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Home » Breakfast » Power Protein Smoothie

Power Protein Smoothie

Published April 23, 2021 | Updated Apr 23, 2021 by Robin Deem 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

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This quick-and-easy smoothie is a go-to healthy breakfast recipe with enough protein, fruit and vegetables to keep you satisfied until lunch.

Two glasses of smoothie with striped paper straws.

Table of contents

  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • FAQs
  • More Smoothie Recipes

While I love a good sit-down breakfast, it’s simply unrealistic to be able to make fancy eggs or from-scratch baked goods every morning, especially during the week. This Power Protein Smoothie is our go-to breakfast during the week and, thanks to all of the healthy ingredients, it’ll keep you full until lunchtime.

Why This Recipe Works

  • It’s full of healthy fats, proteins and nutrients, making it a well-rounded breakfast in just one glass.
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes.
  • It can be made the night before and kept in the refrigerator until morning.
  • It can even be frozen into popsicles for a fun (healthy) breakfast for the kids!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These are our go-to ingredients, but I’ve also included some great alternatives you can use.

Some of the ingredients needed for a Power Protein Smoothie.

Bananas – Make sure these are at least somewhat ripe to provide the creaminess and sweetness that you want in your smoothie.

Baby kale – I love baby kale (if you can find it) because it is less tough and stringy than regular kale, but you could still use regular kale or even spinach here.

Almond butter – Feel free to use any type of nut butter here!

Frozen fruit – Our typical combo is mango, pineapple and blueberries, but any frozen fruit combo would be just fine in this smoothie.

Greek yogurt – You won’t use too much in this recipe, so opt for the whole milk version for some healthy fats and less added sugar. Of course, if you prefer nonfat or low-fat, that would work, too.

The other ingredients needed to make a Power Protein Smoothie.

Unsweetened vanilla almond milk – Feel free to use any type of alternative milk you prefer here as long as it is unsweetened. You definitely don’t need any extra sweetness for this smoothie.

Chia seeds – These are loaded with antioxidants and healthy fiber to help keep you full until lunchtime.

Vanilla protein powder – Whey protein powder has worked the best for us, but again, feel free to use whichever protein powder you prefer. I’m picky about protein powders changing the taste of a smoothie (or tasting too chalky) and this brand meets my very high standards.

Other optional add-ins – Ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, ground flax, hemp seeds, vanilla extract, collagen peptides, honey, spirulina, avocado, spinach.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe is so easy, anyone can make it!

Add all ingredients to a blender. (We have had our Vitamix for years and it has held up to almost daily use!)

An overhead shot of a blender full of smoothie ingredients.

Blend until all of the ingredients are combined, without any big chunks.

An overhead shot of a smoothie in a blender.

Divide into two large glasses or Blender bottles and enjoy!

An overhead shot of a smoothie in a glass.

Find the web story for this recipe here.

FAQs

What’s the best order for putting smoothie ingredients in a blender?

While some may argue that it’s best to add the liquid first, I’m a proponent of starting with your bananas. They break down easily but you then don’t have to worry about getting splashed every time you add another ingredient. Here’s the order I’d recommend, as long as you have a tamper to help you push the ingredients down once you start the blender:
1) Bananas, yogurt and almond butter
2) Greens
3) Frozen fruit
4) Protein powder and other powdery supplements (if using)
5) Liquid (such as almond milk)

Do I need to add any ice to the smoothie?

Nope! Whenever possible, use frozen fruit rather than ice to chill your smoothie, as this prevents it from getting watery.

What are some ways to up the nutritional value of my smoothie?

There are so many great ingredients you can add to a smoothie for added nutritional value, such as: ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, ground flax, hemp seeds, vanilla extract, collagen peptides, honey, spirulina, avocado, and spinach (to name a few).

Can I make this smoothie vegan?

Yes! Simply substitute your favorite non-dairy yogurt or half of an avocado to maintain that creaminess.

An overhead shot of two glasses of Power Protein Smoothie with blue striped straws.

More Smoothie Recipes

Super-Hydrating Recovery Smoothie

The Ultimate Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Twisted Tropical Blender

Date “Shake”

Tried this recipe and loved it?? Be sure to leave a comment and five-star rating in the recipe card below! 

Power Protein Smoothie | CaliGirlCooking.com

Power Protein Smoothie

This nutrient-packed smoothie is the perfect breakfast for a busy weekday. It has fruits, veggies and protein and the entire family will enjoy it!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 2 smoothies
Calories: 488kcal
Author: CaliGirl Cooking

Ingredients

  • 2 bananas
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 2 1/2 cups baby kale
  • 2 cups assorted frozen fruit
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tbsp Chia seeds
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk You may want to adjust depending on how thick or thin you like your smoothie.

Instructions

  • Place bananas, Greek yogurt and almond butter in blender.
  • Add greens and frozen fruit.
  • Add protein powder and Chia seeds.
  • Pour in almond milk.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Feel free to substitute any greens for the baby kale, whatever frozen fruit you prefer and any type of almond butter or alternative milk. This recipe is extremely flexible!
  2. For a fun treat for the kids, pour some smoothie into popsicle molds and freeze overnight for breakfast the next day. What kid doesn’t like popsicles for breakfast?
  3. To make this recipe vegan, omit the Greek yogurt and use either your favorite non-dairy yogurt or half of an avocado to achieve the same creaminess.

Nutrition

Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 1263mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 9169IU | Vitamin C: 116mg | Calcium: 540mg | Iron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CaliGirlCooking or tag #CaliGirlCooking!
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Hi, I'm Robin! I'm a busy mom, food blogger and online educator empowering other mamas to find their very own recipe for a balanced life through meal planning, easy recipes and organizational techniques. I look forward to getting to know you and teaching you my tried and true tricks!

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