Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

High-Protein Breakfast Shake

A thick, creamy breakfast shake with about 35 to 60 grams of protein (depending on your milk, yogurt, and powder), real-food flavor, and zero “gym-bro” vibes. Ready in 5 minutes with pantry-friendly swaps.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.9/5
A creamy high-protein breakfast shake in a clear glass on a kitchen counter with a banana and spoonful of peanut butter nearby

Some mornings demand a breakfast you can drink with one hand while the other hand is doing something heroic, like finding your keys, answering an email, or negotiating with a toddler about socks. This high-protein breakfast shake is my “I still want to feel like a functional adult” solution. It is thick, cold, actually delicious, and it keeps you full without tasting like sweetened drywall.

The trick is balancing protein (Greek yogurt and protein powder), fiber (oats and chia), and fat (peanut butter) so it drinks like a milkshake but behaves like a real breakfast. If you have a blender and five minutes, you are in business.

A high-protein breakfast shake being poured from a blender into a glass on a bright kitchen counter

Why It Works

  • About 35 to 60 grams of protein depending on your milk, yogurt, and powder choice, which means you are not hungry again 47 minutes later.
  • Creamy texture without ice cream vibes: frozen banana plus Greek yogurt makes it thick and smooth.
  • More balanced energy: oats and chia add fiber and slow-digesting carbs that can help you feel steadier through the morning.
  • Highly customizable: swap the nut butter, change the fruit, make it dairy-free, or boost calories for training days.
  • No-cook, low-dish: blender, one glass, done. Bonus points if you rinse the blender immediately.

Storage Tips

This shake is best right after blending, when it is thick and frosty. But life happens.

Fridge

  • Store in a tightly sealed jar or bottle. For best texture, drink within 24 hours.
  • It will thicken as the oats and chia hydrate. Add a splash of milk and shake hard, or re-blend for 10 seconds.

Freezer (make-ahead packs)

  • For the best results, freeze smoothie packs, not the fully blended shake.
  • Add to a freezer bag: banana slices, oats, chia, and a pinch of salt. Freeze up to 2 months.
  • In the morning, dump the pack into the blender with milk, yogurt, peanut butter, and protein powder.

Food safety note: If you used dairy, do not leave it at room temp for more than 2 hours.

Common Questions

How much protein is in this breakfast shake?

It usually lands around 35 to 60 grams, depending on what you use. Here is the honest breakdown: Greek yogurt can range roughly 15 to 23g per 3/4 cup, protein powder is commonly 20 to 30g per scoop, milk can be anywhere from 1g (almond) to 8 to 13g (dairy or ultra-filtered), plus a bit more from peanut butter, oats, and chia. If you want to push it higher, use ultra-filtered milk or add an extra half scoop of protein powder.

Can I make it without protein powder?

Yes. It will still be high-protein, just not as high. Replace the protein powder with an extra 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or 1/2 cup cottage cheese, and taste for sweetness. You may want an extra drizzle of honey or maple syrup.

Why does my shake taste chalky?

Common culprits: too much powder, not enough liquid, or a powder you hate. Fix it by adding more milk, using a ripe frozen banana, and blending longer. A pinch of salt and a little vanilla also help round out “protein” flavors.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Absolutely. Use unsweetened soy milk (higher protein than most plant milks) and a thick dairy-free yogurt. Choose a plant-based protein powder you like, and consider adding 1 tablespoon nut butter for extra creaminess.

How do I make it thicker or thinner?

  • Thicker: use less milk, add more frozen banana, or add a few ice cubes.
  • Thinner: add a splash more milk and blend again.

Can I use fresh banana instead of frozen?

Yes, but the shake will be less thick and less frosty. Add a handful of ice if you want that milkshake texture.

Any allergen swaps?

This recipe contains dairy (unless you swap it) and peanuts/tree nuts (if using nut butter). For nut-free, use sunflower seed butter. For dairy-free, use soy milk and a dairy-free yogurt as noted above.

I started making this shake during a phase of life I call “morning chaos with confidence,” where I fully believed I could do everything before 9 a.m. and was repeatedly proven wrong. I wanted something fast, filling, and not sad. After a few chalky experiments that tasted like a vanilla candle, I landed here: frozen banana for body, Greek yogurt for tang, peanut butter for comfort, oats and chia for staying power, and a pinch of salt because grown-up flavors matter. Now it is my default breakfast when I need to look like I have it together, even if my hair says otherwise.