Protein shakes are usually made up of high-calorie ingredients, such as nut butters, and can help increase muscle mass. If you’re looking for a healthy way to gain weight, try these bulking protein shake recipes.
Weight loss is not everyone’s goal. Some people look for ways to gain weight in a healthy way. If you’re one of them, you need to eat more calories than you burn every day. Eating small, frequent meals will help you reach your goals. However, don’t reach for unhealthy foods like hamburgers, pizza, and rolls. Carbohydrates and healthy fats are important, but for weight gain to be effective, your diet must also include protein. Try a variety of homemade protein shakes for weight gain. You can easily make it at home and it’s great on the go!
Do protein shakes cause weight gain?
If you think you can only drink protein shakes to lose weight, you’re wrong. You can also do the opposite! Let’s explain how protein shakes for weight gain work.
- high calorie content: Protein shakes often contain protein powders such as whey or casein. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of whey protein has 385 calories. It also contains other high-calorie ingredients, such as whole milk and nut butters. According to the USDA, 100 grams of almond butter has 614 calories.
- increase in muscle mass: “Protein increases lean body mass, which increases overall body weight, so drinking protein shakes for weight gain is beneficial,” says nutritionist Lamia B. Kane.
- Easier to ingest extra calories: Drinking a shake is faster and easier than eating a large meal, especially for people with low appetites, high activity levels, and fast metabolisms. “This makes protein shakes a practical way to increase your total daily calorie intake,” says the expert. According to the UK’s National Health Service, women need an average intake of 2,000 calories a day.

homemade protein shake for weight gain
Here are some protein shake recipes for weight gain.
1. Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake
Drinking one cup of this shake will give you the following benefits:
- Carbohydrates: 38 grams
- Protein: 28 grams
- Fat: 20 grams
- Calories: 410
material:
- 1 large banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Blend all ingredients until you have a smooth drink.
2. Garnish with a few bananas and drink this drink. This is one of the best protein shakes for weight gain.
2. Chocolate Oatmeal Protein Shake
One shake contains:
- Carbohydrates: 32 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Calories: 350
material:
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (pre-soaked)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix oats and whole milk and refrigerate overnight.
2. Blend all the ingredients for this drink until creamy and smooth.
3. Sprinkle a little cocoa powder and drink.
3. Avocado Vanilla Power Shake
Drinking one cup of this shake will give you the following benefits:
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Protein: 22 grams
- Fat: 16 grams
- Calories: 330
material:
- 1/2 ripe avocado
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup soy or oat milk
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
Instructions:
1. If you don’t have a ripe avocado, place it in a paper bag with some fruit, such as a banana, in a warm place. It takes 2 to 5 days to ripen an avocado at home.
2. Once that is done, blend all the ingredients to make the best protein shake for weight gain.
3. Wait until you get a smooth and creamy drink.
4. Strawberry Almond Protein Shake
Drinking one cup of this shake will give you the following benefits:
- Carbohydrates: 18 grams
- Protein: 24 grams
- Fat: 10 grams
- Calories: 300
material:
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 scoop unflavored or vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon flaxseed (optional)
Instructions:
1. If you are using flaxseed, soak it in water for at least 2 hours.
2. Blend all the ingredients to make the best protein shake for weight gain.
5. Mango Coconut Weight Gainer Shake
One shake contains:
- Carbohydrates: 30 grams
- Protein: 23 grams
- Fat: 18 grams
- Calories: 380
material:
1 cup mango chunks
1 cup full-fat coconut milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon shredded coconut
1 teaspoon chia seeds
Instructions:
1. Soak chia seeds in water overnight.
2. The next morning, cut one ripe mango.
3. Blend these ingredients until everything is well mixed and drink the best protein shake for weight gain.
6. Sweet Potato Cinnamon Protein Shake
One shake contains:
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Fat: 10 grams
- Calories: 350
material:
- 1/2 cup cooked sweet potatoes
- 1 scoop vanilla or plain protein powder
- 1 cup whole milk or oat milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
1. Bake the sweet potatoes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 60 minutes.
2. Once cooled, mix all ingredients until smooth.
7. Blueberry Chia Protein Shake
One cup of this drink contains the following ingredients:
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Protein: 24 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Calories: 320
material:
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 scoop vanilla or berry protein powder
- 1 cup unsweetened soy milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
Instructions:
1. Soak the healthy seeds in water one day before preparing the best protein shake for weight gain.
2. Mix with other ingredients and drink.
8. Chocolate hazelnut shake
One shake contains:
- Carbohydrates: 36 grams
- Protein: 26 grams
- Fat: 17 grams
- Calories: 390
material:
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut spread
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 banana
- 1 teaspoon flaxseed powder
Instructions:
1. Blend all ingredients until you get a smooth drink.
2. Place a few bananas on top of the drink.
9. Coffee Peanut Butter Protein Shake
One cup of this drink contains the following ingredients:
- Carbohydrates: 20 grams
- Protein: 27 grams
- Fat: 14 grams
- Calories: 340
material:
- 1/2 cup coffee
- 1 tablespoon chocolate or vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- frozen banana half
- 1 cup milk of your choice
Instructions:
1. Add 1 teaspoon of coffee to a cup and pour boiling water.
2. Add milk to it and mix well.
3. Wait for it to cool down and mix all the ingredients to make the perfect protein shake for weight gain.
10. Pumpkin pie protein shake
One cup of this drink contains the following ingredients:
- Carbohydrates: 22 grams
- Protein: 23 grams
- Fat: 8 grams
- Calories: 280
material:
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions:
1. Cut the pumpkin in half and scrape out the seeds from the center with a spoon.
2. Cut into pieces, place on a baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30-45 minutes.
3. Peel the skin and mix to make a puree.
4. Once cooled, mix with other ingredients.
11. Pineapple Coconut Shake
One shake contains:
- Carbohydrates: 26 grams
- Protein: 22 grams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Calories: 330
material:
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 scoop unflavored or vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon chia or flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions:
1. Soak your favorite healthy seeds overnight before making the perfect protein shake for weight gain.
2. Cut the pineapple into small pieces.
3. Blend with all healthy ingredients before drinking.
12. Apple Cinnamon Oat Shake
Drinking a glass of the best protein shake for weight gain will give you the following benefits:
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Fat: 10 grams
- Calories: 340
material:
- 1 apple
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1 cup milk or almond milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon almond butter
Instructions:
1. Before making the best protein shake for weight gain, pre-soak your oats.
2. Cut the apple without peeling it.
3. Mix these with oats and other ingredients.

13. Green protein shake
One cup of the best protein shake for weight gain contains the following ingredients:
- Carbohydrates: 19 grams
- Protein: 23 grams
- Fat: 9 grams
- Calories: 300
material:
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 small banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
- 1 cup soy or oat milk
Instructions:
1. Mix all ingredients until smooth texture.
2. Garnish with a few bananas for healthy weight gain.
14. Coconut date shake
Drinking one cup of this shake will give you the following benefits:
- Carbohydrates: 31 grams
- Protein: 24 grams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Calories: 360
material:
- 3-4 soft dates
- 1 cup full fat milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Blend until the dates are well incorporated and the shake is smooth.
2. Add a few dates before drinking this drink.
If your goal is to gain weight, drink at least one glass of protein shake. Protein shakes can be consumed for weight gain during the day or as a snack before bed to meet caloric needs.
Related FAQ
What protein shakes are safe for kids?
Protein shakes for kids should contain 10 to 15 grams of protein per shake, contain whole food ingredients such as milk, fruit, oats, nut butters, and seeds, have no caffeine or added stimulants, and have low or no added sugar. Our Banana Peanut Butter Shake, Berry Oat Shake, and Chocolate Almond Milk Shake are safe for kids to enjoy.
Which protein is good for gaining weight?
When it comes to healthy weight gain, protein is the way to go because it’s high in calories, easy to digest, supports muscle growth, and combines well with carbohydrates and fats to create a balanced calorie surplus. Whey protein and casein protein support steady muscle growth and weight gain.
How can I gain 5 kg in 30 days?
It is possible to gain 5 kg in a month, but you need a structured and healthy approach, especially if you want to increase not only fat, but also lean body mass. Eat an extra 700-1000 calories every day, prioritize protein, add healthy carbohydrates and fats, strength train 4-5 days a week, eat every 3-4 hours, and stay hydrated.
Which supplements are best for weight gain?
The best supplement for weight gain depends on whether you want to increase muscle mass, increase overall weight, or support recovery from low weight. For example, nut butter-based supplements contain healthy fats and protein, which can help thin people gain weight.