Warm up with this cozy high protein hot chocolate! It's rich, chocolatey, and packed with 26g of protein per mug. Ready in just 5 minutes, this is the perfect guilt-free treat for snuggling up on chilly nights!
This Protein Powder Hot Chocolate has a rich and creamy taste, yet is packed with 26g of protein per cup! Chocolate protein powder, milk, cocoa, and a little maple syrup create the delicious familiar flavor of a cozy hot chocolate that you can feel good about.
Prepared in 5 minutes from pantry staples, this protein hot cocoa is great for breakfast, a snack, or a rich dessert. The 26g of protein and 8g of fibre will keep you full until your next meal. The best part is, it also has less sugar than a traditional hot chocolate. It's a great way to hit your daily protein goals with a hot drink!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like a real, rich hot chocolate! But it has a high protein content with 26 g protein per cup. It has the perfect consistency with creamy milks and a protein boost.
- Made with pantry staples and simple ingredients.
- It's made in just 5 minutes.
- Keeps you full thanks to the high protein and fibre.
- Perfect for breakfast, post-workout, snack or dessert.
- Easily gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Use a protein powder and milk of choice that suits your dietary needs.
Want more high protein recipes? You'll also like my peppermint mocha protein shake, cinnamon roll protein shake, apple pie protein smoothie, high protein banana pudding or peach cobbler protein shake.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are all the ingredients you'll need to make this protein hot cocoa recipe:
- Milk of choice—I use 2% milk or whole milk. A dairy-free alternative will work just as well, such as coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, etc. I use ⅓ cup hot water in addition to the milk to tone down the richness of the hot chocolate.
- Chocolate protein powder—I use chocolate whey protein from Lean Fit. Use your favorite protein powder. Any chocolate vegan protein powder should work the same.
- Cocoa powder—This bumps up the chocolate flavor. I use dutch processed cocoa. Cacao powder will also work.
- Maple syrup—You could use honey or sugar in equal parts for this.
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Mini marshmallows or whipped cream—for topping.
Try some of these additions to change up the flavor of your protein hot chocolate:
Protein Mocha: Add 1 shot of espresso to the warmed hot chocolate.
Mint Hot Chocolate: Add ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.
Irish Protein Coffee: After heating the hot chocolate, mix in 1-2 oz baileys, vodka, or chocolate liqueur.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Be sure to read the recipe card below for the full recipe.
(1) Add all ingredients except the toppings to a small pot.
(2) Whisk thoroughly until combined. It's fine if there's a few clumps.
(3) Place the pot over medium heat on the stove top until it is steaming and warm, about 2-4 minutes. Whisk frequently to dissolve any clumps and prevent burning. The hot chocolate will thicken slightly.
(4) Once hot, pour into a mug, top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream, and enjoy immediately!
How to Serve Protein Hot Chocolate
There is no wrong time to enjoy a healthy hot chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy it for breakfast, post-workout, as a snack, or a nighttime dessert. Throw a shot of espresso in for a protein mocha, add your favorite extracts, or hey, even a shot of baileys. Here are some of my favorite recipes that would go deliciously with a cup of protein cocoa.
- Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Vegan Dirty Chai Scones
- Gluten Free Coffee Cookies
- Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies
Make Ahead
You could whisk together the hot chocolate and store it in a jar in the fridge for a few days. When you want a hot chocolate, heat it on the stove while whisking, then enjoy!
Batching
If you're hosting a crowd of people, this protein hot chocolate is easy to scale up. Multiply the quantities by the number of people you're serving.
Expert Tips
- Use a protein powder you actually like the taste of.
- Whisk the ingredients together off the heat first.
- Whisk constantly while heating the hot chocolate. The heat will help dissolve any final clumps.
- You could also blend the ingredients before heating. Pulse quickly to avoid over-blending. Whey can thicken too much with prolonged blending.
- If you have clumps after heating, pour the hot chocolate through a strainer into your mug.
- Add extra nutritional benefits with chia seeds for extra fibre, flax seeds, collagen powder for extra protein, etc.
- Top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows for some fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
I like to use chocolate whey protein powder from Lean Fit. I get it at Costco when it's on sale and it's a great value. Any type of chocolate protein powder should work though.
Sure! Use a plant-based chocolate protein powder and your dairy-free milk of choice. Pea protein or brown rice protein are great.
Protein powder and cocoa powder can both have trouble mixing into liquid fully. This is why I recommend whisking the ingredients together off-heat, then continuing to whisk while the mixture heats up. The heat will help to dissolve the final clumps. If this is not enough, you can strain the mixture into your mug, or carefully add it to a blender.
Sure! Though the only dry ingredients are cocoa powder and protein powder. I recommend whisking or blending all ingredients then storing in a mason jar in the fridge for a few days until you are ready for a cup of hot chocolate.
Enjoy a warm and cozy cup of hot chocolate made with protein powder! It's quick to make and delicious to enjoy during the chilly winter months. With 26 grams of protein, this creamy hot chocolate recipe is perfect post-workout or as a satisfying dessert that is sure to keep you full. It tastes just like a regular hot chocolate, but with less sugar and more health benefits!
More Protein Recipes
- Peppermint Mocha Protein Shake
- Cinnamon Roll Protein Shake
- Apple Pie Protein Smoothie
- Peach Cobbler Smoothie
- Gingerbread Protein Shake
- High Protein Banana Pudding Greek Yogurt Bowl
More Drinks
- Aperol Coconut Margarita
- Apple Cider Aperol Spritz
- Peach Basil Sour Cocktail
- Blended Aperol Spritz Cocktail
Have you made this protein hot chocolate recipe? I'd very much appreciate it if you leave a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and review below, and tag me on instagram @fromoliviaskitchen!
Recipe
High Protein Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup milk plus ⅓ cup water use 2% or any dairy-free alternative
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder I use whey
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Mini marshmallows or whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except the toppings to a small pot. Whisk thoroughly until combined. It's fine if there's a few clumps.
- Place the pot over medium heat until it is steaming and warm, about 2-4 minutes. Whisk frequently to dissolve any clumps and prevent burning. The hot chocolate will thicken slightly.
- Once hot, pour into a mug, top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream, and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Which type of protein powder is best? I use whey chocolate protein powder from LeanFit. I get it at Costco. Most protein powders should work, even vegan options.
- Vegan option: Use a plant based chocolate protein powder from pea protein or brown rice protein.
- Make ahead: You could whisk together the hot chocolate and store it in a jar in the fridge for a few days. When you want a hot chocolate, heat it on the stove while whisking, then enjoy!
- Batching: If you're hosting a crowd of people, this protein hot chocolate is easy to scale up. Multiply the quantities by the number of people you're serving.
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