothie for a lighter, well-balanced meal or more filling snack.
5. Lemon Berry Kefir Smoothie
A lemon berry cheesecake-like smoothie that is tangy and delicious, like a lemon tart. It is so simple yet surprisingly so satisfying.
Packed with protein, fiber, and probiotics from both the yogurt and kefir. Lifeway kefir is 99% lactose-free as well so acked with nutrient-dense ingredients yet surprisingly tastes like s creamy lemon tart.
- 3/4 cup mixed berry Lifeway kefir. This is the star of the recipe and I don’t recommend substituting. Lifeway Kefir can be found at most grocery stores.
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt. Can sub with plain Greek yogurt for lower sugar content.
- 1-2 tablespoons chia seeds or ground flaxseed; nutritional information calculated for one tablespoon of chia seeds.
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries.
- Zest of 1/2 a small lemon, plus juice if preferred. Taste test and add more.
- Pinch of salt. This helps bring out the sweet and tart flavors!
- Drizzle of honey (optional).
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend for at least 30 seconds, until smooth and well-combined.
- Taste test and adjust tartness with more lemon or sweetness by adding honey or preferred sweetener. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately! I like to top with whipped cream.
This smoothie provides 23 grams of protein without protein powder!
6. Chessmen Banana Pudding Protein Shake
Inspired by my favorite dessert, this Chessmen banana pudding protein shake is for all the milkshake or protein shake lovers out there.
Chessmen cookies are actually added to this protein shake to give it that buttery flavor- and it does taste a lot like banana pudding! If you’re looking for a post-workout boost, satisfying snack, healthier dessert option, or a way to get rid of that frozen banana in your freezer – give this delicious shake a try!
Makes one serving. This smoothie has 25 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.
- Unsweetened or vanilla flavored almond milk (1 cup): Sub with preferred milk. For best results, make sure the milk is very cold and refrigerate prior to making this shake!
- Ripe frozen banana (1 medium or large): A frozen banana helps to create that thick and creamy consistency. If you don’t have a frozen banana, add some ice cubes to thicken it up. The riper the banana, the sweeter this protein shake will be! Therefore, no additional sweetener needed!
- Chessmen cookies (3 cookies): These buttery delicious cookies perfectly complement the sweet banana. Plus, they’re actually not that high in added sugar – just 5 grams for 3 cookies!
- Vanilla or unflavored protein powder (1 scoop): A good tasting protein powder is key. I used a vanilla whey protein isolate that I love – but I have definitely had some protein powders in the past that left a gritty or unsatisfying aftertaste in my mouth.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Incorporating a little vanilla extract helps to mask that protein powder taste and adds to the depth of flavor.
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a blender or Nutri-Bullet and blend until smooth and creamy! Pour into one very large glass or two smaller ones.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of whipped cream and crush some Chessmen cookies on top. As the whipped cream melts, stir it into the shake and it’s sooo creamy and delicious!
I hope you enjoyed these delicious smoothie recipes! Subscribe for more healthy recipes and evidecnce-based nutrition.