Thick and creamy, flavorful Chocolate Protein Shake, filled with protein powder, cocoa, banana, milk, and almond (or peanut) butter. This protein shake is good enough to pass for a healthy milkshake!

Enjoy this Chocolate Protein Shake as a pre- or post-workout drink, a healthy snack to quell sugar cravings, or even for breakfast!

The best Chocolate Protein Shake recipe that tastes like a milkshake.

Chocolate Protein Shake

Probably the treat my mom made most often when I was growing up was milkshakes. We’d alternate between cookies and cream shakes, strawberry shakes, or chocolate shakes, but chocolate was always my preferred choice. Flash forward to being an adult (with a metabolism not quite as fast as when I was a kid) and having a couple of milkshakes a week isn’t practical for me anymore. I mean, there are still those weeks, but…I also want to fit in my jeans.

So when developing this Chocolate Protein Shake recipe, it had to be as *close* to a chocolate milkshake as possible — thick, creamy, rich, and wonderfully chocolate flavored. And honestly, with a good protein powder and cocoa powder, this shake is 100% that. It takes away all my sugar cravings, is packed with protein, and is about as good as it gets for a healthy milkshake. I seriously think you’re going to love this!

How do you make Chocolate Protein Shakes even better?

Honestly, it comes down to the ingredients you use! My number one tip? Use a great-tasting protein powder.

I’ve tried my fair share of protein powders and for this shake, I recommend protein powder that is whey-based and sweetened with stevia. The protein powder can make or break the shake — leaving you with great flavor or a nasty, powdery aftertaste. Here’s a list of the top-rated protein powders. My personal favorite: Optimum Nutrition® Gold Standard 100% whey protein powder (Double-Rich Chocolate).

All the ingredients including milk, ice, cocoa powder, nut butter, vanilla, and protein powder prepped out for easy assembly.

What should I put in my shake?

I’ve played around with ingredients in this shake for years, and I’m telling you, the ingredients you use make all the difference.

  • Good chocolate protein powder: See more on this in the paragraph above.
  • Banana: We want the banana flavor to be virtually nonexistent, but for it to add nutrition and create a thick creamy texture. Make sure to completely freeze a fully ripe banana before adding to this shake. Also, don’t use more than 1/2 cup or it will be more banana-flavored than chocolate.
  • Peanut butter or almond butter: Again, we want the main flavor to be chocolate, but the nut butter adds protein and healthy fats. It also adds a nice creaminess and subtle flavor. We only add 1 tablespoon so that the flavor isn’t overpowering. My personal favorite is almond butter (much more subtle), but use whichever you have on hand or like better.
  • Unsweetened vanilla almond milk: My favorite milk in this shake, but any milk works. I like the vanilla flavored for even more flavor.
  • Ice: Ice gives us a thick milkshake consistency without all the calories! I use 8 regular ice cubes, or about 1 cup of ice.
  • Cocoa powder: See more on this below!

All the ingredients for this chocolate banana protein shake added to a blended and it all being blended together.

Can I add cocoa powder to my protein shake?

The other ingredient that makes a huge difference is the cocoa powder. The cocoa balances the protein and really amps up the chocolate flavor.

Use a good cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor in this shake. Here’s my all-time favorite cocoa powder (it will literally change your life if you bake with cocoa powder a lot!)

Hershey’s ®Special Dark Cocoa Powder is also great in Chocolate Protein Shakes.

How to make Chocolate Protein Shakes

  • Freeze the banana: While this chocolate protein shake is quick and easy to make, it does require a bit of planning to make sure the banana is fully frozen. I like to prep the bananas right after I get home from the grocery store so I don’t forget. Remove the peel, slice the banana into coins, place in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze overnight. 
  • Measure: While it might seem silly to actually measure out ingredients instead of just throwing everything in the blender, I highly recommend measuring until you have a feel for the quantities. (Throwing random ingredients in a blender can often end up giving you way too much shake or it can taste, well… off.) It’s also a good idea to measure ingredients if you’re tracking macros or calories.
  • Blend: If you have a high-powered blender (I recommend a Vitamix® or Blendtec®), you can add everything in and blend until smooth. This shake is very thick. You may need to blend it a couple of times or be patient as it blends; it’s worth it for how thick and creamy this shake ends up!

Spoonful of the delicious and creamy chocolate protein shake with chocolate chips on top for an extra delicious treat.

Are Chocolate Protein Shakes good for weight loss?

Protein is important for weight loss*. Getting enough protein can help increase your metabolism and help reduce your appetite while helping to lose body fat instead of muscle. That said, protein shakes (typically) contain quite a few calories. So if the shake works with your macro or calorie goal, it can be a great weight-loss aid. Consult with a certified nutritionist to see how this Chocolate Protein Shake works into your personal health or weight loss plans.

*While I have a background in Exercise and Wellness (B.S.), all the content in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or dietitian for any specific dietary needs or questions.

Other healthy breakfast recipes:

5 from 22 votes

Chocolate Protein Shake

Thick and creamy, flavorful Chocolate Protein Shake, filled with protein powder, cocoa, banana, and almond (or peanut) butter. This protein shake is good enough to pass for a healthy milkshake.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 large chocolate protein shake

Ingredients  

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 scoop (1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (32g)) chocolate protein powder use a good-quality brand
  • 1 tablespoon Dutch-process cocoa powder (Hershey's Special Dark works well)
  • 1/2 cup frozen banana Note 1
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
  • 8 ice cubes
  • Optional: sweetener to taste Note 2

Instructions 

  • IN ADVANCE:ย Remove the peel from the banana, slice into large coins, place in a plastic bag, and freeze.
  • BLEND: Combine all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth and the ingredients are all incorporated. If needed, stir everything up and blend again. If you don't have a high-powered blender, you may need an additional 1/4 cup milk.
  • ENJOY: Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Bananas: When bananas are quite ripe, cut them up in coins and then put them in a small ziplock bag. Freeze overnight or until completely solid.
Note 2: Protein powder: Depending on the protein powder you use (some are sweetened with stevia) you may want some additional sweetener in your shake. I often use a few drops of stevia or some maple syrup or honey. Add to personal preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1shake | Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 364mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 477mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hi there! Iโ€™m Chelseaโ€“the recipe developer, photographer, writer, and taste tester behind Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron (although my little ones help me out quite a bit with the taste testing part!). I LOVE getting creative in the kitchen and then posting my creations here for you to enjoy.

Thanks again for stopping by!

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5 from 22 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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53 Comments

  1. Barbara says:

    5 stars
    This was the first time I ever
    made a protein shake. It
    was delicious! Thank you.

    1. Chelsea says:

      So happy to hear this! Thanks Barbara! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Sara says:

    5 stars
    This tasted exactly like a Wendyโ€™s frosty! By far my favorite protein shake. Usually I have a hard time choking them down but finished this in no time!

    1. Chelsea says:

      Yay! What a win! Thanks so much Sara! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Frank says:

    Hey! I am a health and diet blogger. I found your chocolate brownie protein shake very helpful and i mentioned it in my blog post.

  4. Gina says:

    DELICIOUS!!!!! Best protein shake Iโ€™ve ever made! Thank you ๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿคฉ๐Ÿคฉ 10/10 ๐Ÿค—

    1. Chelsea says:

      I’m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Gina! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Anna says:

    5 stars
    SOOOO good, and im normally extremely picky about protein shakes. Itโ€™s so hard to find a truly tasty one, but this one is amazing. I did a tablespoon of dark chocolate peanut butter instead of the cocoa and the peanut butter separately!

    1. Chelsea says:

      I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much Anna! ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Lakshay Sen says:

    5 stars
    I love chocolate protein shakes! This one is especially delicious.

    1. Chelsea says:

      YAY! So happy you loved this! Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Dave Handle says:

    5 stars
    70 year old retired AF Colonel always looking for better high protein options … absolutely the #1 protein shake I have EVER tasted. Hard to believe this is actually healthy for you! Followed the directions exactly; wouldn’t change a thing! Tremendous work!

    1. Chelsea says:

      I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks for your comment and your service!

  8. Krissy says:

    5 stars
    This literally perfected my plant based protein powder. I have tried so many recipes for myself and my kids and have failed. This is absolute perfection. THANK YOU!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am so thrilled to hear this! Thanks so much Krissy! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Katarina says:

    Just wondering if I have to use half a cup of frozen banana? What if I used half a cup of fresh banana?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      It just wont be as thick/creamy!

  10. Arthur says:

    These chocolate chunk brownie protein shakes look yummy and healthy! I must try these out. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Hope you love it!