Do you ever get tired of drinking the same old protein shake combos every day, but you feel like you have to because you need your protein? It happens to all of us, but the good news is that you can still use your yummy Quest Vanilla Protein Powder to get your daily serving of protein, and you can do it without having to drink another protein shake.
There are so many amazing, protein-packed treats that make for scrumptious desserts, fantastic snacks, and filling breakfasts. If you have thought about giving some of these amazing recipes a try but you are not quite sure where to start, check out some of these delicious protein-packed protein shake alternatives.
Though you could use the protein powder of your choice, the Quest Vanilla Protein Powder is highly recommended for these recipes!
Protein-Rich Vanilla Latte
Whether you are looking to amp up your morning cup of Joe or you need a boost in the afternoon, this delicious and simple protein-rich vanilla latte will have you set and ready to take on the world. It is extremely simple to make and only requires a fresh cup of black coffee, a scoop of protein powder, and the milk of your choice.
The combination of the milk and the protein powder forms a creamy latte-like drink that is just sweet enough that it might make you change your go-to drink forever. If you want to make it extra creamy, pour everything into a blender and use a milk frother to add some foamy milk, just like a Starbucks latte.
If you are feeling more like an iced latte, add just enough ice to your mix to cool things down before you blend everything together.
Moist Vanilla Protein Donuts
Who doesn’t love a fresh, hot out of the oven, glazed donut? They are sweet and delicious, and they are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. However, they are usually loaded with nothing but sugar and carbs, so for most people, they are only good for cheat days and guilty pleasures.
If you are craving the sugary goodness of a donut, but you can’t justify the extra carbs with minimal health benefits, do not fret!
Though this donut is still not technically a healthy food, you can most certainly justify the healthier benefits that you can get from this moist vanilla protein donut. With only 10 grams of carbohydrates, which is almost a third of a normal glazed donut that has 33 grams, you can still enjoy a sweet treat that gives you 13 grams of protein with a fraction of the carbs.
You may be wondering how a single donut could have so much protein. The secret is that it not only has protein mixed in with the batter but is also topped with a delicious protein powder glaze. For an additional bit of protein, you can also top it with your favorite nuts or seeds.
You can also use a protein-packed cereal or dark chocolate if you prefer. These donuts are scrumptious and customizable. Have fun with them and enjoy!
Cinnamon Vanilla Protein Granola
Granola can be a great way to start your morning or give you an energy boost when you are in need of a healthy snack. It is even better when you can get some extra protein in the process. For the cinnamon sugar lover looking for some extra protein, this cinnamon vanilla protein granola is great for sprinkling over a bowl of Greek yogurt or grabbing it by the handful!
With only 90 calories per serving and 5 grams of protein, you can enjoy a crunch and slightly sweetened snack or breakfast without worrying about consuming too many calories. Depending on the butter that you choose to use, you could also add in some healthy fats that your brain and body need.
Stop mindlessly munching on granola that is lacking in protein and healthy fats, and give yourself a boost to start your day off right with this cinnamon vanilla protein granola. You will also get the benefits of eating cinnamon, and there are several, including better circulation and anti-inflammatory properties.
Chocolate Peppermint Protein Powder Cookies
Is it Christmas already? No? That’s okay. You can still enjoy the tastes of the season year-round with these chocolate peppermint protein powder cookies! For the mint chocolate and cookie lovers out there, explore this decadent, rich, chocolatey goodness that is loaded with crunchy sweet peppermint and about 4.5 grams of protein per cookie.
If you are making these cookies for an easy dessert for yourself, you can simply bake the cookies, but if you are striving to be that friend that always brings junk food with a healthy twist to the parties, it is easy to spice these cookies up a bit by dipping half of the cookie in white chocolate and sprinkling it with some crushed peppermint candies or candy canes.
Whether you are feeling in the Christmas spirit or you are just cracking something minty and chocolatey, these cookies will hit the spot and give you a protein boost in the process. Plus, if you substitute sugar for a low-calorie sweetener like the recipe recommends, you can enjoy them without the guilt of indulging in a sweet treat from time to time!
Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars
Is it cherry season yet? Cherry season or not, I am absolutely in love with these easy five-ingredient cherry vanilla protein energy bars, and the best part, you don’t even have to cook them! If you have ever tried adding protein to your overnight oats, then you will kind of understand the process that goes behind making the grab-and-go energy bars.
By combining quick-cooking oats with water, your favorite nut butter, Quest Vanilla Protein Powder, chopped cherries, and the liquid sweetener of your choice, after a few hours or overnight in the fridge, you end up with these hassle-free ready-to-eat energy bars. They are so good, and they taste so much like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I almost couldn’t believe my tastebuds!
If you are someone who struggles with gluten, these are a great alternative to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and you can easily use gluten-free oats if you need to. Is your mouth watering yet?
Vanilla and Chocolate Protein Popsicles
Protein Popsicles? Yes, they sounded a bit odd to me too, but bear with me. We already drink chocolate, and vanilla protein shakes pretty regularly, right? Picture this. It is hot outside. You have just finished your workout routine, and you are sweating buckets.
You could go into the kitchen and mix your Quest vanilla protein powder with some water or milk and maybe add a few ice cubes to chill it a bit, or you could walk over to your freezer and grab a popsicle!
Still not sold yet? You know that soft-serve chocolate and vanilla swirled ice cream you can get at ice cream shops? Do you know how much sugar is in that ice cream and how much protein is not? Well, that doesn’t really matter.
What does matter is the fact that these popsicles are low in sugar, high in protein, and they taste absolutely amazing, especially after an intense workout on a hot summer day!
High Protein Quest Bar Apple Crumble with Vanilla Protein Custard
Dessert is oftentimes something that is scratched off the list of things you can eat when your goal is to lose weight but put down that pen and pick up your spoon because this amazing Apple Crumble with Vanilla Protein Custard is going to change your mind about dessert really quickly.
The best part of all is that it only takes 10 minutes to make, and it has a whopping 35 grams of protein in a single serving! “How is that possible?” You might ask. The secret is in the crumble.
Instead of making your own crumble from scratch, you can use an Apple Pie Quest Bar! Pop it in the microwave for a few seconds after you make your custard, and crumble it over the top for an amazingly simple dessert in under 10 minutes.
It is important to note that though this dessert is a lot healthier for you than a bag of cookies or a gigantic slice of chocolate cake with a side of ice cream, it still has about 400 calories per serving. So, save this for a day that you need a higher caloric intake or save some calories specifically for this meal.
If you get the benefit of getting at least one-third of your daily protein needs in a single dish, it is probably okay to spend 400 calories on a single dish from time to time! Treat yourself!
Vanilla Protein Muffins
Muffins are probably the second easiest option for making delicious protein-packed grab-and-go breakfast options. You can make them ahead of time, freeze them, and then pop them in the microwave or toaster oven right before you are ready to run out the door.
If you are going to make them at home, you might as well add some protein to them, so you do not have to feel like you are only eating a bunch of carbs. These delicious, gluten-free vanilla protein muffins have 6 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of fat from coconut oil, which is considered a healthy fat that your brain needs to function better.
These muffins are great for a morning brain boost and a post-workout protein boost. Plus, they are absolutely moist and delicious too!
Maple Vanilla Protein Fudge
Oh my goodness! This recipe makes my mouth water just thinking about the thick, creamy, fudgy goodness! Traditionally speaking, fudge is a combination of chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, butter, and sugar. In other words, traditional fudge is sweet and delicious but doesn’t really offer a lot of nutritional value, especially considering the extremely large number of calories that comes with a single piece.
This amazing recipe, however, does a fantastic job of taking a traditionally unhealthy treat and making it ever so slightly healthier for those wanting a protein boost with their fudge bite.
Don’t get me wrong, these heavenly bits of fudge are still pretty high in calories, but considering you can get 5 grams of protein, plus 11 grams of relatively healthy fats from the nut butter of your choice, it is definitely a healthier alternative.
If you are craving some fudgy goodness, allow yourself to indulge a bit and relax, knowing that you are getting some good nutrients from the fudge bars.
Vanilla Protein Pancake Recipe
Pancakes are probably the absolute easiest way to use protein powder other than making a shake because you basically just mix in some protein powder in place of a bit of the flour. However, if you want to take things a bit further and go for a low-carb option, you could use this sweet, flourless vanilla protein pancake recipe.
The delicious recipe designed with mothers in mind but fit for anyone under the sun wanted to start their day off with a protein-packed breakfast can be made by combining almond flour (a high protein wheat flour alternative) with Quest Vanilla Protein Powder and a few other ingredients. You can make them extra fancy and super delicious by topping them with fresh strawberries and the creamy topping of your choice.
Whether you are making breakfast in bed for your mom or you’re treating yourself to a delicious meal after a great morning workout, these vanilla protein pancakes are quick and easy, and they are sure to satisfy your protein needs and your sweet tooth!
Conclusion
Getting the daily dose of protein you need to get the gains you want does not have to be boring, and it does not have to always come in the form of a thick steak or a “Plain Jane” shake. Get the most out of your Quest Vanilla Protein Powder, and treat yourself in the process to some of these amazingly sweet and oftentimes healthy protein shake alternatives.
