Healthy High-Protein Mocha Madness Recipe (Better Than the Original!)

by Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN | Dec 10, 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!


High-Protein Mocha Madness Copycat Recipe: Delicious & Healthy

There’s something magical about the rich, bold flavor of coffee combined with the velvety sweetness of chocolate and that is why I love this Mocha Protein Shake! Inspired by the beloved Mocha Madness, this homemade version is even better. It’s made with whole, nourishing ingredients, naturally sweetened with a frozen banana and a date, and packed with plant-based protein for lasting energy, all without the excess sugar and additives of the original.

It’s a creamy, energizing blend that feels indulgent but fuels your body with goodness. Packed with plant-based protein, natural sweetness from a frozen banana and a date, plus a little caffeine boost from cold brew, this shake does it all. It’s the perfect way to kick-start your morning, power through a busy afternoon, or refuel after a workout.

Whether you’re a coffee lover, a chocoholic, or just looking for a delicious way to hit your protein goals, this Mocha Protein Shake is calling your name. One sip, and you’ll see why it’s a go-to favorite for busy mornings, pre-workout fuel, or a post-dinner treat. Let’s dive into the recipe and sip on something that tastes like dessert but fuels you like breakfast.

 

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!
  • Cold Brew: Chilled Drip coffee or espresso also works!
  • 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. Don’t have mocha protein powder? Chocolate works fine!

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

​Optional Add Ins

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

Dietitian Approved Recipe & Why I Drink Protein Smoothies Daily

This High-Protein Mocha Madness Shake delivers over 30g of protein, at least 6g of fiber, and under 300 calories, making it a filling, energizing option for breakfast, post-workout recovery, or a healthy treat any time of day.

As a flexitarian dietitian with a passion for running, weightlifting, and staying active, protein smoothies have become a vital part of my daily routine. During my training for endurance races and strength-building workouts, I realized just how important proper nutrition is for performance and recovery. Whether I’m logging miles on the trail or focusing on strength at the gym, protein smoothies keep me fueled and help 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, such as long distance running, requires significant energy, with long runs often burning 800 to 1,200 calories or more, depending on factors like body weight, pace, and duration. 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 Madness Recipe

Sarah Harper MS, RD, LDN
This Mocha Madness Recipe is easy to make and has just 5 ingredients!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 1 servings
Calories 286 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Blender
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • knife and cutting board for banana
  • rubber spatula for scraping down the sides of the blender
  • smoothie glass

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unflavored soy milk
  • ½ cup cold brew
  • 1 frozen Banana
  • 4 tbsp mocha protein powder or chocolate
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  • optional dates

Glass Garnish

  • toasted coconut flakes, almonds and melted chocolate

Instructions
 

Blend

  • Add the cold brew, soy milk, frozen banana, mocha protein powder, cocoa powder, and date to a blender.

Blend Until Smooth

  • Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy, with no chunks of date remaining.

Serve

  • Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

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: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 34gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 232mgPotassium: 851mgFiber: 11gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 76IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 385mgIron: 0.3mg
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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