Protein powder can be a great way to add extra protein to your diet, but many find the taste to be too chalky, grainy, or artificial on its own. Thankfully, there are many simple mix-ins you can add to your protein shakes and smoothies to make them more delicious. Certain ingredients can complement the flavor of protein powder or cover it up completely. With the right combinations, you can make protein shakes and smoothies that are creamy, fruity, sweet, savory, or whatever you prefer.
Fruits
Fruit is one of the easiest and most popular mix-ins for protein shakes. Fruits add natural sweetness and flavor that can mask the taste of protein powder. Bananas, berries, mangoes, peaches, and pineapples work particularly well. You can use fresh or frozen fruit. Going with frozen fruit allows you to make thicker, colder shakes without needing ice cubes. If using fresh fruit, you may want to add some ice to your blender. Here are some tasty fruit-based shake ideas:
- Strawberries and banana
- Mixed berry medley
- Mango peach
- Pineapple coconut
- Cherry banana
- Tropical blend with mango, pineapple, and banana
Aim for around 1 to 1 1⁄2 cups of fruit per shake. You can adjust the amount to your taste and thickness preferences. Berries, bananas, and nut butters pair especially nicely with chocolate and vanilla flavored protein powders.
Vegetables
While not as common, some people enjoy adding vegetables to their protein shakes for extra nutrients. Spinach and kale are popular options as they blend up smoothly. The dark leafy greens add vitamin, minerals, and antioxidants without significantly altering the flavor. Other vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes can also work in shakes. Though veggies contain natural sugars, you may want to pair them with fruits or other sweeter ingredients to avoid a bitter taste.
Nut Butters
Nut butters such as peanut butter, almond butter, and cashew butter make great additions to protein shakes. They add creaminess and richness that helps offset the chalky texture of protein powder. Nut butters also provide additional protein, healthy fats, and vitamin E. Try 1 to 2 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter in a shake. Peanut butter pairs particularly well with chocolate protein powder.
Yogurt and Cottage Cheese
Plain, unsweetened yogurt or cottage cheese can add creaminess, calcium, probiotics, and protein to shakes. Greek yogurt works best as it’s thicker and has a smooth, blendable texture. Add 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of yogurt or cottage cheese to your protein shake recipes.
Seeds
Chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and pumpkin seeds not only boost the nutritional content of shakes, they can also help improve the texture. Due to their gelling properties when mixed with liquid, small amounts of chia and flax seeds can lend a thicker, smooth consistency. Hemp and pumpkin seeds add healthy fats, minerals, and amino acids. Start with 1 tablespoon of seeds and adjust to your liking.
Nut and Seed Butters
In addition to traditional nut butters, seed butters like sunflower seed butter and tahini (sesame seed butter) can make great shake boosters. They provide plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Nut and seed butters add creaminess that helps offset chalky protein powder texture. Aim for 1 to 2 tablespoons per shake.
Oats
Plain oats or oat flour can be used to lend a smooth, creamy texture and mild oat flavor to shakes. Oats also add valuable fiber. For smoother shakes, use oat flour or blend regular oats into a fine powder first. Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons of oats or oat flour and adjust as needed.
Cocoa Powder
For chocolate lovers, adding unsweetened cocoa powder is an easy way to make protein shakes more delicious. Cocoa lends rich chocolate flavor that overpowers the taste of protein powder. It pairs especially well with vanilla protein. Start with 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and add more if desired.
Coffee
Brewed coffee can add a mocha flavor when combined with chocolate protein powder. Coffee’s robust flavor also helps mask the taste of whey or plant proteins. Cool the coffee first before adding it to your shake. Start with 1⁄4 cup or more until you reach the desired coffee strength.
Tea
The flavors of teas like chai, Earl Grey, rooibos, and green tea can come through nicely in protein shakes. Cool tea bags in the fridge before adding to shakes. You can also brew tea with milk instead of water for extra creaminess. Start with 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of brewed tea and adjust taste as needed.
Milk
Dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and other milk varieties help improve the flavor of protein shakes. Milk adds creaminess that can help offset chalkiness. Nut milks provide extra nutrients like vitamin E, calcium, and zinc. For thicker, creamier shakes, opt for full-fat milk. Use 1⁄2 to 1 cup of milk per shake.
Juices
Small amounts of fruit or vegetable juices can add flavor, sweetness, and creaminess to protein shakes. Orange juice, pineapple juice, and apple juice work particularly well. You can also use green juices like kale, spinach, cucumber, and celery for extra nutrients. Limit juices to about 1⁄4 cup per shake to avoid excess sugar.
Sweeteners
If you have a sweet tooth, liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or stevia can help make protein powders more palatable. However, unnecessary added sugars should be minimized. Try to get sweetness mainly from fruits and limit liquid sweeteners to 1 teaspoon or less per shake.
Extracts
Flavor extracts like vanilla, almond, coconut, lemon, orange, and mint can add a nice accompaniment to protein shakes. They help cover up unpleasant protein flavors. Start with 1⁄4 teaspoon of your desired extract and add more if needed.
Spices
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom can complement the flavors in protein shakes. They add a warming, aromatic element. Ground cinnamon and ginger work particularly well with vanilla protein powder. Start with 1⁄4 teaspoon of your chosen spices and tweak as desired.
Herbs
Fresh herbs such as mint, basil, and parsley can lend unique flavors and aromas to protein shakes. They provide an extra fresh, plant-based kick. Use around 1 to 2 tablespoons of gently packed fresh herbs in your blender. Mint goes nicely with chocolate while basil complements vanilla.
Greens Powders
For an easy nutrition boost, add a scoop of greens powder to your shakes. Options like spirulina, wheatgrass, kale, and spinach provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals from fruits and veggies without altering the flavor too much. Greens powders also lend color to otherwise brown protein shakes.
Ice
Standard ice cubes or crushed ice can lend a refreshing chilled texture to protein shakes. Use a handful or two of ice, adjusting to your desired temperature and thickness. Avoid over-diluting with too much ice.
Water
Water helps blenderize shake ingredients smoothly and allows you to adjust the thickness as needed. Use as little or as much water as you like. For thinner shakes, use 1 to 2 cups of water. For thicker shakes, start with just 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup.
Combination Ideas
You can mix and match various ingredients to create all kinds of delicious protein shake flavors. Here are some tasty combination ideas to get you started:
| Flavor | Mix-In Ideas |
|---|---|
| Chocolate banana | Banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, milk |
| Vanilla berry | Mixed berries, yogurt, vanilla extract, honey |
| Tropical | Pineapple, mango, coconut milk, lime juice |
| Pumpkin pie | Pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, almond milk |
| Matcha latte | Matcha powder, coffee, milk, vanilla |
| Mint chip | Spinach, mint, chocolate protein, cacao nibs |
| Orange creamsicle | Orange juice, vanilla yogurt, vanilla protein |
The options are endless when it comes to protein shake mix-ins! Try out different ingredient combinations until you find your favorite flavors and textures.
Tips for Making Tasty Protein Shakes
Here are some helpful tips for crafting delicious protein shakes every time:
- Use ripe, sweet fruits and vegetables for optimal flavor
- Freeze bananas, berries, and other fruits for thicker, colder shakes
- Soak chia seeds and flax seeds beforehand for better blending
- Blend oats into a flour for smoothness
- Sweeten shakes with fruits and limit added sweeteners
- Use full-fat dairy or nut milks for creamier texture
- Add mix-ins gradually and taste as you blend
- Blend well until smooth and creamy with no clumps
- Use ice to reach your desired temperature and thickness
- Store shake ingredients in the freezer for chilled shakes without ice dilution
- Get creative and try new combinations!
Choosing Your Protein Powder
The mix-ins you choose will likely depend on the type of protein powder you use. Here’s a quick look at some top options:
- Whey: Most common variety, made from dairy. Often has a neutral or slightly milky flavor. Works well with fruits, nut butters, cocoa, coffee, etc.
- Casein: Also dairy-based but absorbs more slowly. Has a mild flavor. Pairs nicely with cocoa, fruits, and spices.
- Egg white: Made from eggs. Has a light, neutral profile. Goes well with fruits and nuts.
- Pea: Made from yellow split peas. Has an earthy, slightly nutty flavor. Fruits, cocoa, and spices complement it.
- Rice: Derived from rice. Very smooth and mild tasting. Works well with most mix-ins.
- Hemp: From hemp seeds. Has a natural, nutty taste. Fruits, nut butters, cocoa pair well.
- Soy: Made from soybeans. Has a bean-like flavor. Berries and vanilla help balance it out.
The general rule is to choose mix-ins that mask or complement the flavor of the protein powder. Sweet fruits, coffee, chocolate, and spices are safe bets for most protein powder varieties.
Shake Add-Ins to Avoid
While the possibilities are nearly endless when making tasty protein shakes, there are a few mix-ins you’re better off avoiding:
- Artificial sweeteners – Can overpower shakes with too-sweet taste
- Ice cream – Adds unnecessary fat, sugar, and calories
- Raw eggs – Salmonella risk if not pasteurized
- Too much juice – Spikes sugar and calories
- Overripe produce – Can lend off flavors
- Candy or sweets – Unhealthy added sugar
- Excess oils – Can make shakes slimy or greasy
Keep shake additions healthy and natural whenever possible. Use sweets sparingly to avoid spiking sugar and calories.
Ready-to-Drink Shake Ideas
If you want grab-and-go protein shakes without any mixing required, try these ready-to-drink options:
- Bottled cold brew coffee shakes – Add chocolate protein and milk to cold brew coffee
- Pre-blended fruit smoothies – Combine Greek yogurt, protein powder, and pre-made smoothies
- Canned coconut milk – Mix with protein powder for an easy piña colada-style shake
- Green tea – Shake up matcha green tea, vanilla protein, honey, and ice
- Chocolate milk – Stir in chocolate protein powder for added nutrition
You can make a stash of ready-to-drink shakes by blending a batch of your favorite recipes in advance so they’re waiting in the fridge for when you need a quick protein boost!
Conclusion
With endless possible ingredient combinations, it’s easy to make protein shakes that not only pack a nutritional punch but also taste delicious. Fruits, nut butters, yogurt, seeds, spices, herbs, greens, coffee, tea, milk, and more can help mask the flavor of protein powder and add beneficial nutrients. Be creative and try different mix-ins until you find flavors you love. With the right blend of ingredients, you can look forward to drinking your protein shakes!