Skip to content 
You know those late-night cravings when all you want is a big bowl of chocolate pudding, but your fitness goals start whispering guilt in your ear? That’s exactly where I was until I discovered protein pudding—my obsession started when I desperately needed something creamy and indulgent after workouts that wouldn’t undo my progress.
This protein pudding recipe became my game-changer. I remember the first time I whipped it up—just threw my Fairlife shake, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt in the blender, gave it a whirl, and waited an hour. When I took that first spoonful? Wow! Thick, rich, and ridiculously satisfying without any weird protein powder aftertaste. It’s like dessert decided to get a health makeover but stayed delicious.
What I love most is how stupidly easy it is. Two minutes of prep, basic ingredients you probably already have, and then the fridge does all the work while you go about your day. Now I make batches for breakfasts, post-workout treats, or when I need something sweet fast. My Pinterest friends (find me @SophiasKitchen) went nuts when I shared the recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Protein Pudding
Let me tell you why this protein pudding has become my go-to snack—it’s basically magic in a bowl! Here’s what makes it so special:
- Lightning fast: Two minutes in the blender and you’re done. No cooking, no fuss—just dump, blend, and walk away while it chills.
- Creamy dreamy texture: Forget those chalky protein shakes—this pudding is luxuriously thick and smooth, just like the pudding cups we loved as kids.
- Flavor playground: Chocolate today, peanut butter tomorrow—you can mix in anything from berries to espresso powder to keep things exciting.
- Protein powerhouse: Packed with about 20g of protein per serving, it satisfies hunger and supports those fitness goals beautifully.
- No weird aftertaste: The Fairlife or Premier Protein shakes give it sweetness without that artificial protein powder taste.
Seriously, this pudding checks all the boxes—fast, delicious, and good for you. What’s not to love?
Protein Pudding Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up this ridiculously easy protein pudding:
- 1 cup Fairlife or Premier Protein shake (chocolate or peanut butter work best)
- 2 tbsp chia seeds (the magic thickener!)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (I use 5% fat for extra creaminess)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (optional but oh-so-good for chocolate lovers)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (trust me, it makes all the difference)
Substitution tip: If you’re dairy-free, swap the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt—just make sure it’s the thick, creamy kind!
Ingredient Notes
Let’s talk about why these ingredients work so beautifully together. Fairlife or Premier Protein shakes give this pudding its sweet, creamy base without any protein powder graininess—they’re basically liquid gold for protein desserts!
Those tiny chia seeds? They absorb liquid like nobody’s business, creating that perfect pudding texture. And Greek yogurt? It adds protein power plus a luxurious creaminess that’ll have you forgetting this is actually healthy.
Want to mix it up? Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter for PB cup vibes, or toss in some espresso powder for a mocha kick. My latest obsession? Swirling in raspberry jam for fruity chocolate goodness—find more ideas on my Pinterest!
How to Make Protein Pudding
This protein pudding is so easy you’ll laugh—but trust me, the results taste like you put in way more effort than you actually did. Here’s how to make magic happen in your blender:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Grab your blender—this whole process takes less time than microwaving a frozen dinner!
- Blitz it: Dump your protein shake, chia seeds, Greek yogurt, cocoa powder (if using), and vanilla into the blender. Secure that lid tight—protein shakes love to make a break for it!
- Blend away: Hit that button for about 30 seconds. Stop to scrape down the sides if needed, then blend another 10 seconds until everything looks smooth and creamy. Pro tip: If it’s too thick, add a splash of almond milk; too runny? Toss in another teaspoon of chia seeds.
- Chill out: Pour the mixture into cups or jars and pop them in the fridge. The hardest part? Waiting that agonizing hour while the chia seeds work their thickening magic. I set a timer because otherwise, I’ll be peeking every 5 minutes!
When time’s up, grab a spoon and dig in—silky, rich pudding awaits, ready to satisfy every sweet craving with zero guilt. Leftovers? They’ll keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days (if they last that long!).
Tips for the Best Protein Pudding
Want to take your protein pudding from good to amazing? Here are my tried-and-true tricks:
Shake it up: Always give your protein shake bottle a good shake before pouring—that settled powder at the bottom can throw off your pudding’s smooth texture.
The magic stir: About 30 minutes into chilling, give your pudding a quick stir. This prevents chia seeds from clumping at the bottom for perfect consistency.
Sweet spot: Taste as you go! If you want extra sweetness without added sugar, a few drops of stevia does wonders—especially with chocolate protein shakes.
Patience pays: I know it’s tempting, but let it chill the full hour. That extra time lets the chia seeds fully hydrate for that dreamy pudding texture we all crave.
Protein Pudding Variations
Okay, here’s where the real fun begins! Once you master the basic protein pudding recipe, your creativity can run wild—just like mine does every Saturday when I experiment in the kitchen. My favorite thing? This pudding is basically a blank canvas for all your dessert dreams!
PB Chocolate Bliss: Add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter to the blender for that irresistible peanut butter cup flavor. Top with crushed peanuts for crunch—pure magic!
Berry Vanilla Dream: Swap chocolate protein for vanilla and blend with ¼ cup fresh or frozen berries. Swirl in extra berries after blending for pretty bursts of fruity goodness.
Keto Coffee Fix: Use almond milk protein shakes, replace Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt, and add ½ teaspoon instant coffee for a mocha treat. Top with toasted coconut flakes—heavenly!
My Pinterest friends (find me @SophiasKitchen) constantly inspire me with their brilliant twists—one recently shared her cookies-and-cream version with blended Oreo thins! The possibilities are endless, so grab that blender and start playing!
Serving and Storing Protein Pudding
Oh, that first chilled spoonful straight from the fridge is pure bliss—this pudding absolutely shines served cold! I like portioning it into cute little jars or bowls (each about 1/2 cup for the perfect snack size).
It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days—just press plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent drying. Freezing? The texture gets a bit icy, but it makes a killer protein-packed frozen treat if you blend it back up with a splash of milk!
Protein Pudding Nutrition
These nutrition notes are estimates – your results may vary slightly based on different brands and ingredient variations. Always check your specific product labels for the most accurate information!
Protein Pudding FAQs
I’ve answered tons of protein pudding questions over the years—here are the ones that pop up most often at recipe swaps and on Pinterest:
Can I use water instead of protein shake?
Technically yes, but oh boy will you miss out! The protein shake gives sweetness, creaminess, and that protein boost all in one. Try almond milk if you must sub—but trust me, Fairlife chocolate shakes make this pudding divine!
Is this keto-friendly?
Absolutely! Just swap for a keto protein shake (like Premier Protein) and skip any added sweeteners. The chia seeds and Greek yogurt keep it low-carb magic. My keto friends go nuts for the peanut butter version!
Why isn’t my pudding thickening?
Two likely culprits: not enough chia seeds (add another teaspoon) or not enough chilling time (walk away for that full hour!). Sometimes warmer fridge temps slow thickening too—patience, my friend!
Can I skip the Greek yogurt?
You can, but you’ll lose that ultra-creamy texture. For dairy-free, coconut yogurt works great! No yogurt at all? Add an extra tablespoon of chia seeds to compensate.
How long does it last in the fridge?
About 3 days—if it sticks around that long! The chia seeds keep absorbing liquid, so stir in a splash of milk if it gets too thick. Perfect for meal prep Sundays!
More High-Protein Desserts
If you love this protein pudding just wait until you try my other guilt-free treats! Protein mug cakes bake up in minutes for warm chocolatey goodness, and chia seed pudding gives that same creamy satisfaction overnight. Check my Pinterest (@SophiasKitchen) for dozens more quick healthy sweet fixes—your dessert game is about to level way up!
PrintEasy Protein Pudding
A thick, creamy pudding made with protein shakes, chia seeds, or Greek yogurt—ready in minutes and packed with flavor.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fairlife or Premier Protein shake (chocolate or peanut butter flavor)
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pour protein shake into a blender.
- Add chia seeds, Greek yogurt, cocoa powder (if using), and vanilla extract.
- Blend until smooth and creamy (about 30 seconds).
- Pour into serving cups and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to thicken.
- Enjoy chilled.
Notes
- For a thicker pudding, use more chia seeds.
- Swap cocoa powder for peanut butter for a nutty flavor.
- Top with fresh berries or nuts for extra crunch.
- Find more recipes on Pinterest.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 10mg