Enjoy this sweet and salty indulgence any time of the day! A Salted Saramel Protein Shake worthy of dessert. Made with vanilla protein powder and drizzled with homemade caramel sauce, this dairy-free protein shake is the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
"This is my new “go-to” shake. It’s the perfect blend of flavors. Absolutely love this recipe!" -Khrys
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 5 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 2
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 356 kcals and 20 grams of protein
- 📋Main Ingredients: Protein powder, dairy-free milk, coconut milk, almond butter, and dates.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, high-protein.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: It delivers rich salted caramel flavor with real ingredients while still feeling light enough for a post-workout treat.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Fueling up with essential amino acids post-workout doesn’t have to be boring. Neither does increasing 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, it will literally become a bright side in your day (though this coffee protein shake is pretty great too).
Take a minute out of your day to ENJOY what you’re putting into your body as fuel- like this peanut butter protein powder ice cream! Then, learn more about the benefits of a high protein diet and why you want to amp it up!
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💭Why You'll Love The Recipe
Allergy-friendly: This salted caramel protein smoothie is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan!
Easy: You only need a handful of ingredients to whip it up.
Versatile: You can make the protein shake as indulgent or as simple as you like based on your toppings.
Energizer: This smoothie has everything you need to gain some energy and hold on to it for a few hours.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Protein powder: The kind of protein powder you choose will affect the texture and the flavor of the dairy-free protein shake. I've made this with both vegan protein powder and beef protein powder, and both are delicious. Learn more about adding protein to smoothies.
- Coconut milk: Opt for the canned version and go full-fat (learn about the different types of coconut milk). 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, just like with chocolate covered pecan turtles. Peanut butter will work as well.
- Date: a great way to replace sugar in recipes! The date helps give mild sweetness to the smoothie.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Chocolate caramel: Use a chocolate protein powder, add 1 tablespoon of raw cacao powder, or drizzle some dairy-free chocolate glaze with that caramel sauce for a rich chocolate flavor.
Espresso: Add a splash of cooled coffee or instant espresso powder to the caramel protein smoothie for a whole other kind of pick-me-up.
How To Make A Caramel Protein Shake
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth.
Step 3: If using, whip the coconut milk into a 2-minute coconut whip. Mix together the healthy caramel sauce.
Step 4: 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.
Choosing A Protein Powder
Each protein powder is unique in the way that it tastes as well as the way it absorbs liquid.
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.
- Beef protein powder: My personal favorite. If you use Equip protein, the smoothie will be sweeter but thicker. If you use Paleo Pro Protein, the smoothie is as close to natural as it gets. Code "mamabear" on both will save you some money.
- Vegan protein powder: If you're using a pea-based protein powder, the smoothie will have a thicker texture, and if using a fermented protein, you'll probably have to add extra liquid. Vegan proteins aren't always sweet, so adjust the turmeric shake as needed.
- Egg white protein powder: This will froth your smoothie up a lot.
- Whey protein: The smoothie will be a bit thinner in texture as whey doesn't absorb liquid. Scale back on the dairy-free milk.
Expert Tips To Make It
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.
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. Or, just make a big batch of coconut milk caramel sauce so that you can make this protein smoothie again and again.
Salted Caramel Protein Shake FAQs
Though you can make the salted caramel smoothie ahead of time, it will thin out while stored in the fridge. Which means that it tastes best if freshly made. If you have to make it in advance, you'll need to give it a good shake before enjoying, and know that it will be very thin.
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.
Flavors like chocolate, coffee, and warm spices like vanilla and cinnamon go well with salted caramel.
More High-Protein Snacks You'll Love
If you tried this Salted Caramel Protein Shake Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Salted Caramel Protein Smoothie
Video
Equipment
- High powered vitamix
Ingredients
For the protein shake
- 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
For the 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.
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"
Jennifer says
I'm a sucker for all things caramel and this hit the spot!
fitasamamabear says
You and me both!
Glenda says
If it says salted caramel in the recipe title, I'm all in. lol This smoothie did not disappoint. Absolutely scrumptious!
fitasamamabear says
Omg me too haha best flavor ever!
Rebekah Kuk says
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 says
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!
Allyssa says
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!
Jeannie says
never thought of enjoying protein shake and turning it into a salted caramel drink! more workouts with this
fitasamamabear says
Haha might as well enjoy it! Definitely worth whipping up the caramel sauce.
Rosanna says
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 says
I hope you love it!
nancy says
i love salted caramel and i love how you used hemp milk!
fitasamamabear says
Hemo milk is definitely our staple but I do love nut milks!
Glenda says
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 says
Cashew milk is BLISSFUL- so much extra creaminess!
Jennifer says
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 says
Caramel sauce is life necessity lol
Liz says
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 says
Yay! Happy I could give you something yummy to work in!
Chris says
A salted caramel protein shake is my favorite to make for breakfast! This recipe is the best. It has the perfect consistency.
fitasamamabear says
It's such a nice morning treat!
Kat says
I could drink this everyday, what a treat!
fitasamamabear says
You and me both hehe
Ashley says
A great and tasty way to get protein powder in!
fitasamamabear says
Might as well enjoy it!
Jess says
This sounds so delish!
Faaiza says
I love salted caramel! Perfect flavour in a smoothie.
fitasamamabear says
It's literally the best flavor lol