Protein Hot Chocolate (Healthy Mix Recipe)

Want a creamy, dreamy, high protein hot chocolate recipe that’s easy to make? This is it! And the best part is that we’re actually making a protein hot cocoa mix to keep in the pantry that will be ready to use whenever you need it. 

With just 64 calories and 9 grams of protein per serving (not including the milk), this is a great high protein alternative to traditional hot chocolate. It's a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth in the winter months, and contribute to having a healthy holiday season.

Go get your chocolate protein powder and let’s do this!

Ingredients

To make the hot cocoa mix:

• Chocolate whey protein powder
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (I prefer alkalized cocoa powder, which can be hard to find in a local grocery store.)
• Stevia powder (or your preferred sweetener)

And we’ll add it to

• 6oz milk (any kind - my milk of choice is a full fat creamy oat milk for this hot cocoa recipe)

Equipment

I suggest using a sifter or strainer when combining the ingredients because cocoa powder tends to clump. And there’s nothing worse in hot cocoa than a clump of cocoa powder. 

I like to mix the dry ingredients with a whisk, but a spoon or fork will work well also.

I love an easy recipe, so I microwave the milk to warm it up. Of course, the stovetop works too. And in that case you’ll need a small saucepan.

If you have a milk frother, that's the best way to get the cocoa mix fully dissolved for creamy hot chocolate.

Instructions

To prepare the dry mix:

1. Measure out the protein powder and sweetener, and add to a bowl. Mix to combine.

2. Sift the cocoa powder into the bowl.

3. Mix the dry ingredients well.

4. Spoon mix into a jar or food storage container.

To prepare one serving of protein hot chocolate:

1. Microwave the milk for one minute (for a 1000 watt microwave, adjust the time for other wattages) OR heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. 
2. Measure two rounded tablespoons of protein hot chocolate mix, and stir into your warm milk. Give it a good stir. Use a milk frother if you have one. If there are any clumps of powder remaining, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then stir again.

3. Serve and enjoy! I like my protein hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. :)

That’s it! Pretty easy recipe. 

Substitutions

I would not substitute vegan protein powder in this recipe. It will likely leave a mouthfeel that isn’t smooth, and it definitely won’t taste as good as using chocolate whey protein powder.

Any kind of milk will work here, but keep in mind that something thin like skim milk will give you thin hot chocolate. Creamy milks work the best. I love full fat oat milk in this recipe.

No milk? Just use hot water. It won’t be as creamy, but you’ll still get all the warm feels of drinking healthy hot chocolate.

If you're using cacao powder in place of the cocoa powder, you may need extra protein powder to balance the taste. Cacao can have a stronger, more bitter flavor than cocoa powder.

Variations

Lots of different ways to enjoy this healthy protein cocoa mix!

DIY Dunkaccino - Instead of using milk, add the mix to your morning cup of coffee! First prepare your coffee with whatever milk or creamer you prefer, then add a couple of spoonfuls of protein hot chocolate mix. YUM. (btw if you haven't seen this Al Pacino Dunkaccino commercial, click to watch it. You're welcome.)

Mexican hot chocolate -spice it up! Prepare the hot cocoa with milk as above, then mix in dashes of ground cinnamon and chili powder. 

If you prefer a liquid sweetener (hello maple syrup!), omit the sweetener from the dry mix and just add sweetener when you prepare the hot chocolate to drink.

To keep it low calorie and low carb, opt for an unsweetened plant-based milk like almond milk or coconut milk.

For a post-workout hot drink with higher carbohydrate counts, use coconut sugar or brown sugar in place of the stevia.

Storage

Keep the dry mix in an airtight container in your pantry. I use a jar, but a meal prep container will also work!

Top Tip

If you don’t like your protein powder as a shake, you’re not going to like it in protein hot chocolate, either. We’re not adding enough ingredients to mask any unpleasant flavors. I love this chocolate whey powder by ON in this recipe.

More healthy recipes

This protein hot chocolate would go well with:

• Quest Bar Cookies
• Sugar Free Protein Peppermint Patties
• Pecan Protein Bites
• Black and White Cookies