Ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes are absolute life-savers when you need an easy, convenient snack or meal—not to mention, they’re milkshake-level creamy.
But with a little creativity, these protein-packed RTDs are capable of so much more. Protein pudding, anyone? Grab your shake and try these six next-level ways to pack some extra protein into your life.
Whether you’re trying to hit your daily protein goals, fuel up after a workout, or just make your favorite foods a little more nutritious, these hacks are about to become your new best friends. The best part? They’re ridiculously easy—no fancy cooking skills required.
Sometimes your soul just needs a bowl of cereal. Why not give your bowl a boost of protein and use an RTD like Orgain’s new plant-based shake instead of regular ‘ol milk? This way you can enjoy chocolate-y cereal milk from the very first spoonful.
Best Cereals to Pair with Your Protein Shake
Not all cereals play nice with flavored RTDs, so here’s what works like a dream:
- Chocolate RTD pairs perfectly with peanut butter puff cereals, plain rice cereal, or even granola clusters
- Vanilla RTD is amazing with cinnamon-flavored cereals, honey nut varieties, or oat-based options
- Strawberry RTD goes surprisingly well with graham cracker cereal or plain flakes
The trick is to pour your RTD when it’s nice and cold—it makes everything taste extra refreshing. And here’s a fun tip: if you’ve got a sweet tooth, let the cereal sit for just a minute or two before eating. The shake soaks into those little pieces and creates this dessert-like experience that honestly makes breakfast feel like a treat.
Make It a Complete Meal
Want to turn your cereal into an even more filling breakfast? Toss in some extra goodies:
- Fresh berries or sliced banana
- A sprinkle of chia seeds for extra fiber
- A handful of nuts for healthy fats
- A drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you’re feeling fancy
This simple swap can add a solid hit of protein to your morning (often anywhere from the mid-teens to 30 grams, depending on the RTD), turning a quick bowl of cereal into fuel that actually keeps you going until lunch.
2. Muscle-Friendly French Toast
We usually soak our French toast bread in a mixture of milk, eggs, and vanilla. Again, we’re giving plain milk the boot for a thick, delicious protein shake and letting that bread soak up all the gains before we pop it onto the pan.
The Perfect Protein French Toast Ratio
Getting the texture just right takes a little practice, but here’s what works beautifully:
- 1 egg (or 2 egg whites if you want even more protein)
- 1/4 cup RTD protein shake (vanilla or cinnamon flavors are chef’s kiss)
- A dash of cinnamon to tie everything together
- 2 slices of thick bread—brioche or challah work best because they really soak up all that goodness
Let each slice sit in the mixture for about 30 seconds per side. You want the bread to absorb the liquid without falling apart. Cook on medium heat until golden brown, and you’ve got yourself a protein-packed breakfast that tastes like something from a fancy brunch spot.
Topping Ideas That Take It Up a Notch
The toppings are where you can really have fun:
- Fresh fruit and a drizzle of real maple syrup
- A dollop of Greek yogurt mixed with a splash of vanilla RTD (yes, even more protein!)
- Nut butter and sliced bananas
- Whipped cream and berries for a dessert-style breakfast
Pro tip: Make a big batch on Sunday and freeze the extras. Pop them in the toaster during busy weekday mornings for a quick, high-protein breakfast that’s ready in minutes.
3. Overnight Oats + Protein = Overnight Proats
Overnight oats are a great grab-and-go breakfast—and packed with protein if you make them with an RTD. Just load up a jar with rolled oats and add enough RTD to cover them, then throw in any other add-ins your heart desires, like chia seeds or dark chocolate chips. Let everything soak overnight and you’ll have yourself a quality breakfast in the A.M.
Related: 8 Overnight Oats Recipes That Make Breakfast Taste Like Dessert
The Basic Proats Formula
Here’s your foolproof starting point:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats work best—instant gets too mushy)
- 3/4 cup RTD protein shake of your choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds for thickness and extra nutrition
- A pinch of salt to bring out all the flavors
Mix it all together, pop a lid on your jar or container, and let the fridge work its magic overnight. In the morning, you can eat it cold or warm it up in the microwave for a minute or two—totally up to you!
Flavor Combos to Try This Week
The possibilities are honestly endless, but here are some crowd favorites:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Chocolate RTD + a spoonful of peanut butter + banana slices
- Berry Bliss: Vanilla RTD + mixed berries + a drizzle of honey
- Apple Pie Vibes: Vanilla RTD + diced apples + cinnamon + a few crushed walnuts
- Tropical Twist: Vanilla RTD + shredded coconut + diced mango + macadamia nuts
- Cookie Dough: Chocolate RTD + vanilla extract + mini chocolate chips
Meal Prep Like a Pro
Sunday night is perfect for prepping an entire week’s worth of proats. Just line up five jars, divide your ingredients evenly, and you’re set. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days, which means zero morning stress and zero excuses to skip breakfast.
4. Pumped-Up Pudding
It’s probably been a while since you’ve dug a spoon into a cool, creamy bowl of pudding—and we should fix that. Instead of combining instant pudding mix with water or milk, crack open an RTD shake instead. Stash your treat in the fridge and prepare for a muscle-friendly, anytime snack.
How to Make Perfect Protein Pudding
The secret is getting the ratio just right:
- 1 package instant pudding mix (sugar-free works great if you’re watching your sugar intake)
- 1.5 RTD protein shakes (about 16-18 oz total)
- Optional: a splash of regular milk if you want it a bit thinner
Whisk everything together for about 2 minutes until it starts to thicken, then refrigerate for at least an hour. The result? Creamy, dreamy pudding with a serious protein punch.
Best Flavor Combinations
Mix and match your pudding and RTD flavors for different taste experiences:
- Chocolate pudding + chocolate RTD = double chocolate heaven
- Vanilla pudding + vanilla RTD = classic and creamy
- Chocolate pudding + vanilla RTD = mocha-ish vibes
- Banana pudding + vanilla RTD = nostalgic comfort food
Level Up Your Pudding Game
Turn basic protein pudding into something special:
- Layer it with fresh fruit and crushed graham crackers for a parfait
- Freeze it for an hour to make protein pudding pops
- Use it as a filling between layers of cake
- Top with whipped cream and cocoa powder for a fancy dessert
This is honestly one of the easiest high-protein snacks you can make, and it satisfies that sweet tooth without sending you off the rails. Perfect for late-night cravings or an afternoon pick-me-up.
5. Ice Cream? Nice Cream.
Throw frozen bananas in the food processor—along with flavor add-ins like cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and nut butter—and you’ve got the perfect, healthier stand-in for ice cream. Add some protein to your frozen treat by freezing an RTD in an ice cube tray and processing along with the frozen banana for ‘nice cream.’
The Basic Nice Cream Blueprint
Here’s how to nail it every time:
- 2 frozen bananas (peel and chop before freezing for easier blending)
- 4-6 frozen RTD cubes (freeze your shake the night before)
- 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite add-ins (cocoa powder, nut butter, vanilla, etc.)
Blend everything in a food processor or high-powered blender until smooth and creamy. It should look just like soft-serve ice cream. Eat it right away for that fresh-from-the-machine texture, or pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes if you prefer it firmer.
Flavor Ideas That’ll Blow Your Mind
The flavor possibilities are seriously endless:
- Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Chocolate RTD cubes + cocoa powder + a spoonful of chocolate hazelnut spread
- Peanut Butter Cup: Chocolate RTD cubes + 2 tablespoons peanut butter + a handful of chocolate chips
- Strawberry Cheesecake: Vanilla RTD cubes + frozen strawberries + a tablespoon of cream cheese
- Mint Chocolate Chip: Vanilla RTD cubes + a drop of peppermint extract + dark chocolate chips
- Tropical Paradise: Vanilla RTD cubes + frozen mango chunks + shredded coconut
Tips for the Creamiest Results
Want nice cream that rivals the real deal?
- Use overripe bananas—they’re naturally sweeter and blend smoother
- Freeze your RTD cubes for at least 8 hours so they’re rock solid
- Add liquid (a splash of almond milk or more RTD) one tablespoon at a time if your blender is struggling
- Eat it immediately for soft-serve texture, or freeze for 20-30 minutes for scoopable consistency
This is such a game-changer for anyone with a sweet tooth who’s trying to stay on track. You get the ice cream experience with way more protein and none of the guilt.
6. The Smoothest Smoothies
Smoothie aficionados, you’ve got two options here. Swap the water or milk in your usual smoothie with an RTD shake for a smoothie that’s as thick as a milkshake. Or, freeze an RTD in an ice cube tray and use your frozen RTD cubes instead of ice to pack as much protein (and flavor) into your next blend.
Why RTD Cubes Are a Total Game-Changer
Regular ice cubes water down your smoothie as they melt—we’ve all been there. But RTD cubes? They add protein and flavor as they blend, so your smoothie actually gets better instead of watered down. Plus, they make everything super thick and creamy without any extra effort.
Here’s the move: Pour your favorite RTD into an ice cube tray and freeze overnight. Pop them out and store in a freezer bag so you’ve always got them ready to go. Trust us—once you try this, you’ll never go back to regular ice.
Smoothie Recipes That Actually Fill You Up
Here are some protein-packed smoothie ideas to get you started:
The Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter:
- 1 chocolate RTD shake
- 4-6 chocolate RTD cubes
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 frozen banana
- Handful of spinach (you won’t taste it, promise!)
Berry Protein Blast:
- 1 vanilla RTD shake
- 4-6 vanilla RTD cubes
- 1 cup mixed frozen berries
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Splash of orange juice
Green Machine:
- 1 vanilla RTD shake
- 4-6 vanilla RTD cubes
- Big handful of spinach
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- Fresh ginger (optional but amazing)
Coffee Lover’s Dream:
- 1 chocolate or vanilla RTD shake
- 4-6 RTD cubes
- 1/2 cup cold brew coffee
- 1 frozen banana
- Dash of cinnamon
Pro Tips for Smoothie Perfection
Want your smoothies to turn out restaurant-quality every time?
- Add frozen fruit for thickness without watering things down
- Layer your blender right: liquids first, then soft ingredients, then frozen stuff on top
- Blend in stages if you’ve got a lot of frozen ingredients—pulse first, then blend smooth
- Make it bowl-worthy by using less liquid and topping with granola, fresh fruit, and a drizzle of nut butter
Whether you’re fueling up before a workout, recovering after one, or just looking for a quick and nutritious meal, these smoothie hacks are about to become your new go-to.
Ready to Stock Up?
Now that you’ve got all these delicious ideas, you’ll probably want to keep your fridge stocked with RTDs. The Vitamin Shoppe carries a huge variety of protein drinks—from plant-based options to classic whey, in every flavor you can imagine.
And here’s a little hack: set up Auto Delivery on your favorites and you’ll save 10% every time, plus never run out when you need them most. Because there’s nothing worse than waking up ready to make proats and realizing you’re out of protein shakes, right?
Happy blending, cooking, and snacking!