Protein flavors have come a LONG way in recent years. Today’s protein powders are bursting with flavor, creativity, and even a little bit of dessert-inspired magic. From classic cholate and vanilla to wildcards like birthday cake, blueberry muffin, and lemonade (yup!) – the flavor game has officially levels up.
So, whether you’re a gym junkie, a smoothie enthusiast, or just trying to sneak a bit more protein in your day, there’s a flavor for you. So grab your shaker bottle and join me as we dive into a sports dietitian’s flavor roundup, featuring the top flavor categories to tantalize your tastebuds.
This list was developed based on several factors:
- Taste! (obviously)
- Top-sellers
- Customer reviews
- New and buzzworthy flavors you might not have heard of…yet
- Unique, crazy and fun flavors
READ MORE: Best Protein Powders
Best Coffee Flavors
I’m a sucker for a good cup of coffee, hot or cold. While I love the flavor, I can only take so much caffeine. And yeah, coffee ice cream is always an option, but also not very realistic. Which is why I reach for these coffee-inspired protein flavors, for all the protein, without the extra caffeine! And when they’re on-the-go – even better.
Find GNC’s recipes for making your own drinks and shakes here.
Best Dessert Flavors
What if I told you, you could have your cake and eat it too. You can of course, but wouldn’t it be better with extra protein? Getting the right amount of protein is hard enough on its own. Now you can kill two birds with one stone! A few of my favorites are Cinnamon Bun, Blueberry Cobbler, and Glazed Donut.
Best Cookie Flavors
Cookies make me happy. And as a dietitian, cookies with extra protein make me even happier. These cookie flavors make you feel like a kid again. Plus, they provide all the gains, making tasty shakes a bit more meaningful.
Best Cereal Protein Flavors
The first time I heard “cereal flavored” anything it immediately brought me back to my childhood. Sipping the remnants of fruit pebbles or peanut butter puffs? The best part of breakfast! Alas, my sweet cereal days are over… bran flake flavored milk doesn’t hit quite the same.
Thankfully the protein innovators out there figured out a way to bottle up (and make a protein packed powder) out of nostalgia. These are a few of my favorites!
Best Vanilla Protein Flavors
A staple flavor, loved by all. It’s versatile – great by itself or added to smoothies. My personal go to when whipping up a fruit smoothie on the go! These three are classics with full creamy flavors and add a bit more with a nod to Vanilla Ice Cream.
Best Chocolate Protein Flavors
Chocolate with its smooth texture and tasty flavor, is a very popular customer choice. GNC picked the top chocolate flavors, including fudge and rich chocolate. Consider baking your brownies and cake recipes with chocolate protein powder to boost your protein!
Fun Summer Flavors
Protein and “refreshing” don’t usually go hand-in-hand. But protein brands have discovered a way to do unique and fun, fruity flavors. Consider looking at GNC’s recipe section, with shakes, drinks and smoothie recipes to try with these unique protein powders here.
Best Strawberry Flavor
New this year – strawberry flavored protein powder. I don’t know about you, but as a kid, I LOVED strawberry milk. And those strawberry shortcake ice cream bars! These fruity protein flavors really hit the spot when I’m aiming for a bit of nostalgia. And apparently, I’m not alone! Strawberry Cream Lean Shake 25 is one of our most popular flavors! Banana too, but more on that later.
Best Unflavored
Unflavored flavor really isn’t a flavor. So why are they making the list? Well, they can be mixed in anything – even savory soups! Love mac and cheese? Make it creamier and “protein-ier” with these unflavored powders.
Best Fruit Flavor Clear Protein Powder
I’m all in on clear protein powders. I find them so refreshing, especially after a workout in the heat of the summer. Whether it’s lemonade, or something a bit more tropical – I’m here for it.
Best Banana Flavor Protein
Banana flavors can be hit or miss in my opinion. I think I ate too many Runts as a kid! But these banana flavors are delicious – and would you believe it? Banana is another one of our best-selling protein flavors!
Best Peanut Butter Flavor Protein
I could eat peanut butter all day. It’s delicious on it’s own, mixed into or onto pretty much anything, and if it’s in an ice cream – I’m dead. But peanut butter is calorie dense, thanks to it’s higher fat content. Powdered peanut butter began making waves a few years back and was a nice to have on hand, but provided just a wee bit of protein.
Enter peanut butter protein flavor for that iconic taste you just can’t get enough of and all the protein you need! And we’re not just talking protein – we’re adding all the chocolate, cookies, and puffs.
Best Coconut Flavor Protein
A tropical delight or a creamy desert – coconut makes everything better. I’m a pina colada and macaroon girlie. Here a few of my favorite coconut flavors!
Best RTD Clear Protein
So many new and fun ready to drink clear protein shakes are now available on the go! Here are a few of my favorite ready-to-drink fruity flavors.
Best RTD Protein Shake Flavors
New protein shakes on the go have been showing up in all the flavors. I love these three post workout or when I’m on the run!
And there you have it – this years round up of my favorite protein powder flavors. You truly can’t go wrong with GNC’s selection of flavors!
