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Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Another protein shake? Yawn.” But trust me, this isn’t your average blend. This healthy vanilla protein shake is a cleaner, more substantial, healthier and tastier recipe crafted for champions, designed to nourish your body and tastes really great.
Table of Contents
Why You Should Blend It
As we age, protein becomes more important for maintaining strength and muscle, but I’ll be honest—I don’t naturally crave protein-heavy foods. What I am great at? Drinking smoothies. Blending clean protein into a smoothie has been the easiest, most consistent way for me to hit my protein goals without overthinking it.
- Sustained energy: The combination of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates will provide a steady stream of energy, preventing those dreaded mid-day crashes.
- Nutrient-rich: This blend is packed with whole foods that are rick in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supporting your overall health and well-being.
- Muscle recovery: Whether you’ve been battling virtual foes or crushing real-world goals, this shake will help your muscles recover and rebuild.
- Delicious and satisfying: This smoothie is rich, creamy, and deeply comforting, with caramel-like Medjool dates, warm cinnamon, and silky cashew milk creating a smooth, cozy flavor you’ll want to sip slowly.
Vanilla Protein Shake Ingredients
This vanilla protein shake isn’t just a drink; it’s a declaration of self-care, a commitment to your well-being, and a powerful tool in your arsenal. Now go forth and blend together these ingredients! Your inner champion awaits.
- Cashew milk: We start with a base of unsweetened cashew milk, providing a smooth, dairy-free foundation that’s gentle on your system. If you haven’t tried cashew milk yet, get some today. Elmhurst is my favorite brand to buy— it’s clean and has the most protein per ounce.
- Protein powder: Use whatever protein powder you like (I used Isopure Protein Powder). If you’re vegan, make my Homemade Protein Powder to deliver the building blocks your body needs to recover and rebuild, keeping you strong and resilient.
- Frozen cauliflower: Yes, you read that right! Frozen cauliflower florets adds a creamy texture and a nutritional boost without altering the flavor. Trust me, it’s a game-changer and something I add to a lot of my smoothies and shakes now.
- Medjool dates: This natural sweetener is loaded with fiber and flavor. It literally tastes like vanilla/caramel treat to me! You just have to get over the gross look of dates, and make sure to remove the pit before blending. (I’ve learned the hard way!)
- Vanilla bean powder: I have become obsessed with vanilla ever since I’ve been buying the ground vanilla powder from Madagascar beans. They are so flavorful! And there is no alcohol taste either, which I’ve never been a fan of. I like Wild Vanilla Powder brand— it’s the most vanilla flavor I’ve ever tasted in such a small amount.
- Cashews: Raw cashews add healthy fats and a satisfying richness, keeping you feeling full and focused.
Blend this healthy vanilla protein shake if you’re trying to increase your protein intake while keeping your fiber I love how creamy, sweet and nourishing it is, especially after a workout or used as a meal replacement.
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How to Make Vanilla Protein Shake
When I started running some serious distances, I realized I needed a powerful snack to refuel quickly. This vanilla protein shake was definitely up to the challenge, and now it’s on regular rotation. Here’s how to make it:
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately. Pour over ice to cool it down.
Since this recipe contains no leafy greens (yet add ’em if you want!) there is no need to blend in 2 steps. The dates and cashews are a little tricky to blend if you don’t have a high-speed blender, yet can still break down nicely! Start the blender on the lowest setting, then slowly turn up to about medium. Listen until it sounds like your blender is no longer ‘chopping,’ then turn it on high to finish blending.
Blending Tips
- Soak the cashews and dates for 30 minutes in water (or the cashew milk) before blending to help soften them to blend easier.
- Blend everything except the protein powder first. Then add in the protein powder and blend on low. This helps minimize the amount of frothiness in the smoothie.
4 Healthy Protein Recipes
If this vanilla protein shake gets you on the protein train like it did for me, then I’ve got some more recipes for you:
If you blend up this vanilla protein shake recipe, share how it turns out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Healthy Vanilla Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup cashew milk unsweetened
- 1 scoop protein powder unflavored + unsweetened
- ½ cup frozen cauliflower
- 2 medjool dates pitted
- 3 tbsp raw cashews
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together in a blender.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately. Feel free to add ice to chill it down.
Helpful Tools
Notes
- You can use any protein powder you want, yet I used Isopure Zero Carb Whey Isolate Protein Powder in this recipe to get the protein intake over 30 grams. If you’re vegan, I recommend making my homemade protein powder.
- If this isn’t sweet enough for you, add another date or 1/2 a banana.
- Any non-dairy milk can be used, just make sure it is unsweetened.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
You can blend dates, cashews, cashew milk, frozen cauliflower, almond milk, spinach, protein powder with vanilla protein powder to create a nourishing shake. Try adding pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon to enhance the flavors.
Vanilla protein shakes can be a healthy, convenient boost, especially for your active lifestyle, but it’s crucial to be a savvy consumer. Using whole ingredients are ideal, giving you control over what you consume. If you opt for store-bought, scrutinize labels for added sugars and artificial ingredients. Remember, protein shakes should supplement, not replace, a balanced diet of whole foods, ensuring you’re fueling your body with the best possible nutrients for your demanding schedule.
Vanilla and peanut butter are a classic, delicious flavor pairing because their sweet and nutty profiles balance each other perfectly, making them versatile for shakes and other treats.
Homemade protein shakes can help you lose weight when used as a meal replacement. Use low glycemic fruits, a quality protein powder, and only whole food ingredients when blending to maximize fiber, which keeps you full longer.
Hi,
In kindness I ask if your protein has been tested for heavy metals. Most powders are not approved by the FDA because they are a supplement so I use your recipe to make my own. I would like an easy store bought version but most contain metal.
With Appreciation,
Janice
For any store-bought protein powder, the best step is to reach out to each company directly and ask for their most recent third-party heavy-metal testing results. Reputable brands should be willing to share this information.
In general, pea and rice protein tend to test higher for heavy metals because of how and where those crops are grown. That doesn’t automatically make them “bad,” but it does make transparency and testing especially important. If hemp protein is a concern for you, it’s also reasonable to request heavy-metal test results specifically for that ingredient.
Making your own protein blend is a great option if you want full control, and asking these questions is always a smart move. I’m glad you’re looking out for your health.