Chocolate protein pudding is the perfect afternoon snack or healthy dessert!
This low carb high protein dessert is ready in about 2 minutes and is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and so easy to make! Only 4 ingredients!
Why this is the best protein powder dessert
- This creamy rich protein dessert is the perfect solution for your sweet tooth!
- The chocolate is rich and decadent but also extremely satisfying from the protein and healthy fats!
- This is the perfect low carb snack or meal!
- The best part is that it only has a few ingredients
- You can easily make the pudding in 2 minutes with just a spoon and a bowl, no fancy equipment needed!
How to make chocolate protein pudding
Step 1: Start by adding the protein powder and cacao powder to a bowl with cold dairy free milk
Step 2: Stir stir stir until all the clumps are mostly removed and the pudding is thick and glossy!
Step 3: Once the pudding has most of the lumps removed, stir in your choice of nut or seed butter. Eat immediately or store in the fridge for later
What kind of protein powder should you use to make this thick chocolate pudding recipe?
This recipe is written to use a vegan protein powder.
Vegan protein powders act almost like flour and absorb a ton of liquid. This works well in this recipe because it helps create a thick and creamy chocolate pudding.
However, you can make this without vegan protein powder, you will just have to adjust the ingredients a bit (see below).
I use Nuzest Pea Protein, its got great ingredients and is easy to digest. I also use and highly recommend this almond protein powder that is paleo friendly. and sweetened with coconut sugars.
Can you use a whey protein powder?
If you are using a whey or collagen protein powder, start with 1/3 cup of dairy free milk and continue to increase it until you get the consistency you want.
Also note that the added nut butter or seed butter will help thicken the pudding and add some richness to the pudding!
Best dessert toppings to try
- unsweetened coconut flakes
- cacao nibs
- fruit (banana, strawberry, raspberry)
- drizzled almond butter
- chopped nuts
- hemp hearts
Substitutions:
If you don’t have protein powder
If you do not have any protein powder, you could also use 1/2 cup of greek yogurt and add cacao powder and your favorite sweetener (stevia, maple syrup, coconut sugar).
You can use either coconut butter, almond butter, sunbutter or even tahini in this recipe.
TIP: very cold milk will help thicken the consistency of the pudding since it will harden the nut/seed butter.
How to make Vanilla Protein Pudding
To make this vanilla, simply use a vanilla protein powder and reduce the liquid to 1/2 cup of dairy free milk.
If you love this high protien dessert recipe you should try:
- High protein oatmeal 4 ways
- Vegan black bean brownies
- Single Serve Protein Mint Chocolate Brownies
- Chocolate Mug Cake
- Single serve Protein brownies
Simple Chocolate Protein Pudding
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 serving vegan chocolate protein powder - vegan
- 2 tbs. cacao powder - or cocoa powder
- 3/4-1 cup milk of choice - cold
- 1 tbs. almond butter or coconut butter - see post for nut free suggestions
Instructions
- Combine the protein powder, cacao powder and milk in a bowl. Stir well until most of the lumps are fully removed. Start with 3/4 cup of dairy free milk and add a little at a time so it doesn’t get too runny.
- Once the lumps are gone, add the creamy almond butter or melted coconut butter and stir well until you have a pudding consistency.
- Refrigerate up to 8 hours or serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in January 2017, but was update in February 2021 with updated content.
Mallory
Friday 25th of August 2023
I made this this afternoon and even though my protein has a smidge of chalk texture to it, I let it chill in the fridge for maybe an hour-ish and immediately made more! I did add a little bit of maple syrup because I have a huge sweet tooth. I’m also very tempted to put in my ice cream maker and see how it does in there. Have you thought to try it? So glad I found this recipe while I try to count macros!!
Samantha Rowland
Sunday 27th of August 2023
So glad you loved it and now have a really simple, yummy high protein snack you enjoy. I have not tried it in the ice cream maker. I think it would turn out best using a high fat milk like coconut milk if you do decide to make it into ice cream - something like almond milk or regular milk would probably get very icy and have a lot of crystals in the end product. You could make some nice cream - blend up a frozen banana with the protein and milk to make a cold treat! Hope that helps!
Ngareta
Sunday 27th of February 2022
Made this as I have been wanting something sweet and it was so satisfying, I used whey with organic nut butter and yummmm...
Kayleigh
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
Can you use kefir drink instead of milk?
Samantha Rowland
Thursday 27th of January 2022
I have not tried this Kayleigh but I can't see why not! If you give it a try let me know!
Mick
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
Could PB2 be used instead of an actual nut butter?
Samantha Rowland
Tuesday 9th of February 2021
Hey Mick! The peanut butter/nut butter helps add a creamy texture to the pudding. If you add PB2 you may need more milk/liquid as it absorbs liquid. The end product may not be as creamy with just PB2.
Amy Trabert
Sunday 17th of January 2021
Can you freeze the pudding?
Samantha Rowland
Sunday 17th of January 2021
Amy I have not tried freezing it. Because of the dairy free milk, it might get a bit icy and not have the best texture. I would use canned coconut milk (which is much higher in fat) if you want to freeze this. Hope that helps!