Banana Bread Protein Shake

This Banana Bread Protein Shake is an excellent liquid lunch option. And, if you couldn’t tell by the name, it tastes a lot like banana bread. Frozen banana mash, vanilla, cinnamon, and a medjool date provide that banana bread flavor. Protein powder, nonfat Greek yogurt, and walnuts provide the strengthening protein. [This post contains affiliate links]  Jump to Recipe 

I’m not sure I like the term “liquid lunch”. I think it reminds me of hospital time when I was stuck with liquids or pureed food. But it’s a very accurate phrase to describe this shake. I had it around 11:30 in the afternoon and it kept me fueled and full until 3:30. Also it’s delicious. There is no resemblance to hospital food or even typical protein shakes (yuck).

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you might know I had a little hiccup with my jpouch and digestive system. It scared me enough to go on a liquid diet for a day. I’m mostly better now but I’m still supplementing one meal with liquids, like this Banana Bread Protein Shake.

For years I’ve been tailoring a banana bread recipe. It’s close but the reason it’s taking so long is that I don’t make it that often. I’m in continual awe of bloggers who focus only on baking and desserts. How do they do it?

If I don’t get a dessert recipe right the first time, it will probably be a whole year before I try it again. Because even though I have a pretty big sweet tooth, baking AND eating sweets tends to send me into a sugar high. And then a crash and burn coma.

So with this Banana Bread Protein Shake, I get all the yummy taste of banana bread, not nearly as much sugar, a TON of protein, a super speedy lunch, and energy with no big crash.

Banana Bread Protein Shake has:

346 calories

33 grams of protein (heck yeah!!!)

9 grams of fat

21 grams of sugar

*I input all my recipes into My Fitness Pal for my own health routines and these numbers are based on that.

The sugar is still kind of high (banana and medjool dates) but I think the other benefits outweigh that slight default. Enjoy!

5 from 1 vote

Banana Bread Protein Shake

This Banana Bread Protein Shake fills you up and gives you fuel for the rest of the day while also tasting like a delicious slice of banana bread. 

Servings 1

Prep Time 5 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup milk I used unsweetened soy milk
• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, plain I used Fage Total 0%
• 1/4 cup frozen banana*
• 2 scoops (28 grams) vanilla protein powder I used Tera's Whey Bourban Vanilla Whey Protein
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder
• 1 medjool date, pit removed
• 1 tablespoon walnuts

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour and serve. Top with cinnamon and walnuts if desired.

Notes

Anytime bananas start to get really spotted and brown and black, I smash them up in an air tight container and store it the freezer. Anytime I need frozen banana, I scoop up what I need. This helps with the “banana bread” taste but if you only have fresh bananas, just slice up a 1/2 cup and freeze the slices.

Use a plant based vanilla protein powder to make this vegan.

You can also freeze this shake and it will still taste amazing. I freeze it, take it out to soften for about 15 minutes, and then eat it with a spoon.

Author: Megan Wells

Course: Beverages