Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (2024)

Updated: · Published: · By Andréa Marchese · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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Want a creamy, dreamy, high protein hot chocolate recipe that’s easy to make? This is it! And the best part is that we’re actually making a protein hot cocoa mix to keep in the pantry that will be ready to use whenever you need it.

Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (1)

With just 64 calories and 9 grams of protein per serving (not including the milk), this is a great high protein alternative to traditional hot chocolate. It's a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth in the winter months, and contribute to having a healthy holiday season.

Go get your chocolate protein powder and let’s do this!

PS this hot chocolate would be great with these healthy peppermint patties (made with protein powder)!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Top Tip
  • More healthy recipes
  • 🥣 Recipe

Ingredients

To make the hot cocoa mix:

And we’ll add it to

  • 6oz milk (any kind - my milk of choice is a full fat creamy oat milk for this hot cocoa recipe)

Equipment

I suggest using a sifter or strainer when combining the ingredients because cocoa powder tends to clump. And there’s nothing worse in hot cocoa than a clump of cocoa powder.

I like to mix the dry ingredients with a whisk, but a spoon or fork will work well also.

I love an easy recipe, so I microwave the milk to warm it up. Of course, the stovetop works too. And in that case you’ll need a small saucepan.

If you have a milk frother, that's the best way to get the cocoa mix fully dissolved for creamy hot chocolate.

Instructions

To prepare the dry mix:

  1. Measure out the protein powder and sweetener, and add to a bowl. Mix to combine.
Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (2)
  1. Sift the cocoa powder into the bowl.
Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (3)
  1. Mix the dry ingredients well.
Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (4)
  1. Spoon mix into a jar or food storage container.

To prepare one serving of protein hot chocolate:

  1. Microwave the milk for one minute (for a 1000 watt microwave, adjust the time for other wattages) OR heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Measure two rounded tablespoons of protein hot chocolate mix, and stir into your warm milk. Give it a good stir. Use a milk frother if you have one. If there are any clumps of powder remaining, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then stir again.
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  1. Serve and enjoy! I like my protein hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. :)

That’s it! Pretty easy recipe.

Substitutions

I would not substitute vegan protein powder in this recipe. It will likely leave a mouthfeel that isn’t smooth, and it definitely won’t taste as good as using chocolate whey protein powder.

Any kind of milk will work here, but keep in mind that something thin like skim milk will give you thin hot chocolate. Creamy milks work the best. I love full fat oat milk in this recipe.

No milk? Just use hot water. It won’t be as creamy, but you’ll still get all the warm feels of drinking healthy hot chocolate.

If you're using cacao powder in place of the cocoa powder, you may need extra protein powder to balance the taste. Cacao can have a stronger, more bitter flavor than cocoa powder.

Variations

Lots of different ways to enjoy this healthy protein cocoa mix!

DIY Dunkaccino - Instead of using milk, add the mix to your morning cup of coffee! First prepare your coffee with whatever milk or creamer you prefer, then add a couple of spoonfuls of protein hot chocolate mix. YUM. (btw if you haven't seen this Al Pacino Dunkaccino commercial, click to watch it. You're welcome.)

Mexican hot chocolate -spice it up! Prepare the hot cocoa with milk as above, then mix in dashes of ground cinnamon and chili powder.

If you prefer a liquid sweetener (hello maple syrup!), omit the sweetener from the dry mix and just add sweetener when you prepare the hot chocolate to drink.

To keep it low calorie and low carb, opt for an unsweetened plant-based milk like almond milk or coconut milk.

For a post-workout hot drink with higher carbohydrate counts, use coconut sugar or brown sugar in place of the stevia.

Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (7)

Storage

Keep the dry mix in an airtight container in your pantry. I use a jar, but a meal prep container will also work!

Top Tip

If you don’t like your protein powder as a shake, you’re not going to like it in protein hot chocolate, either. We’re not adding enough ingredients to mask any unpleasant flavors. I love this chocolate whey powder by ON in this recipe.

More healthy recipes

This protein hot chocolate would go well with:

  • Quest Bar Cookies
  • Sugar Free Protein Peppermint Patties
  • Pecan Protein Bites
  • Black and White Cookies

🥣 Recipe

Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (8)

Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe)

Easy recipe for a creamy, dreamy, protein hot chocolate. Includes a recipe for the dry mix and how to prepare each serving.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 64kcal

Author: Andréa Marchese

Ingredients

For the dry hot chocolate mix:

For one serving prepared hot chocolate:

  • 6 oz milk, any kind

Instructions

To prepare the dry mix:

  • Add protein powder and sweetener to a bowl. Mix to combine.

  • Sift the cocoa powder into the bowl using a flour sifter or fine mesh strainer.

  • Mix the ingredients well.

  • Spoon mix into a jar or food storage container.

To prepare one serving:

  • Microwave the milk for one minute (for a 1000 watt microwave, adjust the time for other wattages) or heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat.

  • Measure two rounded tablespoons of mix, and stir into your warm milk. Give it a good stir. Use a milk frother for best results. If there are any clumps of powder remaining, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then stir again.

  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

This recipe will taste the best and have the smoothest mouthfeel with whey protein.

Use a milk frother for the easiest mixing!

Nutrition

Serving: 2rounded tablespoons mix | Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g

Tried this recipe?Mention and tag us! @proteincakery

Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What are the benefits of protein hot chocolate? ›

Good Night Protein Hot Cocoa Mix contains 11 vitamins and minerals—including magnesium and zinc, which can help provide a calming effect for your body. With that rich, chocolaty flavor and smooth, creamy texture, our Protein Hot Cocoa Mix may be the tastiest relaxation drink you'll ever curl up with.

Can you mix cocoa powder with protein powder? ›

How to make a Chocolate Protein Shake: Blend: Add protein powder, cocoa powder, almond milk, banana, and ice, to a blender and blend until smooth. Add Toppings: Pour into cup and use a spoon to stir in peanut butter powder.

Can I use protein powder in hot drinks? ›

Depending on the type of protein powder, it can thicken or get a bit clumpy if you add it to hot coffee. Instead, mix the protein powder with a little bit of warm water first. Then add your hot coffee to your mixture. A milk frother can help dissolve the powder more quickly.

What can I mix with protein powder to make it taste good? ›

Enhance the Taste of Your Protein Shake
  1. Add Fruit. Fruit adds a delicious kick to your protein shake without adding a tremendous amount of calories. ...
  2. Add Milk. ...
  3. Add Cocoa Powder. ...
  4. Add Yogurt. ...
  5. Toss In Some Peanut Butter!

Is hot chocolate bad for you when trying to lose weight? ›

While hot chocolate is not a magic bullet for weight loss, when prepared thoughtfully and consumed in moderation, it can be a pleasant addition to a weight-loss diet.

Is it OK to drink hot chocolate everyday? ›

If you are mindful of your overall intake of added sugars and calories and choose a hot chocolate that is lower in sugar and fat, enjoying it regularly can be part of a healthy lifestyle. Opting for skimmed or plant-based milk versions with little to no added sugars is a sensible choice for daily consumption.

What not to mix protein powder with? ›

The addition of real milk powder may lead to bloating, constipation and probably dysentery because of it's high lactose and sugar level. Don't add ingredients such as soy protein which contains chemical compounds that can lead to hormonal disturbance in some people. Avoid mixing vegetable oils that contain trans fats.

Why not mix protein powder with milk? ›

However, when you consume protein with milk, it adds up to 8-10 grams more protein to a serving and this extra protein slows down the digestion. When you mix protein with milk, it coagulates the shake and makes whey protein to stay long which makes it slow to digest with a constant supply of amino acid to the body.

What ingredients should not be in a protein powder? ›

There are certain ingredients in a protein powder that you should watch out for when shopping. They include artificial sweeteners such as sucralose or aspartame, artificial flavors and colors, preservatives, fillers like maltodextrin or corn syrup solids, and high sugar levels.

How hot is too hot for protein powder? ›

Although they may clump with humidity, humidity and even water do not cause them to break down. Digestive enzymes are stable until temperatures exceed 115° F (46° Celsius), at which point their shapes may change and this will affect their function.

What happens to protein powder when heated? ›

Does cooking alter the properties of protein powders? The cooking of protein powders has the same results as the cooking of all types of proteins: the nutritional values remain the same. With cooking, therefore, the quality of the proteins does not change and the nutritional properties do not change.

How much protein do I need a day? ›

How much protein do you need? Anywhere from 10% to 35% of your calories should come from protein. So if your needs are 2,000 calories, that's 200–700 calories from protein, or 50–175 grams. The recommended dietary allowance to prevent deficiency for an average sedentary adult is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.

How to make protein shake for weight loss? ›

To make it, blend a cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice with two scoops of vanilla protein powder, half a cup of Greek yogurt, half of a frozen banana, and a handful of ice. If you want something a little bit less sweet, the Cherry Chia smoothie is a great option.

Does protein powder taste better with milk or water? ›

Whey is the quick-absorbing formula that every fitness enthusiast should take after their workout. For all those who cannot compromise with taste in their protein shake, mixing whey protein with milk is much better in taste as compared to mixing protein with water.

Does hot chocolate have any health benefits? ›

Cocoa is the main ingredient of hot chocolate which comprises many beneficial nutrients such as antioxidants like flavanols & phytosterols which readily reduces the LDL cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing any pre-mature heart diseases, coronary diseases, or heart attacks.

Is Chocolate Protein Powder good for you? ›

But be careful: a scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder can harbor health risks. "I don't recommend using protein powders except in a few instances, and only with supervision," says registered dietitian Kathy McManus, director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Is hot chocolate a good source of protein? ›

While hot chocolate is not primarily hailed as a protein-rich beverage, it indeed carries a modest protein content, especially when made with milk. The presence of protein is an added bonus to the myriad benefits and joys this drink brings.

Is it good to eat protein chocolate? ›

Protein bars are generally safe for most people and come with few risks. However, they are made with a variety of ingredients, some of which can negatively affect health if overconsumed. For example: Sugar: Some protein bars can contain as much sugar as a candy bar.

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