Amazing High-Protein Banana Pudding

Creamy, naturally sweet, and packed with protein, this no-bake banana pudding comes together in about 10 minutes. Cottage cheese and Greek yogurt create an incredibly thick and smooth base, while vanilla protein powder adds extra protein without requiring complicated ingredients.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes, optional
Total Time: 10–40 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup low-fat or cottage cheese
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 large ripe banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup, optional
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 2–4 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk, as needed

Optional Toppings

• Banana slices
• Crushed sugar-free or low-sugar cookies
• Cinnamon
• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• A small spoonful of Greek yogurt
• Sugar-free whipped topping

Instructions

1. Blend the base: Add the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, protein powder, banana, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to a blender or food processor.

2. Blend until smooth: Process for 1–2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Continue blending until the cottage cheese is completely smooth and the mixture becomes thick and creamy.

3. Adjust the consistency: If the pudding is too thick, add almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time until you reach your preferred consistency. Avoid adding too much liquid because the pudding should remain thick.

4. Taste and sweeten: Taste the pudding. If you want it sweeter, add honey or maple syrup a little at a time. A ripe banana will provide quite a bit of natural sweetness on its own.

5. Chill: Divide the pudding between 4 small glasses or bowls. It can be eaten immediately, but refrigerating it for 30 minutes makes it thicker and colder.

6. Add toppings: Top with fresh banana slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a small amount of crushed nuts or cookies.

💪 Protein-Boosting Tip

For an even higher-protein version, use nonfat Greek yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, and a protein powder containing around 20–25 g protein per scoop. Depending on the brands and portion size, this recipe can provide roughly 20–25+ g protein per serving.

For a more calorie-conscious dessert, use a zero-calorie sweetener instead of honey and keep higher-calorie toppings such as nuts and cookies to a small portion.