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.
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 Banana 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 protein powder to help mask that taste but provide additional protein. Divide into smaller servings as well!
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.
Whisk Ingredients Together
Start by gathering all ingredients, along with a cutting board.
Add the protein powder, water (optional), 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. Add a small layer of pudding. ThenStart 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. Assemble however you like!
Using a spoon, pour the pudding mixture on top of the bananas – covering them fully. Then, repeat the process – making 2-3 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
- 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. They seem to sweeten as they sit in the fridge.
- 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 the 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!
High Protein Banana Pudding {with Chessmen Cookies}
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt (or 2 5.3-oz containers) sub with dairy-free high protein yogurt
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder highly recommend Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Ice Cream Protein Powder
- 3/4 cup cool whip sub dairy-free cool whip
- 2 tablespoons instant banana cream or vanilla pudding mix
- 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)
- 1/2 cup water or milk, optional. if mixture tastes too gritty. omit if you prefer thicker pudding.
Instructions
- Start by gathering all ingredients, along with a cutting board.
- Add the protein powder, water (optional, depending on how thick you want the pudding), 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.
- Add a small layer of pudding. Then, crumble 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.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 2-3 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. Keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.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, divide into 3-4 servings.
- Make sure the bananas are covered in pudding and not exposed to air to prevent spoiling.
- If the pudding mixture tastes too gritty, add the water or milk and the pudding will thicken as it refrigerates.
| 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 30g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 305mg | 23% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 332mg | 7% |
