Protein powder is simply fantastic!
It’s versatile, affordable, convenient, and effective no matter if your goal is losing weight, building muscle, improving athletic performance, or supporting healthy aging.
While most of us enjoy protein powder as a post-workout shake, the truth is that just scratches the surface for the myriad ways in which you can utilize protein powder.
If you're looking to get more out of your pre- or post-workout supplements, here are eight creative and delicious ways to use protein powder beyond your shaker bottle.
Health Benefits of Protein Powder
- Fuels muscle recovery & growth
- Improves satiety
- Supports weight loss
- Improves athletic performance
- Lowers blood pressure
- Strengthens immune system
- Aids bone mineral density
8 Creative Ways to Use Protein Powder
Protein Oatmeal
Oatmeal has been a mainstay breakfast option for centuries. It supplies complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, B-vitamins for metabolism support, and fiber for gut health. Adding a scoop of protein powder to your oats, be it overnight oats, quick oats, or steel cut oats cooked on the stovetop, is a great way to boost your breakfast's protein content and overall nutrition.
When it comes to flavors, you’re only limited by your imagination.
One of our favorite classic combinations is:
- ½ cup cooked old-fashioned (rolled) oats
- 1 serving Tres Leches Whey
- 1 serving frozen (or fresh) blueberries
- ½-1 oz chopped walnuts (or other nut of choice)
Another flavorful combo is:
- 1 serving old-fashioned oats, cooked
- 1 scoop Chocolate Peanut Butter Blast Whey
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (can sub in a serving of powdered peanut butter if on a low-calorie diet)
- Dash of cinnamon
- ½-1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Protein French Toast
French toast is another breakfast favorite, but it’s usually loaded with refined sugar and fat (while also being considerably low in protein).
Not anymore, though…
With just a few simple tweaks, you can have your toast and eat it too!
French Toast Ingredients
- 3 slices whole wheat bread
- 1/2 scoop Tres Leches Whey
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg white
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (NOT canned pumpkin pie filling)
- 6 tbsp. milk of choice
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (more or less to taste)
- 1 tbsp. low-calorie sweetener (splenda, stevia, etc.)
Maple Dipping Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp. maple syrup (any is fine)
- Optional: stevia/low-cal sweetener to taste
*Note: you can also just use regular maple syrup or a zero-calorie pancake syrup (such as Walden Farms syrup) instead of making the dipping sauce.
Directions
- Preheat a griddle or large skillet to medium-high heat.
- In a large bowl or small baking dish, whisk together egg, egg white, milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, stevia, and protein powder.
- Dip each slice piece of bread into the egg mixture allowing both sides to soak up the liquid.
- Spray pan with nonstick spray.
- Cook each piece of bread for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Be aware that it will take a little longer to cook than typical French toast.
- Once cooked, take French toast out of the pan and set aside.
- Mix together ingredients for the maple pumpkin sauce in a small bowl.
- Devour!
Clear Whey Gummies
Gummy bears, gummy worms, and other gummy variations are enjoyed by all ages. Usually, they’re nothing but sugar (carbohydrates) and a smidge of gelatin. While a little sugar is fine, too much can impact your weight loss goals and dental health.
With whey gummies, though, you can enjoy gummies that not only taste great but also support muscle recovery and growth!
Ingredients
- 3.25 ounces (~100ml) water
- 1 scoop Clear Whey Isolate
- 1 packet gelatine (12g)
Directions
- Combine the water and clear whey protein in a shaker cup and shake until dissolved.
- Pour into a small saucepan and warm the mixture over low heat.
- Add the packet of gelatine and whisk until it’s completely dissolved.
- Once the gelatin is dissolved, turn off the heat and pour the liquid into a small bowl.
- Use a pipette (or spoon) to fill the gummy bear mold with your gummy mixture.
- Transfer the mold to the fridge and chill for at least 1 hour until it firms up.
- After cooling, pop the gummies out of the tray and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for a few days.
Protein Brownies
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 scoops Chocolate PB Blast WHEY
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or butter
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ (325℉ if using a pyrex dish)
- Grease an 8x8 baking pan then line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, baking powder and salt) until combined.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together coconut oil or butter, applesauce, eggs and vanilla extract.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until no dry spots appear.
- Pour batter evenly into the pan and give it a little jiggle to remove any air bubbles.
- Sprinkle with chocolate chips, if using.
- Bake for 20 minutes then remove from oven and let cook completely.
- Cut into desired serving size and enjoy!
No-Bake Protein Powder Bites
These portable no-bake goodies are high in protein, lower in calories, and cheaper per serving than the typical “protein” bites found in your local grocery store. They’re incredibly easy to make and are great snacks when you’re on the go!
Ingredients
- 1 scoop protein powder of choice
- ½ cup nut/seed butter of choice (almond, sunflower seed, peanut butter, etc.)
- ¼ cup liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave nectar)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ cup flaxseed
- ½ cup rolled (old-fashioned) oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor
- Process all ingredients until well combined
- Scrape out dough into a bowl
- Divide into 12 equal portions and roll into balls.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Protein Powder Yogurt
Combine your favorite protein powder with Greek yogurt for a high-protein breakfast or snack. As an added bonus, the probiotics in yogurt also support gut health!
Make it a full meal by adding in your favorite fruit (fresh or frozen) and a serving of chopped nuts for healthy fats and fiber. We love this powerhouse combo for breakfast or a quick and easy post-workout meal.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop protein powder of choice (Whey, Clear, Vegan, or Collagen)
- 1 serving yogurt
- ½ cup fresh berries
- ½ sliced banana
- ½-1 serving chopped nuts (walnuts are a favorite of ours)
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Enjoy!
Protein Coffee
Coffee is a staple for many of us. Instead of adding high-fat/high-calorie creamers and sugar syrups to your coffee, mix in a scoop of protein. You’ll get even better flavor along with a fraction of the calories that your favorite “gourmet” coffee served up. This can support your workout recovery and weight loss goals, too!
Directions
- Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the bottom of your coffee mug.
- Pour coffee over protein powder
- Stir vigorously with a whisk (or better yet…use an immersion blender!)
- Sit back, sip, and savor.
Protein Muffins
Blueberry muffins are traditionally eaten for breakfast, but these wholesome muffins could easily be eaten as a sweet, tasty dessert.
Again, all you need is a few simple ingredients, a blender, a baking pan, and voila! Muffins at the ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (60mL) milk of choice
- 1 egg
- 1 cup (225g) plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 cups (160g) rolled oats
- 4 Tablespoons (48g) sugar substitute (erythritol, stevia, etc)
- 2 scoops Tres Leches WHEY
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1-½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup (105g) blueberries
- ½ tablespoon (6g) oat flour (can substitute all-purpose flour as well)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a mini-muffin pan with nine paper liners or cooking spray.
- Combine blueberries and ½ tablespoon of oat/all-purpose flour in a small bowl and toss to combine, then set aside.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.
- Pour batter evenly amongst the nine prepared muffin molds and then evenly distribute the flour-dusted blueberries among them.
- Transfer muffin pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until muffins are golden brown and delicious
- Take muffins out of tray and place on a wire rack to cool for a few minutes before enjoying.
Takeaway
Whether your goal is to build muscle, maintain weight, or simply get more protein in your diet, protein powder is a simple and effective way to support your nutrition goals. Be sure to choose high-quality protein powders that contain all essential amino acids, wholesome ingredients, and no fillers or additives.
