Try this thick and creamy plant-based protein smoothie featuring vanilla protein powder, hemp hearts, oats, dates, banana, and chai spices!! This nutritious smoothie will provide you with nutrient-dense fuel to power you through your morning routine or nourish your body after a grueling workout!
Well, good morning!!
If you’re like me, I’m sure you’re trying to incorporate as many nutrients as you can throughout the day. And this Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie is the perfect way to start your day right now.
Not only does this delicious smoothie contain many powerful nutrients, it is also super easy to make, costs very little, and tastes absolutely delicious.
So let’s talk about the ingredients. The very first ingredient in this Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie is unsweetened plant milk. Any commercial unsweetened non-dairy milk works. If you’d like to make your own, try my Oat + Nut Milk or Creamy Coco + Nut Milk. Both are great in this smoothie.
The second group of ingredients are the protein and fiber components, which include vanilla protein powder, hemp heats, rolled oats, and milled flaxseed. Talk about a nutritional gold mine! I recommend an all natural plant-based protein powder like KOS.
I like using hemp hearts and flax seeds for their nutrient density – they are all packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, an omega fatty acids. This means your body will love the nourishment they provide it.
I’ve posted before about the nutritional benefits of my favorite tiny but mighty seeds. Hemp hearts have been used for over 3,000 in Chinese medicine. They’re an excellent source of Vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, and gamma-linolenic acid. These incredibly nutrient-dense hemp hearts are 25% protein and contain over 30% fat. They are exceptionally rich in two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). (Healthline)
And did you know that flax seeds are among the oldest crops in the world? They contain many nutrients, including lignans, fiber, and omega-3 fats such as ALA. (Healthline)
I also like adding some rolled oats to my smoothies. For one thing, rolled oats thicken up this smoothie a little. But they also provide a great deal of fiber, which is good for satiety to get you through to lunch. They’re also great for your digestive tract. Win-win-win.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a smoothie without healthy frozen bananas. I like to cut ripe bananas into large chunks and store them in the freezer until I’m ready to make a smoothie. They store well for up to one month. You can also use fresh bananas. Your smoothie just won’t be as cold or thick.
And last, but certainly not least, are the flavor components. For a natural and wholesome sweetener, I like using three medjool dates. Be sure they’re pitted. To help your blender a little, I also cut or tear the dates into slivers. A little splash of pure vanilla extract and some tasty chai spices, and you’re all set! If you are using a plain or unflavored protein powder, I recommend increasing the vanilla extract to one teaspoon.
If you have a chai mix blend, you can absolutely use a teaspoon in this smoothie. But if you don’t, simply add the spices individually. That’s what I do. You need one half teaspoon ground cinnamon, one quarter teaspoon ground ginger, one quarter teaspoon cardamom, a pinch of nutmeg, and a tinier pinch of cloves.
Great measurements, I know. It’s really just a light sprinkle. You don’t need much, but each one of these spices truly enhance the overall flavor of this smoothie so much. It’s just not the same with out all of them mingling together in blissful chai harmony.
Now let’s talk about the method. This Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie follows the same method as any other smoothie recipe. Simply add the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. This can be challenging for some blenders, especially with the frozen bananas and pitted dates. I personally use a ten year-old Vitamix. It’s a workhorse. But you can use any high-speed blender.
Once completely pureed, serve your smoothie in a blender bottle, jar, or glass. It’s up to you. This recipe makes enough for two servings or one large serving.
Oh, and if you’re in the mood for a tasty dessert, why not take advantage of this gorgeous Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie? It quickly transforms into the most delicious Chai Milkshake by adding a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Sneaky, eh? You’d never know this is a healthy treat! My husband loves it! I highly recommend trying Reddi Whip’s non-dairy coconut whipped cream. It’s so light and delightful.
This Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie is best enjoyed immediately but can last up to one day in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
I hope you enjoy this Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie as much as I do.
I would love to see your results! Please leave a comment and rate it down below, tag a picture @pebblesandtoast and #pebblesandtoast on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook! Enjoy!!
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Ingredients
- 1½ cups unsweetened nondairy milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 3 medjool dates, pitted and slivered
- 2 frozen bananas, cut in chunks**
- 1 Tbsp hemp hearts
- 1 Tbsp rolled oats
- 1 tsp milled flaxseed
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract*
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon***
- ¼ tsp ground ginger***
- ¼ tsp cardamom***
- pinch of nutmeg***
- tiny pinch of cloves***
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, blend all of the smoothie ingredients together until completely smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour smoothie into a glass or blender bottle and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
- Enjoy!
Notes
* If you are using a plain or unflavored protein powder, you may want to add ½ tsp more vanilla extract for a total of 1 tsp.
** I buy and freeze a bunch of bananas at once. That way, they’re always available when I want to make nice cream or a smoothie. On a cutting board, peel and slice and place in a freezer bag or container. Freeze until ready to use, up to 1 month. They get darker, wet, and riper as they age in the freezer. Fresher is better.
*** If you have a chai spice blend, feel free to use 1 tsp instead of the individual ingredients.
Chai Spiced Protein Smoothie
Equipment
- high speed blender
Ingredients
- 1½ cups unsweetened nondairy milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder*
- 3 medjool dates pitted and slivered
- 2 frozen bananas cut in chunks**
- 1 Tbsp hemp hearts
- 1 Tbsp rolled oats
- 1 tsp milled flaxseed
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract*
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon***
- ¼ tsp ground ginger***
- ¼ tsp cardamom***
- pinch of nutmeg***
- tiny pinch of cloves***
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, blend all of the smoothie ingredients together until completely smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour smoothie into a glass or blender bottle and sprinkle with cinnamon, if desired.
- Enjoy!