Actually the best protein chocolate spread recipe, made with just 3 ingredients - high protein, sugar free, gluten free and no palm oil - for toast, pancakes, or as a dip for fruit.
I actually considered making a protein Nutella spread or something of that nature.
But of course that would have the fat from the hazelnuts and need a food processor and stuff like that.
All you need for this best protein spread recipe the ingredients and a bowl!
Ingredients for the Best Chocolate Protein Spread
This high protein chocolate spread actually made with just 3 ingredients - and water, but we don't count that. No sugar, no butter, no buttercream, no cream cheese needed!
- Non-Fat Greek Yogurt - the base. It does the work that fat and sugar do in regular Nutella, giving you a thick, scoopable texture for very few calories.
- Sub: Any yogurt or Skyr works. Blended cottage cheese or even pumpkin puree are options.
- Chocolate Protein Powder - this is what replaces the sugar here, and adds the protein. I use Quest Nutrition chocolate whey-casein, which stays smooth instead of turning grainy the way straight isolates do.
- Sub: Whey protein like Isopure works too, or plant based like NAKED Shake.
- TIP: If your protein powder is not sweet enough, taste it before you spread it and adjust with a pinch of SweetLeaf stevia.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - this gives the rich chocolate flavor.
- Sub: Cacao powder works one for one.
- Vanilla Extract (optional) - a little vanilla gives a little depth with the cocoa. Skip it if you want to keep this strictly 3 ingredients.
- Water or Milk - controls the texture. Less for a thick spread, more for a dip.
- Sub: Almond milk, oat milk, or any milk you have.
Dairy Free & Vegan Protein Spread
To make a Paleo and Vegan protein chocolate spread recipe, use a coconut or almond yogurt or even pumpkin puree instead of the greek yogurt, and a plant based protein powder.
Sugar Free
This is already sugar free as written, as long as your protein powder is sweetened with stevia or monk fruit rather than cane sugar.
Extra Protein
Add in a spoonful of unflavored collagen. It won't change the taste and it won't thicken the spread the way more protein powder would.
How to make a Protein Powder Spread:
Other than being simple in ingredients, this recipe is so easy it really does make the best protein chocolate spread
- Combine Everything: In a bowl, add the Greek yogurt, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder and a bit of milk or water.
- Whisk Until Smooth: Stir with a whisk or a spoon until it's uniform and glossy, with no dry pockets of cocoa hiding at the bottom. This takes about a minute. If it looks grainy, keep going - it will smooths out before you need to add more liquid.
- Adjust the Texture: Thick enough to hold a peak means it's spread consistency. Add water a teaspoon at a time if you want it loose enough to dip into.
And that really is everything!
Tips for the HIGH Protein Chocolate Spread
Don't use a blender. It makes the spread thin and airy, which is the opposite of what you want.
Taste before you commit. Every chocolate protein powder has a different level of sweetness. Mix, taste, then decide whether it needs stevia or more cocoa.
Add liquid slowly. You can always thin a spread but you can't easily thicken one without adding more protein powder, which throws off both the taste and the macros.
Let it sit for ten minutes. The protein powder keeps hydrating after you stop stirring, so the texture tightens up a little. What looks slightly loose in the bowl is usually right by the time you spread it.
Cold yogurt mixes worse. Leave the yogurt out for a few minutes on the counter make so it softens and mixes better.
Storage
You can store this protein powder chocolate spread in the fridge or the freezer.
Fridge: 4-5 days in an airtight container. A small mason jar is the easiest option - you can spread straight out of it, and it doesn't take on fridge smells.
Freezer: 3-4 weeks in an airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before using; it separates slightly.
If you use this as chocolate protein frosting on a baked good, it will keep at room temperature for 2 hours, after which you need to refrigerate.
Variations
- Chunky chocolate: Stir in chopped Lily's dark chocolate chips right before serving.
- Mocha: Add in a little instant coffee powder.
- Peanut butter chocolate: Swap some of the cocoa for PB2 powdered peanut butter.
- Mint chocolate: A drop of peppermint extract. One drop - it goes further than you'd think.
- Salted: A pinch of flaky salt on top once it's spread.
FAQ
It's a protein spread for toast, bagels, waffles and pancakes, and it works as a frosting on cakes and brownies. Thinned with a little extra water it becomes a dip for strawberries, sliced bananas, cookies, pretzels or rice cakes.
One serving of about 4 tablespoons has 11.4g of protein and 68 calories, with 0.7g of fat and 1g of sugar. Regular Nutella has roughly 1g of protein and 200 calories in the same amount.
Not exactly. Nutella gets its flavor from hazelnuts, sugar and palm oil, and this has none of those. It tastes like a thick chocolate pudding or a fudgy frosting.
Yes, but the texture changes. Cottage cheese blended smooth works and keeps the macros similar. Pumpkin puree or mashed banana also work, though both add sweetness and their own flavor.
Usually under-mixing, or a protein that doesn't dissolve well. Keep whisking for a full minute before adding more liquid. A whey-casein blend gives you a smoother texture than isolate.
More easy Chocolate-y Protein Recipes
- Protein Fudgesicles - 4 Ingredients, Sugar Free!
- The Best Healthy Chocolate Strawberry Dessert (High Protein, In A Jar!)
- Rice Cake Chocolate Cake
- Hot Chocolate Protein Balls
Best Chocolate Protein Spread - Fat Free & 3 Ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Non-fat Greek Yogurt, 28g
- 2 tablespoon Chocolate Protein Powder, 10g, about ⅓ scoop
- 2 teaspoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, or Cacao Powder
- 2 teaspoon Water (or Almond Milk), 10ml
- Optional ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Are you Making This?
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Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder and water or milk. Add the vanilla extract if you're using it - it rounds out the cocoa so the spread doesn't taste chalky.
- Whisk or stir with a spoon until completely uniform with no dry streaks. Protein powder clumps if you rush this part.
- Add water a little at a time if you want a looser texture for dipping, or leave it thick to spread.
- Use as you would any chocolate spread.
Notes
- Nutritional information is calculated using products recommended below.
- Quest Nutrition Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
- NAKED Shake Chocolate Plant-based Protein Powder
- Servings: 4 tablespoon | Serving size: 4 Tbsp
- Calories: 68 cal
- Fat: 0.7g | Saturated fat: 0.4g
- Carbohydrates: 4.2g | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 11.4g
Jevay Aggarwal says
I was craving something sweet after dinner and didn't feel like baking a whole thing. Stumbled upon this under low carb and oh my gawd still can't get over how thicccc and creamy it was! Finished the whole thing faster than what it took me to make it!!!
Haylee Jane Monteiro says
Love it! This chocolate spread really might be the quickest, most low carb high protein recipe I've made. You picked a good one!