Not a bodybuilder? Enjoy a protein smoothie anyway! Our bodies need protein for healthy skin, hair, bones, and heart. Plus a protein-packed breakfast can prevent overeating, and a dose of protein after resistance training helps build and repair muscle tissue (especially when you consume a blend of proteins).The secret to mixing something up youll look forward to sipping is striking the right balance between protein sources (such as Greek yogurt, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder, and peanut butter) and sweet and/or savory add-ins—something all of the recipes below have nailed. These recipes also have eight or more grams of protein, are derived from whole food sources with minimal ingredients, and make us drool a little bit. Bottoms up!
Breakfast
Chocolate Java Protein Shake
1. Coffee Java Protein Shake
Protein source: MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Enjoy a breakfast of coffee, chocolate, and protein—all from the same cup. Caffeine pairs with protein for an exceptional energy boost.
Strawberry Orange Smoothie
Photo: Peanut butter and Peppers
2. Strawberry Orange Smoothie
Protein source: MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Take a (sort-of- not-really) vacation when sipping this tropical smoothie. It calls for Greek yogurt and coconut milk, strawberries, and orange juice.
Kale, Berry, and Açai Power Smoothie
Photo: Deliciously Ella
3. Kale, Berry, and Açai Power Smoothie
Protein source: flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp protein powder
Green smoothie ingredients sometimes get a bad rap, but banana and berries mask the bold taste of kale in this recipe. Bonus: The tablespoon of açai powder may help boost energy, while cinnamon helps reduce inflammation.
Roasted Strawberry Smoothie
Photo: JoLynneShane
4. Roasted Strawberry Protein Smoothie

Protein source: MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
For a serious flavor boost, roast strawberries before tossing them into this blend. The creamy cottage cheese is a tasty alternative for those not partial to Greek yogurt’s tangy flavor profile.
Mexican Frozen Hot Chocolate Smoothie
Photo: Stephs Bite by Bite
5. Mexican Frozen Hot Chocolate Protein Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder,
This recipe is served cold, but itll taste just as good if you heat it up. Plus it makes a (healthy) meal out of classic hot chocolate, working in greek yogurt, oats, protein powder and unsweetened cocoa powder.
Classic Green Monster Smoothie
Photo: Oh She Glows
6. Classic Green Monster Smoothie

Protein source: peanut butter, chia seeds, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Holy nutrients, Batman! The spinach alone serves up vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, magnesium, and calcium. Allergic to peanuts? Try one of these tasty peanut butter alternatives.
Almond Coconut Mocha Protein Smoothie
Photo: The Gold Lining Girl
7. Almond Coconut Mocha Protein Smoothie

Protein source: almonds, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Switch up a savory breakfast when opting for this sweet, still-healthy smoothie. Almonds and spices deliciously complement the crazy-versatile coconut oil.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Smoothie
Photo: Chef Savvy
8. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Smoothie

Protein source: Peanut butter, soy milk
All the fixings of a healthy breakfast—peanut butter, banana, and oats—but with a creamy taste of a milkshake. Need we say more?
Raspberry Almond Chia Seed Smoothie
Photo: Delightful E. Made
9. Raspberry Almond Chia Smoothie

Protein source: MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder, almonds, chia seeds
Raspberries, almonds, and honey make busy mornings nice (and full of antioxidants). The best part: This recipe takes only five minutes to make.
Oatmeal Cookie Protein Smoothie
Photo: Laurenda Marie
10. Oatmeal Cookie Protein Shake

Protein source: oats, almonds, almond milk. MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Dont let the name fool you, this oatmeal cookie smoothie still has a great nutritional quality with almonds, almond butter, and whole oats.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Chia Seeds
Photo: Garden of Vegan
11. Strawberry Banana Smoothie With Chia Seeds

Protein source: chia seeds
Don’t fix what isn’t broken, right? Bland but nutrient-packed chia seeds sneak protein into the classic strawberry-banana smoothie combo.
Spinach Kiwi Chia Seed Smoothie
Photo: Nina Cherie
12. Spinach, Kiwi, and Chia Seed Smoothie

Protein source: chia seeds, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
A green smoothie that tastes anything but. Bananas sweeten it up, while tart kiwis keep it from feeling too much like dessert.
Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie
Photo: Pick Fresh Foods
13. Blueberry Mango Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, flax
Really, you can sip this smoothie anytime—but the fresh taste of antioxidant-rich blueberries and mango is a convincing reason to get out of bed in the morning.
Lunch
Papaya Mint Ginger Smoothie
Photo: PopSugar
14. Papaya Ginger Mint Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Thanks to its high fiber content, papaya has been shown to promote digestion, says nutritionist Michelle Davenport, Ph.D. So if breakfast isn’t sitting well with your stomach, stick to this smoothie Rx. Bonus: It also includes ginger.
Green Hemp Protein Smoothie
Photo: The Quirky Princess
15. Mean Green Hemp Protein Smoothie

Protein source: hemp, protein powder, wheatgrass powder
A sugar hack for smoothies? Pitted dates. They’re a natural, fiber-filled sweetener that will satisfy a sweet tooth without added sugars (they also break down easier in a blender when soaked beforehand).
Green Warrior Protein Smoothie
Photo: Oh She Glows
16. Green Warrior Protein Smoothie

Protein source: hemp hearts, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
A quarter cup of hemp hearts—seeds similar to sunflower seeds and pine nuts—provides about 15 grams of protein, almost 3 grams of fiber, and may help to prevent hypertension, Davenport says. Mixing them with bananas and apples makes for a sweet, creamy sip.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Smoothie
Photo: Old House To New Home
17. Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

Protein source: peanut butter, protein powder
It’s peanut-butter-jelly time! Berries, peanut butter, oats, and protein powder give the bread (and taste buds) a break.
Vanilla Matcha Avocado Smoothie
Photo: Choosing Raw
18. Vanilla Matcha Avocado Smoothie

Protein source: vegan protein powder
So, those amazing benefits of green tea? Get them by sprinkling a half teaspoon of matcha powder—finely ground green tea—into this smoothie.
Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie
Photo: Amys Healthy Baking
19. Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt
Here’s a sunny twist on a staple breakfast. But feel free to break this recipe’s rules by adding whatever fruit or greens you have on hand.
Snacks
Strawberry Banana Quinoa Smoothie
Photo: Noble Pig
20. Strawberry-Banana Quinoa Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, quinoa, chia seeds
Not only is it a complete protein, but quinoa is a prime source of fiber, iron, and magnesium. And its taste is cleverly paired with other smoothie ingredients, including strawberries, bananas, and vanilla almond milk.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake
Photo: Fit Foodie Finds
21. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake

Protein source: protein powder
Between the dark chocolate protein powder and the cocoa powder, chocolate lovers are going to want this drink morning, noon, and night. Which is fine, since dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and can help regulate stress.
High Protein Cantaloupe Smoothie
22. 3-Ingredient High Protein Cantaloupe Smoothie

Protein source: cottage cheese, whey protein powder
Fruit salads are a great snack—almost as great as this creamy mix of cantaloupe chunks, cottage cheese, and whey protein.
PB2 and Cherry Recovery Smoothie
Photo: Sweat with Bec
23. Cherry Almond Smoothie

Protein source: PB2, flaxseeds, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Put a craving for cherry ice cream on, well, ice when sipping this cherry smoothie instead. Cherries are also an anti-inflammatory, so this snack choice is pretty painless. (Get it?)
Honey Banana Smoothie
Photo: Protein World
24. Honey Banana Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, almond milk
Want to get back to smoothie basics? This recipe does the trick by using only six ingredients (though there’s plenty of room to add cacao nibs).
Chocolate Espresso Smoothie
Photo: Laurenda Marie
25. Chocolate Espresso Smoothie

Protein source: MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
Order up! This latte-like smoothie skips the sugar and uses greenish bananas and chocolate protein powder instead.
Razzle Dazzle Pineapple Smoothie
Photo: Peanut Butter and Peppers
26. Razzle Dazzle Pineapple Smoothie

Protein source: MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
If you like piña coladas then spring for this smoothie! Pineapple, coconut milk, and raspberries mimic the signature cocktail’s taste, while protein powder ramps up nutrition. Tiny drink umbrellas optional.
Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Photo: A Sweet Peach Chef
27. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Protein source: peanut butter, whey protein powder
Treat yo’self to a creamy, candy-inspired smoothie that fuels both muscles and taste buds (and is way more nutritious than a Reese’s).
Post-Workout
Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie
Photo: Wam Vanilla Sugar
28. Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, MY RIGHT SIZE protein powder
For a dessert that won’t undo a workout, blend carrot juice, almond milk, two bananas, and sugar’s healthy swap, cinnamon. Then sip. Aaaahh.
Green Vanilla Almond Smoothie
Photo: Shape
29. Green Vanilla Almond Post-Workout Shake

Protein source: almond butter, protein powder
Milkshakes can go green too—and this one excerpted from Clean Green Drinks gets rave reviews. The sweetness of the banana, coconut milk, and vanilla protein powder overpowers the spinach flavor while keeping things healthy.
Berry Pomegranate Acai Smoothie
Photo: The nOATbook
30. Berry, Pomegranate and Acai Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt
Keep recovery simple with apple juice, berries, pomegranate juice and Greek yogurt. Not only are they tasty, but pomegranates have high contents of vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties, Davenport says.
Chocolate Strawberry Almond Protein Smoothie
Photo: The Healthy Family and Home
31. Chocolate Strawberry Almond Protein Smoothie

Protein source: almonds, maca powder, hemp, protein powder
This chocolatey smoothie is nutrient-packed. Chocolate sweetens up the action, while almonds bring protein and fiber and strawberries pack the antioxidants.
32. Peach Hemp Protein Smoothie

Protein source: hemp protein powder
Sit back and unwind with this refreshing, fruity smoothie that’s basically fro-yo in a glass (but with non-dairy, delicious hemp milk instead of moo juice). You’re welcome.
Orange Mango Recovery Smoothie
Photo: Running on Real Food
33. Orange Mango Recovery Smoothie

Protein source: protein powder, cashews
After protein, super spice turmeric is what sets this recovery smoothie apart. The spice is an anti-inflammatory that’s also high in antioxidants.
Spinach Banana Protein Shake
Photo: Garnish with Lemon
34. Spinach Banana Smoothie

Protein source: Greek yogurt, almond butter, protein powder
Handfuls of puréed spinach may not sound appetizing (unless you’re Popeye), but a ripe banana sweetens the taste. Cheers to sipping down vitamin A and iron from the spinach without tasting it.
A Primer on Protein Powders

If you’ve already locked down your favorite smoothie recipe on account of particular tastes and/or food allergies, you can always just scoop in protein powder for an added boost. When choosing a powder, the brand and nutritional profile are the two most important things to consider, Davenport says. Protein supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so research safe brands before purchasing. (Start with our easy-to-follow supplement guide.)

It’s also key to note how you’re using the protein powder—whether it’s to replace a meal or recover from a workout. “Whey, milk, casein, and egg protein all absorb differently, and you want to get the maximum absorption with each meal,” says Jeff Thomas, director of nutrition at Creative Edge Nutrition. Don’t worry non-animal-protein eaters: There are plenty of plant-based options for you, including rice, pea, hemp, and soy protein.

Research can also help you navigate the options on the supplement shelves. Our bodies may be better able to utilize whey and egg proteins better than soy protein, Davenport says, while whey and rice proteins may perform equally in terms of increasing power and strength. The bottom line? Choose the most unprocessed form of the source that best suits your needs.