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Home » Gluten Free

Published: Dec 13, 2022 · Modified: May 19, 2025 by prettydeliciouslife · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Easy Protein Powder Hot Chocolate Recipe (Dairy Free)

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This Protein Hot Chocolate Recipe is the perfect healthy holiday treat! Made with your favorite dairy free milk, cocoa powder & chocolate protein powder, it serves up all the chocolatey goodness you'd expect from traditional hot chocolate, with the extra added benefits of protein & no added refined sugars. Serve this cozy hot drink at your next holiday party or enjoy it snuggled up by the fire during the winter months!

Protein hot chocolate is the perfect cozy drink for anyone looking to add a few additional grams of protein into their day while simultaneously satisfying their sweet tooth. This healthy hot chocolate can be made using your favorite protein powder & other simple ingredients.

If you're looking for more protein packed drinks, try this Protein Latte, Mixed Berry Energy Smoothie or this Green Goddess Smoothie. If you're searching for gut friendly, easy to digest protein powder, check out this handy guide to my favorite low fodmap protein powders.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It is good for you. This hot chocolate recipe is a great way to get an additional serving of healthy protein into your day while still enjoying a holiday treat.
  • It is easy. The best part about this recipe, aside from it being an absolutely delicious, creamy hot chocolate recipe, is that it is so easy. It requires just a few minutes of time and a handful of pantry staple ingredients.
  • It is versatile. There are a few different ways this recipe can be made in terms of method as well as ingredients you can use, so regardless of the type of diet you follow or kitchen equipment you have available, you'll be able to enjoy this delicious protein packed hot beverage during the holiday season!
protein powder hot chocolate ingredients

Protein Hot Chocolate Ingredients & Tested Substitutions

  • Milk: The great thing about this hot cocoa recipe is that you can use your favorite milk of choice. I prefer to use unsweetened almond milk to keep it dairy free, but you can also use whole milk, skim milk with a splash of heavy cream, coconut milk, or any of your favorite nut milks.
  • Cocoa Powder: You can use unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder to infuse more chocolatey flavor into this hot protein shake. Note that if you use cacao powder you may need to add additional maple syrup as cacao can be on the more bitter side.
  • Chocolate Protein Powder: I like to use Equip Foods grass fed beef isolate protein powder (you can read more about it here in this protein powder post). Alternatively, you can use chocolate collagen peptides, or your favorite vegan protein powder. You can also use vanilla protein powder & add a few additional tablespoons of cocoa powder if that's all you have on hand. I do not recommend using whey protein powder as it is very thick.
  • Vanilla Extract: Use a high quality vanilla extract for best results.
  • Maple Syrup: I like to add a touch of sweetness by using maple syrup, but you can also use coconut sugar or brown sugar.
  • Optional toppings like mini marshmallows, cacao nibs, whip cream, chocolate chips or even candy cane pieces!

Protein Hot Chocolate Step By Step Instructions: Two Methods

Method 1

  1. Blend ingredients. The best way to quickly blend the protein powder, vanilla, milk & cocoa powder is by adding the ingredients to a blender and blending until smooth, about 1-2 pulses max. If you don't feel like getting the blender out, you can also use a handheld milk frother, a shaker cup, or simply whisk the protein powder & cocoa into the vanilla and milk on the stove top, which I find to be the next best alternative.
protein hot chocolate instructions

2. Heat the hot cocoa mix. Once you've mixed up the ingredients, pour them into a small pot on the stove top & heat the mixture over medium heat until just boiling, about 3 minutes. While the hot cocoa is heating, gently whisk it to ensure no clumps of protein powder remain. If your cocoa is too thick, add additional milk until desired thickness is reached.

protein powder hot chocolate instructions

3. Serve. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs & serve with optional toppings like whip cream or mini marshmallows. Tip: to be sure no protein powder clumps remain, whisk while pouring.

Method 2: Easy 2 Ingredient 2 Step Method

  1. Warm the milk. Add milk to a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low.
  2. Make the hot chocolate. Whisk in 1 to 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder. Continue whisking vigorously over low heat until no clumps remain. Pour into a mug & enjoy.
protein hot chocolate

Protein Hot Chocolate FAQs

What type of protein powder is best for hot chocolate?

I have found that beef isolate protein powder is my personal favorite, however collagen peptides dissolve the most quickly, so if you're worried about extra clumps in your protein hot chocolate, that might be the best choice for you. You can also use whey protein powder however it is very important to note that whey protein tends to thicken up when heated & blended. It is best to skip the step of blending and simply whisk the whey protein continuously into the milk while heating, being mindful that you may want to add more milk until you reach the desired thickness.

How do I avoid protein powder clumps in hot chocolate?

The best way to avoid clumps in your protein hot chocolate is to pulse all of the ingredients together in a blender until smooth & creamy. I find that while you're heating the hot chocolate mixture you should also continue to whisk it, as this prevents any clumps from forming. To be extra sure, continue whisking the hot cocoa while pouring it into your mug for an ultra smooth & creamy hot beverage.

How do I avoid making my protein hot chocolate too thick?

Using whey protein can create a very thick hot chocolate when blended. I recommend using a whisk instead & continuously whisking while heating the hot chocolate. Using a protein powder like beef isolate, collagen peptides or even pea protein can be mixed briefly in a blender for 1-2 pulses, then whisked occasionally while heating for the perfect hot chocolate texture.

Can you make your own protein hot chocolate mix?

Yes! Simply add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for every 1 scoop of protein powder. You can store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months for optimal freshness. When it comes time to making the protein hot chocolate, use ¼ cup of this mixture and follow the instructions on the recipe card for making the hot cocoa.

How to store protein hot chocolate

You can store your protein hot chocolate in a mason jar with a lid or another airtight glass container for up to 2 days in the fridge. Simply pour the mixture into a sauce pan on the stove top over medium heat, whisk continuously and heat until just starting to boil.

What are some other ways to enjoy protein hot chocolate?

You can add so many flavors to your protein hot chocolate if you don't want to just have regular hot chocolate! I love adding a few drops of peppermint extract, cinnamon, or even peanut butter powder.

protein hot chocolate

If You Liked This Recipe You Might Also Enjoy:

  • Hot Chocolate Protein Cookies
  • Starbucks Copycat Espresso Brownies
  • Hot Chocolate Protein Pudding
  • Best Gingerbread Cookies
  • Christmas Cutout Cookies

Did you have a chance to make this recipe? If so, please leave me a 5 star rating and review below. I always love and appreciate hearing from you!

protein hot chocolate

Protein Hot Chocolate

Pretty Delicious Life
This Protein Hot Chocolate Recipe is the perfect healthy holiday treat! Made with your favorite dairy free milk, cocoa powder & chocolate protein powder, it serves up all the chocolatey goodness you'd expect from traditional hot chocolate, with the extra added benefits of protein & no added refined sugars. Serve this cozy hot drink at your next holiday party or enjoy it snuggled up by the fire during the winter months!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Me
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ¼ cups milk of choice
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
  • mini marshmallows for topping
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Instructions
 

Method 1

  • Blend ingredients. The best way to quickly blend the protein powder, vanilla, milk & cocoa powder is by adding the ingredients to a blender and blending until smooth, about 1-2 pulses max. If you don't feel like getting the blender out, you can also use a handheld milk frother, a shaker cup, or simply whisk the protein powder & cocoa into the vanilla and milk on the stove top, which I find to be the next best alternative.
  • Heat the hot cocoa mix. Once you've mixed up the ingredients, pour them into a small pot on the stove top & heat the mixture over medium heat until just boiling, about 3 minutes. While the hot cocoa is heating, gently whisk it to ensure no clumps of protein powder remain. If your cocoa is too thick, add additional milk until desired thickness is reached.
  • Serve. Pour the hot chocolate into mugs & serve with optional toppings like whip cream or mini marshmallows. Tip: to be sure no protein powder clumps remain, whisk while pouring.

Method 2: 2 Ingredient Option

  • Warm the milk. Add milk to a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low.
  • Make the hot chocolate. Whisk in 1 to 2 scoops of chocolate protein powder. Continue whisking vigorously over low heat until no clumps remain. Pour into a mug & enjoy.
Tried this recipe?Mention @prettydeliciouslife or tag #PDLrecipes!
Keyword hot chocolate, protein hot chocolate, protein powder, protein shake

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. RBock says

    November 30, 2023 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    This is delicious. I used whey protein and it turned out perfect. A tip for when using whey protein, add enough cool water/milk to the protein powder and mix it well before heating it, you will have success. I mixed room temp water into mine and used a frothing hand blender to mix it well, I then added in my cocoa and mixed it well too. I then added the protein powder - cocoa powder mix to my pot of milk, vanilla, sprinkle of salt (to enhance the chocolate and sweetness) and maple syrup. Whisking often, to keep it form clumping, my hot cocoa turned out perfect!

  2. prettydeliciouslife says

    December 04, 2023 at 2:15 pm

    I'm so glad you enjoyed it! That's a great tip for getting whey protein to work without becoming too thick! Whisking often is definitely the key! 🙂

5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hi! I’m Kim, the full-time recipe developer, photographer and creator behind Pretty Delicious Life, where you’ll find 100% gluten free, healthier recipes developed with a happy gut in mind. What started out as a space for me to record my favorite gut-friendly recipes has turned into a space for people like you, who absolutely LOVE food but are looking for healthier versions of their favorite recipes that make them feel amazing both inside and out.

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