Who says dessert can’t be good for you? Our silky-smooth Protein Pudding is versatile, delicious, and guaranteed to satisfy your sweet cravings.
Diet. The word alone sends shivers down my spine, conjuring thoughts of deprivation or boring and bland foods that are hardly worth eating. Believe me, back in my teenage years, I tried quite a few diets myself—from the cabbage soup diet (shudder) to the grapefruit diet—and all they brought me was an incredible amount of misery. Sure, I lost a little weight, but in the end, I would inevitably gain it all back because the diets were unsustainable. It took me quite a while to realize that the only way to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is through staying active and eating sensibly.
For me, that means filling my plate with plenty of legumes, fruits, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados. That’s not to say that I’m a saint, however. Far from that! I have a huge sweet tooth, and every once in a while, I’ll devour a generous slice of cake, savoring every crumb fully and unapologetically.
There are times, though, when sweet cravings hit but indulging may not be the smartest option. Perhaps after a very rich meal or if I’ve already treated myself to said piece of cake. It’s all about balance, you see. Luckily, I have a recipe that tastes rich and satisfying and is actually quite wholesome: my smooth and creamy protein pudding!
Made with protein-rich Greek yogurt and chocolate protein powder, this silky delight is lovely for dessert and also makes an excellent breakfast or snack. You can sweeten it, if desired, and you can tweak it and serve it in myriad ways. Whoever said that you can’t have your cake (or pudding) and eat it too obviously never came across this post!
Tasty tweaks and ways to enjoy your pudding
Personally, I love topping my chocolate pudding with a handful of raspberries, some chopped pistachios or almond slivers, and/or a few dark chocolate curls. If serving it for breakfast, I’ll opt for some sugar-free granola or just some fresh berries. The great thing about this treat, though, is that you can also make it with different protein powder flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, or caramel. If that’s what you’re going for, here are some delicious ideas:
Vanilla pudding: Top with whipped cream and a dash of freshly grated nutmeg. Serve with a few sugar-free vanilla wafers. For even more indulgence, you can drizzle the pudding with sugar-free caramel syrup. For a stracciatella effect, stir in some grated dark chocolate.
Strawberry pudding: Top with whipped cream and sliced strawberries, or spoon some sugar-free strawberry compote over the pudding. You can also layer it in glasses with fresh strawberries, cream, and crushed sugar-free shortbread cookies to make a parfait.
Caramel pudding: Top with whipped cream, sugar-free salted caramel, and toasted slivered almonds or chopped pecans.
How do I store leftovers?
Store the protein pudding in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you notice any separation, give it a good stir before enjoying again. If you want to keep it longer, you can use ice pop molds to make protein pudding pops for a treat that can be kept in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
Serving suggestions
Top your pudding with our flavorful Roasted Summer Berries or a few spoonfuls of this glossy Blueberry Sauce.
Looking for more sweet treats that are also good for you? Whip up a batch of these dense and chewy Protein Balls or sip on this tempting and totally refreshing Creamsicle Smoothie.
Protein Pudding
Ingredients Â
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder or any other flavor
- 1 tablespoon sugar or sugar substitute optional
InstructionsÂ
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and protein powder until smooth.
- To sweeten it, stir in the sugar or sugar substitute, if desired.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 1 hour before serving.
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