This rich and creamy Protein Hot Chocolate is the perfect healthy twist on everyone’s favorite cold-weather drink.
This rich and creamy high-protein hot chocolate recipe is easily made one serving at a time, is super healthy, loaded with protein, and has none of the added sugar of most hot chocolates out there. And it’s ready in minutes.
If you’re going to drink hot chocolate, why not have it do more for you than just taste good?
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This protein hot chocolate gives you a large cozy mug of rich, real hot cocoa made with coconut milk (I use homemade coconut milk —so much cheaper than cartons) with a solid hit of protein. It’s warm, creamy, and tastes like dessert, but it works as a healthy breakfast, nourishing afternoon snack, or late-night something that won’t leave you crashing.
And if you’re trying to increase your protein intake, it’s a fabulously delicious way to do just that.
You can make it with either chocolate protein powder or vanilla/unflavored protein, and the recipe includes cocoa and sweetener adjustments for both. No need to buy a specific brand or type of milk. Use what you have, make adjustments as needed, and enjoy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Please see the printable recipe card for complete information about ingredients and directions.
Protein Powder Options
We typically use vegan protein powders, but you can use whatever protein powder you like. Here’s a list of the main options available these days.
- Whey Protein Powder: Whey protein is used by a lot of people. It’s derived from milk and is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. I personally don’t use whey due to the fact that I don’t eat a lot of dairy, and our son has a life-threatening allergy to it, but we are recovering from all that. If you’re going to choose whey protein, I highly recommend choosing a clean, grass-fed option.
- Casein Protein: Casein is another milk protein that’s popular with many for making protein shakes and adding to smoothies and more. Again, if you choose this type, I recommend opting for a grass-fed source.
- Beef Protein: Beef isolate might sound weird, but it’s really not. It’s also a complete protein and is a fantastic option for many who can’t have dairy or soy. Equip has top-notch quality beef isolate protein. Note that beef protein clumps in cold drinks due to its collagen component, but it will work great in this drink!
- Soy Protein Powder: Soy isolate powder is super creamy, but it’s very hard to find organic soy protein powder, and most all soy in the US is GMO. Here’s one option, however!
- Chickpea Protein Powder: Chickpea protein powder isn’t very popular, but it makes a very smooth and creamy protein shake. Because chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are often sprayed with glyphosate, I highly recommend choosing an organic version of this type of protein powder.
- Plant-Based Isolates and Blends: Plant-based protein powders come either in single-protein powders/blends (pea, rice, hemp, chia, etc.) or a blend of various plant proteins plus other ingredients. Individual vegan proteins are typically not complete proteins on their own, and they often don’t taste great. Some combination protein powders, however, are complete. Sacha inchi is a complete protein, but it isn’t easy to find on its own, and it’s pricey.
Variations
Here are some great flavor options for this protein hot chocolate. The possibilities are endless!
- Mocha Protein Hot Chocolate: Add 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons instant coffee or ½ to 1 teaspoon espresso powder, or replace a few tablespoons of the coconut milk with strong brewed coffee or espresso. Either regular or decaf will work.
- Spiced (Mexican-ish) Hot Chocolate: Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add a drop of peppermint extract.
- “Nutty” Hot Chocolate: Add a spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or pumpkin seed butter to add creaminess and a nutty flavor.
- Other Extracts: Add a drop of almond or coconut extract.
- Higher Protein: Depending on your goals, you can add more protein powder. Then after whisking it in, thin it with hot water or more milk if needed.
Recipe Notes
- Protein Powder Flavor: If you choose a non-chocolate protein powder, you’ll want to add some more cocoa powder to the drink: perhaps about another tablespoon. If using an unsweetened protein powder, you’ll want to add additional sweetener as well and possibly double the vanilla.
- Milk Options: I love using coconut milk for this recipe because it’s rich, creamy, and low-carb. Plus, we make our own, so it’s amazingly inexpensive. You can use whatever milk, dairy-free or otherwise, for this recipe. If using a dairy-free milk that has sweeteners added, you should consider reducing the sweetener or omitting it altogether.
- Oat Milk Tip: If you use oat milk for this recipe, you can likely reduce the sweetener.
- Sweetener Options: Start with less sweetener and add more as needed. I personally use stevia extract or pure monk fruit, but you can use whatever you like, including coconut sugar, honey, or a granulated low-carb sweetener. If you do use a granulated sweetener, I recommend grinding it first so it dissolves more easily.
- Whisk/Stir: You’ll want to whisk the mixture continually when heating to prevent clumping and scorching.
- Heat: Heating this mixture too hot can lead to the protein powder clumping and the milk scalding or separating. Using medium-low or low heat is best.
- Don’t boil: Make sure to not boil the mixture, as this can affect the texture and taste.
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk (or other milk, as desired)
- 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional; or to taste
- 1/2 ounce sugar-free dark chocolate (or chocolate chips: optional)
- 1 scoop protein powder (15-20 gram powder. See notes for alternatives.)
- 1 dash stevia extract (or other sweetener, as desired)
- whipped cream, sugar-free marshmallows, cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla powder, or additional chocolate chips for topping: optional
Base Method
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Add coconut milk to a small saucepan.
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Heat over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling.
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Add the cocoa powder, salt, cinnamon, and coffee or espresso powder (if using), and whisk until smooth.
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Reduce heat to low. Add chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips (if using) and whisk until melted and blended.
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Add protein powder and whisk in.
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Add more coconut milk or some water if needed.
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Adjust cocoa amount and sweetener, if desired.
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Froth with immersion blender or frother to make it super creamy.
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Add desired toppings and serve.
- Protein Powder: You can use whatever protein powder you like for this hot chocolate. Whey protein will give you a creamier result. I simply avoid whey due to not being able to tolerate much dairy and also most of them on the market aren’t very clean. I recommend choosing a grass-fed whey protein if you go that direction and an organic protein powder if you choose plant-based.
- Protein Powder Flavor: If you choose a non-chocolate protein powder, you’ll want to add some more cocoa powder to the drink: perhaps about another tablespoon. If using and unsweetened protein powder, you’ll want to add additional sweetener as well.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
