Protein Hot Chocolate

There's no doubt about it: it's hot chocolate season. But did you know that, with just four ingredients, it can become protein hot chocolate season? Now that there's no excuse, let's go!

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Protein hot chocolate

Hot chocolate falls into the category of cozy comfort food. Yet I'm always of the opinion that an adequate protein intake, designed to fuel an active lifestyle, should be just as comforting as anything else!

So why not bring the world of comfort and nutrition together? 'Tis the season, after all!

Of course, you could just lump some protein powder into your Swiss Miss. But you want to treat yourself, right? Well, you're in the right place.

Protein hot chocolate ingredients

Dutch Process Cocoa Powder - Dutch process (or Dutched) cocoa powder is not the same as regular cocoa powder. In a nutshell, dutch cocoa powder is darker in color, mellow in flavor, and is what Oreo cookies are made from! To ensure the best flavor, use this specific kind of cocoa powder.

Here's where you can grab the powder I used for this recipe:

Noe that I haven't tried this particular combination with regular ol' cocoa powder. If you do, just know that you'll get something different from what I tested—but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it!

Dark Chocolate Protein Powder - I use Bad Athletics protein powder to provide the protein component of this drink and to take the chocolate flavor even further.

If you keep scrolling, I'll talk about how to integrate this powder smoothly into your drink, with a texture that'll keep you sipping all season long.

Sugar Free Maple Syrup - That's right—syrup in my hot chocolate! I feel like Buddy the Elf. I'm telling you—this sugar-free syrup from Walden Farms adds just the right depth and deliciousness to this indulgent drink.

Milk of choice - I settled on almond milk for my purposes, but also know that oat milk works very well!

Optional (but awesome): Whipped cream and shaved chocolate.

Substitution ideas

So often, it's the simple recipes that spawn the most substitution questions. The good news is that you can substitute whatever you like! For example:

• Use any kind of milk (i like oat with this)

• Use any kind of chocolate protein (but you know my favorite!)

• Use pure maple syrup or another sweetener like honey

And the possibilities are endless!

What is the healthiest instant hot chocolate?

Consumer reports calls these the 4 best hot chocolate mixes.

My experience, even with the 'healthier' hot chocolate mixes, is that the instant drinks almost always leave something to be desired.

For me, the richness of this drink is worth the extra effort I take. Not only that, but it gives me that much more control of what goes in!

How to make protein hot chocolate

It's pretty quick and easy! Here's what's involved:

• Add all ingredients to a shaker bottle.
• Shake well until everything is combined.
• Pour the mixture into a small sauce pan.
• Turn on low heat. Use a whisk to stir the mixture while it is heating up. Don’t let it boil!
• Continue whisking until the mixture is creamy and at desired temperature.
• Taste and add additional sweetener if you need.
• Pour into a mug.
• Add whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
• Enjoy!

Is it healthy to drink hot chocolate?

From a caloric standpoint, your standard 'healthier' hot chocolate is already going to come in under your average soda or other dessert beverage. There's more to health than calories, of course, but it can provide a good baseline for making nutritional decisions.

While claims like these will sometimes get me in trouble with the purists who think the only way to be healthy is to eat grass, I say this hot chocolate is healthy! Here's why:

• Cocoa powder can provide some serious benefits for your heart health and overall well-being.
• Protein powder can also have health benefits
• Milk provides calcium, and depending on the particular milk you use, it might be fortified with even more great nutrients!

In truth, what ends up being healthy to you depends on the context of your life—your food intake, activity levels, genetic makeup, and much more that is way beyond my paygrade.

I find this recipe fits in with my pursuit of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Plus, it tastes great!

Which is healthier hot cocoa or hot chocolate?

This might be the right time to tell you that these are really the same thing, nowadays.

Can you put protein powder in a hot drink?

Yes, but you HAVE to mix the protein powder with either cold or room temperature milk BEFORE heating up the mixture.

Once you are heating up the mixture, do so gradually. Don't let it boil, and certainly don't add the protein into boiling liquid.

In order to achieve the perfect consistency, mix the protein powder into cold or room temperature liquid. Then you're good to slowly heat it up and get it to where you need it.

Is protein powder good hot?

It sure is in this recipe! You'll have varying degrees of success with different products, but it's worth it to test different kinds and make sure you get something you absolutely love.

The recipe

If you try this recipe and love it, please leave a rating and review below!