Malted Milk Protein Shake

Something that’s interesting about marrying someone who grew up only 7 hours away - but in a different country - is when some things are SO similar... but just slightly off.

We’ve seen it across things like music, shopping, ads, and even food.

For instance, we both enjoyed going out for burgers in our teens. The difference comes from what we accompanied it with.

For me, it was the VAT of cheese sauce available at my favourite burger place as a kid. Loaded that cheese on the burgers, drowned the fries in it - I loved it. (Yes, my taste has matured since).

For him, it was the malted milkshakes he’d order. I have no idea if we had anywhere that sold malt shakes in my hometown at the time, but I’d certainly never heard of or seen them.

I actually used DME - dried malt extract - in cooking, long before I ever tried a malted milk shake! (More on that in a minute, though...)

Anyway, that dried malt extract is a super fun ingredient when it comes to dressing up a protein shake!

This is an incredibly easy recipe, and let me tell you - the joy it brought to both of us was amazing!

For him, it was instant nostalgia. He said it tasted EXACTLY like the malt shakes he used to order as a kid, and turned his protein shake into a dessert.

For me, it was the way his face absolutely LIT UP when he tried his first sip, the first time I made these malted milk protein shakes. I may not have had any nostalgia attached to them, but his reaction made my day!

Anyway, whether you’ve got that nostalgia or not, this high protein malted milk shake recipe is definitely a fun way to enjoy your protein shake once in a while!

Let’s look at what you’ll need for this recipe:

Ingredients

You’ll only need 3 ingredients to make my malted milk protein shakes ... and I only have a few short ingredient notes for you:

Unsweetened Almond Milk

Unsweetened Almond Milk has been my milk of choice for years now. It was a great dairy-free option when I could no longer handle cow’s milk, and it’s a fantastic, low carb option in general.

When it comes down to it, though... depending on your macros, you can use pretty much any kind of milk in this recipe.

As far as non dairy milk goes, Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, Macadamia Milk and Coconut Milk are all good options.

Almond is the most neutral tasting option, though - so just know that the other plant based milks may change the overall flavour of the malted milk protein shake a bit.

Anyway, beyond the non-dairy milk options, regular milk works, too - just a bit higher carb.

You can use whatever you like, but I’d recommend at least 2% fat, for texture reasons. Whole milk is great... I find 1% / skim milk to be too watery, IMHO.

Dried Malt Extract

This recipe was specifically developed for dried malt extract, which is NOT the same as “malted milk powder”.

Malt Powder - or Dried Malt Extract (DME) is malted barley, and is a common ingredient in beer brewing.

It’s also what gives the filling of malted milk balls their flavour.

On the other hands, Malted Milk Powder - like Ovaltine - is a mixture, including malt powder, evaporated milk powder, flour, and sometimes other ingredients.

I prefer to use Malt Powder/Dried Malt Extract, as it’s the pure malt extract, and a more concentrated flavour.

DME is a fun ingredient, and I use it in a few recipes on my main blog: Montreal Bagels, Malted Milk Meringue Cookies, Hopped Popcorn, and even a Homemade Hop Spa Bath Set.

You can order it online, or find it in any brewing supply shops.

Just a heads up, though - as a barley product, DME has gluten in it.

As DME is not a common ingredient, it should be noted when you are serving it to anyone who may have a gluten allergy.

Vanilla Flavored Protein Powder

This recipe uses Vanilla Flavored Whey Protein Powder.

Personally, I keep a big canister of Revolution Nutrition's High Whey in Vanilla Cake on hand at all times, and use it in a TON of my recipe - baked goods, beverages, etc.

Use whatever vanilla protein powder that you like to drink, and fits your macros.

How to Make Malted Milk Protein Shakes

The full recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here is a pictorial walk through:

Measure all ingredients into a blender or shaker bottle.

Blend or shake to combine, serve immediately!

More High Protein Drinks!

Looking for more high protein shakes, smoothies, and coffee drinks? I've developed a whole series of protein powder drink recipes:

Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Chocolate Malt Protein Shake
Gingerbread Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Mango Daiquiri Protein Smoothie
Matcha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Mocha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate (Low Carb, High Protein)
Peppermint Mocha (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Cappuccino (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Hot Chocolate (Low Carb, High Protein)
Pumpkin Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Pumpkin Pie Protein Shake
Strawberry Daiquiri Protein Smoothie
Sugar Cookie Protein Shake