Sick of Shakes? 10 Other Ways to Add Protein Powder to Your Diet

Sick of that daily shake? You’re not the only one feeling burnout toward the bottom of the tub.

While protein shakes themselves can be enhanced with milk, fruits, oats and other additions, there are plenty more recipes that can utilize these powders for both flavor and nutritional gain.

Whether making a hearty breakfast, mixing up your grandma’s fabled cookie recipe or boosting your go-to dinner, there’s plenty of room for some protein in your diet. Here are 10 ideas.

Protein Pancakes

Pancakes can be a rich way to begin your morning, but the traditional mile-high stack doesn’t carry a ton of nutritional value.

To beef up your breakfast, try mixing in some oats, Greek yogurt and protein powder to the batter, forgoing the flour for a heartier, more nutritious backbone.

When cooking these delectable treats, aim to make smaller pancakes, as the batter won’t be as viscous as traditional mix. Also, protein powder has an intense drying effect when cooked, so make sure to include the Greek yogurt to ensure each bite is more scrumptious than sandy.

Protein Waffles

For the waffle enthusiasts out there, there’s also plenty of recipes that call for muscle-boosting protein in place of flour as well. Much like the above pancakes, modifying the recipe is as simple as swapping the flour for protein powder and Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

The beauty of protein pancakes and waffles, too, is that the flavorings are only as limited as your imagination. Chocolate and vanilla protein powders are aplenty, but you can’t say a cinnamon or coffee-noted waffle doesn’t sound enticing, especially if you’re trying to conjure up recipes to clear off your countertop.

Protein Fruit Bowls

Okay, so maybe you aren’t into the fluffy stuff and more so opt for a nutrient-rich bowl of fruit in the morning. Well, these bowls can also be enhanced with protein powder.

While it can be as simple as sprinkling your cantaloupe or strawberries with an unflavored powder, there are also a number of smoothie bowl recipes that incorporate protein supplements to deliver a more balanced meal to your breakfast regimen.

Add a scoop of protein powder — and a spoonful of peanut butter for added fats and richness — to your normal morning smoothie and smile as you enjoy your plate with an added boost of flex-worthy performance.

Protein Cookies

Give your guilty pleasure snack a bit of a boost by adding some protein to the mixture. This simple addition can turn those sugary, less-than-beneficial snacks into a healthier alternative ideal for in-between meals.

Plus, there’s plenty of recipes out there to experiment with, so you’re more capable of finding the perfect mix to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Protein Brownies

Rich and chewy, it’s hard to pass on a well-baked brownie. Yet, these delicious sweets don’t rank highly when it comes to nutritional value.

While adding protein powder to your brownie batter won’t immediately turn this treat into a healthy option, it can at least alleviate some of the guilt by adding a decent dose of macronutrients.

Protein Balls

Think of your favorite donut holes and add a bit of muscle-generating goodness to the bunch. These simple baked delights can be powerhouse snacks for those wanting a sugar rush, all while still delivering hearty macros and other nutrients to your physique.

You can customize each offering with inclusions such as oats, chia seeds, chocolate chips and other ingredients. Plus, there are even “no bake” options out there for athletes less versed in the science and skill of baking.

Protein Burgers

Of course, when preparing burgers for dinner, you’re expecting to get a decent dose of protein per plate, regardless of your meat source.

However, unflavored protein powder can be a great binding agent to add to your ground meat or other base, giving each patty a little uptick in macro value.

If you’re struggling to hit your daily nutritional goals yet don’t want to scarf down another shake, consider this quick alternative and pump up this iconic slice of Americana.

Protein Mashed Potatoes

Potatoes can serve as a viable source of key vitamins, antioxidants and fiber, but they aren’t as protein-dense as other side dishes or main courses.

To help balance out your dinner plate, consider mixing in a scoop of unflavored protein powder to your mashed potatoes for a unique yet delicious way to hit your daily marks.

If anything, adding protein powder can help offset all the heavy butter and cream in typical recipes, leaving you feeling better about the mound of carbohydrates you ladled onto you platter this holiday.

Protein Parfait

Yogurt and protein are perfect companions to one another, as seen in some of the above recipes. So, it makes sense that a parfait filled with your favorite dairy-based treat, nuts, berries and more can only be enhanced with a dash or two of your favorite protein supplement. Play around with flavors and find the ideal matchup for your tastebuds.

Protein Ice Cream

Ice cream on its own might not be the healthiest option — what dessert is? — but there are options out there that provide a little more nutritional backbone than your average pint.

While store-bought “protein” ice creams exist, you can also make this sweet treat at home with just a few ingredients. This can help catching up on your favorite Netflix series more rewarding and worthwhile, all while using up those last few scoops of protein in the process.

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