Change up your protein powder game with these easy and delicious protein powder recipes. From hearty breakfasts to protein bars to protein desserts, you’ll actually look forward to meeting your protein goals!
Here’s some truth: before I started writing recipes, you couldn’t PAY me to take protein powders.
For years, I always associated them with gritty, overly sweet, fake-tasting shakes. But the more I found myself cooking, the more I got into fitness to stay in shape.
That was when I realized how hard it actually is to get enough protein in my day. Now, I love cooking with protein powder.
Each of these recipes is more creative than your average protein shake, yet they’re just as nutritionally dense and will make fitting in your daily protein feel like a treat!
Table of Contents
What are the different types of protein powders?
If you’ve ever walked through the protein section of a vitamin shop, you know there are a LOT of options. In the end, it comes to cost, flavor, texture, and nutritional density. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Whey protein powder. Derived from cow’s milk, whey is a complete protein that’s absorbed quickly. It comes in the most flavor options, and I like it for its ability to dissolve quickly in liquid. It’s best in protein shakes, smoothies, and baking.
- Casein protein powder. Also derived from cow’s milk, casein is thicker and creamier than other proteins, so you’ll need more of it to compensate. I prefer it in overnight oats or creamy desserts.
- Soy protein. A popular plant-based protein, soy is also a complete protein with a similar texture to whey protein. I prefer it in dairy-free desserts and dairy-free breakfast recipes.
- Pea protein. Derived from yellow peas, it’s not quite a complete protein, so it’s often blended with other vegan proteins. It can sometimes have an earthy flavor, so I prefer it in pancakes or homemade protein bars.
- Brown rice protein. A thick protein powder that mixes well and comes in a variety of flavors. Like pea protein, it can sometimes have an earthy taste, so stick to vanilla protein powder or chocolate protein powder.
My best advice is to use whatever protein powder is recommended in the recipe, since the balance of ingredients and protein structure can make all the difference.
No-bake treats
We love using protein powder in no-bake dessert recipes. It is an easy swap for flour and can add plenty of flavor.
- Protein pudding– When I learned you could make pudding by combining Greek yogurt and protein powder, I was instantly hooked.
- Peanut butter protein balls– My favorite quick protein ball recipe, packing 10 grams of protein per ball.
- Protein cookie dough– As if edible cookie dough couldn’t get better! All you need are three ingredients, a few seconds, and voila! Sweet and satisfying protein cookie dough.
- Protein granola bars– Soft, chewy granola bars that come together in minutes and offer 20 grams of protein per bar.
- Protein rice krispies– My childhood favorite snack gets a makeover. Gooey, marshallow-filled, with tons of protein.
- Protein balls– A base recipe with just 4 ingredients, I’ve also included a bunch of flavor variations to keep things interesting.
- Protein milkshake– Okay, I grew up on Wendy’s milkshakes and these legit taste the same, minus all the nasties. Also, chocolate, vanilla, AND strawberry flavor options.
- Protein fudge– Rich, creamy, and ready in under 5 minutes.
- Protein cheesecake– One of my FAVORITE desserts to make that don’t taste healthy at all.
Desserts & baked goods
When I first started incorporating more protein into my diet, the first thing I did was learn to bake with it. It’s such a simple swap that makes even a protein donut feels like a more nutritious choice.
- Protein mug cake– When the sweet cravings strike, we like to make mug cakes, and when we can sneak in 25 grams of protein at the same time, that’s even better.
- Protein brownies– Yes, that’s right, rich, gooey, fudgy brownies with crinkly tops that double as a healthy post-workout snack.
- Protein ice cream– Sweet, creamy, customizable ice cream made with no ice cream maker!
- Protein cookies– Not only do you get protein from the powder, but you get even more from the peanut butter and eggs. Plus, they do NOT taste like boring protein cookies.
- Protein cupcakes– Naturally sweetened with mashed bananas and coconut sugar, this is one of my favorite vegan and gluten-free cupcake recipes.
- Protein banana bread– Light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh banana flavor, this eggless, dairy-free banana bread recipe packs 18 grams of protein per slice.
- Lenny & Larry protein cookies– I used to buy these by the box until I realized I was spending a fortune, so I made this copycat recipe that includes the base plus 10 flavors!
- Protein muffins– The easiest baked goods to get your protein in are light, fluffy, and studded with chocolate chips.
- Protein donuts– These cakey and fluffy donuts are chocolate flavored and seriously taste too good!!
- Protein pop tarts– I loved the childhood breakfast pastry but not the ingredients… so I gave it a high protein makeover.
Breakfast protein recipes
I’ve found that if I start my day with a lot of protein, I don’t crash by midday, and I feel focused for hours.
- Protein overnight oats– The perfect make-ahead breakfast that boasts over 30 grams of protein.
- Protein oatmeal– If you prefer your oats warm, you’ll love this recipe. It’s made with simple ingredients and is endlessly customizable.
- Protein granola– I like to add this to a bowl of Greek yogurt with some fresh berries for a nutrient-dense breakfast. Plus a few chocolate chips–just for me!
- Protein pancakes– We probably make these more than regular pancakes.
- Banana protein pancakes– Adapted from my original pancakes but this time with the addition of banana.
- Protein chia pudding– Another easy make-ahead breakfast recipe made with fiber-packed chia seeds, cocoa powder, milk, maple syrup, and, of course, a scoop of protein powder.
- Protein waffles– Light, fluffy, and made with only three ingredients, this is the perfect weekend brunch recipe.
- Protein cinnamon rolls– Fluffy, gooey, and soft rolls that taste like the real thing. They also only need one rise.
- Protein bread– With just 80 calories per slice, this high-protein bread toasts beautifully and makes great sandwiches, too.
- Protein cereal– Yes, this is the kind you can dunk in your milk, and it remains crispy and crunchy!
- Protein bagels– Just 3 main ingredients and no yeast or boiling needed.
Protein smoothies & drinks
Of course, protein powders are most commonly used in shakes and smoothies, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring!
- Protein coffee– You better believe we figured out how to work protein into EVERY meal of the day, even your morning coffee.
- Protein smoothie– This is my daily breakfast. It’s healthy, easy, fast, and comes with 6 flavors (I personally love the chocolate banana one!).
- Cinnamon roll protein shake– Thick, creamy, and basically dessert in a glass.
- Oatmeal smoothie– This smoothie is a nutrient powerhouse, being made with rolled oats, cocoa powder, protein powder, chia seeds, and creamy peanut butter.
- Snickers protein shake– In case you can’t tell, I don’t mess around when it comes to shakes. This one literally tastes like a Snickers in a glass but with as much protein as a Snickers protein bar.
- Chocolate protein shake– This seriously tastes like a McDonald’s thick shake. Not a fan of chocolate? Try my peanut butter protein shake or coffee protein shake.
Protein bars
We always keep some protein bars on deck. They’re a great snack in between meals, and I love treating myself to one after a workout.
Savory protein powder recipes
Confession- I LOVE to recreate traditional high carb dinners with a protein-packed makeover!
- Protein pizza– I could eat this every single night because it tastes like real-deal pizza! Over 30 grams of protein and low in calories, too.
- Protein pasta– Thanks to the addition of protein pasta and cottage cheese, this simple pasta bake is now a protein powerhouse!
- Protein mac and cheese– The addition of unflavored protein powder in the sauce makes this a complete meal in itself.
- Protein chips– Think of these as a high-protein Doritos fix!
- Protein popcorn– A simple 3 ingredient recipe that takes minutes to make.
Frequently asked questions
No, I would not recommend swapping flour in a recipe for protein powder. While both are dry ingredients, protein powder has completely different baking properties from flour. I recommend making one of the recipes you see here, which have been tested, replacing flour or substituting some of it out.
While there are many protein powder brands on the market, I’ve found that Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, and Growing Naturals protein powders are the most versatile, work well in recipes and standard protein shakes, and are affordable.
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Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan and set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, eggs, Greek yogurt, and melted butter.
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Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then stir through the hot water until a smooth and thick batter remains.
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Transfer the cake batter into the cake pan and bake the cake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
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Let the cake cool completely before slicing in half down the center.
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Make the frosting by whisking together the Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and chocolate protein powder. If the frosting is too thick, add a little extra powdered sugar.
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Frost the base layer of the cake, add the top, and frost on top and around the sides.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 25gFat: 9gSodium: 245mgPotassium: 282mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 227IUCalcium: 189mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 13g
