6 Recipes for Delicious High-Protein Smoothies

Discover these six delicious protein-rich smoothie recipes, perfect for boosting your daily protein intake with plant-based ingredients.

Meat isn’t the only way to pack in protein. Vegetarian and vegan options offer plenty of power, too. Smoothies, in particular, are a delicious way to boost your protein intake with plant-based goodness.

Ready to shake up your routine? In this article, I’m sharing six of my favorite protein-packed smoothie recipes that are not only nutritious but also satisfyingly delicious.

Protein is an essential nutrient that functions as a building block of body tissue. It can be found in every cell throughout the body, including our muscles, bones, skin, and hair. Without protein, our body would not be able to function.

Protein as a nutrient becomes even more critical when you’re doing a lot of physical activity or are on a strict exercise regime. Protein helps the body to recover from all that hard work.

You can, of course, add whey protein powder to your smoothies, but you can also add more natural ingredients to level up that protein content.

Here are some ideas!

Spinach and Kale

Two of the most popular green smoothie ingredients, spinach, and kale, are quite rich in protein, among other vital nutrients.

One large cup of spinach will add about 3 grams of protein to your smoothie. Kale contains even more protein than spinach. A quick win!

Almond Butter

Almonds are not just a great snack for in the office, but they also work well as an extra ingredient in green smoothies.

Almond butter (or raw almonds) contains around 20 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Spirulina

Have you tried spirulina yet? While it may not taste great, spirulina is one of the most powerful vegan protein sources.

It’s a form of blue-green algae that consists of 50-70% complete protein. Even just one tablespoon of powdered spirulina adds, on average, 4 grams of protein to your smoothie.

Chia Seeds

Originating from Central America, the tiny chia seed is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world.

Add a teaspoon of chia seeds to your green smoothie, and you’ll be adding a good dose of protein, magnesium, calcium, and dietary fiber, without tasting it.

If you love blending as much as I do, then I’m sure you’ll like the following delicious protein smoothie recipes!

1. Green Protein Power Breakfast Smoothie

One of my favorite protein-based smoothie recipes is the Green Protein Power Breakfast Smoothie that I found over at I Love Vegan.

Not only does this smoothie have the perfect flavors, but it’s also loaded with a great variety of different nutrients.

The almond milk, baby spinach, and pumpkin seeds work very well with the sweetness of mango and banana. The protein in this delicious smoothie is provided by pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts, as well as baby spinach.

It’s good to point out that although almonds are an excellent protein source, almond milk is actually not rich in protein. But it does make this smoothie taste better.

2. Strawberry, Oatmeal and Walnuts Breakfast Smoothie

If you’re looking for the perfect breakfast smoothie that fills you with all the right nutrients, look no further.

This healthy and filling strawberry oatmeal breakfast smoothie has all the right flavors created by a great mix of ingredients.

The oats, walnuts, and chia seeds in this blend give you a significant amount of protein, while the strawberries, mango, banana, and spinach add plenty of vitamins and fiber to provide you with more than enough fuel in the morning.

3. Vegan Paleo Green Protein Smoothie

While spirulina may be incredibly nutritious and one of the best vegan protein sources, it also tastes very green. In other words, it’s not the easiest of ingredients to use in your green smoothies.

However, this vegan and paleo green protein recipe over at Wallflower Kitchen is the perfect solution to that problem.

The powerful flavors of raw, fresh ginger paired with the sweetness of the mango and apples make you almost forget that there’s also a teaspoon of spirulina in this delicious drink. And chia seeds and extra hemp powder add even more protein to this nutritious green smoothie.

4. Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Does a smoothie with chocolate and peanut butter sound too good to be true?

Katie from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook brings you this surprisingly healthy smoothie recipe that tastes like a delicious afternoon treat.

Mix the below ingredients in your blender with a bit of ice, and what you’ll get is a delicious, creamy smoothie that packs a nutritious punch. To reduce the total amount of calories, you can replace the peanut butter with peanut powder.

5. Morning Green Protein Smoothie

This Morning Green Protein Smoothie recipe with spinach, almond milk, banana, and nut butter that I found at Live Simply is a nutritional powerhouse that works well on an empty stomach in the morning.

What’s great about this smoothie is that it’s not too heavy and not overloaded with sugars either.

It’s designed with nutrition in mind, perfect for a quick and easy breakfast.

6. Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

This strawberry cheesecake smoothie over at Aroma and Essence is the ultimate blend of high protein, high fiber, and creamy goodness, made with fresh strawberries, cream cheese, and oats.

With just 5 simple ingredients and 5 minutes, you can whip up this delicious, healthy smoothie. Whether you’re enjoying it at home, on the go, or as a post-gym pick-me-up, this smoothie is your go-to for a quick and satisfying summer drink.

Indulge in this creamy delight that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy! It’s the perfect way to kickstart your morning or serve as a tasty after-school treat for the kids.

Blending can be a highly effective way of getting your protein in without consuming meat, and I hope the above recipes have inspired you a bit.

For more great smoothie recipe ideas, check out these resources:

• Rich avocado smoothie recipes
• Delicious breakfast smoothie recipes
• Refreshing tropical smoothie recipes

Last updated: August 25, 2024