Indulgently thick and creamy, this decadent cottage cheese chocolate pudding definitely does not taste like it has cottage cheese in it! It’s the perfect sweet, creamy treat to satisfy your chocolate cravings while offering a whopping 27 grams of protein per serving. It’s even healthy enough to have for breakfast! {Gluten-free & Vegetarian}
Table of Contents
Cottage Cheese Chocolate Pudding
Cottage cheese often gets a bad rap, but this humble ingredient is finally getting the attention it deserves! If you’re not a fan of the texture of cottage cheese, do not worry one bit.
After blending, the cottage cheese turns thick and creamy, and takes on the flavor of the chocolate, protein powder, and peanut butter in this recipe. Just like this healthy chocolate avocado pudding, you really can’t tell what’s inside. Plus it’s packed with protein for the perfect filling snack!
Why We Love This Chocolate Cottage Cheese Pudding Recipe
- Created by a Registered Dietitian to be a protein-packed, delicious sweet treat without any refined sugar
- Contains 27 g protein and healthy fats to keep you full and control your blood sugar levels
- Takes just a few minutes to blend together (then chill until firm)
- Keep the leftovers in the fridge for a healthy dessert or snack any time
- Ultra creamy with a rich chocolate flavor
- Easy, nutritious way to satisfy your sweet tooth
- Made with super simple ingredients already on hand
- Healthier alternative to traditional pudding recipes
Ingredient Notes
- 2% cottage cheese: This has high protein and lower calories and fat than other options. It’s good to have a little fat to make the pudding creamy! Fat free cottage cheese can also turn gritty.
- Vanilla or chocolate protein powder: Either option works. Feel free to use a protein powder with macros that support your nutritional needs.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: For that rich chocolate flavor. You can also use high-quality cacao powder for extra antioxidants.
- Natural peanut butter: This adds a subtle nuttiness that works well with the chocolate and the extra fats make the pudding even creamier and more satisfying.
- Milk or milk alternative: There are lots of options here. We often use 1% milk, but you can use whole milk, almond milk, or whichever type you prefer.
- Pure maple syrup (optional): Add as much as you’d like until you reach your desired level of sweetness.
- Toppings: Some of my favorite options are chocolate shavings or chopped dark chocolate and fresh raspberries or strawberries.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese, protein powder, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and milk to a high power blender/food processor.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is blended evenly. Taste and add a bit of maple syrup, if you prefer it sweeter.
- Transfer pudding into small bowls or glasses.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with some shaved or chopped dark chocolate and fresh berries, if desired.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Expert Tips
- If you’re having trouble blending the cottage cheese, add a bit more milk 1 tablespoon at a time. You don’t want to add too much milk or the pudding will turn out too thin.
- This recipe works best with a high power blender to get a nice smooth and creamy texture. I used my mini Ninja blender for this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
This recipe was not necessarily formulated to be keto, but it can fit into a low carb diet! You’ll want to make sure you’re using a higher fat cottage cheese with the least amount of carbs you can find, and use a keto-friendly protein powder. I recommend unsweetened coconut milk for the liquid and either skip the sweetener or use monk fruit or a few drops of stevia. Most protein powders are so sweet that you really don’t need either!
Nope. If you taste the whipped cottage cheese on its own, you’ll notice a mild, milky flavor and creamy texture. As you add in the cocoa powder, protein powder, and other ingredients, it really becomes quite rich and decadent. It’s so good!
Unfortunately, cottage cheese does not freeze and thaw well. If you want to try freezing the pudding for a cold treat and plan to eat it cold, that will likely work well, but I don’t recommend trying to freeze and thaw the extras for later.
Storage Guidelines
I recommend storing the pudding in single-serving containers, like cups or bowls, but these are not airtight. Consider covering them with a piece of plastic wrap to keep the flavors fresh. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Serving Suggestions
We like to enjoy this creamy chocolate pudding with chopped or shaved dark chocolate and fresh berries, but there are certainly more options!
Feel free to garnish your serving with any of the following ideas:
- A little whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce or caramel drizzle
- Crumbled cookies or cookie dough bliss balls
- Granola for crunch (try this healthy chocolate granola)
- Mini chocolate chips
- Chia seeds, etc.
Be sure to share your favorite toppings in the comments so others can try them, too!
Recipe Variations
- Add vanilla: Feel free to replace a little bit of the milk with about 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for an extra vanilla kick.
- Try different nut butters: If you aren’t a fan of peanut butter, try almond butter, cashew butter, etc.
- Add some cream cheese: Cream cheese is higher in overall fat and calories, but has the most incredibly creamy, tangy flavor. Replace a small part of the cottage cheese with room temperature cream cheese for a cheesecake-like flavor.
- Add a scoop of collagen: Collagen hydrolysate adds an extra dose of protein and makes blended desserts extremely thick and creamy. It’s the perfect way to get an even creamier texture without using any heavy cream.
More Cottage Cheese Recipes
- Cottage Cheese Queso Dip
- Cottage Cheese Protein Bagels
- Cottage Cheese Egg White Bites
- Egg White Breakfast Casserole
- High Protein Breakfast Burrito Recipe
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip Without Cream Cheese
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Cottage Cheese Chocolate Protein Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup 2% cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup milk or milk alternative
- 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup (optional – if you prefer it sweeter)
Optional Toppings
- Chopped or shaved dark chocolate
- Raspberries or strawberries
Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese, protein powder, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and milk to a high power blender/food processor and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides with a spatula to ensure everything is blended evenly. Taste and add a bit of maple syrup, if you prefer it sweeter.
- Transfer pudding into small bowls or glasses.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with some shaved or chopped dark chocolate and fresh berries, if desired.
Notes
-
- If you’re having trouble blending the cottage cheese, add a bit more milk 1 tablespoon at a time. You don’t want to add too much milk or the pudding will turn out too thin.
- This recipe works best with a high power blender to get a nice smooth and creamy texture. I used my mini Ninja blender for this recipe.
- I like to use Good Protein Powder in the vanilla, chocolate, or salted caramel flavors for this recipe. So good!
- The nutritional information is based on about a half cup serving of the pudding. It does not include the maple syrup, chocolate shaving or berries since those are optional add-ins.
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