The 6 Best Fruit Flavored Protein Powders

Finding a fruit-flavored protein powder that satisfies your taste buds can be a workout game-changer. For those who don’t like the taste of pure unflavored whey protein powder, it’s common to mask the flavor in vanilla or chocolate. However, have you ever tried a fruit-flavored protein powder? They can a fun change of pace from the traditional flavor standbys!

However, there are a lot of bad-tasting fruit-flavored protein powder products out there. To help you avoid these, we’ve compiled this list of the 6 best fruit-flavored protein powder options on the market today.

Our recommended for the best fruit flavored protein powder is 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate by Transparent Labs’ strawberry flavor. It’s a delicious flavor of one of our most recommended protein powders. It’s clean, lean, and delicious. All you could reasonably ask for in a protein powder.

If that’s not your style – no worries. We’ve got a little bit of everything below, we even threw in some fruit-flavored protein bars! It’s our list – we make the rules.

Now let’s get fruity…

The 6 Best Fruit Flavored Protein Powders

1. 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Transparent Labs
2. Clear Whey Isolate – Myprotein
3. Impact Whey Protein – Myprotein
4. Protein Puff Bars – Promix
5. Naked Whey Protein Powder – Naked
6. Authentic Iso Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Jacked Factory

100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Transparent Labs

Recommended fruit flavor: strawberry

Not only is this the best-tasting vanilla protein powder out there, but it is also the best protein powder that offers fruit flavors. The Strawberry-flavored option uses natural strawberry flavoring and natural sweetener stevia to give it an extra kick. The resulting product is a sweet strawberry delight that tastes closer to a milkshake than a protein shake.

Best of all, it has one of the highest ratios when it comes to protein-by-weight at 82%. This equates to 28 grams of protein per scoop.

So, if you’re looking to bulk up without putting a load of junk in your body, this Transparent Labs option is a great choice.

The protein source is fully disclosed, with this protein powder being made using 100% grass-fed, grass-finished dairy cattle. The product is also 99% lactose-free, which makes it suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.

Lastly, the product has also been third-party tested for heavy metals, so it’s definitely a product you can trust.

To further boost the case for this product, here’s a review by a verified buyer:

“First time using Transparent Labs. I bought the Grass Fed Whey Protein, strawberry flavored. Great taste, mixes well, no stomach issues, mixes well, and a great product. It’s a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. Great protein.” – Lenny D, July 2023

Key Ingredients:

• Calories: 120
• Protein: 28 g
• Carbohydrates: <1 g
• Fat: 0.5 g

Clear Whey Isolate – Myprotein

Recommended fruit flavors: lemonade, peach mango, sour cherry, strawberry, tropical dragon fruit, Mike & Ike

Next up, Clear Whey Isolate from Myprotein is the best clear fruit-flavored protein powder in our books. By clear, we mean protein powder that creates drinks that are less like a milkshake and more like fruit juice.

In fact, here’s what it looks like when it’s all stirred up:

Another major benefit of this product is its flavor range:

• Lemonade
• Peach mango
• Sour cherry
• Strawberry
• Tropical dragon fruit
• Mike & Ike-inspired flavors

…which is an impressive range of fruit flavors.

This is another product that uses totally natural ingredients, which includes sucralose and acesulfame K for sweetening.

However, one downside it has is that it only contains 20 grams of whey protein isolate per serving. This is 6 grams less than our top choice, 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate.

To give you a little insight into how excited this product makes people, here’s a review from a verified customer:

“Omg I absolutely love this protein!! Newbie customer here who has taken protein for over 20 years.  This is the BEST TASTING, most refreshing protein drink ever!!  It does mix well with slight clumping, but the taste and quality outweigh that.  Enjoy!” – Judy, September 2023

Key Ingredients:

• Calories: 84
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbohydrates: 0.7 g
• Fat: 0 g

Impact Whey Protein – Myprotein

Recommended flavors: fruity cereal, strawberries & cream

Do you feel like you’re spending too much money on your protein powder? Well, Impact Whey Protein is the best budget protein powder that comes in a range of fruity flavors:

• Fruity cereal
• Strawberries and cream

We’d recommend the Mango, which, based on reviews, appears to the the most popular flavor amongst customers. It can be described as nothing short of refreshing – which is exactly what you need after an intense and draining workout.

This refreshing drink not only tastes great but is also naturally sweetened using sucralose. Again, this is another product you can consume without the fear of ingesting anything artificial.

21 grams of protein per scoop isn’t exactly the highest ratio you can find, but it is still higher than the company’s Clear Whey Isolate product, and many other fruit-flavored whey protein powder products.

The reviews are pretty positive for this one, including this one from a verified reviewer:

“This is FANTASTIC! I have never found a clean protein that actually tastes good with no artificial ingredients. This is it. Every flavor I’ve tried is amazing but this Vanilla is my favorite. It’s great in coffee, hot chocolate (makes it taste like you added marshmallows), and smoothies. And then the possibilities are endless for adding to recipes. Protein ice cream? Yes. Pancakes, waffles, cookies, muffins, overnight oats – all YES! All without the nasty aftertaste that I’ve found in every other protein powder.” – Kayce P, November 2022.

Key Ingredients:

• Calories: 103
• Protein: 21 g
• Carbohydrates: 1.0 g
• Fat: 1.0 g

Protein Puff Bars – Promix

Recommended fruit flavors: blueberries & cream, strawberries & cream

If you don’t like drinking your protein at all, try Protein Puff Bars from Promix. These are the best fruit-flavored protein bars by far.

These are great for on-the-move, they taste great (similar to Rice Krispies Treats), and they’re made using grass-fed whey protein.

However, the protein content of a single bar is pretty low, with just 15 grams of protein provided per serving. For this reason, you may need to eat two at a time up your protein. They also have a slightly higher sugar count than other products mentioned in this list, so may not be a good choice if you’re looking to cut down on your sugar intake.

You can buy this snack in two fruity flavors, which are:

• Blueberries & cream
• Strawberries & cream

Not sure if a fruit-flavored protein bar is for you? Check out this verified review:

“I didn’t know what to expect. Many protein bars tout that they taste great but often don’t. This bar did not disappoint. The subtle strawberry flavor was perfect, and the crunch and texture of the bar were very nice on the palate.  Definitely going to reorder!” – Evelyn, September 2023

Key Ingredients:

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fat: 3 g

Naked Whey Protein Powder – Naked

Recommended fruit flavors: strawberry

If you’re looking for the best fruit-flavored high-protein whey concentrate option, check out Naked Whey Protein Powder. This protein is fully disclosed and made using grass-fed whey combined with dry strawberries and coconut sugar.

This is particularly good for mixing with bananas to create a milky smoothie. Plus, with 25 g of protein per serving, consuming this product ensures you’re meeting your daily protein intake.

However, the flavor range is limited, as strawberry is the only fruit flavor that this product is available in. It’s also worth noting that the fruit flavor is subtle, so if you want a strong strawberry flavor, this is not for you.

Here’s a quote that reflects this:

“Great product, but the strawberry flavor is very subtle. Excellent tasting protein nonetheless.” – Abu, May 2023

Key Ingredients:

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 25 grams (2 scoops per serving)
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fat: 2 g

Authentic Iso Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate – Jacked Factory

Recommended fruit flavor: blueberry muffin

This grass-fed protein powder deserves an honorable mention because it’s particularly low in fat and carbs. There are also no added sugars: the natural sweetness is provided by sucralose and stevia.

If you struggle to digest most protein powders, you’ll notice this affordable protein powder going down considerably easier. It’s also another isolate protein powder, which makes it suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.

This product is available in the fruit flavor of Blueberry Muffin.

Key Ingredients:

• Calories: 110
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fat: 0.5 g

Benefits of Fruit Flavored Protein Powder

Taste

Fruit-flavored protein powder is much more palatable than unflavored protein powder, for example. The pleasant taste and aroma of fruit flavors make consuming your protein shake a whole lot easier, especially post-workout.

Once you find a fruit-flavored protein powder you like, you’ll easily be able to stick to your diet or meal plan. You may also notice yourself consuming more protein once you’ve settled on a favorite fruit flavor.

Best of all, fruit-flavored protein powders generally come with natural flavorings. This means that you’re not adding any additional sugars or calories to your diet, as you would be with protein powders that contain added sugars and preservatives.

Pair well with fruit smoothies

Adding fruit-flavored protein powder won’t upset the flavor of your fruit protein smoothie, unlike some other flavors of protein. In fact, it will most likely enhance it, depending on the fruit you’ve included in your smoothie.

You could experiment with different fruit-flavored proteins and different fruits to devise your own unique and delicious post-workout treat.

Variety

There’s a variety of fruit-flavored protein powders available. Each flavor has its own distinct taste, which can make shopping for and tasting different protein powders an exciting task. You won’t have to worry about suffering from flavor fatigue, as you could potentially treat yourself to a new flavor of protein powder every week or month!

This is especially the case if you choose a product like Clear Whey Isolate from Myprotein, which has a range of exotic flavors ranging from banana right up to blood orange.

The likes of tropical dragon fruit and peach mango are also far more exciting than standard chocolate or vanilla.

What to Look for When Buying Protein Powder

If you can’t decide between the protein powder options we’ve listed above, consider the following points:

Flavor

The flavor of the protein powder has the biggest impact on your enjoyment of the protein shake. If you want to build muscle, you need to consume plenty of protein, and getting in a protein shake is an easy way to do this. But, in order for this to happen, it would help if you actually enjoy what you’re consuming.

If you actually enjoy the taste of your protein shake, you’re less likely to give in to the temptation of sweets, crisps, and other unhealthy snacks. Instead, you’ll be more inclined to drink your protein shake. A shake won’t only fill you up, but it’ll also aid in muscle recovery and help them grow.

Know your goals

The amount of protein in your chosen powder should reflect the amount of mass you want to gain. If you’re looking to maximize your protein intake, look for protein powders that exceed 20 grams of protein per scoop. Under 20 grams is fine for muscle recovery, but it won’t give you the bulk that protein powders offering 25-30 grams of protein will.

So, if you’re looking to up the protein to grow your muscles, choose 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate by Transparent Labs, which has a whopping 28 g of protein per scoop.

Limit excess sugar

Protein powder should be, first and foremost, good for you. If you’re regularly consuming a protein powder that is high in sugar, it can potentially have adverse effects on your health. Instead, look for protein powders that contain small amounts of excess sugar (although, no excess sugar would definitely be preferred).

Essential amino acids

All protein powders contain amino acids, which are molecules that are essential to muscle recovery, muscle growth, and tissue repair. However, some protein powders fail to contain the 9 essential amino acids. The 9 essential amino acids are histidine, tryptophan, lysine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valine.

Instead, they carry out what is known as “amino spiking”, which is the act of adding additional essential amino acids to apparently give the protein powder a fuller profile. These additional essential amino acids tend to be cheap and ineffective. Protein powder companies charge more for it, but in reality, the additional amino acids added won’t help repair or grow your muscles.

So, be cautious when a protein powder company claims to feature a large quantity of essential amino acids. You can identify amino spiking by the “other ingredients” part of the ingredients list. If arginine, glycine, glutamine, or creatine are listed here, it’ll be due to amino spiking.

How to Choose Between Whey Concentrate, Whey Isolate, and Casein

There are three main types of fruit-flavored protein powder you’ll encounter: whey concentrate, whey isolate, and casein. Here’s what you need to know about each of these types:

Whey concentrate

Whey concentrate contains protein that has been sourced from whey but has not been processed to remove the lactose. For this reason, whey concentrate protein powder is unsuitable for those who are lactose intolerant.

Given that it doesn’t receive as much processing as other protein powder types, it tends to be on the cheaper side.

Whey isolate

Whey isolate has received further processing than whey concentrate so it comes with about 99% of the lactose content removed. This makes whey isolate protein the best option for those who are lactose intolerant.

The processing also reduces the amount of carbs and fat found in the product, which lowers the overall calories. So, if you’re looking for protein powders promoting the most health benefits, look out for whey isolate. It has been processed to essentially “isolate” the protein from all the other things found in whey protein.

Due to the heavy amount of processing this product goes through, whey isolate tends to be more expensive.

When you see a protein powder described as “clear”, it probably contains whey isolate protein. This is the type of protein powder that is mixed with water to create a fruit juice effect, rather than a milkshake-type drink – like Clear Whey Isolate by Myprotein, for example.

Casein

Casein is another type of protein found in cows’ milk that has a slower absorption rate than whey protein. Given how long it takes to digest this protein, Casein helps sustain your energy levels for longer than whey. It also keeps you feeling full for longer.

If you consume casein before bed, the slow digestion of the protein is supposed to help your muscles recover slowly throughout the night.

Protein Powder Benefits

Whether you go with casein or whey protein powder, the benefits are the same:

Convenience

If you’ve got a strict workout schedule to stick to, you’re probably always on the go. Protein powder can be prepared quickly and can fit easily into your busy schedule. All you need to do is add water or milk, give it a shake, and you’re good to go. Rather than fitting in an extra protein-rich meal, you can have a protein shake.

Easy

You can easily add protein powder to milkshakes and breakfast cereals, ensuring you hit your protein target daily. There are also loads of recipes that you can find online that incorporate protein powder to up the protein content of your meals.

You know the exact macros of what you’re consuming

Protein powder packets display exactly how much protein you’re consuming per scoop. You can’t get this level of accuracy when eating a steak, for example. Protein powder lets you know exactly how many macros you’re taking per day. By knowing this, you can far more easily hit your exact daily protein consumption targets.

Tips for Consuming Protein Powder

Once you’ve chosen a fruit-flavored protein powder from the list above, take note of the following tips for consuming it:

When to consume protein powder

When to consume protein powder normally sparks a debate. Many argue that the best time to consume it is straight after a workout, but some would argue against this.

A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that timing does not have a significant impact on strength or the hypertrophy outcomes of consuming protein.

So, you can really just aim to consume your protein powder at whatever time best suits you. Just make sure that your protein intake is high enough to meet your goals.

Use a macro tracker

Macro tracking apps allow you to monitor your daily calorie intake, and your consumption of carbs, fats, and proteins. They can also track your current mood, fitness level, sleeping pattern, and water consumption level.

With this information, you’ll be able to calculate your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure).

Calculate your TDEE

Calculating your TDEE allows you to estimate how many calories and protein you need to consume per day to meet your fitness goals. It gives you an idea of how fast you currently burn calories, which you can base your calorie and protein consumption targets around. Your TDEE will also be able to reveal whether you’re moving in the right direction in terms of fitness and calorie consumption.

How much protein powder to take

But, how much protein should you take? A good rule of thumb is for a sedentary adult to consume around 0.7 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass (your body weight minus fat).

To give you an idea of how this would work, a person who weighs 100 pounds and has 10% body fat has 90 pounds of lean body mass. You can then multiply this lean body fat by 0.7 to calculate how much protein to take per day. In this case, 90 x 0.7 = 63.

So, this person would have to consume at least 63 grams of protein per day for optimal health.

How to bulk up

The easiest way to add more protein to your protein shake would be to add milk. 16 ounces of whole milk will add around 16 grams of protein and 300 calories to your shake, which is quite significant. This will help you put on some weight (ignore this if you’re only interested in building lean muscle mass).

On top of milk, you could also experiment with raw honey, coconut oil, almond butter, or peanut butter. Each of these will boost your calorie intake.

If you want to consume more protein without consuming more calories, try adding 16 oz of skim milk to each of your protein shakes.

FAQs

What is the most popular flavor of protein powder?

It’s difficult to determine what the most popular flavor of protein is exactly, but it’s clear that chocolate, strawberry, peanut butter, cookies and cream, and vanilla are all among the most popular flavors. These are the flavors that most protein powder manufacturers sell, so clearly there’s an audience for these flavors.

What protein powder is best with fruit?

The best protein powder to have with fruit would be a plant-based protein powder. Fruit and plant-based protein powders complement each other well and also create a balanced nutritional profile. It provides you with a healthy mix of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Plus, if you’re trying to follow a plant-based protein diet, obviously plant-based protein powder would be a good option.

The second best type of protein powder to pair with fruit would be a fruit-flavored or vanilla protein powder.

What are the benefits of having fruit with protein powder?

Complimenting your protein shake with fruit can have some major health benefits when consumed post-workout. Adding fruit to your protein powder can help you restore nutrients and balance your blood sugar levels.

What’s the best vegan protein powder with fruit flavors?

ALOHA Plant-Based Protein Drinks has a good coconut-flavored vegan protein powder. Another example would be Soylent Protein Nutrition Shakes, which has strawberry and banana-flavored vegan protein powder products.

Final Thoughts

Fruit-flavored protein powder can really help you consume more protein more easily, without having to take in more calories and fat. Our absolute favorite fruit-flavored protein powder is 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate by Transparent Labs. This protein powder tastes amazing, is high in protein, and contains 0 g of sugar.

It has significantly more protein per scoop than the likes of Clear Whey Isolate and Protein Puff Bars, plus it’s more flavorsome than Naked Whey Protein Powder.

To pick some runners-up, we’d choose Myprotein’s Clear Whey Isolate and Impact Whey Protein. We’ve chosen these as the runners-up as they have a wide selection of flavors on offer, each of which is sure to enliven your protein shakes.

About Kyle Risley

Kyle Risley founded Lift Vault in 2016 to make finding great powerlifting programs easier. Since then, the site has grown to include hundreds of programs for strength, bodybuilding, Olympic weightlifting, and more. He currently lives in Massachusetts and continues to compete in powerlifting.