5 Warm Protein Shake Ideas & Recipes

5 Warm Protein Shake Ideas & Recipes

Whether it’s freezing outside or inside (thanks, blasting A/C), sometimes you just don’t want a cold protein shake.

But you also know daily protein shakes provide numerous health benefits, including helping build muscle, support healthy blood sugar levels, and maintain a healthy weight.

The obvious solution is to drink your protein shake warm. Yes, this is a thing! And it can taste amazing if you know how to do it right. 

This article shows you how, with five recipes for how to drink your protein shake warm.

Dos And Don’ts of Warm Protein Shakes

A warm protein shake may sound strange, and it can go wrong fast, especially if you try adding protein powder where it doesn’t belong.

Clam chowder or soup, for example, or even a tropical-themed shake should NOT, in our opinion, contain protein powder! Especially if it is flavored with a taste that doesn’t match the rest of the recipe.

Instead, focus on adding protein powder to hot drinks and dessert-like recipes you already enjoy, such as coffee, tea, puddings, and even pie shakes.

The right protein powder in the right ratio will add thickness, richness, texture, and (if sweetened) sweetness without taking away from the original recipe.

So, DO add protein powder to your favorite hot drink and dessert-like recipes.

DON’T try adding it where it doesn’t belong, like savory soups or drinks made to enjoyed cold, like tropical smoothies and green drinks.

Easy enough? 

Then let’s dive into these five ideas and recipes for drinking your protein shake warm.

Five Ways to Drink Your Protein Shake Warm + Recipes

These five ideas can be expanded upon or modified according to your hot beverage preferences.

For example, if you don’t do caffeine, but the Amaretto Coffee Protein Shake sounds good, swap the coffee for decaf or a coffee alternative, like Dandelion drink or chaga.

Likewise, all these recipes can be made to accommodate specific diets such as vegan, paleo, keto, dairy-free, low-fat, low-carb, etc.

We will include modifications within the recipes.

As for equipment, all you’ll need is a blender and whatever equipment you use to make your favorite hot drinks, such as a kettle, coffee maker, filters, etc.

Ready to get warmed up and powered up? Let’s do this.

1. Hot & Spicy Golden Milk Protein Shake

Golden Milk is a classic Ayurvedic beverage featuring warming, immune-supportive, tummy-loving, and inflammation-busting spices like turmeric, ginger, and cardamom.

This makes it a perfect complement to protein powder for a beneficial and powerful post-workout beverage.

You can find Golden Milk mixes, which may or may not contain powdered milk or coconut milk, or make your own spice mix.

For this recipe, we’ll provide instructions for a DIY spice mix and how to transform that into a warm and spicy smoothie. You can also substitute a pre-made Golden Milk mix instead.

Yield: 1 Serving

Spice Mix Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 - 1 teaspoon black pepper (this is the spice, so adjust for your spice tolerance)

Shake Ingredients:

How to make:

  • Make the Golden Milk base by combining 1 teaspoon of the golden milk spice mix with 1 cup of milk. 
  • Let simmer gently for about 5 minutes covered to infuse the milk or water (if using a premade mix with milk).
  • In the meantime, fill the blender with the other ingredients so it’s ready for the hot milk.
  • Add the golden milk mixture and blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top if desired.

Substitutions & variations:

  • If you want more spice, add more black pepper or a pinch of cayenne.
  • If you prefer, you can substitute fresh ginger for powdered, just add 1-2 teaspoons right before blending.
  • If you’re watching your blood sugar, use sugar-free protein powder and reduce or eliminate the bananas.

2. Amaretto Coffee Protein Shake

This is a wonderful recipe that combines energizing coffee and a healthy protein-packed breakfast in one. 

It’s also great after a morning or afternoon workout.

If you prefer a mocha-like coffee drink, sub chocolate whey or vegan protein powder for vanilla, both are delicious.

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 hot serving of your favorite hot coffee, espresso, or coffee alternative
  • Half a cup milk, half and half, or your favorite dairy-free creamer
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup cashew butter or 1/4 cup raw cashews
  • 1/4 cup rolled oats, quick oats, oat flour, or leftover plain oatmeal
  • ¼ - ½ teaspoon almond extract or amaretto extract
  • Optional: 1-2 teaspoons cacao or cocoa for a chocolatey flavor
  • 1 scoop BioChem Vanilla Whey, Sugar-Free Whey, or Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder

How to make:

  • Prepare your coffee how you like it; a little stronger is typically better for this recipe.
  • Heat the milk, half and half, or plant creamer over a stove, or steam to create a nice foam.
  • Throw the coffee, all but a few tablespoons of the milk or creamer (save some to top), and the rest of the ingredients into a blender and blend until everything is completely smooth.
  • Top with steamed milk or creamer and enjoy. If you’re feeling indulgent, you can also top with coconut or traditional whipped cream.

Substitutions & variations:

  • For a richer, mocha-like flavor substitute chocolate whey or vegan protein powder for vanilla.
  • If you’re watching your blood sugar, use sugar-free protein powder and reduce or eliminate the bananas.
  • If you’re not an almond or amaretto fan, skip the extracts and add extra vanilla extract, hazelnut extract, cinnamon oil, or your favorite flavor.
  • If you’re grain-free, skip the oats and add an extra teaspoon or two of chia.

3. Warm Coconut Protein Pudding

Pudding is typically enjoyed cold in the United States, but it’s also delicious warm— on its own or poured over fruit.

Follow this recipe for Coconut Whey Pudding and enjoy warm right from the pot.

Need a vegan or egg-free version?

Eliminate the egg yolks and add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch. Substitute Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder for the whey. Easy peasy.

4. Warm Apple Pie Protein Shake

There’s nothing in the world like warm apple pie…except warm apple pie a la mode.

This warm protein shake recipe is a nod to that classic dessert, minus all the sugar and empty calories.

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients:

How to make:

  • Combine applesauce, apple pie spice, pure maple syrup, and plant milk in a small pan or microwave-proof dish, and heat until steaming hot.
  • Add to your blender along with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Optional: top with your favorite granola, candied or roasted pecans, or a small scoop of organic vanilla ice cream, frozen yogurt, or dairy-free ice cream

Substitutions & variation:

  • Use a fresh apple (or two if they’re small) in place of applesauce. Chop into small pieces and heat with the spices, milk, and maple syrup, or throw it directly into the blender unheated.
  • No apple pie spice? No problem. Add 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg, cloves, and allspice, or whatever combination you have.
  • For a lower sugar version, omit the optional banana and opt for Sugar-Free Whey powder.

5. Lotsa Protein Lotsa Matcha Vanilla Latte 

Matcha lattes, made with powdered Japanese green tea, are a healthy and antioxidant-rich alternative to coffee or black tea, and they taste great.

Here, we combine the catechin power of matcha with steamed milk, vanilla protein powder, and ingredients for thickness, richness, nutrients, and texture.

It’s perhaps the only green smoothie that’s green-lighted to be enjoyed warm (there may be others, but we haven’t found them).

Yield: 1 Serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons matcha
  • 1 tablespoon boiling water
  • 1 cup of your favorite milk or plant milk
  • 1 banana and/or half a cup of quick oats, leftover oatmeal, or oat flour
    • The bananas will add sweetness and fiber, while the oats contain healthy fiber, beta glucans, and less sugar. Use one, or both, your choice
  • 1 tablespoon hemp or chia seeds
  • 1 scoop BioChem Vanilla Whey, Sugar-Free Whey, or Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder
  • Optional: pure maple syrup, honey, stevia, monk fruit, or your favorite natural sweetener to taste

How to make:

  • Pour boiling water over the matcha and stir to combine.
  • Pour the matcha mixture into a small saucepan with your favorite milk and heat until steaming.
  • In the meantime, fill the blender with the remaining ingredients.
  • Add the matcha milk mixture, and quickly blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
  • Test for sweetness and adjust as desired.
  • Sip slowly and enjoy.

Substitutions & variations:

Looking For More Protein-Centric Recipes?

BioChem is a leader in healthy, certified gluten-free, contaminant-tested, certified kosher, and certified vegetarian whey and vegan protein powders.

Our product line is simple, and consists of sustainably-sourced, naturally sweetened or unsweetened grassfed whey in vanilla, chocolate, sugar-free, and natural, and DNA-verified, sustainably sourced, naturally sweetened, and organic vegan plant proteins in vanilla and chocolate.

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