Like most of my recipes, the Snickers protein shake has a story that starts far away. When my friend Anne was studying at Harvard, I requested a lot of flights to Boston. We’d either meet in the impressive cafeteria of her institute, the kind of place where you could film a Harry Potter movie on the spot, and end up chatting with people who were busy building robot bees and things like that, or we’d meet at the vegan café of the O2 Yoga School.
That café had fantastic sandwiches (like the Banh Mi sandwich I recreated here) and the best vegan chocolate shake I’ve ever had: chocolatey, creamy, a little nutty, and somehow just like a Snickers. Anne has long since come back, with a PhD, and I have no idea whether the café still exists, but I’ve recreated that chocolate shake at home and I’m still celebrating it here.
It’s become my favourite protein shake, because it tastes like dessert and is gluten-free, packed with nutrients, and gives you a real energy boost. And it’s ready in three minutes.
What do you need for the Snickers protein shake?
You don’t need a fancy high-powered blender to make vegan protein shakes. A regular stand blender or even an immersion blender works perfectly fine for this chocolate shake. We’re big fans of our practical and affordable nutribullet*, which we bought after seeing Tom’s parents use theirs. We also use it for our peanut sauce and our almond mozzarella. It’s super easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and the cup comes with a lid.
Cacao powder gives the chocolate shake its rich, chocolatey flavour without needing any sugar or milk. Raw cacao powder from an organic shop also has more antioxidants than processed cocoa, it costs a bit more, but the difference is worth it.
Peanut butter is the other half of the Snickers flavour profile. It makes the shake creamy and satisfying, while adding healthy fats and protein.
Banana brings sweetness and creaminess, and is of course a little nutritional powerhouse in its own right. Frozen banana makes the shake even thicker, almost like a milkshake.
Hemp seeds have an extraordinary amino acid profile: they contain all nine essential amino acids, which is far from a given with plant-based proteins. For vegans, that makes them especially valuable, since complete proteins usually only come from combining multiple plant sources. Add to that the omega-3 fatty acids and minerals like magnesium and zinc. And the best part: you can barely taste them in the Snickers protein shake, just throw them in the blender and go.
Protein powder: I personally love vanilla for my protein shakes.
Plant milk: Oat milk or soy milk work best for the Snickers protein shake. Soy milk brings an extra protein boost, making this shake a great option for anyone who is lactose intolerant or dairy-free.
Optional: A shot of espresso adds a lovely caffeine kick and rounds out the flavour of this vegan chocolate shake beautifully.
Snickers Protein Shake
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 ml plant milk
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 banana optionally sliced and frozen
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup or 1 date
- pinch of salt
- 10 ice cubes
Instructions
- First, gather all your ingredients. That makes it so much easier and more fun and you're less likely to forget anything.
- Put everything in the blender and blend. Pour in a glass over ice cubes. Ready!
Nutrition
You love the snickers protein shake and other healthier vegan chocolate treats? Then you might also like these recipes:
