We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
If your fitness goals involve weight gain, your diet might sometimes feel like a puzzle. It can be challenging to eat enough calories to counteract those hard-hitting workouts you’re rocking. When the energy you’re putting out exceeds the energy you’re taking in, you’re more likely to see weight loss instead of weight gain.
Packing on muscle mass requires a nutrient-dense diet, but who has time to cook all those meals? Life is busy, and sometimes you just don’t have the appetite to eat a bodybuilder’s diet. Enter mass gainers.
Mass gainer shakes are an efficient way to meet your increased calorie needs and support muscle building. You can always buy pre-mixed powders, but if you don’t want to be limited to what’s on the shelf, you might be interested in making your own shakes. We’ve got the scoop on DIY mass gainer shake recipes, and we’re sharing some of our favorites in this article.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
DIY Mass Gainer: What You Need
Making a homemade mass gainer shake is easier than you think, and it offers a list of benefits that extend far beyond muscle gain. Because you get to hand-pick the ingredients in your weight-gain shake, you have complete control over its taste and formulation. The macro count is totally up to you, helping you fuel muscle growth efficiently and effectively. And if you’re running low on a specific vitamin or mineral, just pop in a food rich in that micronutrient!
RELATED: Mass Gainer Pros and Cons
Making your own mass gainer at home is relatively simple. You’ll just need a few key components:
Liquid Base
Start your homemade weight gainer shake by choosing a liquid base. Adding the protein powder to your liquid helps it mix efficiently, avoiding the dreaded puff of powder that almost always explodes when you mix them the other way around. The possibilities are endless, but options include water, cow’s milk, plant-based milk, and juice.
Want more calories in your shake? Opt for a more calorie-dense liquid. Need another boost of protein? Scoop some yogurt in there, too. The type of liquid and amount used will also affect your shake’s consistency. Want a thick shake? Go light on the liquid. Need it thinner? Add more.
Protein Powder
After you’ve got your liquid situated, it’s time to choose a protein powder. Whey protein powders tend to be the most popular, but any variety will do—casein, egg, pea, soy, or hemp. Go for the protein that you tolerate best and look for flavors that interest you. Like any other protein shake, you should enjoy your mass gainer.
Be mindful of your daily protein needs and portion your scoops of protein powder accordingly to help you hit your goal. Review the nutrition facts on the product’s container to know how many grams of protein are in each serving.
RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain
Carbohydrate Source
Next up are your carbs. Adding a carb source to your weight gainer shake boosts its calorie count and adds a variety of essential nutrients. Carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram, but the type and amount you use can change daily, depending on your nutrition needs.
Fruit might be best one day, while oats are better another day. That’s the bright side of homemade mass gainer shakes—you get to decide what’s best for your body!
Fats
Fat sources are an important component of many weight gain shakes. Fats contain 9 calories per gram, making them the most calorie-dense of the macros and an efficient way to bulk up your shake.
Plus, healthy fats offer a plethora of health benefits, as our bodies need fat to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Common fat sources to add to your high-calorie shake may include avocados, coconut chunks, and nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter. You can also choose high-fat liquids, like whole milk and ice cream, as your liquid base to boost the shake’s calories per serving.
5 Mass Gainer Shake Recipes
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Recipe by Sally McKenney of Sally’s Baking Recipes
This recipe harnesses the rich flavors of bananas and cocoa powder with the protein content of peanut butter and Greek yogurt to create a deliciously creamy, high-calorie smoothie. To make this smoothie, you will need:
- 1 banana
- 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 oz Chobani Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 Tbsp honey, maple syrup, or agave
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
While your nutrition facts will vary, depending on the types of yogurt, milk, and sweetener that you use, this shake is certainly a calorie-dense option. And because it contains milk and yogurt, it’s also a good source of calcium!
| Total calories 1 | 527 |
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbs | 78 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
1,000-Calorie Smoothie
Recipe from High-Calorie Recipes
To gain weight, you have to end your day in a calorie surplus. And what better way to add calories than with a 1,000-calorie smoothie? This recipe calls for just seven ingredients, but it’s packed with nutrients that work together to help you gain or maintain weight. To make this smoothie, you will need:
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 banana
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 cup oats
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk
Simply combine all the ingredients in a blender and allow them to blend until smooth. If you use fresh berries, consider adding a handful of ice cubes to help with the smoothie’s consistency. The recipe also suggests drinking the smoothie immediately after blending, as the oats will cause the mixture to thicken up over time. No one wants to chew their smoothie.
| Total calories | 980 |
| Protein | 70 g |
| Carbs | 118 g |
| Fat | 29 g |
Apple Cinnamon Smoothie
This Apple Cinnamon Smoothie is a crisp fall morning in a cup! It’s a flavorful smoothie that’s packed with nutrient-dense ingredients, such as chia seeds, rolled oats, and apples. To make your own Apple Cinnamon Smoothie, you will need:
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk
- 2 large apples
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp almond butter
- 2 Tbsp hemp hearts
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 pitted Medjool date
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 handfuls ice cubes
It’s simple to prepare—simply put all your measured ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. And the best part? It makes two servings! One for now and one for later. Want to bump the protein content? Consider adding an unflavored or vanilla protein powder. However, adding a protein powder may require more liquid to thin the smoothie’s consistency.
| Total calories | 456 |
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbs | 54 g |
| Fat | 23 g |
RELATED: Protein Shakes for Bulking
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
Recipe by Liz Thomson of I Heart Vegetables
If you haven’t combined the sweet taste of chocolate with the creamy goodness of avocado yet, you’re missing out! This Chocolate Avocado Smoothie is rich in nutrients and packed with delicious flavor. And while each serving only provides 337 calories, you can always add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to boost the protein and calorie content.
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 small banana
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1-2 tsp maple syrup or to taste
To enjoy your own Chocolate Avocado Smoothie, simply place your ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. You can use frozen avocados and bananas to thicken the consistency of your smoothie, and you can increase the calories in each serving by adding toppings to your finished product.
| Total calories | 337 |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 49 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
Vegan Blackberry Smoothie
Recipe by Dave Bell on Hurry The Food Up
Making a vegan-friendly mass gainer recipe, like this Vegan Blackberry Smoothie, gives you the opportunity to get creative in the kitchen. It’s packed with unique ingredients, such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and soy milk, to give you a wide variety of flavors that fit within your plant-based lifestyle. To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 ½ cups soy milk
- 1 cup blackberries
- ½ mango, diced
- 2 Tbsp rolled oats
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 1 Tbsp flaxseeds
- 1 tsp almond butter
- 1 ½ tsp sugar
- 1-2 ice cubes
Like any other smoothie, it’s super easy to make. Simply combine all the ingredients in your blender until it reaches your desired consistency. Want to bump up the protein content and add a few more calories? Add a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder.
| Total calories | 482 |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 56 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
DIY Mass Gainer: Final Thoughts
To build lean muscle mass, we have to provide our bodies with all the necessary tools. Our dietary intake is key for building muscle and gaining weight. Mass gainer protein powders are a convenient way to boost your caloric intake, but you can also create your own high-calorie shakes at home that appeal to your tastebuds and individualized nutrition needs.
While many DIY mass gainer shakes contain enough calories and macros to be considered a meal, they should not regularly act as a meal replacement shake. In your quest to add more nutrition for weight gain, don’t lose sight of the importance of well-balanced meals.
- You can add creatine to your favorite DIY mass gainer recipe for added performance benefits.
- The ideal timing of your mass gainer depends on the ingredients used. High-protein, high-fat shakes might be better post-workout, while those that are more carbohydrate-dense might be better pre-workout.
- A registered dietitian nutritionist can help you calculate your estimated nutrition needs and design a meal plan that supports your weight gain goals.
- If you’re lactose-intolerant, you can opt for plant-based shakes to help you build muscle.
DIY Mass Gainer: FAQs
How can I make my own mass gainer?
The options are endless! Start with your chosen liquid base and add your protein source. You can use your tried and true protein powder or opt for whole-food protein sources. Mix in some carbohydrates and healthy fats, and you’re all set!
What’s a good substitute for mass gainer?
To make a mass gainer substitute, you can mix your all-time favorite protein powder with calorie- and nutrient-dense ingredients like whole milk, peanut butter, chia seeds, avocados, and fruit. Pair it with a balanced training schedule, and you’re on your way to some serious muscle gain!
How can I make a 1,000-calorie bulking shake?
The types and amounts of the ingredients you use in your mass gainer will determine the calorie count of the shake. So, to make a 1,000-calorie bulking shake, you will need to add high-calorie ingredients like multiple scoops of protein powder, avocados, whole milk, full-fat yogurt, and more.
Can I gain mass without mass gainer?
Absolutely! There is no such thing as a magic mass gainer. It’s all about your overall nutritional intake. While a mass gainer powder is convenient for boosting your calorie intake, you can easily create your own high-calorie shakes at home.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central.
Further reading
Have you heard the term "barbell knurling" and wondered what exactly was being discussed? Olympic Barbell Knurl is something seen in nearly every home gym in the world and although it can seem like a small feature, it's actually quite important and highly debated. In this review, I want to tell you what it is, why it matters, and examples of both good and bad knurling patterns. Read more
The XPO Trainer Sled is quite possibly the best weight sled for most home gym owners. Thanks to its magnetic resistance, it makes much less noise than a traditional sled, which, therefore makes much fewer complaints from neighbors. The XPO Trainer Sled 2.0 builds upon the previous version with minor improvements that make it an even easier recommendation. Read more
Our PlateJoy review covers our experience, subscription costs, and all about the user interface; find out if this meal planning app is for you. Read more
Looking for a snack that won't derail your fitness goals? Check out our list of the best protein bars for weight loss. Read more