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If you’re trying to increase muscle definition, manage your weight, or bulk up your smoothies to keep you nourished and full, this homemade protein powder recipe is for you.
This simple recipe can turn a green smoothie, fruit smoothie or chocolate smoothie into a nourishing and filling meal replacement with 16 grams of plant-based protein. It’s made with high-quality ingredients packed with nutrients to create a clean protein powder you’ll feel good about using.
Why This Recipe Rawks
Men and bodybuilders don’t own the rights to protein powder. Anyone looking for an easier way to increase their protein intake should consider using this homemade protein powder. As an active woman in my 40s, I like adding this to my daily smoothie to help with:
- Muscle Gain: Added a scoop of this homemade protein powder to your smoothies helps muscles rebuild faster after a workout. Because of the direct ways protein affects the muscles, the best time to consume protein is after a workout.
- Weight Loss: I stay full longer after that green smoothie when I boost it with this homemade protein powder. Protein boosts metabolism, burns fat, and keeps cholesterol and blood pressure levels low. Try replacing 1-2 meals each day with a green smoothie boosted with my homemade protein powder to create a great meal replacement smoothie.
- Protects the Immune System: Protein doesn’t just strengthen muscles, it also strengthens every cell in the body. This makes them less likely to be infected, keeping you strong and healthy.
Homemade Protein Powder for Weight Loss
Adding this protein powder to your smoothies supports weight loss by increasing fullness, boosting metabolism, preserving muscle, replacing meals, and stabilizing blood sugar. It’s most effective within a healthy diet and exercise plan.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I did a deep dive into plant-based proteins when creating this recipe. I came up with an incredibly simple formulation that’s simple, unsweetened and contains 16 grams of protein. I’ve included links to products I buy on Amazon to help you shop and make this homemade protein powder asap.
Organic Hemp Protein Powder
This superfood is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids we need in our diet to build muscle. It has a hint of oregano that will grow on you over time.
Organic Chia Seeds
This ancient seed has been used for centuries to regulate blood sugar, promote heart health and provides several antioxidants. Plus, it’s high in fiber, omega 3s, and tasteless.
Organic Whole Flaxseeds
Provides both protein and healthy fat as well as thiamine, which is a B vitamin responsible for metabolizing energy. Use whole flax seeds because pre-ground flaxseed lose their nutrient density quicker.
I use the organic ingredients above because…
- Superior nutrition: These three ingredients give us a complete protein profile, essential fatty acids, fiber, and micronutrients using all organic ingredients.
- Ingredient control: Most protein powders on the market have fillers, gums, sweeteners, flavorings and cheap proteins. I don’t want that junk in my smoothie or in my body. I buy single origin ingredients from reputable so I know exactly what’s in it!
- Cost: It’s way cheaper to make this homemade protein powder recipe than buy one with comparable standards. I can get everything on Amazon for $38 and make multiple batches of this recipe!
What about Soy Protein Isolate Powder?
Soy-based powders are the #1 vegan protein powder on the market. Soy is a complete protein and super affordable, yet is much more processed when turned into a protein powder and has a strange texture. I prefer using a hemp-based protein in my homemade protein powder recipe.
How to Make Homemade Protein Powder
Now that you know the ingredients needed to make this super simple homemade protein powder recipe, let’s talk about how to make protein powder:
- Add your hemp protein, chia seeds and flaxseeds to a high-speed blender container. Make sure the container is completely dry before adding these ingredients, as any moisture causes the chia seeds to start to gel.
- Blend on high speed until a fine powder has formed. Feel free to stop the blender and scoop out the bottom of the container to make sure all the seeds are getting blended together. Be careful to not overblend, which creates heat and will actually begin to “bake the powder”.
- Transfer the powder to an airtight storage container with a wide mouth. I like to use wide-mouth mason jars so that it’s easy to scoop out what I need.
- When you’re ready to use your powder, scoop out 1/4 cup for one serving of protein powder, about 16 grams of protein. This recipe makes 15 servings and can be stored at room temperature in a dark place, like a cabinet or in the fridge.
Blending Tip
If your blender is having trouble blending this amount, double or triple the recipe to give the blender container some more volume to work with. You can also make smaller batches in a spice grinder.
Common Questions
Yes! It’s super easy to combine hemp protein, chia seeds and flaxseed in a high-speed blender to create a fine powder. Store in an airtight container and you’ve got a scoop-able powder that can be added to any smoothie, protein shake or baked good you want.
If you’re looking for a high-quality protein powder, making it yourself is going to be the most affordable way to go. When I make this homemade protein powder recipe, it costs me just under $1.00 per serving, which is definitely cheaper than any organic high-quality blend that I’ve bought from the store.
It’s super easy when the recipe is just three easy-to-find ingredients. I blend the hemp protein, chia seeds and flaxseed in a high-speed blender until a fine powder forms. Then I store it in an airtight container until I’m ready to use. If you follow my recipe, you will get 15 servings per blend. If you want to double the batch and have a whole month on hand at a time, then go for it!
Plant-based protein powder can be a great addition to your morning smoothie. Not all powders are good for you. Read your labels. Make sure that option isn’t loaded with sweeteners, gums, and artificial ingredients found in many powders. Look for a protein powder with few ingredients that are all identifiable and grown from the earth (not made in a factory). That’s plant-based at its finest.
My homemade protein powder recipe is entirely plant-based. It uses only hemp protein, chia seeds, and flax seeds, which are all derived from plants. When powders are made from plants, rather than animal products, they’re considered plant-based. Examples of this are powders that consist of brown rice, soy, hemp, pea, flax, chia and/or even spirulina. The minute you add an animal product, like whey, casein or collagen, it is no longer plant-based. Why? Whey protein as well as casein comes from dairy (which comes from cows). If you have any kind of dairy intolerance, then be sure to check the label on your protein powder and avoid any with casein or dairy.
How to Use Homemade Protein Powder
When I created this diy protein powder recipe, my focus was on adding it to smoothies to keep me full. Yet it also works great in a variety of recipes depending on your health goals.
- For muscle building: incorporate into post-workout smoothies to aid in recovery and repair.
- For weight management: add it to your breakfast smoothie or oatmeal to increase satiety and keep you feeling fuller for longer, reducing cravings.
- Improve your general health: add it to smoothies and baked goods for a protein and fiber boost.
Recipes To Use With Protein Powder
I hope you’re excited to try my homemade protein powder recipe. Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a review about how you used it. I can’t wait to read about all your creations! I hope you fall in love with this homemade protein powder as I have.
Homemade Protein Powder
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups Hemp Yeah Organic Max Protein Powder
- 5 tbsp chia seeds
- 5 tbsp flaxseed
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high until ingredients are a fine powder consistency. Stop blending as necessary and scrap the bottom of the blender with a thin spatula in case it starts caking or gets stuck.
- Transfer to an airtight container with a wide opening so you can scoop out the right measurement.
- When you're ready to use, scoop out 1/4 cup per serving.
Notes
- If the texture isn’t smooth, you’ll need to grind the seeds even more. You can double or triple the recipe to get a good amount in your blender, which will make it easier to blend.
- Feel free to use a spice grinder for the blending process as well. I wasn’t able to create as fine a powder as I wanted with a coffee grinder.
- Look for a hemp powder where the only ingredient is hemp, like Just Hemp or Hemp Yeah.
- One serving of this homemade protein powder can turn any smoothie recipe into a meal replacement smoothie.
- Store in cool, dry place or in the fridge for up to one month for best quality.
Since I have SHELLED hemp seeds that are organic hemp hearts would I use the same 2&3/4 cups of the shelled hemp seeds in your recipe along with the flax & chia seeds?
I have a vitamix blender so would I need to blend these 3 ingredients together first to make the recipe??
And lastly, would this recipe Need to be refrigerated or can I leave on the counter??
Thank you so much. Excited to make this instead of always purchasing protein powder.
Hi! You could definitely try it this way. The hemp seeds vs the hemp hearts are going to change it slightly. You could try it in the blender or food processor for sure to make sure it’s nice and blended. To store you can leave it out but make sure it’s in an air tight container so it will last longer. Enjoy!
Is the protein powder supposed to be grainy in my smoothie? I don’t mind it too much, but would rather it not be. How can I fix/solve this? Thank!!
Hi Claudia! If you want it less grainy, I would blend it more or even put it in the food processor!
How much do you consider as a serving of the homemade protein powder. I have made it and used a1/4 cup, but I get hungry quicker, thought I might not be using enough. Thanks.
Hi Wanda, a 1/4 cup sounds like a great amount. You can definitely add more if needed though!
Thank you for this! I’m going through radiation for cancer and it’s kicking my butt. All protein powders I can find online and at stores have some ingredient that I’m not crazy about
Hi Jenn! So glad that you find this useful, we love that it’s not full of stuff, just a few simple ingredients! I wish you healing during your journey with radiation!
where do you get hemp protein?
Hi Bari! We typically use Just Hemp Foods Hemp Protein + Fiber!
When looking on the internet to find a store near me that sells hemp protein powder, I came across pea protein. What are your thoughts on the two? I would really like to try making my own protein powder.
Hi! Pea Protein is great, it actually contains more protein than hemp, though hemp contains more healthy fat and fiber. You could definitely give it a try in the recipe and see how it turns out!
Hi Jen, I hope you and your wonderful family are doing well. I am wondering what brand of hemp protein powder you recommend for making the Homemade Protein Powder. I am certain your recipe is great.
Blessings,
Jeanette
Hi Jeanette! This is the hemp protein we typically use!
Hey,
Super happy to find the recepie. Trying to move to cleaner eating (from store bought powders) :). Any tips to make it taste better (the hemp give it a „special“ taste:)). I drink it with soy milk which is ok and have added some cocoa powder which make it better. Just wondering if you had some other flavor tips:)?
Hi Anders! I completely understand that the hemp does give it a special taste. Typically I would use this in a smoothie so the taste is super hidden! We have a ton of great smoothie recipes on the blog!
Can I use ground flaxseed?
Hi Stephanie! I’ve only tried it with flaxseed but you can certainly try it out! It may be easier to blend that way but some of the potential benefits may not be as strong due to it being ground longer.
Can I just use this with water in a shaker cup?
Hi Feeny! That could work but the taste wouldn’t be the best taste due to the chia seeds, flax etc!
Hi, do you have the Omega 6 and Omega 3 nutritional amounts for this recipe? Thank you!
Hi Pamela! I don’t, largely because that would depend on what brands you were using!
Can I add this to smoothie for my 8 year old ?
Is this protein recipe recommended for kids ?
Hi Angie! I’ve used for my own children, but as with anything, be sure to ask your pediatrician if protein powder is okay for your own kiddos!
Hey, this looks so good! I have a quick question: Can I just blend up hemp hearts instead of buying hemp protein powder? If so, how much for this recipe please? Thanks!!
Hi Natasha! Thanks so much! To create hemp powder the hemp hearts have to have the oil removed to turn into hemp protein powder, so I’m unsure it would turn out the same way. May be worth a try. Let me know if you do!
Hi does this cause you to break wind more?
Hi Dean! It certainly could mostly due to the fiber increase in your diet. I’d give it a try and if it does, simple decrease the amount to see if it helps!
At one pint you had the brands you liked to use for chia seeds and flax seed, but I can’t locate. Are you able to give me that info?
Is there an alternative to the hemp powder? Unfortunately due to being in the military we are banded from ingesting ANY hemp product.
Hi Brit, we completely understand not wanting to use the hemp powder. You could try a soy powder or chia powder in place of the hemp!
I noticed that it’s hemp protein and not hemp seeds. Would I be able to use shelled hemp seeds instead of a hemp protein? Does one over the other make enough of a difference nutrition wise?
Hi Michael, being shelled hemp seeds you may be able to make it work! The ones with the shells are definitely a no-go.