22 Delicious Protein Powder Recipes (That Are NOT Shakes)
Depending on the type of workout and your body weight, a post-workout meal should contain 15-25 grams of protein for proper muscle recovery. Plus carbohydrates to replenish the glycogen, making a shake that combines hydrating liquid, fruit and protein powder an easy choice.
Overview
Depending on the type of workout and your body weight, a post-workout meal should contain 15-25 grams of protein for proper muscle recovery. Plus carbohydrates to replenish the glycogen, making a shake that combines hydrating liquid, fruit and protein powder an easy choice. But do you ever get bored of the same old smoothie? Well, we do. Here are some recipes that use powders of all kinds to deliver both the protein and carbs your body needs to repair your muscles and keep you energized for the next item on your agenda.
1. Tiramisu Protein Pancakes
Tiramisu for breakfast? Yes, according to KissMyBroccoli.com. Pair rolled oats with vanilla protein powder, coffee, and vanilla and coffee extracts for pancakes that will get "bravos" from around the table. Even better, these bad boys have a low-fat creamy frosting (aka "filling" when you're stacking the pancakes) made from cottage cheese and banana. No maple syrup required!
Related: See the full Tiramisu Protein Pancakes Recipe
2. Oh Yeah! Protein Oatmeal
Move over oatmeal, this recipe kicks up the protein and flavor on this amazing breakfast favorite. All you need is oats, 2% milk (or a non-dairy milk of your choice), vanilla protein powder and blueberries. Take this recipe and run with it, using chocolate protein powder, cacao nibs and raspberries or another favorite combination.
Related: See the full Oh Yeah! Protein Oatmeal Recipe
3. Coconut Silver Dollar Protein Pancakes
In this gluten-free recipe from Nutrition Styles, vanilla-flavored Replenish pea protein serves as the base, and coconut milk and coconut milk give it a tropical taste. Fresh berries on top are a cute addition to these adorable and delicious little pancakes.
Related: See the full Gluten-Free Coconut Silver-Dollar Protein Pancakes Recipe
4. Protein-Packed Recovery Rice & Oat Crispy Treats
If you are like most kids, rice crispy treats were a staple at your house growing up. Here is a decidedly more grown-up, high-protein twist on the classic version -- minus the marshmallows so sweet they'll give you a toothache. Instead, the recipe uses honey, butter and almond butter to bind the rice cereal and the addition of high-fiber oatmeal makes these that much healthier than the originals.
Related: See the full Protein-Packed Recovery Rice & Oat Crispy Treats Recipe
5. Muscle Mashed Potatoes with Protein Powder
Comfort food = mashed potatoes. Now, you can enjoy this side dish with added protein AND less fat, making these perennial favorites good for a recovery meal, post-workout. We recommend using flavorless protein powder for these as well as red-skinned or Yukon Gold potatoes.
Related: See the full Muscle Mashed Potatoes with Protein Powder Recipe
6. Gluten-Free Protein-Packed Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Skip the calorie-bomb breakfasts, and opt for this Nutrition Styles Replenish pea protein-packed eye-opener instead. It's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, minus all of the added sugar. These freeze well, so just toast them for a few minutes to defrost for an easy breakfast.
Related: Gluten-Free Protein-Packed Cinnamon Roll Waffles Recipe
7. No-Bake Vanilla Protein Cake
Now you can literally have your cake and eat it too, even as a post-workout recovery snack. The cake batter combines flour, pancake flour and protein powder with applesauce, an egg and milk but requires no standing mixer or oven -- you can whip this up in the blender and the microwave! You could even make mini treats in mugs. Easy as… cake.
Related: See the full No-Bake Vanilla Protein Cake Recipe
8. The World's Easiest Protein Pancake
Need a recovery breakfast after your morning workout? This is the easiest pancake in the world with a fraction of the carbohydrates and full of protein. Just mix together protein powder and water, but because various powders have different absorbencies, add in the water tablespoon by tablespoon until you have the consistency of pancake batter. Be warned, these won't be as fluffy and light as normal pancakes, but they'll be a fun change from your smoothie routine.
Related: See the full World's Easiest Protein Pancake Recipe
9. Protein Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches
Why not get your protein fix in dessert form? These waffle ice cream sandwiches from Vega use chocolate protein powder to make this crowd-pleasing summertime favorite satisfy your hunger in addition to your sweet tooth. Made from frozen banana with a little vanilla extract, the "ice cream" is more like nice cream. No guilt with this pleasure.
Related: See the full Protein Waffle Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe
10. Whole-Wheat Blueberry Protein Muffins
These aren't your ordinary blueberry muffins -- this recipe is packed with protein. Meaning, if you have one for breakfast you won't be hungry again a half hour later, like with most baked goods. When baking with protein powder, it's generally best to use an approximate 4:1 ratio of flour (whether regular, gluten-free or a mixture of flour and rolled oats) to protein powder to get a lighter product. Also use eggs to bind the mixture, baking powder to make it rise and an ingredient to moisten the batter and activate the baking powder. Note that if your protein powder already contains sweetener, you may want to reduce the amount of brown sugar.
Related: See the full Whole-Wheat Blueberry Protein Muffins Recipe
11. No-Bake Protein Peanut Butter Shakeology Cookies
Ready in 10 minutes, these no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Shakeology cookies are so quick and easy to make. With 100 calories each and 4 grams of protein, they will satisfy a sweet craving without ruining your diet. Best of all, there is no need to bake them. (To make them vegan, be sure to choose a vegan chocolate protein powder and swap in agave nectar or maple syrup instead of honey.)
Related: See the full No-Bake Protein Peanut Butter Shakeology Cookies
12. Easy Vanilla Protein Cheesecake
All of your healthy indulgence dreams are about to come true with this high-protein, low-fat cheesecake. Plus, there's no need to bake it! Just refrigerate for 10 minutes or, let's be real, you can also eat it from the mixing bowl. To make this vegan, try using Tofutti, another non-dairy cream cheese or make your own cashew cheese and combine with vanilla vegan protein powder, sweetener and non-dairy milk. Take it up a notch and crush some graham crackers at the bottom of a jar then top with whatever fruit you'd like, from macerated cherries to sliced strawberries.
Related: See the full Easy Vanilla Protein Cheesecake Recipe
13. Passion Fruit Protein Mousse
This dairy-free, protein-rich dessert from RealHealthyRecipes.com can be made with one cup of any assortment of fresh fruit if passion isn't your thing. Plus with no sugar added, it makes a healthy breakfast item, snack or dessert -- just make sure you are using protein powder without a lot of sugar or made with stevia. Make a handful and store in glass jars in the fridge for a sweet fix on the go.
Related: Passion Fruit Protein Mousse Recipe
14. High-Protein Coconut Curry Pumpkin Power Soup
Follow the lead of the blogger behind PowerHungry.com and pair smoked paprika and cilantro, red curry paste and coconut milk with pea protein powder for an exotic high-protein meal when paired with mixed green or whole grain bread. Serve with a wedge of fresh lime and garnish with cilantro leaves, pepitas, hot sauce or toasted coconut.
Related: See the full High-Protein Coconut Curry Pumpkin Power Soup Recipe
15. Protein-Packed Cereal Killer
Who hasn't made an easy meal out of a bowl of cereal? In this form, it becomes a killer recovery meal for after a workout. We recommend using whey or casein powder or finely ground rice protein powder because those types will be less likely to have a grainy texture with the milk.
Related: See the full Protein-Packed Cereal Killer Recipe
16. Vanilla Almond Butter Protein Granola
How does soft, warm, chewy granola sound? This recipe from RunningWithSpoons.com is an ingenious use of protein powder. It can be served over yogurt for breakfast or munched by the handful when that 3 p.m. slump hits. The combination of protein and high-fiber oats and ground flax will keep you feeling full, making this a healthy snack -- just watch the calories from fat (even if they're healthy fats!) from this one. The granola will still be slightly soft when it comes out of the oven, but it will harden up at room temperature.
Related: See the full Vanilla Almond Butter Protein Granola
17. Protein-Packed Cinnamazing Pancake
These are literally little cakes that you make in the pan. The oats give the flapjacks some serious heft and the baking soda keeps them light and fluffy. You can also substitute the cottage cheese with some fat-free ricotta for lighter pancakes.
Related: See the full Protein-Packed Cinnamazing Pancake Recipe
18. All-American Protein French Toast
This Sunday brunch classic is actually easy enough for a weekday, and with the addition of protein powder, it can also double as a recovery meal. Just make French toast as you normally would with bread, eggs and milk but mix the protein into the egg-milk mixture before dipping your bread in then panfry as usual.
Related: See the full All-American Protein French Toast Recipe
19. Blueberry Protein Parfait
One serving of regular yogurt can have 6-8 grams of protein while Greek yogurt is usually double the amount of protein -- that's still not enough to help rebuild muscle after a draining workout. When you're on the go, simply adding a scoop of protein powder to yogurt is a convenient way to get your amino acids. If you've got time, make it fancy by layering yogurt and berries in a tall glass for a power parfait.
Related: See the full Blueberry Protein Parfait Recipe
20. Gluten-Free Margherita Protein Pizza
Veggie pizza with a lot of protein? Yes, it's possible with Quest's Protein Chips, made with potatoes and whey protein. This creative recipe combines the chips and flavorless protein with some almond meal, baked cauliflower and egg whites to create the gluten-free crust. Top with sauce, cheese, tomatoes and basil for an ultra filling, low-carb dinner.
Related: See the full Gluten-Free Margherita Protein Pizza Recipe
21. Protein Peach Surprise
Are you a fan of peach cobbler? What about cheesecake? Now you can enjoy both of your favorites dessert together, without all the guilt or extra calories. Using fat-free cream cheese and fresh peaches, this is dessert comes together quickly in 10 minutes.
Related: See the full Peach Cobbler Surprise Recipe
22. Cinnamon Protein Apples
These apple slices are so easy that you can make them at the office and then have a healthy, filling snack ready for you at work. If you're going to make three apples and store them, add a teaspoon or two of lemon juice to keep the apples from browning. If you just want to make this snack with one apple, use a third of a scoop of protein. It's the perfect power-packed treat.
Related: See the full Cinnamon Protein Apples Recipe
What Do YOU Think?
What's your favorite non-smoothie protein powder recipe? Tell us by leaving a comment below!
Related: 10 Ultimate Smoothies for Any Time of Day