5 Easy Protein Powder Recipes To Fuel Your Day (2024)

When it comes to the best protein powders, we're a littlebiased over here. You see, we *love* our Vital Performance™ Protein. Beyond the obvious — like helping improve overall athletic performance & recovery — our protein powderis actually the perfect addition to many recipes.**

Just take these 5 protein powder recipes for example. From donuts (yes, really!) to smoothies, no-bake cookies & more, they're the perfect way to add 25g of protein per serving (+ collagen!) seamlessly into your routine. After all, committing to wellness should be easy, fun and delicious, right?! Scroll on to get inspired.

Yields 6 Servings

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • ½ C light coconut milk
  • 1 C applesauce (look for no sugar added)
  • 3 T softened butter, ghee or coconut oil
  • 2 t apple cider vinegar
  • 1 t vanilla extract
  • 6 T coconut flour
  • 4 scoopsVital Performance™ Vanilla Protein
  • 1 t ground cinnamon
  • Large pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 1 t baking powder
  • ½ t baking soda
  • ½ t sea salt
  • Optional for topping: warm apple slices and maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Add the eggs, coconut milk, applesauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract to a large blender. Blend on high until very smooth.
  2. Add the coconut flour, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt to the blender. Blend again to incorporate. Stop to scrape down the sides and allow the coconut flour to be fully absorbed. Blend again on high until you have a smooth and thick batter.
  3. Heat a wide skillet over medium to medium-low heat (the pan used may cause this to vary slightly). Grease lightly with additional butter and drop the batter into pancake shapes, 4-6" in size. Spread the batter out slightly and allow the pancakes to cook until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges begin to brown. Flip and cook until browned on the other side.
  4. Remove to a cooling rack for 3-5 minutes before serving. Repeat with the remaining batter.

    5 Easy Protein Powder Recipes To Fuel Your Day (1)

    gluten-free chocolate donuts

    Yields 6 Servings

    Ingredients:

    • ¼ C coconut flour
    • 2 scoops Vital Performance™ Chocolate Protein
    • 1/2 t baking powder
    • 1/4 t baking soda
    • 1/4 t salt
    • 1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
    • 1/4 C plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 egg

    For Glaze

    • 1½ C powdered sugar
    • 1/2 C finely chopped strawberries

    Directions:

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. Grease donut pan with coconut oil or butter and set aside.
    3. In a large bowl, whisk together coconut flour, baking powder, protein powder, baking soda and salt.
    4. In a smaller bowl, whisk together applesauce, yogurt, and egg.
    5. Combine both bowls and whisk together well to make the batter.
    6. Fill donut molds with batter (I put the batter in a Ziploc bag and cut a small hole to use as a piping bag).
    7. Tap the mold on the counter to even out the batter.
    8. Bake donuts in oven for 10 minutes.
    9. While the donuts are baking, crush 1/2 cup of strawberries in a bowl.
    10. Add 1½ cup of powdered sugar and whisk until you have a thick glaze. Set aside.
    11. Remove donut mold from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Then place donuts on cooling rack to finish cooling.
    12. Dip the donuts into glaze and serve.

    5 Easy Protein Powder Recipes To Fuel Your Day (2)

    Cocoa Whey No-Bake Cookies

    Yields 24 Cookies

    Ingredients:

      • 1C creamy, natural peanut butter or almond butter (no added sugar or oils)
      • ½ C honey
      • ¼ C butter, ghee or coconut oil
      • 2 tvanilla extract
      • ¼ C cacao powder
      • 2 scoopsVital Performance™ Chocolate Protein
      • 2½C whole rolled oats

    Directions:

    1. Add the peanut butter, honey, butter, and vanilla extract to a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir until melted.
    2. Remove from the heat and add the cacao powder, protein powderand whole rolled oats. Stir vigorously until well-mixed.
    3. Use a cookie scoop to drop balls of the dough onto a lined sheet pan. Place in the freezer or refrigerator until firm, about 15 minutes. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

    5 Easy Protein Powder Recipes To Fuel Your Day (3)

    Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

    Yields 2 Servings

    Ingredients:

    • 2 scoops Vital Performance™ Strawberry Protein
    • 2 overripe bananas
    • 1 C unsweetened almond milk
    • ¼ C creamy peanut butter
    • 1 C frozen strawberries
    • ½ t vanilla extract
    • ¾ C ice

    Directions:

    1. Blend together all ingredients except for the protein powder. Add this after everything has been blended.
    2. Enjoy immediately!

    5 Easy Protein Powder Recipes To Fuel Your Day (4)

    pumpkin protein bites

    Yields 24Servings

    Ingredients:

    • 1 1/2 C walnuts
    • 1 C oats
    • 4 scoops Vital Performance™ Vanilla Protein
    • 3 T pumpkin purée
    • Dash of cinnamon
    • 1/2 t vanilla extract
    • 4 T date sugar or coconut sugar

    Directions:

    1. Place all ingredients into a food processor and process until you form dough balls.
    2. Next, scoop out some dough and roll into a ball. Place the ball on a plate and repeat until all the dough is rolled into balls.
    3. Place the plate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
    4. Take the plate out of the fridge and place the bites into an airtight container. Store in the fridge.

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    5 Easy Protein Powder Recipes To Fuel Your Day (2024)

    FAQs

    What is good to mix with protein powder? ›

    The Best Liquids to Mix With Protein Powder With
    • Water: You knew this was coming, we know it too. ...
    • Milk: Milk is most people's favorite liquid to mix their protein powder into. ...
    • Fruit Juices. ...
    • Smoothies. ...
    • Peanut butter: ...
    • Oats: ...
    • Bananas: ...
    • Greek Yogurt.
    Feb 5, 2024

    What is the easiest way to eat protein powder? ›

    You can blend it into a shake or smoothie, sprinkle it into your oatmeal or add it to baked goods like bread or muffins. Extra protein, combined with regular exercise, can help you gain muscle, change your body composition, or meet your daily protein needs.

    How do I incorporate protein shakes into my day? ›

    5 Easy Ways To Incorporate Protein Shakes Into Your Daily Routine
    1. Breakfast. Breakfast time is one of the easiest moments in the day to grab a protein shake. ...
    2. On-the-go. ...
    3. Lunchtime. ...
    4. Fighting the mid-afternoon slump. ...
    5. After Activity.

    What is the easiest protein powder to absorb? ›

    Whey is a great, affordable, multi-purpose starter option, and, in general, animal-based sources of protein are digested and absorbed faster than plant-based sources like pea, rice, soy, and hemp.

    What not to mix with protein? ›

    5 Common Ingredients That Should Never Be in Your Protein Shake
    • Artificial Sweeteners, Flavors, and Colors. Artificial ingredients can have negative health effects. ...
    • Sugar Alcohols. ...
    • Dairy/Lactose. ...
    • Carageenan. ...
    • Maltodextrin.

    What do you mix protein powder with for weight loss? ›

    HOW TO USE PROTEIN POWDER FOR WEIGHT LOSS
    1. Mix it with vegetables and dip.
    2. Add it to oatmeal or yogurt.
    3. Add it to baked goods, pancakes, bread, or muffins.
    4. Make a smoothie with fruit, yogurt, and protein powder.
    5. Use it to make a high-protein pudding.
    Jul 19, 2022

    Is it better to take protein powder on an empty stomach? ›

    Your blood pool of amino acids is depleted which also means your body starts breaking down some of the muscles as well. And this is a normal and usual phenomenon. Drinking protein on empty stomach during breakfast helps set the tone for rest of the day by getting you the jumpstart on the daily protein intake.

    How should a beginner take protein powder? ›

    Generally, it's recommended to have a protein intake of about 0.792 grams per kilogram of body weight or 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. For most protein powders, it is recommended to use one scoop per 8 oz. of liquid.

    Can I drink protein powder instead of eating? ›

    You can drink protein shakes as a meal replacement or snack to support weight loss. You can drink them in the morning as a quick and convenient breakfast, as a post-workout snack to aid muscle recovery, or as a replacement for a higher-calorie meal to help reduce your calorie intake.

    What to eat with a protein shake for breakfast? ›

    But if you're drinking a protein shake as part of breakfast, you may want to go beyond simply mixing protein powder with water. To make it a complete meal, Maguire suggests adding ingredients such as fruit, nut butter, yogurt, oats, or seeds. “Protein helps keep you feeling full,” Maguire says.

    What are the healthiest protein shakes? ›

    Summary: Compare the Best Protein Shakes of 2024
    ProductForbes Health RatingsBest For
    Lean Body by Labrada5.0Best Overall
    Fairlife Core Power4.5Best Budget-Friendly
    OWYN Plant-Based Protein Shake4.0Best Plant-Based
    Premier Protein3.0Best Flavor Variety

    Which protein is best for weight loss? ›

    While some small studies have shown whey protein to be more effective for weight loss than soy and other plant-based proteins, others show no real difference. As such, individual lifestyle factors may be more important than the type of protein regarding weight loss or other desired outcomes.

    Which is the no. 1 protein powder in the world? ›

    NSF certified and used by a wide range of athletes, whey protein is the most easily digestible form for most people. Despite being made from milk, whey protein isolate (the most plentiful type in this product), is virtually lactose free.

    What is the healthiest form of protein powder? ›

    Whey protein and whey isolates are your best options. Lose weight: For weight loss, choose shakes with no added sugars or dextrins/maltodextrins (sweeteners made from starch). Don't choose those with added branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as they help promote muscle growth and weight gain.

    What else should I take with protein powder? ›

    The Best Liquids to Mix Your Protein Powder Into
    • 'P' is for Protein. Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps your body repair its muscles and tissues while making hormones and enzymes. ...
    • Water. ...
    • Milk. ...
    • Coconut Water. ...
    • Smoothies. ...
    • Coffee. ...
    • Orange Juice. ...
    • Store Your Protein Powder in a Dry Place.
    Jan 31, 2023

    What tastes best with protein powder? ›

    The best way to do it is to add other ingredients, like fruits, nuts, or even veggies. Not only will it fix the flavor of your protein shake, it will also add important nutrients, vitamins and minerals to your shake. Some popular fruits to add to your shake include: Berries.

    Is it better to drink protein powder with milk or water? ›

    Drinking protein with water is the true diet version. Mass gainers will benefit from milk, but if you're trying to manage your weight while getting your protein, water is on your side when it comes to cutting calories. One scoop of the average protein powder mixed with just one cup of milk is an estimated 270 calories.

    What to mix with protein powder to gain weight? ›

    Gaining weight requires eating more calories than you burn. Protein shakes or smoothies with ingredients like bananas, eggs, yogurt, avocado, and tofu can give the right nutrition without causing bloating.

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