How To Make A High Protein Mocha Shake Recipe

by Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN | Oct 23, 2024 | Beverages, Breakfast, Desserts, Recipes, Snack & Side Dishes | 0 comments

This High Protein Mocha Shake Recipe is sweetened with dates and banana while blending chocolate, mocha, and almonds.
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!

How To Make A High Protein Mocha Shake Recipe

This Mocha Shake Recipe is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day while still getting your coffee fix. It’s quick, easy, and tastes like a fancy coffee drink but with a healthier twist!

The combo of banana, rich mocha, and cocoa powder makes it super creamy and delicious, and it only takes a few minutes to whip up.

In this post, I’ll share why this smoothie is a favorite of mine, what ingredients you’ll need, how to make it, and a little about why I love having smoothies like this almost every day!

Almond-Joy-Smoothie-Perspective

 

Mocha Shake Ingredients

This Mocha Shake is packed with simple, wholesome ingredients, and with the addition of protein powder, it easily doubles as a protein-packed treat. Here’s everything you need:

  • Soy Milk: I use soy milk for a creamy, plant-based option, but you can swap it with almond, oat, or coconut milk—whatever you prefer!
  • Frozen Banana: For that perfectly creamy texture, I like to use frozen ripe banana chunks. They also add natural sweetness.
  • Dates: A couple of dates bring just the right touch of sweetness. If you don’t have dates on hand, maple syrup is a great substitute.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This adds a deep, rich chocolate flavor without any added sugar.
  • Mocha Protein Powder: I love using Earth Fed Muscle’s Magic Beans for an extra boost of protein and that delicious mocha flavor.

Optional Ingredients:

  • Non-fat yogurt (for even more protein and creaminess)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chia seeds (for added fiber and healthy fats)
  • Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips (for a little indulgence)

Want more of a coffee kick? You can swap out half of the soy milk for brewed coffee or stir in a spoonful of espresso powder or instant coffee to take it to the next level!

 

Ingredients for a Smoothie with bananas, nut butters, cocoa powder, protein powder, dates, and nuts

Make This a High Calorie Shake

If you’re looking to increase your calorie intake for weight gain or maintenance, it’s easy to transform this Mocha Shake into a decadent, high-calorie treat.

Here are a few simple ingredients to bump up the calories while still keeping it delicious:

  • Ice Cream: Add a couple of scoops of your favorite ice cream, such as coffee, or even vanilla for extra richness and calories. My favorite is Tiallamook Chocolate Ice Cream!
  • Chocolate Syrup: Drizzle in some chocolate syrup for added sweetness and a boost of flavor.
  • Leftover Coffee or Cold Brew Coffee: Swap out some or all of the milk for leftover coffee or cold brew to enhance the mocha flavor.
  • Milk: Instead of soy milk, use whole milk or regular milk for a higher calorie base. You can even add a splash of cream for extra richness.
  • Almond Butter: Stir in a spoonful of almond butter for healthy fats and a nutty flavor.
  • Whipped Cream: Top it off with a generous dollop of whipped cream to make this shake extra indulgent.

How to Make a Mocha Shake

Making a Mocha Shake is super simple and easy!

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Add Ingredients
Start by adding your ingredients to a high-speed blender. Begin with the liquids, such as soy milk (or whole milk, regular milk, or any milk of your choice). Next, add your frozen banana chunks, dates (or maple syrup), unsweetened cocoa powder, mocha protein powder, and any optional ingredients like non-fat yogurt, chia seeds, or almond butter.

Step 2: Blend
Blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. For an extra indulgent twist, you can drizzle in some chocolate sauce while blending for a richer, chocolatey flavor.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy
Pour your Mocha Shake into a glass and enjoy! If you’re feeling fancy, top it with a swirl of chocolate sauce, a sprinkle of chocolate chips, or even a dollop of whipped cream for a café-style treat.

Quick Cleanup Tip


Rinse your blender immediately after making your smoothie. This simple step prevents the smoothie residue from drying and sticking, making cleanup so much easier and quicker for your next use!

What to Do With Leftovers

Got leftover Mocha Shake? Don’t let it go to waste!

Here’s a fun and easy way to make the most of it:

Freeze It: Pour the leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, you can pop those smoothie cubes into your next coffee smoothie for a thicker, frostier texture. Or, blend them up with a bit of milk for an easy homemade ice cream treat! It’s a great way to avoid waste and keep your smoothie game strong.

 

 

A chocolate brown smoothies in a mason jar rimmed with chocolate, toasted coconut, and chopped almonds

Why I Drink Protein Smoothies Daily

As a flexitarian dietitian who’s passionate about running, weightlifting, and staying active, protein smoothies have become a key part of my daily routine. When I was training for the Willamette Valley Marathon in Salem, OR, I realized just how important nutrition was for endurance sports. Now, whether I’m gearing up for a race in the Pacific Northwest or focusing on strength in the gym, protein smoothies help me stay fueled and support my fitness goals.

Here are four reasons why protein smoothies are a vital part of my training and nutrition regimen:

  1. Energy
    Endurance exercise like marathon training demands a lot of energy, with long runs easily burning 1,000 to 2,000 calories. Protein smoothies provide a quick and efficient way to refuel with carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein, helping me maintain energy levels and improve performance, whether I’m logging miles or lifting weights.
  2. Recovery
    Proper recovery is essential to repair muscles and tissues after intense training sessions. Protein is especially important for muscle recovery and tissue repair. I rely on protein smoothies to meet my daily protein needs and help with muscle recovery after a run or workout, ensuring my body is ready for the next session.
  3. Injury Prevention
    Nutrition plays a huge role in injury prevention, especially when it comes to keeping bones, joints, and connective tissues healthy. My protein smoothies are packed with nutrients that help support bone health and tissue strength, reducing the risk of overuse injuries, which are common with both running and weightlifting.
  4. Hydration
    Staying hydrated is just as important as getting enough protein and calories. Smoothies are full of hydrating ingredients like frozen fruits, almond milk, and even coconut water, helping to keep my body properly hydrated. This helps prevent cramping, maintain fluid balance, and support overall health during long workouts.

Incorporating protein smoothies into my routine helps me hit my nutrition targets, stay strong, and perform at my best—whether on the trails, at the gym, or anywhere in between!

 

Deep brown smoothie on a plate with toasted nuts

Like This Recipe? Try These Other Delicious Smoothie Recipes?

Below are a few other smoothie recipes you may enjoy!

How To Make A Thick Strawberry Smoothie Bowl with No Banana

How To Make an Oreo Milkshake without Ice Cream in Minutes

Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Tropical Smoothie Cafe Copycat

Deep Chocolate Brown Smoothie with a toasted nut rim

High Protein Mocha Shake

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
This Mocha Madness Shake Recipe is easy to make and has just 5 ingredients!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 1 servings
Calories 404 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Blender
  • measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cups unflavored soy milk
  • 1 frozen Banana
  • 4 tbsp mocha protein powder
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • optional dates

Glass Garnish

  • toasted coconut flakes, almonds and melted chocolate

Instructions
 

  • Add the ingredients to a blender, starting with liquids.
  • Blend until smooth.

Notes

Nutrition information will vary based on ingredients used. This is especially significant with the brand and type of protein powder used. 
Want more of a coffee kick? You can swap out half of the soy milk for brewed coffee or stir in a spoonful of espresso powder or instant coffee to take it to the next level!

Nutrition

Calories: 404kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 42gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 351mgPotassium: 1259mgFiber: 14gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 1003IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 721mgIron: 2mg
Keyword plant based, smoothie, vegan, vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Sarah Harper in her kitchen with a cutting board, broccoli, carrots, and a fruit bowl.
Registered Dietitian at Addy Bean LLC | Website | + posts

Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!

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