24 Ways to Use Protein Powder More Creatively
Smoothies and shakes are obvious ways to use protein powder. But sometimes we get bored with these concoctions or simply don’t have time to blend them.
Given the wide range of flavors and types, there are countless ways to use protein powder beyond the typical protein smoothie.
If you’re looking for ideas on what to mix protein powder with, here’s some food for thought to ignite your creativity.
1. Protein Powder and Oatmeal
The next quickest way to enjoy a protein-packed breakfast is to add a scoop to a bowl or jar of oatmeal. If you use a microwave, just be sure to cook your oats before adding the protein powder. Better yet, preparing overnight oats is a great way to go.
Check out my related post on how to use protein powder for oatmeal.
2. Plant Protein with Coffee
Putting protein powder in coffee provides a low-fat, low-sugar creamer alternative that packs a huge protein punch. Unlike whey protein that quickly curdles and clumps up, most vegan and dairy-free protein powders mix easily in coffee, even in its hottest form.
Some plant protein powders are truly the bomb in coffee. They are mentioned in this post all about protein powder in coffee.
3. Protein-Infused Syrup
Create a nutritious syrup by blending protein powder with maple syrup or honey. This protein-infused syrup is perfect for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal, adding a sweet and healthy touch to your breakfasts.
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is a solid choice for syrups. It helps neutralize the sweetness while adding delightful flavor. It’s also one of the few vegan protein powders that comes in a maple-flavored option if you want to go there.
4. Protein Powder’d Nut (or Seed) Butters
Stir a small scoop of protein powder into homemade or store-bought nut butter for an added protein kick. Vanilla, chocolate, and richly-flavored protein powders perk up any peanut butter or almond butter.
You could try the classic peanut butter protein powder in peanut butter combo. Or my favorite, sunflower seed butter (from Once Again) with a creamy vanilla protein powder like Orgain Simple Protein.
5. Vegan Protein Energy Balls
For long bike rides and all-day adventures, I like to whip up a batch of protein energy balls. A sweet and creamy protein powder made with organic sugar is preferred, like OWYN Plant Protein.
Combine a couple cups of quick oats, a half cup of nut butter and syrup (or honey), a scoop of protein powder, and a few spoonfuls of water as needed for consistency. Mix and roll into small balls and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
6. Quick Protein Powder Pudding
As a quick late-night snack, I like to combine about a cup of plant milk with a scoop or more of plant protein powder (to the desired consistency).
As long as you have a delicious-tasting protein powder, this easy combo provides a satisfying indulgence, especially with a spoonful of nut butter.
Alternatively, you can also stir protein powder into traditional pudding for a dessert that’s both indulgent and nutritious. Chocolate or vanilla-flavored protein powder is particularly complementary, adding a creamy texture and enriching the overall flavor.
7. Bread Making
Baking with protein powder is next level. Try incorporating your favorite protein powder into your bread dough by using complementary or neutral-flavored powder.
You can get very creative with protein breadmaking and explore different types and styles. This write-up is a good starting place for protein bread ideas.
8. Protein Powder in Muffins
Add protein powder to your muffin recipes for a healthier twist. It increases the protein content while introducing new flavor dimensions, such as berry, maple, vanilla, and pumpkin spice (when in season).
This is a creative and delicious way to add more nutrition to an otherwise carb-heavy muffin. The Svetol in Garden of Life RAW Fit Protein would be a metabolic stimulating ingredient for a healthy, protein-loaded morning muffin.
9. Protein-Elevated Yogurt
A good protein powder can turn a mediocre yogurt into a delightful treat. This is one where you just have to use your eye and taste buds and add as needed.
Or you can add plant milk into the mix. This protein-elevated yogurt makes for a deliciously satisfying snack. Add veggies and delicious flavors into the mix with Vega Protein and Greens.
10. Protein Jello
Mix protein powder with Jello (fruits and nuts optional) for a less guilty dessert. This is a fun and creative way to enjoy protein in a dessert form, perfect for a light snack or a healthy treat for kids.
Jello mixed with protein powder is a great one for the gains. My favorite choice PlantFusion Complete Protein in Creamy Vanilla. But if eating in large quantities, make sure your protein powder is devoid of artificial sweeteners.
11. Chia Seed Protein Pudding
This is an easy yet effective concoction: Mix protein powder with chia seeds, milk, and your choice of sweetener to create a nutritious chia seed pudding.
All flavors–vanilla, mocha, chocolate, peanut butter, or berry-flavored–add a pleasant taste, making chea seed protein pudding a fiber and protein-rich breakfast or snack option. If you’re trying to keep it keto-friendly for your morning breakfast, consider a sugar-free protein powder that doesn’t contain sugar alcohol.
12. Powdered Rice Pudding
Elevate your rice pudding by stirring in a scoop of protein powder. Vanilla or cinnamon flavors work wonderfully, enriching the pudding with a creamy texture and a boost of protein. This twist turns a classic dessert into a more nutritious treat. I am fond of this rice pudding recipe combined with highly delicious PB2 Peanut Protein Powder.
13. Fruit Smoothie Protein-sicles
Blend protein powder with fruit and freeze in popsicle molds for a refreshing and healthy dessert. This is a great way to enjoy a protein-rich treat on a hot day, with endless possibilities for fruit and flavor combinations. For athletes, Vega Sport Performance Protein is a delicious and sweet choice for these fruit smoothie protein-sicles. Both berry and vanilla flavors would be a hit.
14. Fruit Dip
Combine vegan protein powder with plant-based yogurt, like almond or cashew, to create a high-protein fruit dip. Sweet flavors like vanilla, berry, and chocolate protein powders work well, offering a delicious and nutritious accompaniment to your favorite fruits.
15. Cheesecake
Mix protein powder into your cheesecake batter for a protein-rich dessert. This addition can make your cheesecake more of a recovery meal than a guilty pleasure.
without compromising its creamy, indulgent texture. Try using a vanilla powder like Garden of Life Sport Protein powder for a subtle flavor enhancement with a huge nutritional boost with BCAAs, probiotics, and a pleasant vanilla flavor.
16. Protein Hot Tea
Even if you’re a coffee drinker in the morning, an afternoon tea with a dash of vegan protein powder offers an innovative creamer alternative. This blend can add a comforting, creamy texture to your black, green, or oolong tea, all packing more protein. Try Sunwarrior Classic Plus in unflavored or vanilla for a mellow tea addition.
17. Homemade Granola
Stir your favorite protein powder into your homemade granola batches before you bake it. Vanilla, PB, maple, and even unflavored protein powder go well with granola’s taste profile while boosting its nutritional value.
Many options work, but I would suggest a gluten-free protein powder so it’s gut-friendly for everyone to enjoy.
18. Pancake or Waffle Batter
Enhance your morning pancakes or waffles by mixing in protein powder. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder in Vanilla Chia is incredible for this combination. This addition not only boosts the protein content but also introduces delightful flavors of chia into the pancakes (and sometimes waffles).
19. Protein-Powered Scones
If it’s more than muffins that you’re baking, try Including protein powder in your scone recipes to make them more nutritious. This addition can subtly enhance the flavor and texture of the scones, making them a perfect pairing with your tea or coffee.
Experiment with different flavors of protein powder to find the perfect match for your favorite scone recipe. I’d recommend Ghost Vegan Protein in Banana Pancake Batter if you’re into that sort of thing.
20. Soup Thickener
Use unflavored protein powder as a thickening agent for soups. This approach adds a protein boost without altering the taste, making it ideal for creamy or pureed soups where a smooth texture and rich nutritional profile are desired.
21. Protein Cereal Milk
Stir protein powder into your milk before adding it to cereal. This simple hack not only boosts the protein content of your breakfast but can also add interesting flavors like chocolate or strawberry, depending on your preference.
A must-try product for this concoction is Peanut Butter Cereal Milk, a popular flavor of Ghost Vegan Protein.
22. Protein-Packed Hummus
Add protein powder to hummus for a protein-rich spread. This is particularly effective with hemp protein powder, ensuring the hummus retains its authentic savory taste while becoming more abundant in essential amino acids.
23. Protein-Boosted Custard
Stir protein powder into your custard recipes for an added nutritional benefit. This can enrich the custard with a creamy texture and a boost of protein, making your desserts both indulgent and healthy.
MRM Veggie Elite in Vanilla Bean flavored protein powder works particularly well, complementing the sweet and creamy nature of custard.
24. Homemade Ice Cream
Use protein powder in your homemade ice cream recipes for an extra dose of protein. Chocolate or vanilla flavors can enhance the creaminess while helping cut the sweetness, offering a less guilty version of your favorite frozen dessert.
The creamy, beany flavor behind Orgain Simple in creamy vanilla flavor would be a nice addition to a vanilla ice cream or malted milkshake.
What Do You Mix With Your Protein Powder?
Do you have creative ideas on how you use protein powder? Please share your suggestions and questions below in the comments section below.
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About the Author
This article was written by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health and athletic space who has tried hundreds of different plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You can also visit his site TylerTafelsky.com to learn more about what he’s up to.