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This Chocolate Protein Smoothie is made without protein powder but packs 20 grams of protein into each glass! Enjoy it for breakfast or a post-workout drink.
This high-protein smoothie is an easy addition if you’re trying to increase your protein intake. It uses simple pantry staples and a frozen banana for sweetness.
As written, it’s vegan-friendly, but it’s also easy to customize.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Instead of protein powder, this recipe features a combination of plant-based protein sources, including hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds), peanut butter, and your favorite milk.
Adding a spoonful of your favorite nut butter adds creaminess and extra protein. I prefer the flavor of peanut butter, but almond butter or sunflower seed butter will also work.
You can also add any other mix-ins you like, such as chia seeds or oats.
Detoxinista Tip
Dairy milk has 8 grams of protein per cup, and if you need a dairy-free option, soy milk has a similar protein profile! (This will vary slightly by brand; this recipe assumes you’ll use an unsweetened version.) If you prefer coconut or almond milk, those will work, too, but you’ll get less protein per glass.
How to Make Protein Smoothie without Protein Powder
In a high-speed blender, combine:
- 1/2 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 handful fresh baby spinach
- 1 frozen banana, sliced into pieces
- 3 tablespoons of hemp hearts
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Secure the lid and blend until smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure even mixing.
If the smoothie texture looks runny, add a handful of ice cubes and blend again. This will give your smoothie a slushy texture.
Just keep in mind that the more ice you add, the more diluted the flavor will be—so don’t overdo it!
Serve the protein smoothie right away for the best texture and flavor. Turn it into a smoothie bowl by topping it with extras, like chopped walnuts, cashews, or pumpkin seeds.
Looking for more smoothie recipes? Try my favorite green smoothie, ground flaxseed smoothie, or my vegan protein shake.
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy milk (or other milk)
- 1 frozen banana , sliced
- 3 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free, if desired)
- 1 handful fresh baby spinach (optional)
- 1 cup ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the soy milk, frozen banana slices, hemp hearts, cacao powder, peanut butter, vanilla, and baby spinach (if using). Secure the lid on the blender and blend until smooth.
- If the texture doesn't look slushy enough, add cup of ice cubes and blend again. Keep in mind that adding ice will dilute the flavor slightly, so use only as much ice as needed to achieve the consistency you want. Serve right away for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this protein smoothie without protein powder, leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it.
I highly recommend this shake for your chocolate
fix! I had it for lunch yesterday, and it kept me full for hours. It is nice to have a high protein shake that doesn’t require protein powder. This recipe is definitely is a keeper!
This was really good! I did frozen bananas and then some frozen zuchinni as well. Really good and creamy! Will make again 🙂
This recipe was so delicious after a workout. I recently bought a huge bag of hemp hearts at my local Costco and have been intimidated to use it. This delicious recipe will be in my regular rotation from now on. Thank you for all the amazing recipes.
This was good. I did subtract 1 T hemp and add 1 T choc protein powder. I also added a small scoop of beet powder. I had no spinach so I skipped it. Thanks.
Another winner! Delicious recipe!
I was skeptical but this shake is delicious….so good in fact that I drank it so quickly I wanted to make a second one. Luckily I waited a few minutes because what I didn’t expect is that I’ve been really full for a few hours now – must be all the protein. This will be on my list of regulars to have now. Didn’t add spinach yet, may try that next time. Yummy – thanks.
Taste great, thanks for this recipe.
How come it needs to be served immediately?
It has the best texture when you serve it right away. If you let it sit, it will still be edible, just not quite as enjoyable!
Yum. Also, thank you for not putting avocado in e v e r y t h i n g. Some people (like me) are sadly allergy to it. Great web site. Really enjoying it and feeling inspired.
Hi Megan,
Your protein shake recipe is fantastic. I have featured it in our website Green Thickies.
Of course all credits are given to you and linked back to this page. I have not posted the actual recipe, but only a small snippet from this page and one photo from here.
Hope that is okay with you. Thanks a lot 🙂
Katherine,
Green Thickies
can I do it with chocolate pieces instead of powder?