Are You Wondering What to Mix Protein Powder With?

📌 Overview and Key Takeaways

This is a Dietitian’s guide on what to mix protein powder with.

Discover 5 easy ways to add protein powder to your diet.

Last Updated
Jan 13, 2026

Author and Medical Reviewer

Written by Jack, Founder

Jack is the Founder of Drink Wholesome.

Medically reviewed by Brittany, MS, RD and Jenn, PA-C

Kayla is a Registered Dietitian with a MS in Nutrition.

Jennifer is a Physician Assistant with a BA in Nutritional Sciences.

What to Mix Protein Powder With

Mix Protein Powder With Water

Some people like to mix protein powder with just water.

One advantage of doing so is that water does not add calories or nutrients.

Mixing protein powder with just water does not taste very good, however.

In other words, by choosing to make your protein shake with just water, you are sacrificing flavor and texture for fewer calories.

As someone who likes a rich, creamy protein shake, I always use milk.

Milk does require refrigeration, however, so if you like to make protein shakes on-the-go, then water is a better option.

If you use water, I highly recommend adding a few ice cubes.

Generally speaking, the colder your protein shake is, the better it tastes.

Mix Protein Powder With Milk

Mixing protein powder with milk will make a better tasting, higher calorie, and more nutritious protein shake.

That said, the flavor, texture, and nutrition content will depend on the milk you use.

Cow’s milk, for instance, tastes different from plant milk, and contains more calories and protein.

If you choose to use plant milk, just be mindful that many plant milks contain added seed oils, gums, and other additives.

Add Protein Powder To Smoothies

One of my favorite ways to use protein powder is to add it to smoothies.

This is an easy and nutritious way to add protein to my diet.

Here is a foolproof high protein smoothie recipe:

• Pick your protein powder. I prefer to use flavored protein powder, but unflavored protein powder will work too.
• Add liquid. Again, I prefer to use plant milk, but you can use cow’s milk or water.
• Add healthy fats. My favorite sources of healthy fats are nut butter, avocado, and Greek yogurt.
• Add fruits and veggies. They can be fresh or frozen.
• Consider add-ins. If you are using unflavored or unsweetened protein powder, you may want to consider adding ingredients like cocoa or honey for extra flavor and sweetness.

Just blend everything for 30 to 60 seconds, serve, and enjoy!

Mix Protein Powder With Oatmeal

If you do not like shakes or smoothies, you can also incorporate protein powder into simple recipes like oatmeal.

Just make oatmeal as you normally would and stir in a serving of protein powder.

Check out our High Protein Oatmeal recipe for more information.

Mix Protein Powder With Yogurt

Another easy way to use protein powder is to combine it with yogurt.

I prefer to use Greek yogurt as it is not only high in protein, but also low in lactose.

Once the protein powder and yogurt are completely combined, I usually add toppings such as fresh fruit, coconut flakes, and chia seeds.

Refer to my High Protein Yogurt Bowl recipe to get started.

And for more recipe ideas, download my free Protein Powder Recipe E-Books.

It turns out with a little trial and error, you can add protein powder to just about any recipe, which is great news for individuals with special dietary needs or restrictions.

It is also great knowing that supplementing your protein intake does not have to always take the form of a protein shake.

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This article was written by a Registered Dietitian and reviewed by a Physician Assistant. We rely on peer-reviewed research and trusted medical sources, and regularly update our content to ensure accuracy and clarity.