High Protein Banana Pudding {with Chessmen Cookies}

This high protein banana pudding with chessmen cookies is to die for! The thick, creamy pudding mixture is layered with sweet bananas and buttery cookies that soften after refrigerated for the perfect bite. Eat it as a healthier dessert option or high protein snack to help reach a higher total overall protein intake.

Two jars of high protein banana pudding and a bowl of chessmen cookies on a wooden cutting board on the table.

If you haven’t tried the original banana pudding with chessmen cookies (allrecipes), you should! It’s probably my favorite dessert of all time. Therefore, I had to recreate a high protein version that still tastes delicious!

This recipe uses protein powder but Greek yogurt and cool whip do a great job masking the taste. It’s a super easy, tasty way to add some protein to your day!

Keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or, slice some bananas on top when serving and keep fresh for 5 days.

Why You Should Try This High Protein Pudding:

You love banana pudding: If you’re a huge fan of banana pudding, this recipe is seriously delicious while being a bit healthier. You could even triple or quadruple the recipe and serve it as dessert at a get-together or dinner party.

A fun and healthy high protein dessert or snack: Each serving contains over 20 grams of protein and 23% daily value of calcium.

Easy meal prep snack: This recipe is so simple to throw together – you just combine all the ingredients in a bowl with a whisk and refrigerate! Keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Ingredients

This recipe makes 2 very large servings. Greek yogurt is combined with one scoop of protein powder to help mask that taste but provide additional protein.

However, you could add 1/2-1 additional scoop of protein powder and easily make 3-4 smaller servings.

Individual ingredients for the high protein banana pudding on a white cutting board on the counter.
  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Non-Fat (1 cup or 2-5.3 oz. containers): Greek yogurt adds additional protein while masking the taste of the protein powder. If you’re dairy-free, sub with a high protein dairy-free yogurt.
  • Cool Whip (3/4 cup): The Cool Whip helps to decrease the tangy yogurt flavor and balances out the banana cream pudding mix. Easily sub dairy-free cool whip.
  • Vanilla Protein Powder (1-1 1/2 scoops): I used only one scoop, but I feel like you could add 1/2-1 more scoop and it would still taste delicious!
  • Water (3/4 cup): If you taste the pudding mix and find it too gritty, add an additional 1/4-1/2 cup of water. The mixture should thicken up in the fridge.
  • Bananas, Ripe (1-2 large, sliced): Depending on how many servings you are making and how large your bananas are. Even if the bananas are not fully ripe, I find that they ripen during refrigeration.
  • Instant Banana Cream or Vanilla Pudding Mix (2 tablespoons): I used banana cream, but it does have quite a strong banana flavor. Vanilla pudding mix would be a tasty sub if you prefer.
  • Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon).
  • Chessman Cookies (6 cookies): Sub with vanilla wafers, however, Chessman cookies are just the best. They’re slightly sweet, buttery and perfectly complement the banana pudding!
  • Chia Seeds, Optional: This is optional, but you could add some chia seeds for omega-3 fatty acids and fiber!

How to Make High Protein Banana Pudding

Again, this recipe makes HUGE servings! I layered the pudding in glass mason jars and crumbled the cookies to make individual servings.

You could also layer the cookies in a rectangle or square Pyrex dish or glass baking dish (and not crumble them) for a pretty dessert or snack.

This recipe is DELICIOUS as is, but can be easily customized. Add more protein powder and split into 3-4 servings for a lower calorie treat that is still high in protein.

A large spoonful of high protein banana pudding with two jars in the background and a bowl of chessmen cookies.

Whisk Ingredients Together

Start by gathering all ingredients, along with a cutting board.

Add the protein powder, water, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, cool whip and pudding mix to a large bowl. If hard to combine, allow the cool whip to soften by sitting out for 5 minutes.

Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well-combined.

Slice the Banana(s) and Assemble

Slice 1-2 bananas.

Start by crumbling the chessmen cookies (larger pieces, the better) into a jar as the bottom layer. Use 1 cookie for each layer (3 cookies per jar). Add a layer of sliced bananas.

**You can also assemble both jars at once.

Using a spoon, pour the pudding mixture on top of the bananas – covering them fully. Then, repeat the process – making 3 layers. The top layer should be pudding- fully covering the banana slices so they are not exposed to air.

Repeat with the next jar or container.

Refrigerate and Enjoy!

Allow to refrigerate in an airtight container/jar for at least 6 hours. Enjoy! Top with extra banana slices, cool whip, and chessmen cookies if you prefer.

You can also use a rectangle or square glass dish and layer cookies, banana slices, then pudding mixture. Top with more chessmen cookies for a fun look (see original recipe).

Keep refrigerated for 2-3 days! The cookies will continue to soften, but sometimes it tastes even better that way! If you loved this recipe, try my Banana Pudding Protein Shake!

Related Posts:
The Best Oreo Protein Shake
Mini High Protein Strawberry Cheesecake Cups
Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Protein Pudding

Tips for Success

Two jars of high protein banana pudding garnished with a chessmen cookie with a bowl of chessmen cookies in the background.
  • Ensure the bananas are not exposed to air to keep them from browning. Tossing them with a little lemon juice before assembling might help too (but may change the flavor profile).
  • Ripe bananas work best in this recipe, however, I find that slightly under ripe bananas work too.
  • You could keep the pudding mixture refrigerated without the bananas for up to 5 days, and just slice bananas individually when ready to eat.
  • If the pudding mixture tastes too gritty, add 1/4-1/2 cup more water and the pudding will thicken as it refrigerates.
  • Sub water with milk for a richer, creamier pudding.
  • Add more protein powder and assemble smaller portions as a light, delicious, and healthy snack!
Two jars of high protein banana pudding and a bowl of chessmen cookies on a wooden cutting board on the table.

High Protein Banana Pudding {with Chessmen Cookies}

Alex Evink, MS, RD
A healthier, high protein alternative to traditional banana pudding! A creamy Greek yogurt pudding mixture is layered with bananas and buttery chessmen cookies for the ultimate snack or dessert! The servings are LARGE, and this recipe can be easily customized.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt (or 2 5.3-oz containers) sub with dairy-free high protein yogurt
  • 1-2 scoops protein powder depending on how many servings you're making or if you like the taste of protein powder
  • 3/4 cup cool whip sub dairy-free cool whip
  • 2 tablespoons instant banana cream or vanilla pudding mix
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1-2 large ripe bananas, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 Chessmen Butter Cookies
  • Chia seeds, optional (for extra fiber and omega-3 fatty acids)

Instructions
 

  • Start by gathering all ingredients, along with a cutting board.
  • Add the protein powder, water, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, cool whip and pudding mix to a large bowl. If hard to combine, allow the cool whip to soften by sitting out for 5 minutes.
  • Whisk the ingredients together until smooth and well-combined.
  • Slice 1-2 bananas.
  • Start by crumbling the chessmen cookies (larger pieces, the better) into a jar as the bottom layer. Use 1 cookie for each layer (3 cookies per jar). Add a layer of sliced bananas. Using a spoon, pour the pudding mixture on top of the bananas – covering them fully. Then, repeat the process – making 3 layers. The top layer should be pudding- fully covering the banana slices so they are not exposed to air.
  • Repeat with the next jar or container.
  • Place lid or top on each jar/container. Allow to refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
  • Enjoy! Top with additional banana slices or chessmen cookies if you prefer.
    You can also use a rectangle or square glass dish and layer cookies, banana slices, then pudding mixture. Top with more chessmen cookies for a fun look (see original recipe).

Notes

  • This recipe makes 2 HUGE servings (see pictures)! If you’re looking to lower the calories, increase the protein powder to 1 1/2-2 scoops and divide into 3-4 servings.
  • Make sure the bananas are covered in pudding and not exposed to air to prevent spoiling. 
Nutritional information is just an estimation and individual ingredients and preparation may lead to slight discrepancies. Calculated without chia seeds. 
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving  
Calories 365
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9.3g 12%
Saturated Fat 6.2g 31%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 189mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 50.6g 18%
Dietary Fiber 2.8g 10%
Total Sugars 30.4g  
Protein 22.5g  
Vitamin D 0mcg 0%
Calcium 305mg 23%
Iron 1mg 4%
Potassium 332mg 7%
Keyword healthy banana pudding, high protein snack idea, protein pudding

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