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"
Glenna says
The combination of banana, zucchini, and mini chocolate chips is surprisingly tasty, and the texture is spot-on. Another guilt free snack that I'm adding to favorites.
fitasamamabear says
It's a yummy combo for sure!
Kimmy says
Good job on sharing this very delicious recipe! I tried this yesterday and so far this is one of my favorites my husband is not a vegan but still he loves your recipe. This is perfect my family will visit me this coming weekend and I will introduce this to everyone. LOOOVEEE ITTTTT❤️️
fitasamamabear says
This makes my heart happy, thank you!!
Elizabeth S says
This was good! I added banana like you suggested and it was so creamy (not icy at all). Thanks for a great recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Mmm it makes it so creamy lol glad you enjoyed it!
Ann says
Dairy free + cookies and cream!? So yummy and good for you, too.
fitasamamabear says
Haha definitely a great flavor combo!
julie says
I'm making this! This shake has my name written all over it!
fitasamamabear says
Hehe cookies are life!!
Jenn says
You have a talent for making indulgent food that's also good for you! I loved this and it felt great knowing it was good for me, too!
fitasamamabear says
Hehe it's always fun to feel like something is more indulgent than it is... thank you!
Rose says
Love love love this cookie and cream smoothie! Love all the ingredients in this but especially the zucchini! What's a genius idea!
fitasamamabear says
Hehe it's a sneaky way to get in some extra veggies!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I see how it makes a meal with all that you added! Great use for courgettes, too and a creative way to introduce a veggie in shakes!
fitasamamabear says
It is definitely a meal... an yummy indulgent one!
Farwin says
This shake is absolutely delicious. Can't even taste the zucchini.
fitasamamabear says
Hehe, sneaky ninja for the win! But seriously, it makes it ultra creamy!
Farwin says
Wow! this shake is so thick and creamy, and you can't taste the zucchini. So delicious!
fitasamamabear says
The best is when you can sneak more veggie sin, glad you liked it!
nancy says
i can't believe this yummy smoothie is dairfy free. it's perfect without feeling to heavy
fitasamamabear says
Yes! Plus... cookies hehe
Jean says
I love a good dairy-free protein shake!
fitasamamabear says
And you can't go wrong with cookies!
Mandy Applegate says
Wow, I loved this, it's great that something so indulgent is also giving me the protein I need!
fitasamamabear says
Right?! Best of both worlds
Donna says
Love the sneaky zucchini, and you couldn't even tell it was in there. Definitely tasted like an absolute indulgence, so thick and creamy.
fitasamamabear says
That's the best when you can truly sneak it in1 Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Tessa says
Thank you for the tip about the zucchini! I've hid a lot of veggies in smoothies before but never that one. It seems like it would have a nice, blend-able flavor that wouldn't stand out as too veggie.
fitasamamabear says
Haha most people are so put off by it but it makes smoothies SO creamy!
Glenda says
You had me at cookies and cream! This was thick and delicious. The fact that it is loaded with veggies and nutrients made it that much more enjoyable.
fitasamamabear says
Haha best flavor combo because no one can say no to cookies!