Cookies and Cream Protein Shake

Looking for more high protein low calorie protein treats? Try my Cookies and Cream Protein Ice Cream, this White Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream, or this Ninja Creami Peanut Butter Protein Ice Cream next!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

• Ice: Small cubes or ice chips preferred. They’ll be easier for your blender to break down.
• Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor and keeps the protein shake low in calories. Regular unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk, oat milk, macadamia milk or any other milk of choice (including cow’s milk) would work.
• Cookies and Cream Protein Powder (or vanilla protein powder): I use PEScience Cookies ‘N Cream protein powder, which is a whey-casein protein blend. I love this brand as their cookies and cream protein powder has small cookie pieces incorporated! Also, whey-casein protein creates a smooth and creamy textured protein milkshake. Pure whey, casein, or a plant-based protein powder would all work. However, shakes made with pure whey protein may be less creamy than those made with whey-casein, casein, or a vegan protein powder. Feel free to use vanilla protein powder. You can add more crushed Oreos and/or black cocoa powder instead to yield a similar flavor.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: I use Dutch process cocoa powder (alkaline treated) to add a rich, chocolate flavor. You can use a natural unsweetened cocoa powder like Hershey’s or black cocoa.
• Non-fat Plain Greek Yogurt: Adds a thick and creamy texture. Vanilla Greek yogurt would also work and add some vanilla flavor.
• White Sugar Replacement (unpictured): I sometimes add a teaspoon of Lakanto Classic Monkfruit Sweetener for a sweeter flavor. Taste the shake after blending everything and add any sweetener of choice if you feel it’s needed. Liquid stevia drops or vanilla flavored Flava Drops work well too.
• Xanthan Gum: Helps thicken the protein shake to give it a creamy milkshake texture.
• Small Crushed Oreo Cookie Pieces: I used the crumbled Oreo cookies that comes in bags and is used for making Oreo cheesecake pie crust and other sweet treats. You could also use regular Oreos, mini Oreos or Oreo Thins for a lighter option.
• Other optional toppings: Whipped Cream or Cool Whip, more crushed Oreos, chocolate syrup, Chocolate Hazelnut Granola, Peanut Butter Granola, chocolate chips or chunks, etc.

Full ingredient list and amounts are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Oreo Protein Shake

Below is a step-by-step overview on how to make this protein shake. Scroll down to get to the recipe card below with the full recipe and detailed instructions!

Cook’s Tips

• Use a high-speed blender. I love using my Kitchen Aid blender as it breaks down the ice easily in just a few seconds. Something like a Blendtec, Ninja Auto-IQ blender or Vitamix blender would also work well to yield the right texture.
• Use a high-quality protein powder. It’s important to use a good quality protein powder you love the taste of as it’s the main flavor in this recipe! My go-to and favorite protein powder for recipes is PEScience Select protein powders. Not only are they made with high quality ingredients and have a great amino acid profile, they taste delicious and you will actually crave the flavors! I use their protein powders in my Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats, Almond Butter Protein Baked Oats, many of Ninja Creami protein ice creams, these Chocolate Cottage Cheese Muffins…the list goes on! You can save $10 on your first order with them if you use my link.
• Don’t skip the xanthan gum. It really does wonders for helping thicken cold treats like this protein shake and gives it more of a creamy milkshake texture. It’s especially great when using low-fat or fat-free milk.
• Don’t over blend. After adding the crushed Oreos, you want to pulse briefly only to help incorporate them so that you can still taste crunchy cookie pieces. If you blend the mixture too long, they’ll be pulverized and integrated into the shake and you’ll only get the flavor!

Variations

Dietary Modifications

• Make it dairy-free. Use a dairy-free yogurt and vegan protein powder (not whey or casein protein).
• Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free Oreos and make sure that the protein powder you’re using is certified gluten-free.

Flavor and Other Customizations

• Use black cocoa. It’s the cocoa powder they use to make Oreo cookies and will give this protein shake more Oreo flavors!
• Omit the cocoa powder. Do this if you prefer an original cookies ‘n cream flavor without chocolate.
• Add vanilla ice cream. Replace the Greek yogurt with 3 tablespoons of your favorite vanilla ice cream for more Oreo milkshake vibes.
• Use whole milk and/or full fat Greek yogurt. The more fat in the milk and yogurt, the creamier and thicker the texture will be.
• Add chocolate sauce. Drizzle chocolate sauce around the inside of your glass and add a thin layer on the bottom. You’ll get a rich chocolate flavor in each sip! I like Smucker’s Sugar-free Chocolate Sundae Syrup but any brand works.
• Use mint Oreos. Instead of regular Oreos, use mint Oreos or mint Oreo Thins to make this mint cookies & cream protein milkshake! You could also use a mint chocolate cookie protein powder instead and some mint extract.
• Omit the xanthan gum. If you’d like to leave out the xanthan gum, you can. Note that the shake will have less of a milkshake texture and will be thinner. However, it will still taste great! I’d add a few more ice cubes or a tablespoon of blended chia seeds instead to help thicken the shake. Pre-blended chia seeds will give it a better texture than blending them up with the rest of the ingredients. You can also use whole milk and full fat Greek yogurt to help create the creamy texture.

FAQs

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