Use this recipe to make a rich and delicious protein hot chocolate anytime you crave a healthy, warm drink!
Use your favorite whey or plant-based protein powder to get the perfect consistency of your protein hot chocolate.

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)

Use this recipe to make a rich and delicious protein hot chocolate anytime you crave a healthy, warm drink!
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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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Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 229mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 653mg






Estella says
I did a long run in realllllly cold weather and made this healthy protein hot chocolate recipe as a recovery drink. It was perfect!
Claire says
I’m looking for new ways to include protein powder in my meals and have to say that this hot cocoa is an incredible way! Simple and delish. I didn’t add any toppings, I’ll do it next!
Reilly says
Not sure why I never thought of this-but thank you! My 16 year old daughter is crazy into fitness right now so we’ll have to try this!
Alexandra says
Hot chocolate and protein? Yes please!! I will be making this on repeat this holiday season!
Christi says
What are the nutritional facts for this recipe? Sounds wonderful!