Thick and creamy, flavorful Chocolate Protein Shake, filled with protein powder, cocoa, banana, milk, and almond (or peanut) butter. This protein shake is good enough to pass for a healthy milkshake!
Enjoy this Chocolate Protein Shake as a pre- or post-workout drink, a healthy snack to quell sugar cravings, or even for breakfast!
Chocolate Protein Shake
Probably the treat my mom made most often when I was growing up was milkshakes. We’d alternate between cookies and cream shakes, strawberry shakes, or chocolate shakes, but chocolate was always my preferred choice. Flash forward to being an adult (with a metabolism not quite as fast as when I was a kid) and having a couple of milkshakes a week isn’t practical for me anymore. I mean, there are still those weeks, but…I also want to fit in my jeans.
So when developing this Chocolate Protein Shake recipe, it had to be as *close* to a chocolate milkshake as possible — thick, creamy, rich, and wonderfully chocolate flavored. And honestly, with a good protein powder and cocoa powder, this shake is 100% that. It takes away all my sugar cravings, is packed with protein, and is about as good as it gets for a healthy milkshake. I seriously think you’re going to love this!
How do you make Chocolate Protein Shakes even better?
Honestly, it comes down to the ingredients you use! My number one tip? Use a great-tasting protein powder.
I’ve tried my fair share of protein powders and for this shake, I recommend protein powder that is whey-based and sweetened with stevia. The protein powder can make or break the shake — leaving you with great flavor or a nasty, powdery aftertaste. Here’s a list of the top-rated protein powders. My personal favorite: Optimum Nutrition® Gold Standard 100% whey protein powder (Double-Rich Chocolate).
What should I put in my shake?
I’ve played around with ingredients in this shake for years, and I’m telling you, the ingredients you use make all the difference.
- Good chocolate protein powder: See more on this in the paragraph above.
- Banana: We want the banana flavor to be virtually nonexistent, but for it to add nutrition and create a thick creamy texture. Make sure to completely freeze a fully ripe banana before adding to this shake. Also, don’t use more than 1/2 cup or it will be more banana-flavored than chocolate.
- Peanut butter or almond butter: Again, we want the main flavor to be chocolate, but the nut butter adds protein and healthy fats. It also adds a nice creaminess and subtle flavor. We only add 1 tablespoon so that the flavor isn’t overpowering. My personal favorite is almond butter (much more subtle), but use whichever you have on hand or like better.
- Unsweetened vanilla almond milk: My favorite milk in this shake, but any milk works. I like the vanilla flavored for even more flavor.
- Ice: Ice gives us a thick milkshake consistency without all the calories! I use 8 regular ice cubes, or about 1 cup of ice.
- Cocoa powder: See more on this below!
Can I add cocoa powder to my protein shake?
The other ingredient that makes a huge difference is the cocoa powder. The cocoa balances the protein and really amps up the chocolate flavor.
Use a good cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor in this shake. Here’s my all-time favorite cocoa powder (it will literally change your life if you bake with cocoa powder a lot!)
Hershey’s ®Special Dark Cocoa Powder is also great in Chocolate Protein Shakes.
How to make Chocolate Protein Shakes
- Freeze the banana: While this chocolate protein shake is quick and easy to make, it does require a bit of planning to make sure the banana is fully frozen. I like to prep the bananas right after I get home from the grocery store so I don’t forget. Remove the peel, slice the banana into coins, place in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze overnight.
- Measure: While it might seem silly to actually measure out ingredients instead of just throwing everything in the blender, I highly recommend measuring until you have a feel for the quantities. (Throwing random ingredients in a blender can often end up giving you way too much shake or it can taste, well… off.) It’s also a good idea to measure ingredients if you’re tracking macros or calories.
- Blend: If you have a high-powered blender (I recommend a Vitamix® or Blendtec®), you can add everything in and blend until smooth. This shake is very thick. You may need to blend it a couple of times or be patient as it blends; it’s worth it for how thick and creamy this shake ends up!
Are Chocolate Protein Shakes good for weight loss?
Protein is important for weight loss*. Getting enough protein can help increase your metabolism and help reduce your appetite while helping to lose body fat instead of muscle. That said, protein shakes (typically) contain quite a few calories. So if the shake works with your macro or calorie goal, it can be a great weight-loss aid. Consult with a certified nutritionist to see how this Chocolate Protein Shake works into your personal health or weight loss plans.
*While I have a background in Exercise and Wellness (B.S.), all the content in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or dietitian for any specific dietary needs or questions.
Other healthy breakfast recipes:
- Almond Coconut Protein Bars
- Healthy Banana Bread
- Cherry Smoothie
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins
- Green Smoothie Recipe
Chocolate Protein Shake
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 5 tablespoons chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 8 ice cubes
- Sweetener to taste see note 1
Instructions
- Remove the peel from the banana, slice into large coins, place in a plastic bag, and freeze.
- Combine all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth and well incorporated. If needed, stir everything up and blend again. If you don't have a high-powered blender, you may need an additional 1/4 cup milk.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi there! I’m 14 years old. I made this for my family and I. We all LOVE IT! It’s sooo good! They keep asking me to make seconds 😂. One thing… my dad is allergic to bananas.. do you think the taste would change if I didn’t add the bananas in? Or could I substitute it with something else? Thank you again!
So glad to hear you enjoyed this shake! Unfortunately I don’t have a great substitute for the banana that will sweeten and thicken the shake the same 🙁
Frozen avocado should provide a similar texture but you will have to add honey or something to sweeten.
This recipe is delicious. Loved it! Thanks for sharing.
So glad to hear you enjoyed this shake 🙂
How many carbs, fats, protein in this shake? What type of protein powder would you recommend?
Full nutrition facts are directly below the recipe. My personal favorite: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% whey protein powder ® (Double-Rich Chocolate) OR for a plant-based healthier protein I love Truvani’s chocolate protein
This is bomb!!!
Score! Thanks Paige! 🙂
I just made this for the first time for brekky here in Aus and it is DIVINE! My new favourite protein shake for sure. LOVE!
Yay! So happy you’re loving this shake! Thanks Sarah! 🙂
Hi I make this protein shake almost every day and my husband and I love it! We drink it during the day and after workouts. I use a squeeze of raw honey for sweetener, and I use Hershey’s Special Dark instead of the Dutch process cocoa powder – makes a world of difference. Thank you for sharing this!
You’re welcome! Glad you’ve enjoyed it 🙂
I was one ice cube short but I did the extra 1/4 cup of almond milk. Taste and texture was all the way on point.
So glad you enjoyed this! 🙂
Perfect for a post-workout pick-me-up! Thanks for the easy recipe.
I love a good chocolate protein shake. This one is yummy. I’ve always frozen my bananas just cut in half but dealing with the coin sized made it so much easier. Great tip!
Yum! This looks like the perfect post-workout treat! 🙂
Perfect for post workout! 🙂