This single serve, rich and creamy protein hot chocolate has zero added sugar and 18 grams protein! Made with protein powder, whole milk and cocoa for a wholesome, delicious dessert.
When I was a kid, I loved hot chocolate. But have you taken a look at some of those pre-packaged hot chocolates lately? They come in at a whopping 23 grams of added sugar!!
So now with Fall in full swing, I decided to make an upgraded, healthy hot chocolate that satisfies those cozy cravings while containing zero grams of added sugar AND 18 grams of complete protein!
Recipe Highlights
- 18 grams protein: That’s a lot of protein you can sneak in at dessert!
- Zero added sugar: Yet still deliciously creamy and sweet.
- Made in minutes: Just 5 minutes and you’re cozying up with healthy hot cocoa.
- Family approved: This recipe is loved by both kids and adults.
Key Ingredients
Autumn’s Chocolate Protein Powder
The sweetness in this healthy hot chocolate recipe comes from the zero sugar sweetener used in Autumn’s Protein Powder, monk fruit extract.
Monk fruit is my zero sugar sweetener of choice because it adds a hint of sweetness without the weird after taste that stevia can cause and without the bloating that sugar alcohols can cause.
And because we’re using my zero sugar protein powder in this recipe, we’re getting the added perks of an additional 10 grams of complete protein! So if you’re having difficulties hitting all of your protein needs, this is a delicious way to help boost your intake 😋
Kickstart Your Journey
Shop Autumn’s Whey Protein Powder
Our delish bestselling zero added sugar, gluten & heavy metal tested whey protein powder!
Whole Milk
My hot chocolate can be made with a variety of different milks, depending on what your body (and taste buds) prefer.
I personally prefer using whole milk, as it helps boost the protein content by an additional 8 grams and it tastes the most similar to a traditional hot chocolate.
If you’re carb sensitive, you might want to skip the whole milk option, as it does contain some natural sugar in the form of lactose.
However, you can also use unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, hemp seed milk, cashew milk – any nut or seed milk that you prefer!
I just recommend not using oat milk. Oat milk is usually high in starches and made with inflammatory oils, so it’s best to skip this option.
Cocoa Powder
To add a bit more chocolatey boost, I also add unsweetened cocoa powder. This adds an extra rich chocolatey depth without adding sugar.
Equipment Needed
- small pot
- whisk
How To Make This Recipe
Warm the milk to your desired temperature, then remove it from the heat. Add in the protein powder and cocoa powder.
Whisk the ingredients until combined. Optional to top with homemade zero sugar whipped cream.
Ingredient Swaps
- Whole milk: You can use any dairy-free milk except for oat milk, which is highly processed and rich in starches.
Storing and Reheating
This is definitely best consumed immediately. Trust me, you won’t be able to store “leftovers” because there won’t be any!
Tips From The Nutritionist
Autumn Bates, CCN, MS, BS, CPT
If you have a bit of a sweet tooth at the end of the day, then this is the perfect dessert to whip up. The high protein content of this hot chocolate helps to boost satiety, prevent hunger and reduce sugar cravings.
FAQ’s
You can put protein powder in hot chocolate, but traditional hot chocolate is usually very high in sugar. This recipe gives you the same hot chocolate experience but without the added sugar.
Yes, but not too hot. Boiling liquids will curdle protein powder, so it’s important to warm the milk to your desired temperature and not any higher.
The best way is to heat the milk over the stove top first, then remove it from the heat and whisk in the protein powder. Make sure the milk is not too hot (boiling), as this will cause the protein powder to curdle.
Other Recipes You May Love
- Chocolate Peanut Butter High Protein Chia Pudding; Loaded with fiber and perfect for breakfast.
- Pumpkin Spice Protein Hot Chocolate; A fall spin on the classic recipe.
- Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles; One week supply that you can freeze and pop in the toaster!
Did you love this recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
Protein Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 scoop Autumn's Chocolate Protein Powder
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Optional Toppings
- 2-3 tablespoons homemade whipped cream with zero added sugar
- unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a small pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally for 2-3 minutes or until the milk has reached your desired temperature. Remember: don't let it boil! This can curdle the protein powder. Remove from heat once warmed.
- Pour in the protein powder and cocoa powder and whisk until combined.
- Optional to top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of additional cocoa powder.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
Did you try this recipe?
Don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your thoughts!
