Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this protein shake because the combination of fresh lemon and vanilla gives me a flavor that is bright, creamy, and reminiscent of lemon cream pie. The frozen banana adds natural sweetness and creates a thick consistency without requiring ice cream.

Greek yogurt makes the shake even creamier, while vanilla protein powder gives it extra body and makes it more satisfying. I can adjust the amount of lemon depending on whether I want a mild citrus flavor or something more tart.

I also like that this recipe takes only a few minutes. I simply put everything into my blender, blend until creamy, and add my favorite pie-inspired toppings.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

1 frozen banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
3/4 cup milk of choice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey, optional
1/2 cup ice cubes
1 graham cracker, crushed, optional
Pinch of salt

Directions

I start by adding the frozen banana, vanilla protein powder, Greek yogurt, milk, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, optional maple syrup or honey, and a small pinch of salt to my blender.

I blend everything on high until the mixture is completely smooth. I then add the ice and blend again until my shake becomes thick, creamy, and frosty.

I taste the shake and adjust it as needed. If I want a stronger lemon flavor, I add a little extra zest or lemon juice. If it tastes too tart for me, I blend in a small amount of maple syrup or honey.

If my shake is too thick, I add another splash of milk. If it is thinner than I want, I add a few more ice cubes or some additional frozen banana and blend again.

For the lemon cream pie effect, I sprinkle crushed graham cracker over the top just before serving. I can also add a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a little extra lemon zest.

I serve my shake immediately while it is cold and creamy.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes approximately 1 large shake or 2 smaller servings.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Total time: 7 minutes
Servings: 1 large or 2 small shakes

Variations

For a dairy-free version, I replace Greek yogurt with a thick plant-based yogurt and use almond, oat, coconut, or another dairy-free milk. I also choose a plant-based vanilla protein powder.

When I want extra lemon flavor, I increase the zest rather than adding too much additional lemon juice. I find that zest provides plenty of citrus aroma without making the shake excessively tart.

For a lemon cheesecake-inspired variation, I add a spoonful of cream cheese or dairy-free cream cheese before blending. This gives my shake a richer flavor and thicker consistency.

If I want a stronger pie-crust flavor, I blend part of a graham cracker directly into the shake and save the rest for sprinkling on top.

For extra coconut flavor, I use coconut milk and coconut yogurt. Lemon and coconut work especially well together and give me a slightly more tropical version.

When I want a thicker smoothie-bowl consistency, I reduce the milk and use extra frozen banana. I spoon the mixture into a bowl and top it with crushed graham crackers, lemon zest, and fruit.

Storage/Reheating

I prefer drinking my Lemon Cream Pie Protein Shake immediately because the frozen banana and ice give it the best thick and frosty texture.

If I have leftovers, I transfer them to an airtight jar or container and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours. The shake can separate as it sits, so I stir or shake it thoroughly before drinking.

For longer storage, I pour leftover shake into an ice cube tray and freeze it. When I want to enjoy it again, I blend the frozen cubes with a small amount of milk until creamy.

I keep graham cracker crumbs separate until serving because they quickly become soft when they sit on the shake.

I do not reheat this recipe because I always serve it cold.

FAQs

Can I make a Lemon Cream Pie Protein Shake without banana?

Yes. I can leave out the banana and use extra Greek yogurt, ice, or frozen cauliflower for thickness. I may need to add a little more sweetener because banana naturally balances the tartness of the lemon.

What protein powder works best for this shake?

I prefer vanilla protein powder because it complements the lemon and gives me a flavor similar to lemon cream pie. An unflavored protein powder can also work, although I usually add a little more vanilla and adjust the sweetness when using it.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

I prefer fresh lemon juice because I also need fresh zest and find that it gives the shake a brighter citrus flavor. Bottled lemon juice can work when necessary, but I still add fresh lemon zest whenever I have it available.

How can I make my protein shake thicker?

I use a frozen banana and start with less milk when I want a very thick shake. I can also add extra ice, more Greek yogurt, or additional frozen banana. I add liquid gradually so I do not accidentally make the shake too thin.

Can I prepare this protein shake ahead of time?

I prefer preparing the ingredients ahead rather than blending the finished shake in advance. I keep frozen banana portions ready in my freezer and measure out the dry ingredients beforehand. When I am ready to drink it, I add the yogurt, milk, lemon juice, and remaining ingredients and blend everything fresh.

Conclusion

This Lemon Cream Pie Protein Shake gives me the creamy sweetness of a dessert-inspired drink with the fresh brightness of real lemon. Frozen banana and Greek yogurt create a smooth texture, while vanilla protein powder, lemon zest, and a little crushed graham cracker bring together the flavors I associate with lemon cream pie.

Lemon Cream Pie Protein Shake

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A thick and refreshing protein shake with bright lemon, creamy Greek yogurt, vanilla, and frozen banana. Crushed graham cracker adds a lemon cream pie-inspired finish for an easy breakfast or satisfying snack.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes
Yield: 1 large shake or 2 small shakes
Category: Drinks
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Add the frozen banana, vanilla protein powder, Greek yogurt, milk, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla extract, optional maple syrup or honey, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
Blend on high until completely smooth.
Add the ice cubes and blend again until the shake is thick, creamy, and frosty.
Taste and adjust as desired. Add extra lemon zest or juice for more citrus flavor, or a small amount of maple syrup or honey for additional sweetness.
If the shake is too thick, blend in a small splash of milk. If it is too thin, add additional ice or frozen banana and blend again.
Pour into a glass and sprinkle the optional crushed graham cracker over the top. Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt and extra lemon zest if desired.
Serve immediately while cold and creamy.

Notes

Nutrition is calculated for 1 large shake using a medium banana, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 2% plain Greek yogurt, 2% dairy milk, 2 teaspoons maple syrup, and 1 standard graham cracker sheet. Exact nutrition varies by protein powder, milk, yogurt, sweetener, and graham cracker brand.
For a dairy-free version, use thick plant-based yogurt, dairy-free milk, and plant-based vanilla protein powder.
For stronger lemon flavor without excessive tartness, increase the lemon zest before adding more lemon juice.
For a lemon cheesecake variation, blend in a spoonful of cream cheese or dairy-free cream cheese.
For more pie-crust flavor, blend some of the graham cracker into the shake and reserve the remainder for topping.
For a smoothie bowl, reduce the milk and use additional frozen banana for a thicker consistency.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 24 hours and shake or stir thoroughly before drinking.
For longer storage, freeze leftover shake in an ice cube tray and reblend the cubes with a small amount of milk.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 large shake
Calories: 545 kcal
Sugar: 43 g
Sodium: 390 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 77 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 42 g
Cholesterol: 70 mg