Use your favorite whey or plant-based protein powder to get the perfect consistency of your protein hot chocolate.
Hot Chocolate with Protein Powder
This protein hot chocolate is my go-to hot cocoa when I want something warm and need to get more protein into my day. I’ve made it many times with both whey protein and plant-based protein and below, I’ll share my tips for each.
You’ll love that it’s only made with 3 simple ingredients. Among this cinnamon hot chocolate and a pumpkin spice hot chocolate that rivals that of Sbux, this is one of my favs to sip on during the winter.
Ingredients
- Milk: the creamier the milk, the thicker the cocoa. Some plant-based milks, like oat milk and cashew milk, yield a creamier hot cocoa, while almond and rice milk make it thinner.
- Chocolate protein powder: use your favorite. Plant-based protein powders yield a thicker and sometimes grainier texture than whey.
- Sweetener: optional. Add maple syrup, honey, or 1 stevia packet. Some protein powders don't need it.
How to Make Protein Hot Chocolate with Protein
- Dissolve the protein powder in milk.
Break up the clumps with a whisk before heating. If the mixture is really thick, a common issue with some plant-based powders, add more milk. If you're making a single serving, use a shaker bottle. - Warm it up.
Keep stirring with a whisk to prevent clumps, hot spots, and burning the bottom. - Serve.
Top your mug or to-go cup with marshmallows, whipped cream, and more hot cocoa toppings.
Keeping Hot Cocoa from Getting Clumpy
I’ve found that the key to preventing protein clumps is to dissolve the powder before heating it up and using a whisk to stir it while it heats up in the pot. Most protein powders mix just fine in cold milk, so you should be fine!
Healthy Protein Hot Chocolate (20g protein)
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk, any
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 2 packets of stevia, optional
- Toppings: marshmallows or whipped cream
Instructions
Prep:
- In a medium bowl, use a whisk to dissolve the protein powder with the milk until there are no visible lumps. Add the maple syrup (or Stevia) if using, and stir to combine. Try it for sweetness since all protein powders vary in sweetness. Once mixed, adjust the thickness of the liquid by adding up to ½ cup of additional milk.
Warm it up:
- In a medium saucepan, warm up the chocolate liquid, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the hot chocolate is hot but not boiling.
Serve:
- Pour the hot cocoa into two cups and top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Notes
- Make this a single serving protein hot chocolate by mixing 1 scoop of protein powder and 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups of milk in a shaker bottle. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of maple syrup to make it sweeter and then warm it up.
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Emily says
adding protein to hot chocolate is brilliant! Amazing recipe for fall an winter!