Healthy Mint Chip Protein Milkshake

Get ready to have your mind BLOWN.

I've created a healthy protein milkshake that actually tastes good!

And the best part?

THERE'S NO BANANAS.

I'm a firm believer that once you add bananas, the thing tastes like bananas, no matter how much extract or nut butter you add. So naturally I wanted (and wanted) to write a recipe for healthy ice cream with no bananas!

This Mint Chip Protein Milkshake is everything you want in a good healthy protein milkshake- thick, creamy, and sweet - but it doesn't require any bananas and it actually tastes good!

It's also an adaptation from my Neapolitan Protein Milkshake, which was the first protein ice cream I created. If you've ever had the chocolate dipped strawberry blizzard from Dairy Queen, this is similar but wayyyyy better!

Be sure to check out my third flavor for a Cookies and Cream Protein Milkshake too!

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Why you'll love this recipe

It's easy to make: literally 5 minutes is all you need!

It's secretly healthy: you'd never know there was protein powder or vegetables mixed in!

It's packed with protein: 32 grams, to be exact. Let's compare this healthy mint chip protein milkshake to Dairy Queen's Thin Mint Blizzard:

• Thin mint blizzard (MINI size): 370 calories, 13g fat, 56g [net] carbs, 43g added sugar, 8g protein
• Ka Pai Cooking mint protein milkshake: 325 calories, 8g fat, 29.4g [net] carbs, 9g added sugar, 32g protein

It can be a snack or dessert: since this healthy milkshake is packed with protein, you can enjoy it as a post workout snack or a healthy treat at the end of your day!

It's kid friendly: your kids will love it and they'll be getting much more nutrients (veggies, greek yogurt, and protein) than regular ice cream.

It's one of many flavors: I also have a Neapolitan milkshake and a Cookies and Cream milkshake!

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Ingredients for a protein milkshake

• Frozen cauliflower: before you roll your eyes and hit the "back" button, just TRY IT. Frozen cauliflower is the replacement for frozen banana and I promise you won't notice. Everyone that's tried my milkshake is shocked there's cauliflower in it! It's also a fun way to get an extra serving of veggies in your day, so you can thank me later.
• Halo Top Mint Chip Ice Cream: I recommend this brand (not sponsored) because their ice cream is low fat, low sugar, and higher in protein. It's also the ingredient that makes this recipe a milkshake and not just a regular protein shake.
• Vanilla protein powder: to make this healthy milkshake a protein milkshake. Feel free to use any brand you like!
• Vanilla greek yogurt: my secret to masking the cauliflower. Since the cauliflower is less creamy and more icy than a banana, we need the yogurt to add that creaminess back into the ice cream. I always use this brand (not sponsored) because their greek yogurt has no added sugar, no fat, and no artificial ingredients!
• Almond milk: my choice of milk to keep this recipe macro friendly. You can use any milk you prefer.
• Mint extract: for a boost of mint flavor. This is technically optional, but I found that the ice cream isn't minty enough to overpower the vanilla protein and greek yogurt, so I add mint extract.
• Green food coloring: totally optional, but things taste more minty to me when they're green! I originally tried using natural coloring from spinach, but you could taste it and I didn't like it. I use this brand of food coloring because it's vegan with no corn syrup or artificial ingredients.
• Sugar free chocolate chips: to make this milkshake a true mint chocolate chip milkshake. If you can find these mint chocolate chips at your local Walmart, they are my favorite for this recipe!

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How to make a healthy protein milkshake

Step 1: blend the ingredients

Add the cauliflower, ice cream, protein powder, greek yogurt, almond milk, and mint extract to a high speed blender. I prefer to use a personal sized blender like this one because I found the cauliflower blends much better and the milkshake is smoother, but any blender will work.

Blend on high until smooth. I recommend pausing halfway and scraping down the sides to make sure all the protein powder and cauliflower blend together.

Note: If you prefer a thicker milkshake and your blender has a tamper, I would only use 2 tablespoons milk. If you're using a personal blender you'll probably need all 4 tablespoons milk.

Step 2: mix

Stir in the green food coloring until completely mixed, then mix in the chocolate chips. Top with sugar free whipped cream if you like!

If you're using a personal blender, I found that it's better to mix the food coloring by hand because it won't stain the bottom and edges of the blender and it incorporates better altogether.

If you don't want your chocolate chips to sink to the bottom, you can roughly chop them into smaller pieces or use equal amounts of a chopped chocolate bar!

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Frequently asked questions

What if I can't find the mint ice cream you recommend?

I would use the regular Halo Top vanilla ice cream and add more mint extract to taste. You could also use the Halo Top Cookies and Cream ice cream to make it a mint oreo milkshake!

Can I use cauliflower rice instead of cauliflower florets?

Yes! I actually prefer it because it blends much better, but either will work. Use equal amounts of cauliflower rice.

Can I make this milkshake into hard ice cream?

Yes! Just add 1/4 of almond milk and freeze in a freezer safe container with a lid for at least 8 hours. Allow the ice cream to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to soften before serving. Store up to one month.

Can I make this protein milkshake recipe dairy free?

I haven't tested it with dairy free ice cream, and I'm not sure if there's a dairy free protein ice cream out there, but either way, please let me know in the comments if it works for you!

Can I customize my mint chip protein milkshake?

Sure! Here are some fun variations:

• To make this a healthy grasshopper milkshake, just swap the chocolate chips for equal amounts crushed mint oreos or thin mint cookies.
• Swap the chocolate chips for chopped sea salt dark chocolate. I love this brand!
• Try using these mint chocolate chips or this mint chocolate chocolate bar in place of regular chocolate

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I can't wait for you to try this healthy mint chip protein milkshake! It's seriously one of my favorite desserts and you really won't notice (or mind) that it's a healthier version of ice cream.

Please leave a star rating and review below if you try the recipe so others know how you liked it!