This healthy Vanilla Protein Shake recipe is made with clean, nourishing ingredients like natural protein powder, pure vanilla extract, banana, milk, and honey. It makes an ideal post-workout shake or healthy breakfast smoothie, because it is refined sugar-free and is so easy to make. Learn how to make a homemade protein shake with this fast and effortless recipe!
You are going to love this vanilla protein smoothie recipe, because it is packed with nutritious ingredients and is so simple to make. It makes a protein-rich breakfast that will jump-start your day and will keep you feeling satiated all morning. It is also an ideal post-workout shake that will refuel your energy and help your muscles to heal after exercising.
Should You Drink a Protein Shake Before or After a Workout?
A number of studies show that protein helps your muscles to repair and rebuild after exercise. For that reason, many people drink protein shakes after their workouts to aid this process. However, recent research suggests the amount of protein you consume per day is more important than when you consume it for gaining muscle mass (source). Therefore, you can choose which time you prefer or is most convenient for you. Personally, I always opt to have a protein shake after hitting the gym, but that’s just what works best for me.
Are Protein Shakes Good for Weight Loss?
Absolutely! As long as protein shakes are made with clean, junk-free ingredients, they are superb for weight loss. Protein shakes are a rich source of protein (hence the name), which is an important nutrient for weight loss. Getting enough protein in your diet boosts your metabolism, reduces your appetite, and helps you lose body fat without losing muscle.
Vanilla Protein Shake Ingredients
Before we get to the recipe, let’s discuss ingredients. To make this vanilla protein smoothie, you will need:
- Protein Powder: This majorly boosts the protein content of your smoothie. If you can, use a natural and organic protein powder that contains no additives, fillers, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives.
- Milk: This serves as the liquid base for the smoothie. I usually use low-fat dairy milk.
- Vanilla extract: This infuses the smoothie with warm, sweet vanilla flavor. Make sure you use the real, natural stuff (preferably organic) and not anything artificial.
- Banana: This gives your smoothie a rich and creamy consistency. It is also a great source of potassium and dietary fiber.
- Honey: This adds natural and unrefined sweetness. Not all packaged honey is created equal, so I recommend using one that is 100% pure, raw, and unfiltered for optimal health benefits.
- Ice: This helps thicken the shake. Although, if I don’t have any ice in the freezer, I just make my protein shake without it.
How to Make a Vanilla Protein Shake
This recipe could not be easier. To make this homemade vanilla protein shake recipe, simply:
- Add all of the ingredients – milk, banana, ice, honey, vanilla extract, and protein powder – to a blender.
- Blend until smooth and serve immediately.
(Exact ingredient amounts are included in the full recipe below, as always.)
Pro Tip: When adding your ingredients to your blender to make a shake, always add the liquid (in this case, the milk) first near the blades. Doing this will help your blender to run a bit more smoothly.
How to Make This Recipe with Vanilla Protein Powder
If you want to use vanilla protein powder instead of plain protein powder in this recipe, you definitely can. I recommend using a high-quality vanilla protein powder that is naturally flavored and sweetened.
To make your shake, simply make the recipe as written below (using a scoop of vanilla protein powder instead of unflavored protein powder), but omit the honey and vanilla extract. If your protein shake is not sweet enough after you’ve blended it, then feel free to sweeten it to taste with honey or another natural sweetener.
Possible Recipe Variations
This homemade protein shake recipe is very flexible with regards to variations. For example, feel free to…
- Swap in non-dairy milk: I generally use dairy milk when making shakes, but you can use any kind of milk you like. Unsweetened almond, coconut, soy, hemp, oat, or any other type of plant-based milk are all fabulous options.
- Add some spice: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg taste delicious in smoothies.
- Use a different sweetener: Instead of honey, you can substitute another natural and unrefined sweetener, such as maple syrup or agave nectar. Alternatively, you can throw in one or two pitted dates instead of a liquid sweetener.
- Stir in some collagen: Adding collagen peptides to shakes and smoothies boosts their protein content even further. Collagen is also known to improve the condition of skin, hair, nails, joints, ligaments, and is great for gut health. I recommend using one that is all-natural, unflavored, and unsweetened.
Those are just a few suggestions, so feel free to experiment with whatever ingredient swaps or additions that sound good to you. 🙂
More Protein Shake Recipes
Looking for more homemade protein shake inspiration? Here are some of my favorite recipes on the blog:
- Strawberry Protein Shake
- Chocolate Protein Shake
- How to Make a Homemade Protein Shake
- Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake
- Homemade Whey Protein Shake
My Favorite Hack for Making Protein Shakes
If drinking a protein shake is a part of your daily routine, I highly recommend using a protein shake delivery service. Once you sign up for one online, everything you need to make nourishing protein shakes and smoothies gets sent to your front door. If you want to learn more about my favorite smoothie and protein shake delivery services, check out these useful posts on blog:
- The 7 Best Protein Shake Delivery Services Online
- The Top Organic Smoothie Delivery Companies
- 7 Best Healthy Smoothie Delivery Services Online
Okay, now you know the benefits of drinking protein shakes and my favorite hack for making them at home. Without further delay, here is the recipe! If you make this Vanilla Protein Shake recipe, let me know. Leave a comment with a star rating ★ below, because I love hearing from you! ♡
Vanilla Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk, of choice
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- 1 banana
- 1 scoop plain (unflavored) protein powder
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth and serve immediately.
Notes
- For easy blending, add the milk first near the blades when adding the ingredients to your blender.
- Vanilla protein powder can be substituted for the plain protein powder. If you’re going to do that though, I recommend omitting the honey and vanilla extract from the recipe.
Nutrition
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Hi! This is such a creamy and delicious protein smoothie! Also, I ordered a Smoothie Box and I love it! THANK YOU!!
Hi Dana, thanks so much! Oh I’m so glad you decided to try out SmoothieBox, it’s an awesome service! You’re very welcome! 🙂
This is my new favorite post-workout smoothie! So good!
Hi Renee, that makes me so happy! Thank you!
Hi can this be made with anything other than banana?
Hi Ash! Yes, I recommend using an avocado. Avocado has a different flavor profile (and color!) than banana, but it will make your smoothie thick and creamy. You might need to use a bit more sweetener in your smoothie, since avocados aren’t naturally sweet the way bananas are. You can also use about a 1/2 cup of plain and unsweetened Greek yogurt. That will thicken the shake and will also give it an additional dose of protein. Again, you might need to add some more sweetener if you decide to use Greek yogurt instead of banana. I hope that helps! 🙂