Protein Hot Chocolate Recipe

Rich and creamy protein hot chocolate made with any protein powder! It’s made with simple, healthy ingredients and only takes 5 minutes to make. A delicious way to boost your protein intake with over 21 grams of protein per serving!

If you’ve been looking for creative ways to boost your protein intake, this protein hot chocolate is next level. While I love using protein powder in smoothies and protein balls, this hot chocolate recipe has quickly become one of my favorites to make.

So, why add protein powder to your hot chocolate? As you age, your body actually requires more protein to initiate muscle protein synthesis. This is why people lose muscle mass as they age, and studies show people with higher protein intakes—specifically women—are 30% less likely to lose functional independence as they age.

As a result, I’m intentionally eating more protein in my 30s to give myself a leg up in the upcoming decades. Of course, I’m eating a lot of high protein meals to accomplish that, but I also love a delicious chocolatey drink to top things off.

This hot chocolate recipe is great as a midday warm drink or nightcap, and can be enjoyed year round. It’s also completely foolproof and works with any chocolate protein powder you have on hand. If you need flexibility, this recipe is the perfect solution!

Can you make hot chocolate with protein powder?

Yes! While you can use any chocolate protein powder to make hot chocolate, the flavor and texture will be influenced by the protein powder you choose to use. Vegan protein powders tend to taste a bit more earthy, while whey protein powder thickens up more when heated. Many brands also include sweeteners, so you may want to add more or less sweetener to taste.

No matter what protein powder you use, it’s important to mix the ingredients first before heating it up. Protein powders tend to coagulate and become clumpy when exposed to high heat. This happens more with whey protein powder. When heating up your hot chocolate, make sure to continually whisk it in the saucepan and remove it from the heat just before it comes to a boil.

Ingredients

• Milk of choice – I’ve tested this with regular, coconut, cashew, and almond milk, and all work great! My favorite is organic coconut milk because it’s light and fairly neutral in flavor. Note: I do not recommend using canned coconut milk because it ends up making the protein hot chocolate too thick.
• Cocoa powder – Use a unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
• Chocolate protein powder – Whey, vegan, and grass fed beef protein work great in this recipe! I personally use this grass fed beef isolate and it dissolves well and has a great texture. You can also use chocolate collagen peptides. Make sure to check the notes if you use whey protein powder, as it can get a little clumpy if overheated.
• Maple syrup – Use dark maple syrup for the best texture and flavor
• Toppings: While toppings are optional, it adds a little bit of creaminess and enjoyment to your hot chocolate! My favorites are marshmallows, coconut whipped cream, or chocolate shavings!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

Want to make this your own? Here are some quick and easy shifts you can make to the recipe:

• Milk – You can use any regular or vegan milk in this recipe! Make sure to use a pourable milk from a carton. Water is also fine to use, but it will be a little less flavorful and creamy. Do not use canned coconut milk is too think for this recipe.
• Maple syrup – You can leave this out or add more according to how sweet you want your hot chocolate. Most chocolate protein powders already have a little sweetener, so you only need a little bit. You can also swap this for honey.

How to Make Protein Hot Chocolate

1. Mix: In a medium saucepan, whisk the milk, cocoa powder, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt. Whisk vigorously until combined.

2. Heat: Heat the mixture over medium-low heat until warm and frothy (but not boiling), about 3-4 minutes. Continuously whisk the mixture while heating to ensure no clumps remain. Be careful not to overheat as protein powder can clump and change texture. If the hot chocolate is too thick for your liking, whisk in an additional 2-3 tablespoons of milk.

3. Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired. Sip and enjoy!

Blending Tips

• Use a whisk to mix the ingredients before heating. Do this directly in the saucepan to make your life easier! This will help the protein powder dissolve completely into the milk.
• Don’t let the milk come to a boil when heating. When exposed to high heat, protein tends to coagulate and becomes sticky. Whey protein powder is more prone to this!
• I like to heat the milk for about a minute, then whisk continuously until the mixture becomes warm and slightly frothy, about 2-3 minutes.
• If your protein hot chocolate seems a bit too thick, just add a few more tablespoons of milk! Some protein powders are a bit thicker than others and/or there can be a slight variance in the grams of protein powder in 1 scoop.
• Got a few clumps? Just strain the hot chocolate through a metal strainer directly into your mug before drinking.

Recipe FAQs

Serving

While this recipe is fantastic on it’s own, you can serve protein hot chocolate with any of your favorite warm and cozy toppings. My favorites include:

• Whipped cream: My favorite is coconut whipped cream!
• Chocolate shavings: You can do this with your favorite chocolate bar and a peeler.
• Marshmallows: Make your own or grab some at the store!
• Sprinkles: If making this around the holidays, you can do green and red sprinkles or little chocolate sprinkles on top of the whipped cream.

More High Protein Recipes

• No Bake Protein Balls
• Easy Stovetop Chili
• Healthy Zuppa Toscana
• Egg Roll in A Bowl
• Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas

Recipe by: Noelle Tarr / Coconuts and Kettlebells | Photography by: Casey Colodny / The Mindful Hapa