The sun is out, so it's the perfect time to share 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring! Also known as a good old-fashioned vegan protein smoothie.
These five recipes are my absolute fave smoothies that not only taste amazing and refreshing, but also include some protein so that you can feel like you can make a meal out of them if need be. Smoothies are such a great meal alternative on a busy day. I love doing a smoothie bowl for lunch or a late-afternoon boost. When I am out and about I pick up an acai bowl at my fave LA spots like Backyard Bowls in Santa Monica. Whrn I'm at home - I get to make my own smoothies - hooray!
So ahead, I share five faves for 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring... BUT!...
365 VEGAN SMOOTHIES BOOK
And if you need even more smoothie inspiration, check ut my cookbook 365 VEGAN SMOOTHIES! I had so much fun writing it and doing all the p[photography for it. Wow, I sometimes can't believe I actually tested out 365 smoothie recipes for that book! That was a fun and crazy time! I worked so hard on each page of that book and I hope you own a copy to pull out whenever you need some smoothie-inspiration. And there is even a section that is filled with recipes for a vegan protein smoothie.
Nutritional Info: Calculated!
Bonus, every recipe has nutritional info included so you can see how much protein is in each one! Yes, I calculated nutrition info all myself for 365 smoothies!!!
Not sure about another cookbook purchase? Well this book has over 350 reviews and almost a perfect five star rating! Check out these voices...
FEATURED REVIEW OF 365 VEGAN SMOOTHIES COOKBOOK:
5.0 out of 5 stars "12 WELLNESS THEMES, DELICIOUS SMOOTHIES, HELPFUL TIPS, AND MORE!" Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2013
Verified Purchase
"Kathy Patalsky delivers 365 Vegan Smoothies, a 12 month wellness program, tips, photos and more. In her Foreword, she explains the health benefit of smoothies, including information for those who want simple and fast. She also highlights information on breakfast opinions, and nutritious choices. This book is informative, concise, and educational. The author gives reasons to drink smoothies, and why vegan smoothies are important. In addition, she includes 10 types of smoothies, myths and facts, and tips on Smoothie ingredients. There is additional information on kitchen tools, and helpful tips. The types of Smoothies include: detox; energizing; Slim-Down; strengthening; Calming; Brain-boosting; Healthy-Digestion; Healthy Heart; Anti-Aging; Mood-Boosting; Immunity-Boosting; and Beauty-Boosting. There are 5 tips for working without a high-speed blender. Also, there are Substitutions for: Greens; Citrus; Berries; Creamy texture; Roots; Sweeteners; and more. Some of the Smoothie Recipes include: JAZZY GINGER GRAPE; DANCING BLACKBERRY; FRESH STRAWBERRY -MATCHA MORNING; HOT PINK FROSTY; and many more tasty recipes. I made the COFFEE-BANANA FREEZE, and the FROZEN RASHBERRY LEMONADE Smoothies. They were delicious, and filling. As we try new recipes, I will leave updates. Enjoyable, simple, and healthy. Highly recommended!" - Author/Reviewer Geri Ahearn
..Thank you so much Geri! And thank you to the over 350 people who also gave a review! I adore reading how this book has helped transform your smoothie-making life!
Onto today's recipes...
5 Ways to Boost the Protein Content of ANY Smoothie..
- GRANOLA. Add protein-rich granola on top, to serve.
- NUT BUTTER. Blend in a few tablespoons of nut butter
- SOY OR PEA MILKS. Use soy or pea milk instead of a low protein non-dairy milk like oat or rice or almond. Soy and pea (Ripple..) definitely have the most protein of the plant milks - on average..
- POWDER. Add protein powder.
- TOFU OR YOGURT. Use silken tofu or non-dairy protein-rich yogurt instead of plant milk - or sub it for some of the liquid.
...So those are a few ways that you can literally make ANY smoothie into a meal by boosting the protein content of it. But here are a few of my faves to try...
5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring
1 - Easy Energy Smoothie
This is one of my all-time fave smoothies. It is super simple to make and the flavors always hit home! It always tastes like slightly melted ice cream to me. Even if you don't think you like almond butter, give it a try in this smoothie. It just works so well for some rich and creamy nutty-sweet flavor.
The basic ingredients are: frozen banana, almond butter, maple syrup, non-dairy milk and a pinch of optional cinnamon. Blend and serve. The full recipe is here: Easy Energy Smoothie.
2 - Nut Butter + Granola-Topped Acai Bowl
So this is the DIY version of what I love buying in stores when I am out and about in LA. It is basically the yummiest acai bowl ever with protein-rich toppings. You could blend in some protein powder or nut butter right into the acai smoothie, but I actually prefer the texture of adding the hearty ingredients right over top. You can choose your own store-bought granola that is protein dense, or make your own using ingredients like hemp seeds, oats, nuts and more. This is such a fave on my list of 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring.
The basic ingredients are: acai packets, blueberries, non-dairy milk, banana and optional walnuts or another nut blended in. Sometimes I add agave syrup to boost the sweetness.
Complete recipe here: Acai Bowl + add almond butter and protein-rich granola over top. KIND makes a protein-rich granola that is peanut butter-flavored. But there are many brands online!
3 - Chocolate Protein Shake
If you are a chocolate lover like me, give this sweet treat a try! I love this one after a workout because it feels hydrating and nourishing. Like a frosted hot cocoa! The basic ingredients are banana, cocoa, non-dairy milk, agave or maple, protein powder OR hemp and pumpkin seeds, nut butter is optional.
Full Recipe: Chocolate Protein Shake
4 - Coffee Shake
Now that I love coffee again. IYKYK ... I basically switched to matcha for a good five years but now I drink both. Motherhood refueled me for as much caffeine as I can handle lol. But anyways, those coffee shake is so good! It includes walnuts and banana, cinnamon and coffee or espresso. This coffee-loaded recipe needed to be on this list of 5 Plant Protein Smoothies for Spring.
Let me rehash a modernized recipe for this smoothie since I will admit the old school one (linked) is more complicated than it needs to be....
Recipe: 6oz coffee, 6oz non-dairy milk, ½ cup ice, 2 frozen bananas, 2 tablespoon walnuts, pinch of cinnamon, touch of agave or maple syrup. Blend and serve! Alternatively, you could do 8oz milk and then 1-2 shots of espresso.
For the protein part, simply add enough walnuts. You could also do pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds or even a protein-boosted non-dairy milk! I have seen a few out there..
Full Recipe: Coffee Shake
5 - Strawberry Banana Protein Shake
This is such a classic smoothie flavor. Well, YES, you can absolutely give it a protein boost in two ways: 1 - try adding 8oz of your fave protein-rich vegan yogurt. Vanilla or plain flavor. OR, simple add those toppings I chatted about in the form of DIY or store-bought protein-rich granola. Easy peasy.
Full recipe: Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Alrighty, I hope you love those recipe ideas! And don't forget to snag a cop of my smoothie book for SO much instruction, history and inspiration to make plant-powered smoothies all summer long!
