Enjoy this sweet and salty indulgence any time of the day! A salted caramel protein shake worthy of dessert. Made with vanilla vegan protein powder and drizzled with homemade caramel sauce, this dairy-free protein shake is the perfect afternoon pick me up (outside of this iced coffee protein shake of course!)!
Fueling up with essential amino acids post-workout doesn’t have to be boring. Neither does amping up your protein intake!
This salted caramel protein smoothie is a delicate blend of sweet and salty flavors. Blended until smooth and topped with healthy caramel sauce. You’ll fall in love with this smoothie because it’s:
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free (vegan actually)
- EASY to make
- Indulgent (but it doesn’t have to be!)
- A flavorful mood boost
Take a minute out of your day to ENJOY what you’re putting into your body as fuel.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Vegan protein powder: the kind of protein powder you choose will affect the texture and the flavor of the dairy-free protein shake. For best results, use Genuine Healths Vanilla Protein.
Coconut milk: opt for the canned version and go full fat. Remove the water from the can and just use the thick white part.
Almond butter: gives a bit of caramel flavor to the smoothie itself when combined with dates and vanilla. Peanut butter will work as well.
Date: a great way to replace sugar in recipes! The date helps give mild sweetness to the smoothie.
How To Make A Caramel Protein Shake
- Combine all shake ingredients into a powerful blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- If using, whip the coconut milk into a 2-minute coconut whip.
- In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the homemade caramel sauce.
- Portion the protein shakes into a mason jar. Top with coconut whipped cream and drizzle the caramel sauce on top.
- Finally, finish with a tiny sprinkle of sea salt
Step By Step Photos
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 salted caramel smoothie. 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.
But best of all is that this protein is fermented. This helps break down the “anti-nutrient” in grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes that often causes bloating.
This protein powder literally gives you the best of both worlds.
Shop the Genuine Health Store on Amazon.Important Teaching Tips
Both almond butter and peanut butter will work for the homemade caramel sauce. However, make sure the nut butter is fresh and runny (not the hardened bit at the bottom). Otherwise, the sauce won’t mix smoothly.
Likewise, it works better if the nut butter is at room temperature.
If you want to alter the flavor of the protein shake, you can definitely use a flavored protein powder. In fact, chocolate peanut butter protein powder makes a great twist! However, using a milk protein or milk protein concentrate will drastically alter the protein drink.
Though you can use whey protein in place of the vegan protein powder, the smoothie will most likely be a bit thinner.
If whipping up the caramel sauce right before using it, it should just drizzle off a spoon. Piping it from a bag tends not to work as well, especially if it’s not mixed completely smooth.
Unleash Your Energy
The ultimate roundup of high-protein snack recipes for hectic lifestyles.
Trying to lose weight postpartum and not feel ravenous was frustrating with my first.
It took a whole other pregnancy for me to realize that eating more protein was the “secret” solution.
Unfortunately, living off eggs and chicken breasts sucked after a while.
The solution? I started creating high-protein recipes that tasted more like dessert to help boost my intake.
Say goodbye to mid-day slumps, slow metabolism, and constantly feeling hungry.
I gave the protein bars to a friend of mine with a gluten allergy; I usually can't give her the food I make so I saved these for her. She absolutely loved them, she said most of the protein bars she eats are way too dry but these were great! - Ste
The Protein Power Snack Ebook for busy moms has sixteen, easy-to-make recipes all with 17 grams of protein or more. Many of them can be made ahead of time for grab-and-go days!
They’re the secret to helping you stay energized, enjoy what you eat, and meet your goals.
Plus, a two-day meal plan to show you how to eat over 100 grams of protein per day.. and not hate food. This is what I have all my clients start with.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caramel Protein Shakes
Though you can make the salted caramel smoothie ahead of time, it will thin out while stored in the fridge. Also, make sure not to add any of the toppings until completely ready to eat.
A This caramel smoothie does provide a great balance of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates and can be used as a meal replacement or healthy snack. However, everyone's diet is unique and you'll want to make sure it fits your macros before swapping it out.
More Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Cookies and cream protein shake
- 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
- Easy, no-bake vanilla protein bar
- High protein snack recipes
Salted Caramel Protein Smoothie
Equipment
- High powered vitamix
Ingredients
- 7 ice cubes
- ⅓ cup protein powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ cup coconut milk
- 1 cup hemp milk
- 1 tbs almond butter
- 1 date
- Healthy Caramel Sauce
- 2 tbs almond butter
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine the smoothie ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Whisk the caramel sauce with a fork.
- Drizzle some caramel into the glasses with a spoon.
- Pour in the shake.
- Top with coconut whipped cream (if using) and more drizzled caramel.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the nut butter is fresh and runny (not the hardened bit at the bottom) for the caramel sauce. Otherwise, the sauce won’t mix smoothly.
- The sauce works better if the nut butter is at room temperature.
- As is, this smoothie is not "creamy" but textured. Tastes amazing.
- Though you can use whey protein in place of the vegan protein powder, the smoothie will most likely be a bit thinner.
- If whipping up the caramel sauce right before using it, it should just drizzle off a spoon. Piping it from a bag tends not to work as well, especially if it’s not mixed completely smooth.
- Coconut whip is not included in nutritional breakdown.
- Refrigerating the caramel sauce will cause it to harden.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Shelby aka Mama Bear
Faaiza
I love salted caramel! Perfect flavour in a smoothie.
fitasamamabear
It's literally the best flavor lol
Jess
This sounds so delish!
Ashley
A great and tasty way to get protein powder in!
fitasamamabear
Might as well enjoy it!
Kat
I could drink this everyday, what a treat!
fitasamamabear
You and me both hehe
Chris
A salted caramel protein shake is my favorite to make for breakfast! This recipe is the best. It has the perfect consistency.
fitasamamabear
It's such a nice morning treat!
Liz
I'm a vegetarian so I've been trying to add more high protein meals into my diet and this shake is perfect! Such a fun way to get in protein
fitasamamabear
Yay! Happy I could give you something yummy to work in!
Jennifer
I'm in love - this decadent treat is so good, I want one every day of the week! Love adding protein powder to it and the caramel sauce is sooo good!
fitasamamabear
Caramel sauce is life necessity lol
Glenda
Yum! It's hard to beat salted caramel! I didn't have hemp milk so subbed in cashew milk and it was absolutely scrumptious! Looking forward to making this one, again!
fitasamamabear
Cashew milk is BLISSFUL- so much extra creaminess!
nancy
i love salted caramel and i love how you used hemp milk!
fitasamamabear
Hemo milk is definitely our staple but I do love nut milks!
Rosanna
Wow this looks so delicious and I’m very grateful for all the tips you included that will help me make it myself! Can’t wait for this new post workout smoothie!
fitasamamabear
I hope you love it!
Jeannie
never thought of enjoying protein shake and turning it into a salted caramel drink! more workouts with this
fitasamamabear
Haha might as well enjoy it! Definitely worth whipping up the caramel sauce.
Allyssa
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
Rebekah Kuk
I'm always looking for new ways to enjoy protein shakes, and discovered this one after feeling in a bit of a rut. Yay for new flavors! I love salted caramel, but obviously can't have salted caramel ice cream whenever I feel like, and this is hands down the next best thing. Thanks for a great recipe.
fitasamamabear
Haha I also wish we could have salted caramel ice cream all the time 😀 happy I can give you a bit of an alternative at least!
Glenda
If it says salted caramel in the recipe title, I'm all in. lol This smoothie did not disappoint. Absolutely scrumptious!
fitasamamabear
Omg me too haha best flavor ever!
Jennifer
I'm a sucker for all things caramel and this hit the spot!
fitasamamabear
You and me both!
Jenni
This shake was so easy and delicious! I can't believe it counts as a protein shake because it definitely tastes like dessert!
fitasamamabear
Haha double win!
Vladka
I made it with coconut milk and peanut butter, and it was just the perfect snack after a busy day at work.
fitasamamabear
Mmm peanut butter works in everything!
Addison
This protein shake is so thick and creamy! I love it for breakfast and dessert!
fitasamamabear
So glad you loved it!
Kristen
Wow, was this tasty! It really satisfied my dessert cravings. Will make again and again. 🙂
fitasamamabear
Life win!
Michelle
I love the classic flavour of salted caramel, the balance of sweet and salty flavors is spot on. The added protein is a plus and it tastes great!
fitasamamabear
It really is such a great flavor!
Sharina
This is what I need for summer! It has the perfect combination of flavors that are also refreshing!
fitasamamabear
Amazing, I love hearing this!