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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, healthier and tastier recipe crafted for champions, designed to nourish your body and ignite your inner fire. Feeling inspired now?!
Why this Recipe Rawks
Forget complicated shake recipes and time-consuming meal prep. This vanilla protein shake is your secret weapon for staying energized, recovering faster, and feeling your absolute best. The video above shows you how to make it as simple as possible. I’ve updated the recipe recently to make it as nutritious and protein-packed as possible. We’ll get into all that goodness below!
- Sustained energy: The combination of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates will provide a steady stream of energy, preventing those dreaded mid-day crashes.
- Muscle recovery: Whether you’ve been battling virtual foes or crushing real-world goals, this shake will help your muscles recover and rebuild.
- Nutrient-rich: This blend is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, supporting your overall health and well-being.
- Delicious and satisfying: Forget bland and boring shakes. This recipe is a treat for your taste buds, keeping you coming back for more.
- Quick and easy: In your fast-paced world, time is precious. This shake can be whipped up in minutes, ensuring you never have to sacrifice nutrition for convenience.
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.
- Creamy 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 has the most protein per ounce.
- Protein powerhouse: Three tablespoons of your favorite protein powder will 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.
- 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!)
- Sweet vanilla: 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.
- Nutty goodness: 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.
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 Tip
For a creamier smoothie, soak the cashews and dates for 30 minutes before blending to help soften them to blend easier.
What to Look for In a Healthy Protein Powder
I’ve used a lot of powder brands over the years. They’re either too sweet, too gritty or just taste gross. It’s not an easy thing to find a protein powder that works perfectly in a shake recipe. If you’re shopping for a powder, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be able to identify all the ingredients as a whole food (that’s how you know you’re putting real food into your body)
- Avoid gums or flavors (they can affect your gut and tastebuds)
- Avoid sugars, stevia and monkfruit (we use fruit in our smoothies to naturally sweeten it. Your powder shouldn’t add more sugar on top of that or it’ll spike your blood sugar levels or confuse your tastebuds).
I spent three years creating my own protein powder because what I needed wasn’t out there. My homemade protein powder is a combination of finely blended plant-based proteins and healthy fats that enhance your smoothies intended flavor. Use it in a creamy banana smoothie or a coconut water smoothie— it’s so versatile!
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.
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 cups cashew milk unsweetened
- 1 scoop protein powder
- ½ cup frozen cauliflower
- 2 medjool dates pitted
- 3 tbsp raw cashews
- ½ tsp 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.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- You can use any protein powder you want, yet 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.
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
Hi Janice! I’ll definitely have to look into this.