Key Lime Pie Smoothie

As a personal trainer and someone who loves to stay active, I can’t stress enough how important it is to get quality protein into your diet. While I try to get most of my protein from whole foods, I’m also all about protein shakes and smoothies when I need something quick and easy after a challenging workout.

This key lime pie smoothie, in particular, is the perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and refreshing, just like a slice of classic key lime pie, but with the added benefit of 43 grams of protein! Whether you’re looking for a post-workout refuel or just craving something sweet, this shake is a great way to sneak in those muscle-building nutrients in a satisfying sweet treat.

Most of the protein comes from a2 Milk®, Greek yogurt, and protein powder. A2 Milk® still has lactose, but many folks find they do just fine with it since it skips the A1 protein that tends to cause issues. Pretty cool, right? If you’re craving more dessert-inspired shakes, you could also try something like my Chocolate Cherry Protein Shake or Orange Creamsicle Protein Shake to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Why you’ll love it

• Super easy –just a few minutes and a blender stand between you and bright, zesty, creamy, key lime bliss in a glass!
• It tastes just like key lime pie but in a protein-packed sippable form, so you can stay on track with your health and wellness goals.
• Great option for post-workout recovery. The protein helps repair muscles, while the healthy fats and fiber keep you full and satisfied.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Milk. I used a2 Milk®. If you’ve never tried it, a2 Milk® is cow’s milk that contains only the a2 beta-casein protein (most regular milk has both a1 and a2), which makes it easier on the digestive system (especially if you’re like me and dairy-sensitive but not technically lactose intolerant). You can read more about their process on the a2 Milk® website. 
• Non-fat plain Greek yogurt. This gives the shake that classic key lime pie silkiness and tang. Plus, a boost of protein and probiotics. 
• Vanilla protein powder. I like using a good-quality vanilla whey isolate here for extra sweetness, flavor, and creaminess.
• Key lime juice. You can juice fresh key limes, but I go for bottled key lime juice –specifically Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice. You can usually find it in the juice or baking aisle.
• Real maple syrup. Adds natural sweetness without overpowering the classic pie flavor. Feel free to substitute honey, agave, a couple of pitted dates, sweetened condensed milk, or even a stevia-based sweetener if you’re cutting down on sugar –just adjust to taste!
• Frozen avocado. This makes your shake ultra creamy and pie-like while boosting healthy fats and fiber. 
• Ice. Ice makes the smoothie refreshing and frothy, but you can take it one step further by freezing your milk into cubes. It’s totally optional, but a cool trick if you want a thick, frosty key lime smoothie without ice watering it down.
• Baby spinach. I sometimes toss in a handful of spinach. It gives the shake a stealthy little nutrition boost, that gorgeous green color, and you won’t taste it at all.

How to make a key lime pie smoothie

Step 1: Layer ingredients. Add all the ingredients to your blender in the order listed. This helps everything blend up nice and smooth (no avocado chunks or spinach bits left behind!).

Step 2: Blend ingredients. Start on low, then gradually increase to high speed. Give it a good 30-60 seconds to make sure everything’s thoroughly combined and velvety smooth.

Step 3: Add topping and serve. Pour it into your favorite glass, top with crushed graham cracker crumbs (optional), and enjoy! 

Recipe tips and FAQs

• To turn it into a key lime pie smoothie bowl, use less liquid and more frozen ingredients (like avocado or banana) to make it extra thick. Serve it in a chilled bowl topped with crushed graham crackers, coconut flakes, granola, fresh lime slices, or a drizzle of almond butter. 
• Make sure you’re using key lime juice –NOT regular lime juice. They’re totally different flavor-wise. If you can’t find fresh key limes, bottled key lime juice (like Nellie & Joe’s) works perfectly and saves time.
• Smoothie too tart or too bland? If it’s too tart for your taste, add a bit more sweetener or a little extra milk to mellow it out. If it tastes a little flat, add a pinch of sea salt or a tiny splash of vanilla extract to bring the flavors to life. You can also adjust the sweetener to taste.

Variations

• Extra tropical vibes – Swap the milk for canned coconut milk, toss in a few frozen pineapple chunks, and add a tablespoon of shredded coconut for an even creamier, pina-colada-inspired protein shake.  This key lime pie smoothie recipe doesn’t use bananas, but feel free to swap out the avocado for banana or add it to the mix for added natural sweetness.
• Add some berries/fruit – Blend in fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or kiwi to complement the tangy lime and give your shake a fun pop of color.
• Make it a milkshake – Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, coconut ice cream, or my Tropical Vitamix Protein Ice Cream to give your smoothie that classic milkshake richness and velvety texture.
• Extra milk/skip the powder– You can add an extra 1/2 cup milk pre-frozen in an ice cube tray instead of the protein powder.

Storing and freezing

Storing: Store any leftover smoothie mixture in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a good shake before drinking, as ingredients may separate.

Freezing: You can freeze the key lime pie smoothie mixture in ice cube trays or silicone molds for up to a month. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply blend the desired portion for a quick frozen creamy treat. 

More protein smoothie and shake recipes

• Blueberry Mango Spirulina Smoothie 
• Blueberry Protein Shake
• Mango Protein Shake 
• Mixed Berry Protein Shake
• Tropical Blueberry Kale Smoothie

If you love this key lime pie smoothie without banana, I would be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star 🌟 rating in the recipe card below. I love reading your comments and feedback!

Stay posted on my latest cooking adventures through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Also, don’t forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!