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This Banana Protein Shake is satisfyingly creamy, easy to whip up, and tastes like a milkshake, but is made with just 4 simple ingredients and offers more than 22 grams of protein. It’s also easy to make vegan and dairy-free. A post-workout must!

Two banana protein shakes with an extra banana slice and flax seeds on top, served in tall clear glasses with metal straws.

A simple, tasty, and satisfying protein shake.

When I started working out a couple of years ago, I didn’t pay much attention to improving my nutrition — just moving my body more was positive change enough at first. As I got stronger, I eventually began wanting to tweak my existing meals and snacks in a way that would complement and reinforce my physical work.

In this vein, our longtime favorite banana almond milk smoothie was ripe for a protein-rich upgrade. This version with just four ingredients is so quick and easy that I can whip one up almost any day. It offers at least 22 grams of protein, depending on the type of milk used, and most importantly, is extremely delicious. If you love a vanilla milkshake, as I do, this will absolutely hit the spot, while fueling your body well.

Related: Protein-Packed Family Dinner Ideas

Ingredient & Substitution Notes

  • One frozen banana. The base!
  • One cup milk. I prefer unsweetened vanilla or natural almond milk, just out of habit. You can incorporate more protein by using dairy milk or soy milk, or use another alternative such as cashew or oat milk, if you wish.
  • Two scoops vanilla protein powder. My go-to is Orgain Plant-Based Vanilla, which I really like for the creamy texture. Use your best judgment on the amount — if your protein powder’s serving size is one scoop, use that.
  • Small spoonful of flaxseeds. I love the subtle nutty flavor these add. The extra fiber and protein don’t hurt, either. I just eyeball it but aim for about 2 teaspoons per shake. Chia seeds make a fun swap here, if you like.

I actually like that this is a banana protein shake without Greek yogurt, just because I prefer to accentuate the natural sweetness of the banana, and find the tang of yogurt pulls in the opposite direction.

That said, from a blending perspective, absolutely no harm will come of mixing in some yogurt right alongside the other ingredients. If this is your thing, I’d start with 1/4 cup and add up to 1/2 cup Greek yogurt total, to taste.

Pro Tip

Invest in a high-quality blender. This is a kitchen powerhouse and well worth having, not just for smoothies but soups, sauces, salsa, and more. Our Vitamix was an investment but worth every penny, and buying it refurbished help me save on the purchase.

Overhead view of a just-blended banana protein shake inside of the blender.

Tips, Tricks, & Variations

  • Using a fully frozen banana is key for the thickest, creamiest smoothie. You can slice the banana and then freeze the slices — Stasher bags are great for this — or just toss an overripe banana straight into the freezer, peel and all. If the whole banana is frozen, you’ll need to microwave it for 15-20 seconds to soften it enough to peel; this does mean your smoothie will slightly less thick as opposed to using fully frozen banana slices, which do not need to be defrosted at all.
  • Store flaxseeds in the fridge for maximum longevity. While it’s fine store whole flaxseeds in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry, I find it simplest to keep them in a jar in the fridge, which extends their shelf life even more.
  • Add cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for more complex flavor. Consider this smoothie your jumping off point, and add spices to make it your own!
  • Make it nutty by mixing in 1/4 cup peanut butter, almond butter, or any other nut butter of your choice.
  • Switch to a chocolate vibe simply by using a chocolate protein powder — and adding a drizzle of chocolate syrup if you’re feeling decadent.
Overhead view of two simple banana protein shakes with almond milk and flaxseeds, in glasses and ready to be enjoyed.

Related Recipes

If you love simple smoothies, you’ll also love this strawberry pomegranate blend, blueberry oat almond milk smoothie, or a banana blood orange combo.

Craving more protein-forward treats? These chocolate strawberry protein bites are quick to whip up and never last long around here!

If you try this Banana Protein Shake, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. I love hearing how recipes turn out in your kitchen, and it helps other readers, too.

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Banana Protein Shake

Ingredients

  • 1 banana frozen
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk see note
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder or one serving, per package recommendation
  • 2 teaspoons flaxseeds

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in blender and pulse on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until mixture is completely smooth and thick. Serve immediately.
    1 banana, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 2 teaspoons flaxseeds

Notes

  • You can use vanilla or natural almond milk, but I do recommend unsweetened so that the smoothie is not, well, too sweet. Substitute the almond milk for dairy milk, soy milk, cashew milk, etc., if you prefer.
  • Two scoops is the standard serving size for my preferred protein powder, Orgain vegan vanilla. Everyone has a different protein powder they like; if yours uses larger scoops and therefore the recommended serving size is one scoop — start with just one scoop in this shake! 

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 299 kcal, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 25 g, Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 68 mg, Sodium: 413 mg, Potassium: 607 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 16 g, Vitamin A: 76 IU, Vitamin C: 10 mg, Calcium: 490 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then snap a quick picture and tag @nourishandfete on Instagram so I can see it!