Healthy Banana Protein Shake

Published 3/30/2019 • Updated 2/15/2024 Boasting 16 grams of protein per serving and oh-so-flavorful, this homemade protein shake recipe will fuel your body post-workout and satisfy your sweet tooth without all the added sugars. Though a banana protein shake may sound pretty run-of-the-mill, it is one of our favorite protein shake recipes! We absolutely love making this after a hard workout because it’s packed with protein but tastes like dessert. That’s right. A healthy protein shake recipe that actually tastes creamy and delicious AND doesn’t pack any ingredients you can’t pronounce. #winning. This perfect breakfast or snack could not be easier to make. Simply place all your ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. In just a few minutes, you’ll be sipping on your delicious protein shake in no time.

Banana Protein Shake – What You’ll Need

Frozen sliced bananas: Bananas are a staple when it comes to making smoothies and shakes. If this will be your first time using frozen banana slices, check out this post on how to freeze bananas! Vanilla protein powder: We used Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein, a plant-based protein powder that’s perfect for vegans. Milk: Any milk will work for this recipe! We used unsweetened almond milk because it’s creamy and adds a nice nutty flavor. Frozen Greek yogurt: Our secret to what gives this protein shake the consistency you typically get from adding ice cream to a shake. We like to freeze our Greek yogurt into an ice cube tray ahead of time and then keep the cubes in Stasher bags in the freezer to have on hand whenever the protein shake mood strikes. High-speed blender: A good blender is key for creating a smooth and creamy protein shake.

Delicious Variations & Substitutions

The great thing about protein shakes is that you can easily swap and add ingredients to create a different flavor profile. Feel free to use your favorite type of protein powder. Both plant-based and whey protein powder will taste just as good!

Raw Organic Protein

Pure Whey Protein

Protein Powder

Organic Whey Protein

Organic Protein Powder

Not a fan of almond milk? Oat milk or cashew milk are great alternatives. Want to boost your protein intake? Add chia seeds or nut butters like cashew butter. And to enjoy a chocolate banana protein shake, sprinkle in some cocoa powder for a decadent twist.

How do I freeze bananas for protein shakes?

Freezing bananas for smoothies is easy. Slice your bananas into thin slices and then transfer them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 2 hours. Then, transfer them into a freeze-safe gallon-size bag for storage.

Top Tips for Protein Shake Recipes

There are some great-tasting protein powders out there, but let’s be real, you can usually tell when there is protein powder in something. Check out our favorite protein powders in this Guide to the Best Protein Powder for some recommendations. We love freezing bananas ahead of time so we can make this shake recipe whenever we have a craving. Depending on how thick you like your shakes, you have the option to add more milk by the tablespoon until the desired thickness is reached.

Banana Protein Shake Topping Ideas

You’re welcome to serve this banana protein shake with any toppings that tickle your fancy! We drizzled ours with drippy peanut butter and added a dollop of whipped coconut milk to the top, which we’d highly recommend. All you need to do is put a whole can of coconut milk in the freezer, and once it’s chilled, remove the can and scoop out JUST the solidified coconut milk at the top of the can. Whip until smooth and airy with your hand mixer. Feel free to add a dash of maple or honey to give this whip a little sweetness if you so choose. Dollop away! Other great ideas include:

cinnamon chopped nuts cacao nibs/chocolate chips