This dark chocolate cheesecake protein pudding is a simple yet delicious high protein treat – healthy enough to eat as a snack and decadent enough to eat as a dessert. It’s rich and creamy, with so many options for fun toppings!
This is an easy snack to curb a sweet tooth and is prepped in less than 10 minutes. One serving is 36 grams of protein – or divide into two little mini cups with 18 grams of protein each!
Reasons to Make This Protein Pudding
- Healthy, high protein snack or dessert: This recipe contains 36 grams of protein in one serving (and only 200 calories). It could easily be split into 2 servings, with 18 grams of protein each. It’s a great source of calcium, too.
- Delicious, creamy and decadent – but healthy for you: rich dark chocolate combined with sweet strawberries and the creamy whipped topping. The mini cups are perfect for your after dinner sweet tooth.
- Gut Health: The Greek yogurt contains live, active cultures which can improve our gut health.
- High protein meal prep: This recipe is SO simple and easy to make in a large batch for high protein snack prep. It stores in the fridge for up to 5 days, and can even be frozen for up to 3 months.
INGREDIENTS
- Hershey’s Special Dark 100% Cacao Powder (1 Tbsp.): Can sub with cocoa powder of your choice.
- Non-fat, Plain Greek Yogurt or Whipped Cottage Cheese (1/2 cup): I used plain Greek yogurt, but vanilla flavor (or any flavor of your choice) would work. A 1/2 cup is about one small container of yogurt. Greek yogurt is high in protein, calcium and contains probiotics – adding to the nutritional value of this recipe.
- 1 scoop protein powder: Because this recipe uses Greek yogurt, only one scoop of protein powder is needed. I find that too much protein powder gives an off-putting taste. Vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored would work best in this recipe. It will taste better with a delicious tasting protein powder.
- Instant pudding cheesecake mix (2 tablespoons): Gives the pudding a mild cheesecake flavor, and helps to thicken it into a pudding consistency. Make sure you use instant pudding mix!
- Milk (1/2 cup): Use skim milk for best results. I have substituted with water but it will result in a thinner consistency.
Toppings Ideas
- Whipped cream (a MUST)
- Diced strawberries
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Mini chocolate chips
- Crushed Oreos
- Chopped Nuts
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Why High Protein Snacks Are Beneficial
Consuming a diet higher in protein can help to preserve lean muscle mass- especially when in a calorie deficit. Maintaining lean muscle mass can improve our basal metabolic rate, or the number of calories we burn at rest.
Several clinical studies have found that consuming more than the recommended daily allowance of protein can help to reduce body weight and decrease fat mass. It can even help prevent weight regain after weight loss.
Protein is also important for satiety and satisfaction because it takes longer to digest, and therefore, keeps us fuller for a longer period of time. However, because this pudding is a purée consistency, it might not be as filling as solids foods because the ingredients are already broken down.
Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Protein Pudding: Step-By-Step Instructions
This is a really easy recipe that just requires some whisking. The pudding consistency isn’t super thick but I love to add some whipped topping and stir it in there with mini chocolate chips and strawberries! The whipped topping really complements the flavors well and cuts some of the richness from the dark chocolate.
- Measure out ingredients into a bowl.
- Whisk together until smooth and creamy, with no lumps. Then, keep whisking for about 1-2 minutes. Let the pudding mixture sit in the fridge for 5-10 minutes for best results.
- Top with desired toppings and serve right away or refrigerate for up to 5 days. This recipe can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
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Recipe Tips:
- Incorporate chia seeds to make this recipe high in fiber – for weight management, gut health, and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
- Add more water if you feel like the pudding mixture is too thick.
- To sweeten up the pudding, drizzle a little bit of honey or agave syrup on top. Personally, I prefer 1-2 tablespoons of whipped cream!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Protein Powder to Buy?
Protein powders are not regulated – which means that what is stated on the label may not be accurate.
Therefore, it is best to choose one that is third-party tested to make sure there are no unlisted ingredients or potentially harmful levels of impurities or heavy metals. The label might say “NSF” or USP.
When it comes to protein powders, the less ingredients the better!
Can I Make This Without Protein Powder?
This recipe would still contain at least 15 grams of protein without protein powder, while still maintaining that thickened consistency. So if you don’t have any protein powder, just omit it!
How Can I Make This Allergy-Friendly?
The cocoa powder is gluten-free, however, the cheesecake pudding mix is not. Other Jell-O pudding flavors are – so you could substitute with vanilla.
For dairy-free substitutes, select a dairy-free yogurt.
Dark Chocolate Cheesecake Protein Pudding
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup non-fat, plain Greek yogurt (or yogurt of choice)
- 1 scoop protein powder (vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored)
- 2 tablespoons Instant cheesecake pudding mix
- 1 tablespoon Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder (or cocoa powder of choice)
- 1/2 cup milk; use skim for best results. Water or almond milk will result in a thinner consistency
Optional Toppings
- Sliced fruit (strawberries, cherries, raspberries – the sky is the limit!)
- Crushed Oreos
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Whipped cream –> highly recommend to cut the tangy aftertaste
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts
Instructions
- Measure out all ingredients and combine into a bowl.
- Whisk ingredients for about two minutes, making sure there are no lumps. Refrigerate for 5-10 minutes for best results.
- Serve with whipped cream, diced strawberries, and mini chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- This recipe could make 2 servings, each with 18 grams of protein.
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Adjust the consistency – make it thicker with more Greek yogurt or pudding mix.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 203 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 0.5g | 1% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium 234mg | 10% |
| Total Carbohydrate 13.8g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 2.5g | 9% |
| Total Sugars 6g | |
| Protein 36g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 450mg | 35% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 95mg | 2% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
I added whipped cream and a couple of chocolate chips. So good without it tasing too much like protein powder!! I’ll be making this a lot of a high protein snack.