Protein Pudding

120 comments

5 from 92 votes
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This protein pudding is a thick and creamy dessert recipe that takes seconds to prepare and needs just 2 ingredients! 28 grams of protein per serving.

Keen on more high protein desserts? Try protein brownies, protein cookies, and a protein mug cake.

protein pudding.

There’s something satisfying about digging into a dessert packed with protein and feeling good about eating it. I have a few favorites, but my quick dessert fix is creamy protein pudding!

It’s so much easier to make than the packaged kind, and the ingredient list is so much better! 

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make protein pudding
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Storage instructions
  6. More high protein recipes to try
  7. Protein Pudding (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • It needs just two main ingredients. Each protein pudding starts from a base that calls for protein powder and Greek yogurt.
  • So much protein! Each serving packs in 28 grams of protein.
  • It has the perfect texture. Like cottage cheese pudding, the texture is thick, smooth, and incredibly creamy.
  • You can customize it. We love vanilla, chocolate, and peanut butter, but you can jazz it up any way you like!  
recipe for protein pudding.

Ingredients needed

  • Protein powder. Either brown rice protein powder or casein protein powder. Avoid using whey-based powders as they will thin out the yogurt instead of thickening it up. 
  • Greek yogurt. Non-fat Greek yogurt or vegan high-protein yogurt. Regardless of what kind of yogurt you use, ensure it is on the thicker side and has no added sugar. 
  • Sugar or substitute. This is optional, but you can add either allulose or sugar to add sweetness. If your protein powder is already sweetened, you can leave it out.

How to make protein pudding

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- Mix. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the protein powder with yogurt until thick. Add the sweetener and any mix-ins of choice.

Step 2- Set. Place the pudding into the refrigerator for an hour, to thicken. Once it has thickened, divide it into bowls and enjoy immediately.

how to make protein pudding.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Choose a high-quality protein powder. The quality of your protein powder can make a big difference in the taste and texture of your protein pudding. I prefer casein protein powder, pea protein powder, or brown rice protein powder, as these are naturally thicker and yield a creamier pudding. Avoid whey protein powder as it tends to thin out liquid ingredients.
  • Use thick yogurt. Avoid using watery or thin kinds of yogurt, as you’ll find the pudding less thick or creamy. 
  • Make it dairy-free. Use a dairy free yogurt (like coconut yogurt or soy yogurt) and a vegan protein powder.
  • Add mix-ins. Nothing beats some chocolate chips, berries, coconut flakes, healthy granola, or even some honey peanut butter.

Protein pudding flavor ideas

As mentioned above, the pudding forms a base that can easily be customized. Here are five flavors I regularly enjoy:

  • Chocolate. Add two tablespoons of cocoa powder, use chocolate protein powder, and fold through some chocolate chips.
  • Vanilla. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and use vanilla Greek yogurt.
  • Peanut butter. Add two tablespoons of powdered or standard peanut butter.
  • Strawberry. Fold through 1/4 cup finely chopped strawberries and/or use strawberry protein powder.
  • Coconut. Use coconut yogurt and stir through 1-2 teaspoons of shredded coconut or coconut flakes.

Storage instructions

To store: The pudding should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered. If you find the pudding has thickened too much, you can add some unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice to thin it out. 

To freeze: Place portions of the pudding in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. For the ultimate treat, remove the frozen pudding and place it in the blender. Blend until thick and creamy. 

high protein pudding.

More high protein recipes to try

protein pudding recipe.

Protein Pudding

5 from 92 votes
This protein pudding recipe is thick, creamy and satisfying and takes seconds to prep. 28 grams of protein per serving. Watch how I make this in my kitchen in the video below!
Servings: 2 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 2 minutes

Video

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt with protein powder until no clumps remain and the mixture is thick. If you'd like a sweeter pudding, add the sweetener of choice.
  • Enjoy immediately or cover the bowl and refrigerate the pudding for an hour, to thicken.

Notes

* Brown rice vanilla protein powder or casein protein powder (pictured). I do not recommend using whey protein powder, as it thins out the pudding.
CHOCOLATE. Add two tablespoons of cocoa powder, use chocolate protein powder, and fold through some chocolate chips.
VANILLA. Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and use vanilla Greek yogurt.
PEANUT BUTTER. Add two tablespoons of powdered or standard peanut butter.
STRAWBERRY. Fold through 1/4 cup finely chopped strawberries and/or use strawberry protein powder.
COCONUT. Use coconut yogurt and stir through 1-2 teaspoons of shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
TO STORE: The pudding should always be stored in the refrigerator, covered. If you find the pudding has thickened too much, you can add some unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice to thin it out. 
TO FREEZE: Place portions of the pudding in a shallow container and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. For the ultimate treat, remove the frozen pudding and place it in the blender. Blend until thick and creamy.  

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 28gFat: 2gSodium: 105mgPotassium: 252mgVitamin A: 4IUCalcium: 249mgIron: 0.1mgNET CARBS: 9g
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Originally published July 2021, updated and republished March 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Any recommendations on brands of protein powder to use, I am not liking mine and would love to make the pudding

  2. Many recipes call for yogurt, which I don’t use..
    Can sour cream be used instead?..or can you recommend a substitute??

    Thx so much

  3. I’d never use/eat anything BUT full-fat and organic dairy products. They are sooooo much better for you.

    1. Sure 🙂 I agree with you, but for those who are watching their calories, non-fat/reduced fat works well.

  4. Hi, Arman! I adore your blog–filled with healthy, wholesome recipes.
    I recently did a bit of an “experiment” in the kitchen, so to speak. In an effort to add necessary calories to plain greek yogurt, my mother added a scoop of plant-based protein to a cup of 2% Fage. The result was a smooth, creamy, thick (oh my was it thick!) bowl of nourishing goodness! It’s an excellent base for cereals, diced nutrient bars, etcetera. And all of this was done prior to stumbling upon your recipe!
    I’m going to try to add a little bit of coconut flour, which would help add nutrient-rich calories and even more thickness. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

  5. I don’t think we have that type of protein powder here in Australia. So can I use any sort of powder and how much would be in your scoop…in tablespoons etc.

    1. Hi Pauline- I’ve tried a few Australian brands of protein powder and they don’t tend to work well in these recipes- If you do try it with it, it’s 32 grams 🙂

  6. Our favorite yogurt topping is – granola! We also LOVE your blog. From your writing style, to your recipes, to your photos; you’re awesome!

  7. I have Fage Greek yogurt a few days a week for breakfast and I always mix it with chia seeds, flax seeds, fresh berries, and sometimes muesli or granola.

  8. I just started trying different protein powders. This sounds like a great recipe! I look forward to trying it out.

  9. I love topping yogurt/pudding with something a little crunchy, like sliced almonds or cacao nibs or granola! Recipe looks awesome, coconut flour is a great thickener.

  10. Raw Honey and cinnamon in my Greek yoghurt….kills me every time….in a good way X-D. If I’m feeling adventurous, I just might add some cayenne or ancho powder to kick it up a notch, but si old cinnamon n honey is my winning go to combo.

  11. Ive been wanting to get non-dairy protein for so long now!! But I’m poor and I’m moving (aka no room for giant tubs in mah uhaul) but i gotta hop on this train!! And favorite proyo topping.. it’s never a toss up to say peanut butter but i’d say sprinkles and those random cookie dough chunks are a close second!

    OH and if it counts.. using an Eat Enlightened ice cream bar as the spoon 😉

  12. Hey 🙂
    Thanks for your recipe! I love to mix casein with yoghurt to get a nice texture (and flavor – cookies and cream in yoghurt makes it taste like cake batter!) but I never thought of adding coconut flour! That offers a lot of new possibilities now 😀

    I love to top my yoghurt with fresh or frozen berries and roasted almonds. yum yum yum.
    If I had a bad day I top it with apples and a lot of oreos 😛

    Am excited for you cookbook, hope it will be ready soon *-*

  13. I like coconut as a topping and also recently had a key lime pie inspired greek yogurt that had a topping of graham bits and mini white chocolate chips that was very good.

  14. I’ve never even heard of proyo before your blog! And now I HAVE to try it. Super excited to here about your cookbook coming out. Will be anxiously awaiting its release! If I had to pick a topping for my proyo, it would have to be toasted pecans.

  15. My favorite topping is granola 🙂 It gives just the right amount of sweetness and crunch I love. I also love adding maple syrup or chocolate!

  16. Depends on the yogurt! If its chocolate yogurt, then peanuts. Vanilla yogurt gets sprinkles. Strawberry yogurt gets peanut butter!

  17. Favorite toppings are cookies and fresh fruit…plus anything chocolate of course…

  18. I make “proyo” all the time… I didn’t know that there was actually a name for it! I love topping it with any kind of nut butter, but my topping always ends up as a mix-in. Recently, I’ve been topping/mixing my proyo with Birthday Cake Buff Bake. I’m pretty sure that I’m well on my to becoming a Buff Bake addict…. =P

  19. I top my yogurt with a homemade mix of oats, cinnamon and ground flax seed. Gotta get that fiber in!

  20. Favorite yogurt topping is nut butter or granola!! Thank you for the giveaway!

  21. Ohmygosh yogurt toppings….I love it mixed with cocoa powder, fresh raspberries, and a touch of agave. Or mixed with homemade apple crisp. Or with granola, banana, and peanut butter…..I could go on forever haha

  22. Ooh, this sounds interesting; I’ll have to give it a go! My favorite yogurt topping is probably granola. But I do like fruit too a lot…

  23. I knew this was going to have coconut flour—love it! I happened to be eating Greek yogurt with coconut flour mixed in as I read this. So good. Thanks for sharing—this recipe sounds delicious : )

  24. My favorite yogurt topping is blueberries cooked down with a little bit of stevia and thickened with a bit of xanthan gum. NOM

  25. I remember eating that all the time when I wasn’t vegan. Now I think it’s kind of crazy because why didn’t I just use bananas as a base? It’s so much better! I guess when you don’t know the beauty of bananas, you wouldn’t think of it. Thanks for sharing Arman!

  26. Favorite regular yogurt topping: berries. Favorite fro-yo topping: crushed Reese’s. Loving the use of coconut flour to thicken this. I ❤️ coconut flour.

  27. I’ve seen “frotein” and “proyo” ERRYWHERE. Frotein is one of my go-tos: protein powder, fruit, ice and a ton of superfoods! I personally don’t use the sugar free pudding mixes everyone else uses because I don’t really like those 😛

    Aaaaaaaaaaaanyhow. I’ve always loved topping yogurt with granola, dark chocolate, nut butter (duh), fruit and cinnamon! Tastes incredible! I can never get enough!

  28. You’ve probably already answered this somewhere before, but what is your go to sub for protein powder? I do zero waste all self sustainable so I’d love a less processed replacement! Thanks! I’ve been bragging your blog up like crazy, your recipes are amazing!

  29. Proyo? I didn’t know it had an official name lol. Yes I love it, especially when it’s super thick. I have a few recipes on my website currently. One of my favorite snacks is a chocolate protein yogurt. So yummy!

  30. Favorite yogurt topping?! Peanut flour or coconut flour! I love how thick and creamy they make the yogurt! So this pudding is right up my alley!

  31. I’m obsessed with yogurt and eat it every morning, so this would be a nice switch up. I usually top it with frozen berries, chocolate dusted almonds, cinnamon, and nut butter.

  32. I usually don’t put anything on my yogurt but I love grape nuts on it. This yogurt looks so yum!

  33. Proyo??? I’ve never heard of that term before. How funny!!! Ugh this pudding looks absolutely devine. You know I love sprinkles 😀

  34. Yum! I need to pick up some vanilla protein powder for this. I currently only have chocolate ? Love you blog!

  35. There should always be sprinkles on pudding! My favorite yogurt topping is toasted coconut 🙂 This looks delicious!!

  36. This looks delicious! Definitely a more fun way to get protein in. I work woth a lady who crushes chocolate biscuits to top her yoghurt. I think she’s onto something.

  37. I’ve never heard the term proyo before, but I like it. Sounds delicious!

  38. Yassss to this protein pudding! We’ve been eating greek yogurt mixed with protein powder for a long time, especially after a workout and I love that you added coconut flour to thicken it. Can’t wait to make this and top it with more toppings than the actual pudding itself 😉

  39. Dude! I love me some pudding. Did you ever get Jello Pudding Pops down there in Aussie Land when you were young? Here in the States, Bill Cosby was always on commercials advertising them. My sister and I would fight over them…but then they stopped making ’em. No idea why. I’m thinking if I freeze this proyo pudding of yours, then I’ll have a pudding pop!

  40. I’ve been all about any form of pudding/yogurt for my evening snacks recently. They go down easily, especially if you are full but needing a little something-something, and feels extra good in the warmth of summer. I do need some crunch though so have been topping mine with hemp and cacao nibs or plain old chunks of chocolate.