Favorite recipes aren’t just about taste, they have to be that perfect trifecta of flavor, ease and consistency or texture that makes you want to enjoy them every day. For me, this almond shake is one of those top picks.
I’ve always loved thick, spoonable smoothies like this protein almond shake that are relatively rich and almost a little ice cream-like, but healthy and energizing enough to enjoy for breakfast or as a post-activity treat. And really, you can’t beat the combination of frozen banana, heart-healthy almonds and cinnamon.
I like to use Almond Plus Almond Milk in this almond shake (and many other recipes!) because it has a nice creamy consistency with an added pump of dairy-free protein formulated right in. It comes in Original and Vanilla varieties, which are lightly sweetened, but I always go for the Unsweetened, which has 0 grams of sugars per serving! All flavors have 5 grams of protein per cup, a better balance of calcium to magnesium than many milk beverages, and are generously fortified with vitamins D and B12.
This protein almond shake recipe post was sponsored by So Delicious Dairy Free, but this creamy almond shake really is a recipe that I enjoy often!
Special Diet Notes: Craveable Protein Almond Shake
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan / plant-based, and vegetarian.
- 1 heaping cup ripe, frozen banana chunks (or 1 large banana, frozen and broken into chunks)
- ½ cup dairy-free almond milk beverage, plus additional if desired
- 2 tablespoons creamy almond butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla dairy-free protein powder (such as Vega Sport Performance; optional)
- 1 medjool date, pitted (soaked if not soft)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt (omit if using salted almond butter)
- Ice (optional)
- Sliced almond, to garnish (optional)
- Add the banana, almond milk, almond butter, protein powder, date, cinnamon, and salt, if using, to your blender and blend until smooth. If using a lower power blender, pulse on high several times to help break up the chunks before whizzing away. If needed or desired, add more milk alternative to thin. Alternately, if needed or desired, blend in ice to desired consistency and temperature (I use crushed ice and pulse it first since my blender is wimpy).
- Pour into a glass and garnish with sliced almonds if desired.
115 Comments
I love thick, creamy shakes. Ones you HAVE to consume with a spoon. Definitely ice cream-like. I get it. 😉
This one sounds simple and decadent, but healthy. And I love adding Vega Sport to shakes. It gives them a great texture and flavor. 🙂
I think we are smoothie soul sisters Lori 🙂 Have you seen The Blender Girl’s “tastes like ice cream kale smoothie”? I think you would really like that one.
I love smoothies with almon milk, peanut butter, honey and wheat germ
Wheat germ – I love it! Trying that.
I always forget about dates as a sweetener. This sounds like a smoothie I would love and be satisfied with.
I love So Delicious’ Almond Milk with extra protein. It makes my coffee feel healthier in the morning. Though if I made your smoothie it would be even better ; )
May be a latte smoothie 🙂
I love making smoothies with a some strawberries, a frozen banana and as much baby spinach as I can stuff in there! I add a bit of cinnamon for its anti oxidant properties and use some kind of milk or milk substitute. Its my favorite during the super hot summer! If I had a big workout I will throw in some protein powder as well.
Sounds perfect Ashley! I recommend a pinch of sea salt for electrolytes and to bring out the flavors in the cinnamon, too 🙂
I crave a banana and almond smoothie!
You and me both Aaron!
Oh my gosh, almond butter. Why have I never thought to use this in a smoothie??? Love the recipe.
It’s never too late Michelle 🙂
I love everything about this smoothie, the creamy taste with natural sweetness from dates and banana!
Thanks Michelle!
I love smoothies / shakes with nut butter. this one sounds good – will be breakfast tomorrow! 🙂
Enjoy it!
I crave a breakfast smoothie with vanilla protein, soy/almondmilk, chia, peanut butter, cinnamon, kale/spinach, and 1/2 a banana. Got the idea from a vegan Canadian pairs skater’s interview and now I make it all the time!
That sounds like energizing perfection Jacky!
This sounds like a really great smoothie that I will have to try. One of my favorite go to smoothies that I crave and I love to make is a Mocha Almonld Fudge inspired smoothie. It is an incredibly healthy alternative to such a decadent dessert. It is such a great post-workout snack when I can’t get to a meal right away. I add some mocha vega one mix in there along with frozen banana chunks and a sprinkle of cacao nibs and I am ready to take on anything.
Just in case you’re wondering, yes, by mocha almond fudge I am talking about the So Delicious ice cream. I use one cup. The more mocha almond fudge you want to add, just use less bananas.
Oh my, that sounds amazing Breanna!
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I’m so glad that I keep frozen bananas stocked away. I’m headed to make this right now! Definitely craveable!
Thanks Lauren – I hope you enjoy!
This looks like the perfect breakfast to me! I love all the ingredients, count me in! 🙂
It is, it really is 🙂
I am always looking for a great smoothie recipe and this sounds fantastic! I really want to start running so this will definitely be great for me 🙂
Oh yes, it is great post run! though I usually just have it for breakfast – truth be told 🙂
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Thanks for the advice on freezing the Banana. Typically I will use fresh bananas, and add some ice and it turns out well, but I like your approach.
Have you tried making them with the Chocolate Almondbreeze Milk? Typically that is what I use and it adds some chocolate to the shakes. How would you compare that to the So Delicious Almond Milk?
Regards,
Brian
Yes, I have made it with unsweetened chocolate almond breeze (sweetened would be tasty, too! I just prefer less sugar), and it is quite good. So Delicious almond milk has added protein, so it is thicker and creamier.
How should the rice be prepared? Also is it 1 Cup rice and 1 banana or 1 cup of banana and rice combined? It looks really good.
James, are you looking at a different recipe? There isn’t any rice in this recipe.
Looks good but I have two ques. 1. How many calories? 2. Why do the bananas have to be frozen? Hope to get ans. to my questions. Thanks Sandy
Hi Sandy,
You can calculate nutritional information with sites like this one: http://nutritiondata.self.com/
Freezing the banana is what makes it a “shake” – cool, rich, and creamy. If you don’t freeze it, it will be more of a smoothie – thinner.