9 Tasty Protein Powder Recipes To Boost Your Protein Intake

Most people are well aware of the benefits of eating protein. Protein increases satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer, and it is an essential nutrient for all sorts of physiological functions, from repairing muscles to forming enzymes.

Protein powder is a convenient, easy way to boost your protein intake, but it can be hard to come up with tasty protein powder recipes that aren’t just the same old protein shake or that just involve adding a scoop of protein powder to your favorite smoothie.

Although we tend to focus only on protein shakes and smoothies in terms of protein powder recipes, there are actually all sorts of recipes with protein powder, spanning the gamut from protein powder pancakes or protein powder overnight oats for breakfast to soups and healthy dessert recipes with protein powder. 

In this article, we have created some tasty and healthy protein powder recipes to highlight the versatility of protein powder and give you some ideas and inspiration for easy recipes with protein powder.

We will discuss:

• Benefits of Protein Powder Recipes

• 9 Tasty And Healthy Protein Powder Recipes

Ready? Let’s jump in!

Benefits of Protein Powder Recipes

Protein, which is composed of amino acids, is one of the three primary macronutrients, alongside fats and carbohydrates. 

In addition to providing energy (calories), there are many benefits of consuming protein. Proteins are involved in nearly all biochemical reactions or processes. 

For example, protein forms muscle tissue, supports tissue growth and repair, forms collagen and other structural components of tissues, forms hormones and enzymes, transports nutrients around the body or into and out of cells, and helps regulate the pH and fluid balance in the body.

Protein powder recipes allow you to make the foods you would already eat more nutritious by boosting the protein content.

Recipes with protein powder sometimes have a bit of an aftertaste, or the protein powder may change the texture and consistency a bit, but it’s helpful to remember that you’re improving your health and getting in great nutrition by adding protein powder to recipes.

Additionally, because protein promotes satiety, you might be inclined to eat less frequently or reduce your food intake over the course of the day because you will be less hungry.

For example, studies suggest that high-protein breakfast foods are more satiating than high-carbohydrate breakfasts, so adding a scoop of protein powder to your oatmeal or waffle batter can help keep mid-morning hunger pangs at bay.

9 Tasty And Healthy Protein Powder Recipes

Here are some easy protein powder recipes:

#1: Chocolate Protein Powder Cottage Cheese Parfait

Cottage cheese is a great high-protein breakfast or lunch option that’s even lower in carbs than yogurt but has similar applications.

One cup (8 ounces or 227 ounces) of cottage cheese has about 24 grams of protein.

You can make a decadent protein powder cottage cheese parfait using either your favorite vanilla or chocolate protein powder.

Play around with the different fruits and toppings you use, depending on your preferences and diet goals.

Cottage cheese protein powder parfaits can be a great dessert before bed or an indulgent but healthy, protein-packed breakfast in the morning.

Here is a chocolate cottage cheese protein powder recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup of low-sodium cottage cheese
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder
• 1 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp of plain or chocolate almond milk
• 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of raspberries
• 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries 

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whip together the cottage cheese, almond milk, protein powder, cinnamon, and cocoa powder.
2. Scoop 1/4 of the mixture into the bottom of a glass or clean bowl.
3. Top with some of the berries.
4. Layer on more cottage cheese and then more berries.
5. Continue layering your parfait, leaving some of the berries to sprinkle on the top. You can add additional toppings like crumbled graham crackers, nuts, or granola, depending on your preferences.

#2: Peaches and Cream Vanilla Protein Powder Cottage Cheese Parfait 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of low-sodium cottage cheese
• 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp of plain or vanilla almond milk
• 1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1 cup of sliced peaches
• 1/3 cup low-sugar granola

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whip together the cottage cheese, almond milk, protein powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
2. Scoop 1/4 of the mixture into the bottom of a glass or clean bowl.
3. Top with some of the peaches and granola.
4. Layer on more cottage cheese and then more peaches and granola.
5. Continue layering your parfait.

You can add or substitute different fruits, such as bananas, berries, apples, plums, and pears.

#3: Protein-Packed Greek Yogurt Parfait

Like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt is packed with protein, so it’s a great foil for making a high-protein breakfast or lunch.

One cup (8 ounces or 227 ounces) of nonfat plain Greek yogurt has about 23 grams of protein.

It is best to opt for plain Greek yogurt without added sugar. 

You can make protein powder Greek yogurt parfaits in the same way you would with cottage cheese, though you usually don’t need to add additional almond milk, depending on the consistency you like and how thick the yogurt is.

Add berries or sliced fruit, such as apples, peaches, and bananas, to add more flavor, along with nuts, seeds, and coconut to enhance the yogurt. 

For example, sliced almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds make great additions to Greek yogurt, or you can add low-sugar muesli.

Usually, vanilla protein powder is best. Add 1 scoop or ¼ of a cup to start. See how it changes the texture and consistency. 

Because yogurt is normally much smoother than cottage cheese, and adding protein powder to yogurt or cottage cheese binds it up somewhat, many people find that the change in texture is more palatable with cottage cheese because it’s less noticeable. 

One way to mask the difference by adding protein powder to your yogurt is to go heavy-handed with textural contrast—crunchy nuts, granola, seeds, etc.

#4: Protein Powder Waffles

If you want the satisfying taste and texture of Belgian waffles but want a healthier option, this is a great protein powder waffle recipe.

You’ll need a waffle maker, or you can use the same batter to make protein powder pancakes if you don’t have one.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (56 grams) of almond flour
• 1/2 cup (90 grams) of Greek yogurt
• 1 scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder, depending on your preferences
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tbsp (24 grams) of monk fruit extract
• 1 tsp (5 grams) of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp (3 grams) of cinnamon 
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 2 tbsp (28 grams) of coconut oil or butter, melted

Directions

1. Add all the ingredients (except 1 tablespoon of melted butter) to a food processor or blender and combine until smooth, but try not to over-mix.
2. Heat a waffle maker and lightly grease it with the melted butter.
3. Scoop 1/4 of the batter into the waffle maker and cook until the waffles are crispy on the edges and golden brown.
4. Serve with toppings of your choice, such as slivered almonds, fresh berries, or nut butter.

#5: Protein Powder Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are a popular healthy breakfast idea, but unless you are deliberately making high-protein overnight oats, most standard recipes are higher in carbohydrates and protein.

Adding protein powder is a fantastic way to boost the protein content of overnight oats and make the breakfast satiating for hours. 

Add 1 scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder, and increase the amount of liquid you add by 1/4 cup.

#6: Protein Powder Muffins

One of the best applications of protein powder recipes is to make protein powder muffins. 

Protein powder muffins can make a great on-the-go high-protein breakfast, a healthy afternoon snack, or a kid-friendly, high-protein dessert.

The following muffin protein powder recipe makes 12 servings:

Ingredients

• 1 cup quick oats ground in a food processor or oat flour
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 medium banana peeled and mashed
• 1/2 cup of craisins or dried apples, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds or walnuts (optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp of honey or maple syrup
• 3 scoops vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350° and line and spray a muffin tin.
2. Combine the wet ingredients in one bowl and the dry ingredients in another but leave out the optional nuts and berries.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine until smooth, but do not over-mix.
4. Gently fold in the dried fruit and nuts until evenly incorporated into the batter.
5. Fill each muffin tin about 3/4 of the way up.
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.

#7: Protein Powder Pancakes

You can have a high-protein breakfast by adding protein powder to pancakes.

Protein powder pancakes are a bit chewier than the fluffy box-mix pancakes you might have had growing up, but they are similar enough that they still scratch that pancake-loving itch. 

Here’s a good pancake protein powder recipe: 

In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon.

In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 medium-size ripe banana mashed, 2 large egg whites, 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.

You can play around with the spices and flavors as well. For example, you can use canned pumpkin instead of banana and ginger instead of cinnamon.

Top with Greek yogurt or nut butter.

#8: Chia Seed Protein Powder Pudding

Chia seeds are a nutritious superfood packed with fiber and protein. When they become wet, chia seeds swell into a gooey consistency that resembles pudding.

This protein powder recipe boosts the nutrient profile by adding even more protein to the healthy foundation of basic chia seed pudding.

Chia seed protein pudding makes an excellent high-protein breakfast, or even a satisfying lunch or dessert, depending on how you choose to customize your flavors. 

Make it the day before and leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

Ingredients

• ½ avocado or banana mashed
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ⅔ cup almond milk or other milk
• Optional nuts, berries, sliced bananas, peanut butter, etc.

Directions

1. Mix all the ingredients together, ideally in a blender but with a whisk is ok.
2. Pour into a mason jar or tall glass and cover with the lid or plastic wrap.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Top with berries or nut butter as desired. Sliced bananas and slivered almonds work really well.

#9: Pumpkin Pie Protein Balls

This protein powder recipe makes delicious pumpkin pie-flavored protein balls that are vegan, gluten-free, and only contain a few ingredients.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 1/2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• ⅔ cup vanilla protein powder
• ¼ cup almond flour or coconut flour

Directions

1. Heat the nut butter and maple syrup in a large saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl until liquidy and warm. Whisk until well combined.
2. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the rest of the ingredients, stirring until a thick, firm batter has formed.
3. If the dough is too loose, add additional almond flour as needed.
4. Using a small ice cream scoop or clean hands, form the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Chill the protein balls in the refrigerator until firm, and then enjoy!

What’s your favorite protein powder recipe? Share below!

If you are looking to boost your protein intake all around, check out our list of high-protein foods to add to your diet!