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Learn how to make protein hot chocolate with 3 simple ingredients. It’s rich, creamy and I love how each cup packs in 15 grams of protein!
Looking for more high-protein drink recipes? Try protein coffee, chocolate protein shake, peanut butter protein shake, and protein milkshake next.
I’m in my protein era right now, which means I’m finding new ways to incorporate protein into my favorite foods. Recently, as I was sipping on a cup of hot chocolate, I wondered what would happen if I incorporated chocolate protein powder into the mix.
Well, let’s just say I’ve found an even EASIER way to get my daily protein while still getting my nightly treat.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- 15 grams of protein per cup. And you can’t even tell because it’s a key ingredient in the mix.
- Easy to make ahead. I make a massive batch of this stuff and keep it for months. That way, whenever I want a cup, all I have to do is boil some water, and I’m good to go.
- Tastes like the real deal. I’m over recipes that force protein into everything and sacrifice all the flavor. This protein hot chocolate recipe tastes as decadent as traditional hot chocolate mixes.
- Customize it. Add more chocolate for a richer chocolate flavor, use your favorite protein powder, or experiment with fun mix-ins.
Ingredients needed
- Chocolate protein powder. Use your favorite protein powder since this will be the bulk of the flavor. I prefer pea protein for my vegan protein powder, but if you’re not vegan, I’d go with casein or whey protein powder.
- Sugar. I used white sugar, but brown sugar or a sugar-free sweetener would also work (allulose is a fabulous zero calorie sweetener that dissolves like sugar!).
- Cocoa powder. I added ¼ of a cup of Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder, but you can add more for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Milk. Optional, but I prefer using milk for my healthy hot chocolate since it yields a thicker, creamier drink. I used unsweetened almond milk but oat milk, coconut milk, or regular milk will all do.
How to make protein hot chocolate
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Combine ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, sift the cocoa powder. Add the remaining ingredients and mix, then store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Step 2- Make hot chocolate. In a large mug, add 7 tablespoons of the dry hot cocoa mix. Add ¼ cup of boiling water and whisk to combine. Add another ½-1 cup of hot water or warm milk, mix, and serve.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Save time. I find using a milk frother or blender makes quick work of blending up my hot chocolate.
- Make it sweeter. I intentionally kept the sugar content in this recipe minimal since every protein powder has varying sweetness. After you’ve made your hot chocolate, taste it and add a little honey or maple syrup for more sweetness.
- Enhance the flavor. To the hot chocolate, add a few drops of vanilla extract or peppermint extract for a different flavor.
- Add toppings. What is a good cup of hot chocolate without marshmallows and whipped cream?
Storage instructions
To store hot cocoa mix: Hot cocoa mix should be covered in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
To store hot chocolate: I prefer to drink fresh hot chocolate, but if you have any leftovers, you can store it in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Then, transfer it to a microwave-safe mug and microwave or heat on the stovetop until warm.
Frequently asked questions
Your hot chocolate may be clumpy if the dry ingredients weren’t fully mixed in with the liquid. If possible, I like to combine the hot chocolate ingredients in a blender or use a milk frother to help ensure the dry ingredients are fully mixed.
Yes! Contrary to popular opinion, protein powder does not lose nutritional value when added to hot beverages (source).
More recipes with protein powder
- Protein oatmeal
- Protein pudding
- Protein pancakes
- Protein cookie dough
- Or any of these protein powder recipes
Protein Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate protein powder
- 1/2 cup sugar or sweetener of choice
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder feel free to add more, for a richer chocolate flavor
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, sift your cocoa powder to avoid any clumps. Add the protein powder and sugar and mix well.
- Add 7 tablespoons of the dry mixture into a large mug.
- Add 1/4 cup of boiling water and mix very well until everything is combined and no clumps remain. Add 1/2-1 cup of either hot water or warmed-up milk of choice, mix again and enjoy!
Nutrition
Originally published November 2016, updated and republished August 2024
…85 hojillion years later, I find this.
PRO-TIP! If you’re a lush like me, you looooooove the velvety, super-thicccc [yes, four-cs-thick] texture of a hot chocolate with too-much-powder-and-not-enough-liquid. Yes, I was the kid who would have two tablespoons of milk in a glass of Milo, not the other way around. 😉
ANYWAY! PRO-TIP!
A) If you have a blender [or you want a bonkers arm workout with your whisk], pour a little of COLD milk into the cup, and add this mix. BLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENDDDDDDD until you think the thing is going to lift up and fly off into the sunset. Then, add your hot milk, and stir! BOOM. CREAMY, VELVETY, LUXURIOUS, HIGH-PROTEIN MAGIC. This actually makes Whey Protein work for this recipe, too!
B) Use one of those handy-dandy milk frothers! I have a little hand-held one, and while it’s about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike for ANYTHING except adding cute little bubbles to the top of my milk, it actually does a surprisingly decent job of blending protein powder into liquid! It’s better with water than something more viscous like almond milk, but if you start with a little water then add milk once it’s combined, you’re golden!
Anyway, stellar recipe! Thank you! Now, brb, off to make a hot chocolate. At 2pm on a Monday. Hopefully my pre-recorded Zoom background of myself just sitting there holds up, and no one asks me any questions…
Thanks for the yummy recipe! I use whey protein but have found if i mix in a small amount of the liquid cold, it gets creamy and then I can add hot slowly while stirring, giving a nice texture. It also adds a nice flavor for “hot cocoa” style drinks.
Looking forward to trying other recipes
Thanks,
Lisa
No worries at all, Lisa! 🙂
I’d rather put on my slippers and watch Netflix. #noshameinmygame
Together please 🙂
What a lucky duck – dude ;)? – Luke is to have you helping him out with competition prep diet-approved recipes. I couldn’t imagine doing that myself. Though I sadly -do- know the calorie counts of many foods. Kilojoule? Not. Because that ish really is confusing. The carbohydrate difference makes sense, though, as fibre technically is a carb and apparently US labels don’t have to count these in as calories?
How many weeks out/until the competition your friend is preparing for?
Thanks, he’s enjoying them!
I seriously can’t believe that you made this with protein powder. It looks amazing!! I used to be a hot chocolate girl myself, and then I discovered coffee about five years ago and am now a certified addict. I’m back in the land of confusing kilojoules, too!
Ohhh yes!!! the key is mixing it with hot water first 🙂
This will be so comforting right now! It has been getting very cold at night where I live.
🙂 I hope it warms you right up, Joanne!
It got real cold here overnight, so hot chocolate sounds good right about now. And some protein would be great too, since my quads are crazy sore after last night’s workout. Damn Orangetheory fitness making me think I could beat the guy next to me at jump squats…….
Okay, you’ve convinced me to try Orange Theory Fitness.. I better die (but come back alive)
this is a perfect homemade holiday gift idea.
You said it! Thanks, Dixya!
Well THAT right there is easy enough to make! 😉 I’ve totally thought about this before – but since I am more of a vanilla girl, as you know, he he… I have yet to make it!
Oh and I actually love going over seas and seeing the KJs in foods… Because they actually list ALL of the KJs/Calories in a damn food. In the states, if it has less than 5 calories per serving, they just list it as ZERO. Lazy America.
OH that’s right!!!! I forgot about that! Ha, Walden Farms.
Woah, I think you just blew my mind with all that kilojoule talk. I’ve been really trying to count calories the past couple of weeks…and it’s hard! How the heck do I know how many calories are in a slice of bread that I baked? I just give it my best estimate and go with it. And now you tell me I need to step up my game? I’m going back to bed…haha. Love the hot chocolate mix here, mate. I’m going back to bed…with a hot chocolate next to me!
Oh geebuz… I can’t imagine calculating homemade stuff, it would take forever! I have a good one- Anything delicious is calorie free 😀
P.S I bet this would go great with that batman cookie too.
Actually, it would work great in SPOON form.
Now what if I mixed this in coffee!? That would probably be the most delicious Mocha drink EVER!
YES!!! Stay tuned for next week muffin!
I use protein powder to make hot chocolate too! It’s an easy way to get an extra protein boost without much effort!
Absolutely! Hope you try this recipe out! 🙂