I always crave hot cocoa because it’s chocolatey and basically a warm hug in a cup. However, since I’ve been watching my macros, I knew I couldn’t indulge in traditional hot cocoa so easily due to its high sugar content. That’s why I decided to create a high-protein and healthier version of hot cocoa. Follow this high-protein hot cocoa recipe to learn how.
Hot Cocoa Nutrition Comparison
Nestle Instant Hot Cocoa Rich Milk Chocolate Flavored Mix Powder: 25 calories, 5g carbs, 1g protein, 0g fat
Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Mix: 160 calories, 34g carb, 1g protein 2.5g fat
Abuelita Mexican Hot Chocolate: 100 calories, 18g carb, <1g protein, 3.5g fat
High Protein Benefits
Muscle Growth: Protein is essential for muscle repair and growth. This is crucial for people who are weightlifting or engaged in heavy physical activities.
Muscle Preservation: This helps prevent muscle loss during weight loss and aging.
Satiety: Protein helps with weight management because it helps you feel more full.
Increased Metabolism: It can help boost your metabolism, which can help with weight loss.
Bone Strength: Better bone density which helps lessen risk of bone fractures
High Protein Hot Cocoa Ingredients
- 1 cup high-protein milk: I use Mootopia which is HEB’s high-protein milk. You can use Fair Life milk.
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 scoop protein powder: I use Isopure’s protein powder. The consistency of this protein powder isn’t too thick so it can blend well into the drink. Other protein powder brands might not work well in this recipe.
High Protein Hot Cocoa Instructions
Mix the high-protein milk, cocoa powder, and sugar-free maple syrup in a small pot until well combined.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it simmers. Do not let it boil. You don’t want the drink to be too hot because when you add the protein, it might clump up.
Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Stir in the protein powder until fully dissolved.
Optional: Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder for extra indulgence.
High Protein Hot Cocoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup high-protein milk
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 scoop protein powder
Instructions
- In a small pot, mix the high-protein milk, cocoa powder, and sugar-free maple syrup until well combined.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to simmer. Do not let it boil.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Stir in the protein powder until fully dissolved.
- Optional: Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder for extra indulgence.
If you enjoy this high-protein hot cocoa recipe, you might like this high-protein French Toast recipe.
