Made to maximize indulgence while still being healthy this cookies and cream protein shake is thick, delicious, and naturally dairy-free.
With 25 grams of protein, it's a great way to bump up your daily protein intake, indulge a craving, and gain some afternoon energy. As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I use recipes like this to ENJOY what I eat while not derailing my fitness goals.
A protein shake worth whipping up! This cookie and cream shake uses vanilla protein powder as its base so you don’t need to go out and buy a brand new flavor.
It’s easy to whip up and can be made as indulgent or low-calorie as you like. Plus, I like that it's high-protein which means it’s a great way to stay fueled throughout the day. Learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
Treat yourself to this thick, creamy, decadent smoothie and enjoy the indulgence! Protein shakes are an easy way to take in a bunch of nutrients while enjoying something super refreshing.
What Does Cookies and Cream Mean?
A common milkshake flavor it is a combination of a sweet vanilla milkshake, coupled with crumbled cookies (most often chocolate sandwich cookies), and topped with coconut whipped cream.
Why You'll Love This Dairy-Free Protein Shake
Fueling: this cookies and cream shake comes with a whopping 25 grams of protein.
Allergy Friendly: a smoothie that checks all the boxes, it's dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan.
Easy: there are minimal ingredients which means it's easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Vegan protein powder: the kind of protein powder you choose will affect the texture and the flavor of the cookies and cream protein shake. For best results, use Genuine Health Vanilla Protein. Also, learn the difference between collagen vs protein powder to know which is right for you!
Banana: used to both sweeten the shake as well as make it have a creamy texture. If you opt for frozen banana the protein shake will become even thicker.
Zucchini: add a few hidden veggies to this smoothie to bump up your daily intake! You won’t taste it one bit but it does help thicken the shake.
Date: you only need one to sweeten this smoothie. Plus dates are loaded with fiber and a great sugar replacement (one of the many tricks I use to scale back sugar).
Non-dairy milk: any dairy-free milk should work. I opt for homemade hemp milk but almond milk works just as well.
Chocolate chips: you can use allergy-friendly chocolate chips or cacao nibs for the smoothie to give it a rich flavor.
Paleo cookies: the kind of cookie you opt for is up to you! I chose to use chocolate chip crumble cookies for maximum flavor.
How To Make A Cookies And Cream Protein Shake
Choosing A Cookie For The Protein Shake
Traditionally, cookies and cream protein shakes are made with Oreo cookies. Those have never really been a favorite of mine so they’re not in the house.
Instead, I made this protein shake extra indulgent by using my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Not only is it delicious, but the cookies also crumble just so perfectly!
Some other great protein cookie options are:
- Crispy protein cookies
- Vegan protein cookies
- Peanut butter protein cookies
- Snickerdoodle protein cookies
You can use as much of the cookie or as little of it on top as you like.
Additional Toppings
The best part about the cookies and cream protein shake is that you can make it as indulgent or healthy as you like!
Want to curb calories a bit? Only crumble half a cookie onto the shake and that’s it? Want it to be more dessert-like? Opt for any of the following on top of the cookies and cream protein smoothie:
- Coconut whipped cream
- Chocolate chips
- Homemade dairy-free chocolate glaze (like the sauce drizzled on this double chocolate protein fluff)
- Drizzled almond butter
Choosing A Protein Powder
Each protein powder is unique in the way that it tastes as well as the way it absorbs liquid (learn more about choosing a protein powder for your goals).
In fact, vegan proteins will absorb almost double the liquid as whey protein powder. On the opposite side, whey protein tends to be sweeter than vegan.
So, the type of protein powder you choose will affect the cookies and cream protein shake. This recipe was made with Genuine Healths Vanilla Protein.
Genuine Health’s Fermented Vegan Protein Powder helps fuel your goals, recover and stay full.
Made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, this vegan protein powder is dairy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and certified organic. It’s also been voted one of the best tasting vegan protein powders.
Shop the Genuine Health Store on Amazon.
Important Teaching Tips
Though you can use whey protein in place of the vegan protein powder, the cookies and cream protein shake will most likely be a bit thinner.
If you want to switch up the flavor slightly, use chocolate protein powder, it's a fun twist!
Homemade cookies are better (to me!) but gluten-free oreo cookies are wicked too.
Frozen banana will make the smoothie creamier than a fresh banana. Either way, make sure to use a very ripe banana as it’s sweeter!
Make sure to ppt for the coconut milk in the can and try to use full fat. Grab just the white part and leave the water. This makes the smoothie creamier.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About The Cookies And Cream Protein
Shake
To make a cookies and cream protein shake you can either use vanilla protein powder or a cookies and cream flavored protein powder. The flavored protein powder will most likely be sweeter which will alter the recipe slightly. Since not everyone has access to multiple flavors of protein powder, having a recipe on hand that uses just vanilla protein is helpful.
Though you can make a cookies and cream shake ahead of time, it will thin (even if stored in the fridge). You’ll want to shake it before consuming it and make sure to store it without any of the toppings. Put those on just as you’re about to enjoy it.
Multiple factors contribute to the texture of a protein shake. Frozen bananas, avocados, mangos, and coconut cream all make smoothies creamier. The ratio of liquid to ingredients will also affect the texture of the smoothie.
A common milkshake flavor it's a combination of a sweet vanilla milkshake coupled with crumbled cookies (most often chocolate sandwich cookies) and topped with whipped cream.
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Protein granola
- Chocolate chip granola
- Easy granola bars
- Make-ahead breakfast recipes
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- Crunchy granola
- Sugar-free granola
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Chocolate chip granola bars
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Energizing protein bar recipe
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Cookies & Cream Protein Smoothie
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup Vegan Protein Powder 1.5 scoops
- 1 banana
- ½ zucchini sliced
- 2 tbs mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup coconut milk canned
- 6 ice cubes
- ¾ cup dairy-free milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 date
- 1 chocolate chip cookie or cookies or choice
Instructions
- In a high-powered blender add in all the ingredients except the cookie.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Divide the smoothie into two glasses.
- Top with coconut whipped cream (optional) and crumbled cookies.
Notes
- The cookies and cream protein shake will be thinner if you use whey protein.
- Top the cookies and cream protein shake with any cookie you love. I prefer these homemade crumble cookies.
- Any non-dairy milk will work (almond milk, homemade hemp milk etc).
- If you want to switch up the flavor slightly, use chocolate protein powder, it's a fun twist!
- Frozen banana will make the smoothie creamier than a fresh banana. Either way, make sure to use a very ripe banana as it’s sweeter!
- Learn more about Gluten-Free Pantry Staples to have on hand for this recipe!
- The nutritional breakdown uses one store-bought chocolate chip cookie split between two servings and does not include whipped cream.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Mel says
Perfect for a quick and satisfying breakfast or snack. Made this a few times last week and it was filling. Feels like a full meal.
fitasamamabear says
Happy you enjoyed it.
Kris says
You would never guess this is as healthy as it is! It really satisfied my dessert cravings. I'll be turning to this again and again!
Bonnie says
Oh wow! Was this ever a treat! It's such a wonderful way to get so much nutrition into something that felt really decadent. Thank you for the delicious recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Right?! Best kind of balance lol
Martina says
This was honestly so good. It's super creamy and indulgent and tastes just like a classic cookies and cream smoothie. You wouldn't even know there's zucchini in it! Will be making this again for sure!
fitasamamabear says
Happy you liked it! It's a wicked indulgence.
Kara says
I have to admit that I was a little hesitant about the zucchini in it, but I ended up loving it. It gave it a really great texture.
Polly says
This shake is so thick, creamy and tastes so amazing. Will be making it again!
fitasamamabear says
Happy you enjoyed it!
Bennieluv says
This protein shake is delightful, really creamy! It was a perfect addition to my post-workout meal yesterday 😀
fitasamamabear says
Happy you liked it!
hanna says
Oh wow, this shake was absolutely delicious! I love how creamy it was. This will definitely my favourite post workout shake. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Jenny says
As part of my New Year's resolution, I'm trying to get more protein in but I also have a huge sweet tooth! This protein shake helped satisfy my sweet tooth while filling me up. I will definitely be making it again!
fitasamamabear says
I'm the same way! You'll find lots of recipes that combine healthy with sweet here lol
Carol says
This recipe is to die for. It's the new year and of course, we are all trying to eat healthier, but this recipe tastes like dessert! I don't feel deprived at all. I love that I can feel good about "indulging"
fitasamamabear says
Haha things that are healthy that taste like dessert are my jam lol