These simple High Protein Fruit Smoothie Recipes will help you stay full and energized while helping you reach your weight loss goals. With 5 easy recipes to choose from (all with 5 ingredients or less!), you’ll have no problem staying on track!
Aren't protein smoothies the best?
They're easy, healthy, quick, and flavorful. <--- All good things right there.
Plus, you can make your smoothie flavors interesting and fun, like Blueberry Muffin, Pink Power, and Oatmeal Raisin Cookie.
I mean, really. So good.
I'm also a big fan of how they can be enjoyed for breakfast, a meal, a snack, a pre-or post-workout meal, or even a dessert.
Tell me another easy, healthy, quick, and flavorful recipe that isn't a protein smoothie that can do that - you can't!
In This Post You'll Find:
- Watch Me Make High Protein Fruit Smoothies
- How To Make Fruit Smoothies High In Protein
- The Best Fruits
- Can I Make Them Ahead Of Time?
- Tips For Making The Best Smoothies
- Best Protein Powders
- Are High Protein Fruit Smoothies Healthy?
- How To Store Smoothies
- Non-Protein Powder Ways To Add Protein
- More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- 5 High Protein Fruit Smoothie Recipes For Weight Loss (5 Ingredients or Less!)
- Reviews
Watch Me Make High Protein Fruit Smoothies
So, today, I figured I'd share some of my new fave high-protein fruit smoothie recipes that I've been enjoying. Because one thing is very true about smoothies: the flavor combos and endless possibilities.
We've got a PB&J, Fit + Slim, Chocolate + Coffee (yes, you read that right!), Green Machine, and a decadent Vanilla Cupcake Smoothie going on here right now. And it makes me so happy.
How To Make Fruit Smoothies High In Protein
Never tried protein powder? Think of it this way: If you love fruit smoothies, but feel hungry after just like 30 minutes, a great way to turn a smoothie into a full meal is to add in protein powder. You're gonna love the protein smoothie.
Typically a serving of protein powder will add 15-30 grams of protein to your fruit smoothie, making it a more filling, well-balanced meal.
However, not all protein powders are created equal, and it can take some time and research to find what brand and/or flavor works best for you. There are characteristics to consider, like flavor, texture, quality/type of protein, cost, and so on.
I remember my first time trying a protein powder about 10 years ago -- it was AWFUL. It tasted and smelled just like chemicals with absolutely no good flavor. I mixed it with water and it was chunky and clumpy and just gross. Bleh.
Yes, even 10 years later, it still gives me the stink face it was THAT bad.
But, I kept experimenting with different brands, flavors, and types of protein. I also learned how you can hide a bad protein with a good smoothie.
This is also why I created Cleanish protein powder - because protein shouldn't taste like chemicals, and it should be good enough to drink just with water.
The trick is to have great ingredients in your delicious vanilla protein powder.
I love how each of these high protein fruit smoothie recipes is a different color and completely different flavor -- that way it feels like you're changing up what you're eating even though your body still gets tons of nutrients and deliciousness. Plus different colors means different types of vitamins and minerals -- and you can't beat the natural sweetness that comes from adding fruit to your protein smoothie.
Eat the rainbow, right?
Making a protein fruit smoothie recipe is pretty simple. It’s important to have a good quality vanilla protein powder that is minimally processed, doesn’t have a ton of added sugar, and has a good taste.
I like Cleanish plant-based protein as a protein powder because there are no artificial sweeteners or colors. And if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I quit sugar, so a powder that has few ingredients is important to me.
You can read here for my Ultimate Smoothie Guide to see more details.
In a nutshell, I mix unsweetened almond milk, fruit, and a scoop of protein powder in my Vitamix blender. The result is a perfect consistency smoothie that is like a meal in a mason jar (my fave way to drink my smoothies)!
The Best Fruits
The great thing about protein fruit smoothie recipes is that just about any fruit works. I like using frozen fruit in my smoothies because you can skip adding ice. Try these fruits in your next smoothie to add that natural sweetness:
- Bananas
- Mangoes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Pineapple
- Melon
Veggies and other non-fruits can add a nutritional punch to shakes, too. Consider spinach, avocado, and kale for an easy green smoothie. Avocados, mangos, and bananas will especially help to give the smoothie a creamy texture.
Can I Make Them Ahead Of Time?
Smoothies can be made ahead and put in the freezer. In fact, I’ve got 7 Easy Make Ahead Smoothies that you can prep and store for up to 3 months. Pull them out of the freezer the night before and place in the fridge. In the morning, breakfast is served immediately!
If you want to get more veggies and fruit into your day-to-day food intake, try prepping Smoothie Freezer Packs as a make-ahead meal or snack, too.
You can make one of these High Protein Fruit Smoothies and leave it in the fridge for up to 24 hours without all of the nutrition leaving the mix, but I enjoy them best right out of the blender!
Tips For Making The Best Smoothies
So, the best thing about smoothies is that they are packed with nutrition and easy to make. They are delicious, full of fiber, a great way to boost weight loss, and have a great creamy texture. To make the best high-protein fruit smoothies ever, keep these tips in mind:
- Use unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice) as your liquid because it is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals, and also gives a good consistency
- Loading your blender in this order typically works best - liquid, not frozen veggies or fruits, greens if you are adding any, then the frozen fruits and veggies, and finally, the protein powder
- If you find your smoothie to be too sweet, add lemon juice
- If the taste is too bitter, add pineapple, orange, or banana
- Natural sweeteners, like raw honey, dates, and pure maple syrup work great in smoothies
- Avocado can add creaminess to a smoothie, not to mention a load of nutrition
- The riper the banana, the sweeter the shake
Best Protein Powders
The options for protein powder are plenty. Look for brands that are minimally processed and without added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Let’s look a little more closely at the options:
Pea Protein
Made from isolating protein from ground yellow split peas. It contains all of the essential amino acids but is low in methionine. However, you can make up for that by eating eggs, beef, poultry, brown rice, and more. Pea protein is rich in iron, but best consumed with citrus powders to get maximum benefits. It has been shown to help build muscle mass in those who resistance train and helps make you feel fuller. My favorite Pea Protein blend is Cleanish Plant-Based Protein Powder.
Whey Protein
This protein is said to help you lose body fat, gain muscle, and increase your strength. Whey is protein isolated from whey (found in milk). It separates from milk when cheese is made. Whey is typically flavored and added to smoothies as a tasty nutritional boost. Whey is known to digest quickly.
Egg Protein
Egg proteins are usually made from egg whites, not the yolks. Second only to whey, eggs contain high amounts of leucine, the amino acid said to increase muscle strength. Its quality in protein powders is typically high and it digests well.
Casein Protein
Casein protein is found in milk, just like whey. It is thought to increase body composition when consumed by people who work on resistance training. It is digested and absorbed more slowly than whey protein, but in turn, allows more exposure of the muscles to amino acids.
That all being said, you can certainly get naturally-occurring protein from chia seeds, flaxseeds, nut butter, spinach, and egg white, too!
Are High Protein Fruit Smoothies Healthy?
Crave-worthy fruit smoothies are indeed healthy if you mix them right! Be sure to follow these pointers and you’ll end up with a good-for-you smoothie. Not any green smoothie is going to be good for you, for example.
- Don’t add juice from the grocery store shelf to your smoothie. Choose liquids like coconut water and unsweetened almond milk like we did for the 5 High Protein Fruit Smoothies for Weight Loss found in this post. Other good choices are hemp milk, whole milk, and soy milk.
- Add healthy fats like Greek yogurt and avocado. That way, along with the fat, you’ll get extra protein from the yogurt and vitamins and antioxidants from the avocado.
- If you think you need a sweetener, add cinnamon, a date, a ripe banana, raw honey, or a little pure maple syrup.
- Don’t forget your greens. They add extra nutrients and blend well with fruits like bananas and strawberries.
Get Help
How To Store Smoothies
Protein fruit smoothie recipes can be made the night before and stored in the fridge for the next day. If the recipe contains banana, adding it the morning you plan to eat it is best. Otherwise, your smoothie will be an unappetizing brown color and just not look as fresh. The flavor and nutritional state will be the same, though.
If you use whey or casein protein powder, store your smoothie in a glass container. This is because the plastic is absorbent and may take on a funny smell if left sitting containing the mix.
When premixing a protein fruit smoothie recipe, store it in an airtight glass container right after blending it. It will stay fresh for up to 24 hours but you will have to add a bit of frozen fruit to the mixture and reblend before drinking for it to taste its best.
Non-Protein Powder Ways To Add Protein
Looking to add protein to your smoothie without adding powder? There is an easy solution. Just add one of these yummy ingredients:
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Unsweetened kefir
- Unsweetened soy milk
- Nut butter, such as almond or peanut butter
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Egg whites
- Oatmeal (Uncooked oats)
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
If you can’t get enough of these delicious protein smoothies that are easy to make, yet so nutritious, try these!
- Healthy Coffee Smoothie (Only 7 Ingredients)
- Banana Protein Shake
- Kiwi And Kale Smoothie
- Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake
- Blueberry Protein Shake | Thick & Refreshing
- Orange Protein Shake | With 5 Simple Ingredients!
5 High Protein Fruit Smoothie Recipes For Weight Loss (5 Ingredients or Less!)
Equipment
- Vitamix
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
PB&J Smoothie
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Click here for my fave protein powder.
Fit + Slim Smoothie
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Click here for my fave protein powder.
Chocolate + Coffee Smoothie
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 tablespoon freeze-dried coffee, or replace ¼ cup milk with ¼ cup strong chilled coffee
- ½ tablespoon dark cocoa powder
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Click here for my fave protein powder.
Green Machine Smoothie
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- frozen banana
- 1 cup baby spinach, packed
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Click here for my fave protein powder.
Vanilla Cupcake Smoothie
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup frozen mango
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder Click here for my fave protein powder.
Instructions
PB&J Smoothie
- In a kitchen blender, start by adding the unsweetened almond milk, frozen strawberries, peanut butter, and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
- Now, blend everything until it’s very smooth.
Fit + Slim Smoothie
- In a kitchen blender, start by adding the unsweetened almond milk, frozen blueberries, and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
- Now, blend everything until it’s very smooth.
Chocolate + Coffee Smoothie
- In a kitchen blender, start by adding the unsweetened almond milk, frozen banana, freeze-dried coffee, dark cocoa powder, and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
- Now, blend everything until it’s very smooth.
Green Machine Smoothie
- In a kitchen blender, start by adding the unsweetened almond milk, frozen banana, baby spinach, and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
- Now, blend everything until it’s very smooth.
Vanilla Cupcake Smoothie
- In a kitchen blender, start by adding the unsweetened almond milk, frozen mango, frozen pineapple, and 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
- Now, blend everything until it’s very smooth.
Georgina Clydesdale
Hi are the protein powders gluten free as I’m a coeliac and vegetarian thanks
Lacey Baier
As long as you're use gluten free oats (as applicable) and your prtotein powder is gluten free, there shouldn't be any gluten in these recipes.
Marie
I'm not much of an unsweetened almond milk. Can I use regular? Also I also like to use almond butter alot instead of peanut butter. What would the difference be if I used almond butter instead?
Lacey Baier
Hi Marie! You can use any milk you'd like (diary, oat, coconut, etc.) And there won't be a big difference if you use almond butter in place of peanut butter. The consistency will be about the same. While peanut butter has a little more protein than almond butter, almond butter does contain more vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Emily Lowe
Do you know the quantities for uk I never know what a cup means? Can you let me know in grams and ml please, really want to make these smoothies but don’t want to do them wrong lol
Emily Lowe
Can anyone help with the measurements? They all say different things on google 🙁
Kellie
A cup is 250ml
Lacey Baier
Good question, Emily! 1 cup = 8 oz, and 1 tbsp = 15 ml. I believe that answers your question, but let me know if you need more help!
Jane
Hi,
I love your recipes, but I wish you would add some high fiber (10-12 grams) to you list of smoothies!
Thanks MJ
Lacey Baier
Noted! To add fiber, you can add chia seeds or extra fruit. I also add my cleanish protein, which has 4g fiber.
ProT+
I tried the coffee recipe and I absolutely loved it! I added just a bit more coffee cause I like the coffee flavor and the litt.e extra pick me up. Can't wait to try the others.
Lacey Baier
That's great to hear!
Mike Roger
Thanks, for sharing such a lovely article. I really like it. But 13gm sugar is too much for those persons who work on calorie burning
Lacey Baier
None of the sugar in these recipes contains added sugar. Rather, it comes from complex carbs that also have fiber. There will always be some sugar when you add fruit, grains, or milk, and these all are part of a healthy plan for weight loss, if that's your choice. I suggest you read my article on How I Quit Sugar (https://www.asweetpeachef.com/how-to-quit-sugar/) to understand the difference since it will help you with your goals. <3
John
I love your blog!!
Lacey Baier
Thanks so much, John!
Kristine
It’s very helpful blog. I got lots of information from this blog. It’s very interesting topic about health supplements. Thanks for sharing this information with us. again, great article and thank you for putting it out there.
Lacey Baier
Thanks!
Shelly
Thank you for the great tips and ideas. The nutrition info isn't right though. I calculated a similar PB and Banana shake with almond milk to be more like 300 cal and 30 g protein. Thank you all the same!
Lacey Baier
It will depend on the type of protein you use, as many proteins vary on the amount of protein and the size of the scoop.
Cierra
If I wanted to use Greek yogurt instead of protein powder, how much would I use?
Lacey Baier
It's not a very equal substitution, but I'd start with 1/3 cup.
Lu
I am confused at how it asks for “1 vanilla protein powder”. I mean, I assume that means a packet or small bag or something of the sort, but what if you just have a large bag of protein powder. How much is in one “packet?”?
Lacey Baier
Protein servings will vary with each protein manufacturer. Some will be 1 scoop, others 2. I recommend you use one serving of your protein, which is most often 1 scoop, but the amount is different. For cleanish protein, it is 1 scoop.
Hedgehog
THE PEANUT BUTTER ONE IS SOOOOO GOOD. It’s truly fantastic and I love the taste of it.
Lacey Baier
You and me both!!
Stacia Scott
Can you use fresh fruit instead of frozen fruit
Lacey Baier
YES! Though you'll likely need to add ice.
Pe
Isn’t 13 g of sugar too much sugar?
Lacey Baier
Not if it's added from real foods, and not added sugar. I recommend you read this article: https://www.asweetpeachef.com/how-to-quit-sugar/ to understand the difference. Many people get confused by this.
Abhishek Roy
Thanks, Lacey for sharing such a lovely and healthy article.
Mitja
Trying to add more protein to my diet since I started going to the gym. These look like the perfect way to do that since I'm such a smoothie lover 🙂
Tracy
Was wondering if you have any high fiber smoothie recipes
Lacey Baier
To increase the fiber, I'd add 1 tbsp chia seeds. I also use my cleanish protein, which has 4 g fiber per serving.
Garrett
Hi! Can you tell me where you got those glasses?
Courtney
They are just regular mason jars.
Jackie
Hello
How in advance can we make these smoothies? Also can we freeze them?
Jose
I made all of them except for the purple one and froze them. When i tried it it was sweet. But when I froze them and unthawed them to drink in the morning they were completely undrinkable.
Hedgehog
I’m pretty sure that they mean to freeze the ingredients. You can freeze the fruits/vegetables in advance, and then you simply add the protein powder and liquid and blend in the morning. Takes less than five minutes.
The Mrs T
Yes, you can freeze smoothies & thaw fully or partially in fridge but, I find it’s best to add a little frozen fruit & re-blend for a minute to liven it back up! I have not been disappointed yet! Enjoy.
ProT+
I tried the coffee recipe and I absolutely loved it! I added just a bit more coffee cause I like the coffee flavor and the litt.e extra pick me up. Can't wait to try the others.
Hannah
I think you can freeze them. That is such a good idea though, I never thought that! 🙂 Thanks!
Dr. Cowan's Garden
These are super smoothies. I like them. I drink Strawberry Fruit Smoothie almost everyday, now I will try it with banana also. Lovely. I am going to try the smoothies and other recipes, thank you very much Lacey Baier
Lacey Baier
You're very welcome!!
Alita
Great recipes
Bobbi
How much is a scoop? Any idea how many smoothies you would get out of a 16 ox bag?
Lacey Baier
The scoop size will vary depending on your protein powder. You can see the exact amount on the nutrition information label 🙂