This healthy chocolate protein shake recipe is packed with over 55 grams of protein and tastes like a chocolate milkshake!
What makes this the best protein shake?
More protein. My recipe contains more than twice the amount of protein found in many chocolate protein shake recipes and store bought protein drinks.
Superior chocolate flavor. If you love thick, diner style ice cream milkshakes, this is your kind of creamy protein shake.
Great post workout option. Each nutrition filled serving provides potassium, fiber, magnesium, hydration, and over 50% of the RDA for both calcium and iron.
High or low calorie. Customize the recipe to fit your personal weight loss or gain goals. For a weight gain shake, use real sugar and include the optional two tablespoons of peanut butter.
Easy to make. Whip up your own homemade version in under thirty seconds for breakfast or snack, and save the high cost you’d pay at an expensive smoothie shop.
Also try this Protein Cookie Dough
Key ingredients
Milk – Use your favorite milk of choice, and look for a high protein milk, like skim or soymilk instead of almond milk, to give you more protein.
Protein powder – Many chocolate protein powder options are available on the market, including whey, casein, and pea based powders. Try different brands to find your personal preference.
Sweetener – Pretty much anything goes, including pure maple syrup, honey, regular sugar, or stevia for a sugar free and keto protein shake.
The amount will depend on whether your milk, yogurt, and protein powder are sweetened or unsweetened.
Yogurt – Regular or Greek yogurt both work in this protein smoothie. I recommend vanilla yogurt for optimum flavor, although plain is fine as well.
For a dairy free and vegan protein shake, choose a plant based yogurt or substitute one ripe banana.
Use leftover yogurt in an Orange Smoothie
Chocolate protein shake recipe video
Step by step instructions
- Begin with cold milk and yogurt or a frozen banana.
- Add all ingredients to either a large or single serving blender, and blend until thick and completely smooth.
- Serve immediately in milkshake glasses or mason jars.
- Decorate with cacao nibs or chocolate syrup and shaved chocolate if desired.
- Leftovers? Store them in a tightly covered cup or container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or freeze in popsicle molds for homemade instant chocolate protein pops on a hot summer day.
I just tried this recipe and it is so delicious! And very filling! It’s great for breakfast on the go.
-Kerry
Chocolate protein shake flavors
- Mocha: Add a half teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder for an energizing caffeine boost.
- Peanut butter cup: Blend in one or two tablespoons of peanut butter, almond butter, or powdered peanut butter. Bonus, this increases the protein content too.
- Chocolate covered cherry: Use a cherry flavored yogurt, or replace the yogurt with six ounces of pitted frozen cherries.
- Mint chocolate chip: Add a fourth teaspoon of pure peppermint extract or more to taste. Garnish with mini chocolate chips and fresh mint leaves.
- Strawberry: Go with strawberry yogurt and add a few drops of pure vanilla extract. Or change up the flavor by trying raspberry, blueberry, or banana yogurt.
The recipe was adapted from my Chocolate Smoothie and Protein Hot Chocolate.
Chocolate Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice (240g)
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (30g)
- 6 oz vanilla yogurt or 1 banana (170g)
- sweetener of choice
- 2 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter (optional) (30g)
Instructions
- To make the chocolate protein shake, start with cold ingredients. Blend everything in a blender until thick and smooth. Serve and enjoy. If you have leftovers, refrigerate them in a lidded container for up to three days.View Nutrition Facts
Video
Notes
Healthy Chocolate Protein Recipes
Hi Katie! Thanks for such a delicious recipe! I got your post yesterday (I get your emails so I am always a day behind your posts:)) and I made the shake that night after work. I’m a bit new with tofu, and my store didn’t have Mori-nu, so I wasn’t quite sure what type to get. On a whim I purchased Nasoya silken tofu, which I blended up with unsweetened almond milk. I like my shakes sweet, so I added in a bit more sugar, and it was incredible! I wanted to share my slight variation in recipe for any other readers who don’t have Mori-nu at their stores. I just love your blog, Katie. I look forward to your posts each morning 🙂
Aw thank you, Paula!
I have no clue why sometimes the emails go out a day late and sometimes they’re on time. It’s weird!
Looks delicious! I don’t care about protein but I bet it makes the shake nice and thick. Vegan milkshakes can be disappointing sometimes. The glass straw is really cute, too, I’ve been thinking about getting some. They don’t hurt your teeth? Or are you just really careful when you drink?
I don’t use any protein powder, I honestly think it’s a scam unless you are convalescing (or have a very small appetite and need to bulk up your food, but there are healthier and tastier ways to do it). I’m vegan and I eat probably 50g of protein a day in my normal diet, sometimes more, but I don’t make any effort to eat even a single gram. I put on muscle like it’s nothing at all, even though I’m a woman with normal hormones, and my hair and nails grow at a rate of knots. My husband eats the same diet and he’s tall, very active and very strong. Even if I were a freak of nature, I find it hard to believe I coincidentally married one too, haha!
I’ve never had a problem with them hurting my teeth 🙂
Yummy! Similar to your Wendy’s frosting. I love tofu shakes!
I’m a little confused by this recipe… is there nothing frozen in it? And is the tofu silken tofu like in your Wendy’s frosty recipe? Or…?
My favorite protein powder is Metabolic Drive, tastes so good. Buy it at t-nation.com. Not sure if it’s vegan though.
I like to freeze a few minutes after blending so it’s super-cold. But no, nothing needs to be frozen. Yes, mori-nu silken firm.
I have a question about your blondies. I don’t have a food processor. Can I use my blender? Beaters? Am I just plain out of luck? 🙁
Thank you for your amazing recipes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think for bean-things you really can’t use a blender because (and this is just from personal experience) the blade is so sheltered. That is, it’s only in a little space in the bottom, and a few beans gum up in there and then the rest of it doesn’t blend.
And beaters aren’t sharp so they won’t cut anything, which you need to do for beans recipes (and many others).
I saw my friend’s magic bullet blender and I feel like that could work, because of how the blades are structured, but I haven’t tried it.
Looks yummy, as always!!!! Gosh Katie, you are blessed with such extraordinary talent when it comes to the kitchen! And my oh my were the sprinkles a nice touch 😉
hmmm delicious! but have u thought of “expanding your horizons” to more fruity desserts? like maybe vegan strawberry yogurts/milkshakes, raisin/cranberry bread, apple muffins, blueberry shakes, chocolate covered bananas/pineapple/melon? i know this is a chocolate-based blog, but u r the best chef i know, and if anyone can come up with the best recipes for these foods, it’s you!
Oh but I do have a lot of fruit desserts… including a strawberry milkshake recipe 🙂
:O!!!! Oh my gosh. Katie, I hope you don’t mind I steal your birthday cake idea for my own birthday…
Lol, protein!!! I need to be more prepared when people ask, “How do you get your protein?” x.x I actually made the shake this morning! I saw it last night and decided I needed to get with the program, considering I didn’t know what day it was. D: And I can’t wait to try the sprinkles!!! Now to look back and see if I have everything…
Katie, I also have a question about your weights. I emailed you, but I know you’re a very busy woman. ^^’ How long do you use them? I know you lift 10-pounders (kudos, lol) 2-3 times per week, but…yeah. For how long? =] I’m tryna up my lean muscle mass. ^^ If anyone else lifts weights, I’d love to hear some advice from anyone else, too. =]
Um… I wouldn’t try to replicate what I do. It’s very unstructured and probably not the best way to see results quickly. I don’t time it because I do a set, then work on the computer, then do another set, then work in the kitchen, then another set… I really get so bored!
I see. X] The way I am, I like to just do it and get it over with! Thanks for responding though, it’s like, wow, she responded to me. O_o *Le happy* 😀 I also wanna say thanks again! You got me interested in running and when I saw another blogger do it, I was finally like, “I have to give this a go…” It’s much. MUCH different than the elliptical. Now I even have a snack in the morning, go running, and come back to a second breakfast! Lol! It really is the best way to do it (or rather, the best way for my body). You also – here it comes – transitioned me to vegan without me even realizing it. And to a cook. I’m the kitchen’s worst enemy. XD Anyway, it’s been a tough road being vegan, with everyone’s horrid thoughts about it. But it’s still been fun! I mean…coconut butter. Tofu. How can one live – nay – why would one want to go through life with a narrow-mind?! Although I’m not sure the wallet wants to thank you. I’ve been dishing it out for the cashew and coconut butter, if ya know what I mean. ;p Anyway, yeah… Nervous about saying all that, but um, again, thanks for responding. =] Though just lifting a couple sets of weights sounds nice. I LOATHE routines…so monotonous.
That shake looks amazing!! I don’t use protein powders but want to start…as a vegetarian it can be hard to get enough all of the time, especially being active. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
I am so happy to have found this site! Ever since I saw the Forks over Knife documentary, and later fast food nation, i have been trying to make a conscious effort to eat healthier. See, i never had a doctor care enough to diagnose & explain the severity of my food choices, until i saw the documentaries and made the change, and started to see improvements. I admit, as a chocolate-addict, I was having a hard time with the thought of having to give it up, so I say again – I am SO HAPPY to have found your site!
Aw thank you!!