The 40 Best Protein Shakes for Weight Gain

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This list of 40 protein shakes for weight gain have something for everyone. Bookmark this page so you can come back and try a new recipe every week!

Protein shakes are one of my favorite snacks because they’re healthy, delicious, and especially because they’re so easy to make. In fact, many of them can be made in under five minutes and require no more than five ingredients. The only special equipment you’ll need is a high-quality kitchen blender.

One common problem people have with protein shakes is that they get boring. You might find yourself making the same old chocolate or vanilla protein shakes and end up getting sick of them. Trust me, I’ve been there before! 

Thankfully, there are so many ways you can mix things up to keep your protein shakes fresh and exciting.

Most of these recipes call for protein powder, so it is important to find a brand you like. My personal favorite is Gold Standard whey protein, which comes in both double chocolate and french vanilla flavors. 

Looking for other healthy recipes besides shakes and smoothies? Check out these recipe ideas:

• Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas
• Healthy Meal Prep Ideas For Weight Loss
• 30 Overnight Oats Recipes

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Want to pick up our favorite mason jars to store shakes and smoothies?

These wide mouth mason jars are perfect for protein shakes. The wide mouths make it easy to pour in the fruits of your labor! 

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FAQ on How to Make Amazing Protein Shakes

What’s the best protein powder for protein shakes?

Our favorite protein powder for these recipes is the Gold Standard whey protein, they have fast absorbing proteins that come in a range of delicious flavors. Make sure to see what is the best gold standard whey protein flavor, so you know which one to get. 

Which protein shake is best for beginners?

All of these protein shakes are super easy to make, but our go-to recipe is simple: 2 big handfuls of spinach, a banana, cup of blueberries, 2-3 tbsp of peanut butter, protein powder, and add liquid (milk, almond milk, or water) to the consistency that you like. 

What should I put in my protein shake?

We recommend putting bananas, blueberries, strawberries, spinach, peanut butter, and greek yogurt in your protein shakes. 

How can I make a protein shake at home?

All you need to make a protein shake at home is a good blender and the ingredients to make them! Put them in the blender, add liquid, and you’re good to go. 

Are protein shakes good for breakfast?

These protein shake recipes for gaining weight are great meal replacement options for breakfast! You can store them in mason jars and grab one in the morning on your way to work. 

Are protein shakes good for building muscle? 

Protein shakes are great for helping you build muscle, especially if you eat them right after you work out. They are a great source of healthy carbs, fats, and amino acids from the protein to help you recover and build muscle. 

40 Best Protein Shakes for Weight Gain

These healthy protein shake recipes are all quick and convenient to make, requiring a few ingredients at most. There are plenty of flavors to choose from, including chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, fruit, and coffee!

Chocolate Protein Shake Recipes

These chocolate protein shake recipes are delicious and make for a great post-workout treat or dessert. 

1. Almond Joy Breakfast Shake

This recipe combines chocolate, banana, and almond butter to create a breakfast shake with rich, delicious flavors. It’s a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth while upping your protein intake at the same time! This shake has over 580 calories and will definitely keep you full until lunch time.

2. Molten Chocolate Protein Shake

Here is a vegan, low-sugar, high protein twist on the famous Molten Chocolate Frap from Starbucks! This recipe uses a homemade sugar-free syrup which tastes great. However, you can always use a store bought sugar-free syrup to save time. 

3. Dark Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake

This is a must-try protein shake recipe for dark chocolate lovers! It’s a delicious post-workout shake with a hint of festive flavor thanks to the peppermint. 

For some odd reason, all the ingredients are vegan substitutes except for the whey protein which is dairy-based. You can easily make this delicious recipe vegan by subbing in plant based protein, such as Dr. Forest’s organic protein powder! 

4. Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Believe it or not, this chocolate banana smoothie is actually packed with superfoods. This healthy smoothie contains flax seeds, chia seeds, and your preference of spinach or kale. Don’t be mistaken, it still has all the flavor and texture of a classic chocolate banana shake – just made healthier! This is one of our favorite protein shakes for weight gain!

5. Low-Carb Chocolate Almond Protein Shake 

This keto-friendly protein shake is a great substitute for breakfast or a post-workout meal. It’s low-carb but will leave you feeling satisfied for most of the day! This shake is fairly customizable; you can add cinnamon, vanilla extract, or sweetener of your choice to keep the recipe fresh. 

6. Mint Chocolate Green Protein Smoothie

This mint “green” smoothie is rich in antioxidants. The leafy green smoothie is combined with swirls of molten dark chocolate, and topped with dark chocolate flakes! This protein smoothie recipe calls for dairy-free chocolate, making it a great choice for vegans.

Vanilla Protein Shake Recipes

Vanilla shakes don’t have to be boring or unhealthy! Check out these healthy vanilla protein shake recipes. 

7. Vegan Vanilla Cashew Shake

Here is a great vegan substitute for the classic vanilla shake! This is one of the better vanilla protein shake recipes for vegans because it includes plenty of plant-based, non-processed proteins like cashews and chia seeds, giving you 12 grams of protein. This makes for a great afternoon snack or post-workout drink! 

8. Vanilla Chai Protein Smoothie

I found this recipe to be quite interesting, and I couldn’t have been more pleased with how it came out! This recipe uses chai tea which is steeped in almond milk, then combined with vanilla, banana, and protein powder. Use a plant-based protein powder to make this recipe vegan. 

9. Healthy Vanilla Swappucino Protein Shake

Here is another healthy protein shake recipe for Starbucks lovers! This is a healthy version of the classic Vanilla Bean Frap. One serving is only 121 calories, and contains an impressive 20 grams of protein! 

Use your favorite brand of vanilla protein powder with this recipe. Like other recipes on this list, you can easily make this recipe vegan by opting for a plant-based powder. 

10. Blueberry Vanilla Protein Shake

I love making this blueberry vanilla shake for breakfast. It is a fairly flexible recipe, allowing you to use milk or a milk substitute of your choice. The greek yogurt and the nut toppings make for an excellent source of protein, and it takes just five minutes to throw together!

Peanut Butter Protein Shake Recipes

Peanut butter has long been a staple in protein shakes due to its high protein content, making it perfect to tame those cravings. It can also load up some extra calories to really make these some great protein shakes for weight gain.

Many of these recipes are chocolate flavored, but we’ve separated them from the chocolate category since peanuts are a common allergy. 

11. High-Calorie Protein Shake

This high-calorie peanut butter shake contains 684 calories and 39g of protein. It’s ideal for anyone who is looking to healthily bulk. It’s super high in iron and healthy fats which help with muscle fatigue, and the recipe only takes 2 minutes to make!

12. Chocolate Peanut Butter Apple Protein Shake

This recipe is really simple to make, containing just four ingredients! I really enjoy the addition of apple into this classic peanut butter and chocolate shake. You can use real peanut butter instead of peanut butter powder – just be sure to add a little more almond milk or else it will come out too thick. 

13. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

This is a classic post-workout protein shake recipe. You can’t go wrong with chocolate protein powder, peanut butter, and banana! The addition of oats gives this recipe a nice crunch. 

Enjoy this smoothie after your morning workout – it will easily keep you satisfied until lunch time. 

14. Kids Peanut Butter Cup Protein Shake

Kids and adults alike will enjoy this shake since it tastes exactly like a Reese’s peanut butter cup! It makes for a great after-school snack for the kids, or an afternoon pick-me-up for yourself at work. One serving of this shake has a solid 13 grams of protein. 

15. Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Shake

This recipe is quite similar to the kids shake above. However, it is heavier and has richer flavors, more calories and more protein due to the peanut butter powder, giving this shake an impressive 30 grams of protein per serving!

Use this chocolate protein shake as a post-workout treat or a substitute for breakfast when you’re short on time. 

16. Peanut Butter Protein Shake

The shake consists of banana slices, protein powder and chunky peanut butter. It’s rich, flavorful, and packed with protein! The rest of the recipe is quite flexible – you can easily make this dairy-free with two simple substitutions. 

17. Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie With Hemp Protein

This high-protein smoothie manages to stay vegan thanks to hemp protein powder. It is high in natural sugars because of the bananas, so be wary of that if you are watching your sugar or carb intake! 

The brand of hemp protein they use also has some leafy greens in it, which gives this shake a boost of fiber. You can always add a handful of spinach or kale if you don’t want to use hemp protein. 

Fruit Protein Shake Recipes

This category has a wide collection of fruit-based protein shakes and smoothies. 

18. Peach Mango Protein Shake

Here is another great way to enjoy tropical flavors year round! This recipe combines frozen fruit, dairy-free milk and protein powder to make an energizing and healthy protein shake. Give this invigorating drink a try after your next morning workout.

19. Orange Creamsicle Protein Shake

There are so many healthy protein shake recipes that make a great substitute for our favorite treats. This one is a healthy and protein-packed version of an orange creamsicle made with real oranges! 

If you want to make this extra healthy, you can easily sneak some leafy greens into this drink to boost your antioxidant intake. Trust me, you won’t even be able to taste it! 

20. Post-Workout Orange Banana Smoothie

This light smoothie makes for a perfect post-workout or mid-day snack. Sub in plant-based protein powder to make this recipe vegan. One serving of this energizing fruit smoothie contains a whopping 25 grams of protein! 

21. Pineapple Coconut Protein Smoothie

You can enjoy your protein shake with refreshing pineapple and coconut flavors thanks to this great recipe. This smoothie is super sweet and satisfying, plus it contains a modest 16 grams of protein. However, take care if you are trying to minimize your sugar intake; this recipe contains over 40 grams of natural sugars from the pineapple.

22. Easy Mango Protein Smoothie 

This delicious all-natural protein smoothie is an excellent substitute for breakfast when you’re on the move. It’s also a great source of protein – one serving contains nearly 30 grams! The raw honey in the recipe is said to be optional, but I highly recommend adding a small spoonful for a touch of sweetness. 

23. Triple Berry Protein Smoothie

What better way to start off your morning than with this antioxidant-rich protein smoothie? This delicious smoothie has multiple superfoods including mixed berries and chia seeds. It tastes great, is chock-full of nutrients, and acts as a decent source of protein. 

24. Strawberry Protein Shake

This recipe is a quick and easy way to re-energize after your workout. The fact that this recipe uses frozen, precut fruit makes it so convenient to throw together, and the graham crackers on top make a great garnish. The author wasn’t kidding, it really does taste like strawberry cheesecake!

25. Pineapple Cheesecake Protein Shake

I love using cottage cheese in recipes to add in a rich source of flavor and protein. This protein shake actually uses cottage cheese as its secret ingredient! It combines well with the oh-so-sweet pineapple chunks to create a creamy and delicious protein shake. 

26. Strawberry Orange Smoothie

Here’s a great fruit smoothie that uses frozen strawberries and orange juice. The nonfat Greek yogurt makes this recipe a rich source of protein; it has 12 grams of protein, is rich in fiber and only has 162 calories! The recipe calls for coconut milk, but feel free to use whatever kind of milk you want.

Coffee Protein Shake Recipes for gaining weight

You don’t need to skip your morning coffee to enjoy a smoothie! These delicious protein shakes all have coffee as the main ingredient. 

27. Good Morning Coffee Lover’s Smoothie

This coffee lover’s smoothie is great for after a morning workout. It has over 17 grams of protein per serving, but be warned it is high in sugar.

Want to cut down on prep time? Your best bet is to brew a large batch of coffee ahead of time and refrigerate it. 

28. Healthy Coffee Protein Smoothie

This is a great way to enjoy your morning coffee inside of a peanut butter and banana smoothie. It’s both healthy and delicious! The trick this recipe uses is to freeze coffee in an ice cube tray the night before. The coffee cubes keep the drink cold and refreshing without watering it down!

29. Cold Brew Protein Smoothie

I love using my cold brew coffee maker to make cold coffee drinks on a hot day, and this recipe provides the perfect opportunity. This healthy smoothie packs a lot of protein into your morning cold brew! The recipe is flexible and you can put a flavored protein powder of your choice; both chocolate and vanilla work great here. If you don’t like bananas, you can use strawberries!

30. Iced Coffee Protein Shake

Here is another way to make a healthy protein shake using your cold brew coffee. The banana thickens the mixture up and makes it more of a creamy protein shake than a smoothie. This makes a perfect base recipe that you can use to add all of your favourite healthy ingredients! 

31. Salted Caramel Mocha Protein Shake

Salted caramel mochas are one of the most popular drinks at Starbucks, and this recipe turns the tasty seasonal drink into a wholesome, protein-packed shake! This 100 calorie coffee shake is practically sugar-free and manages to cram in 21 grams of protein. Give this one a try after your next workout. 

32. Mocha Banana Protein Shake

This delicious mocha flavored shake is a healthy way to pair your morning coffee and breakfast together. The banana adds a natural sweetness and gives the shake the desired consistency, while the cocoa and cinnamon give the mocha a chocolaty, spicy flavor that truly makes the shake unique. The recipe doesn’t specify what kind of protein powder to use, but I think chocolate works best here!

Other Dessert-Inspired Protein Shakes

These are all healthy protein shake recipes inspired by popular desserts. They taste delicious and with none of the guilt!

33. Frosted Sugar Cookie Protein Shake

This delicious and healthy shake is based off a classic holiday treat. It tastes just as sweet as real sugar cookies, but has less than one gram of sugar! It also contains an impressive 25 grams of protein, mostly due to the vanilla protein powder. 

34. Lemon Cream Pie Protein Shake

This vegan recipe really does taste like a lemon cream pie! It’s a great source of both protein and fill-you-up fiber. The recipe uses a homemade coconut whipped cream, but you can greatly speed things up by buying dairy-free whipped cream at the store. 

35. Vegan Birthday Cake Protein Shake

This protein shake adds a festive touch to your morning routine! It’s vegan and uses coconut whipped cream topped with rainbow sprinkles to give it that birthday cake taste. The frozen bananas also give it the creamy consistency of cake batter. It’s like having your birthday in a glass!

36. Tiramisu Protein Shake

This recipe transforms the classic Italian dessert into a protein shake. The flavor-packed shake uses real mascarpone cheese alongside espresso powder, cocoa powder, and rum extract. It tastes just like the real thing, but it’s a lot healthier! This recipe satisfies both your sweet tooth and protein needs without wrecking your diet. 

37. Carrot Cake Protein Smoothie

Carrots can be excellent in a smoothie if used correctly. This recipe uses carrot juice to create a smoothie version of carrot cake. The banana makes it nice and sweet while the protein powder makes it great for a post-workout snack. The carrots give this recipe a good amount of fiber too! If you don’t have carrot juice on hand, you can use whole carrots.

38. Cinnamon Roll Protein Smoothie

This smoothie tastes just like a cinnamon roll – but is a lot healthier than one! It’s also a great source of protein thanks to the whey isolate and yogurt. This is a great post-workout snack that tastes as decadent as the real thing

39. Easy Key-Lime Pie Protein Smoothie

Now you can enjoy that tart key-lime pie flavor in a healthier smoothie form. It’s packed with protein and has only 168 calories! You can make this recipe vegan by subbing out the protein powder for a plant-based version.

40. Low-Sugar Eggnog Protein Shake

Here is another holiday inspired protein shake idea. This one is for a low-calorie, high-protein eggnog shake that tastes like the real thing. It has an impressive 30 grams of protein per serving, and captures the real taste and texture of eggnog without having any eggs or sugar in it!