Looking for a quick and healthy way to start your day or refuel after a workout? Here we show how to make a banana protein shake that is thick like a milkshake, full of flavor, and packed with 28 grams of protein. This delicious banana protein shake will become on of your favorites, for sure!
Whether you're aiming to increase your protein intake, lose weight, or enjoy a delicious and filling beverage, this banana protein shake is a perfect choice.
You may also enjoy these 3 ingredient banana protein cookies. They are low in calories and fat, but high in protein and flavor. They're also gluten free, egg-free, and low carb.
And if you like this shake, you may also enjoy this easy banana bread protein shake or this banana strawberry protein smoothie. Both made with the best personal blender for shakes and smoothies.
We also have this banana bread with protein, a twist on a classic banana bread recipe that's super delicious! Give it a try!
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Ingredients for this banana protein smoothie recipe
Frozen Banana Chunks
2 medium-sized banana, peeled and sliced, then frozen. The frozen bananas add a creamy texture to the shake, and their natural sweetness eliminates the need for added sugars or sweeteners.
Protein Powder
1 scoop (around 30 grams) of your preferred protein powder. I find this lightly-flavored vanilla whey protein isolate to be the best whey protein powder for shakes and smoothies. Its mild flavor doesn't compete with the bananas, and it is unsweetened, so there is no overpowering sweetener taste.
Milk (any kind)
Just ⅓ cup milk or water keeps the shake super thick and doesn't dilute the banana flavor. I usually use unsweetened almond milk or creamy oat milk, but any milk would work here.
Equipment needed for this easy recipe
Kitchen scale: recommended for best results
High speed blender: A powerful blender will ensure a smooth and creamy consistency.
How to make a banana protein shake (instructions)
- Add the frozen banana chunks, milk, and protein powder to the blender.
- Blend on high speed for about 30 seconds or until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the shake is smooth and creamy.
- Pour the banana protein shake into a large glass and enjoy!
Ingredient Substitutions
- Any kind of milk would work here. Dairy milk, including Fairlife milk, would work well here. Some other good plant-based options are coconut milk, soy milk, or cashew milk.
- If you don't have protein powder on hand, you can substitute it with ⅓ cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for an extra dose of protein.
- If you're not a fan of whey protein, vegan protein powder would work well here too. In this case, however, I would recommend a chocolate plant-based protein powder. I haven't found a vegan vanilla protein powder I can recommend (flavor-wise).
- If you're not a fan of bananas, substitute with other frozen fruit like strawberries, blueberries, or mangoes.
More banana smoothies (recipe variations)
With its simple recipe, this banana protein shake can be easily customized to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
For a flavor twist, try adding nut butters, like peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter.
For a superfood boost, add up to a tablespoon of flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds.
Strawberry Banana Protein Shake: Swap out half the banana for frozen strawberries for a delicious twist on the classic banana protein shake. More details on this recipe page: Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie
Chocolate Banana Protein Shake: Use chocolate-flavored protein powder instead of vanilla protein powder for a rich and indulgent treat.
Banana Graham Cracker Protein Shake: Add 2 sheets of graham crackers (broken into pieces) to the blender along with the other ingredients.
Tropical Banana Protein Shake: Swap half the banana for ½ cup of frozen pineapple chunks plus ½ cup of frozen mango chunks.
Banana Nutella Protein Shake: Add 1 tablespoon of Nutella (or this delicious sugar free chocolate hazelnut spread) to the blender along with the other ingredients.
Banana Berry Blast Protein Shake: Swap half the banana for a cup of frozen mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries).
Find more healthy smoothies in our collection of homemade protein shakes.
You may also enjoy our tips on creating protein shakes that are great for weight loss.
Storage Info
This banana protein smoothie will stay good for approximately 24 hours if stored in the fridge in an airtight container. I love these insulated tumblers for storing shakes in the fridge (and taking them to the gym).
Pro tips
- Pre-measure the frozen banana and store it in individual freezer bags for quick shake making.
- Pop this healthy banana protein shake in an ice cream maker for easy protein ice cream. It is SO GOOD.
FAQ
While a regular blender can work, a high-speed blender will provide a smoother consistency and better blend the frozen banana chunks.
You can use fresh banana with a few ice cubes to keep it cold, but the shake won't come out as thick and flavorful as it would if using frozen banana. (The ice cubes will dilute the flavor a bit.)
Yes, you can use your preferred type of milk. Almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk are great additional plant-based options. Dairy milk, including Fairlife milk, are also great choices. Choose the one that suits your taste and dietary preferences. You can even use water in place of the milk in this healthy protein shake recipe.
When paired with healthy food throughout the day, yes, this can be a great way to substitute a meal. If you are using shakes as meal replacements more than once per day, I suggest using a meal replacement protein powder that has added vitamins and minerals specifically to add nutrition to the shake.
Yes, this banana protein shake can be a part of a weight loss plan. It's nutritious and can help you feel satiated, preventing overeating. However, be mindful of the overall calorie content of your daily diet to achieve weight loss goals. You can adjust the amount of banana to lower the calories in this shake, as well.
If the natural sweetness of the ripe bananas isn't quite sweet enough for your taste buds, add a small amount of maple syrup or a natural sweetener of your choice. Keep in mind that unless you are using calorie-free sweeteners, added sweeteners will increase the calorie content.
It really depends on the other ingredients in the shake. This is a thicker shake than most, thanks to the frozen banana, so the recipe really doesn't depend on the milk for thickness or creaminess. Other protein shake recipes without frozen fruit might do better with the added flavor and creaminess of milk than with water.
This shake would make a perfect breakfast on-the-go, it would be great for a post-workout shake, or it would be great for an afternoon snack. If you're looking for a night-time shake, I would go for a protein shake with less carbs than this banana protein smoothie.
By starting your day with this healthy breakfast or enjoying it as a post-workout drink, you'll provide your body with the much-needed fuel and nutrients it craves. This shake is a fantastic way to increase your protein intake, support muscle recovery, and stay on track with your fitness goals.
Enjoy the convenience and taste of this homemade banana protein shake recipe, and let us know your feedback and star rating in the comments below. Cheers to healthy and delicious protein shakes!
**In the photos, this shake is topped with sugar free whipped cream and keto vanilla butter cookies.
Recipe
Easy Banana Protein Shake (3 Ingredient Recipe)
Equipment
- kitchen scale recommended for best results
Ingredients
- 1 ⅓ cup frozen banana slices 200g
- ⅓ cup milk, any kind 80g
- 1 scoop whey protein isolate 31g
Instructions
- Add frozen banana to your blender cup. Then follow with milk and protein powder.
- Blend 30 seconds or until smooth and creamy. Enjoy!
Notes
- Any kind of milk would work here. Dairy milk, including Fairlife milk, would work well here. Some other good plant-based options are coconut milk, soy milk, or cashew milk.
- If you don't have protein powder on hand, you can substitute it with ⅓ cup Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for an extra dose of protein.
- If you're not a fan of whey protein, vegan protein powder would work well here too. In this case, however, I would recommend a chocolate plant-based protein powder. I haven't found a vegan vanilla protein powder I can recommend (flavor-wise).
- If you're not a fan of bananas, substitute with other frozen fruit like strawberries, blueberries, or mangoes.
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