If you’ve ever craved something rich and peanut buttery, but also wanted to keep things healthy-ish and fueling, this Peanut Butter Protein Pudding is exactly what you need. It’s creamy, indulgent, and shockingly easy to whip together—no stove, no stress, and no questionable ingredients.
I started making this as a post-workout snack, but honestly? It’s become an anytime comfort food in my house. Afternoon slump? Pudding. Craving dessert but still want to hit your protein goal? Pudding. Need something to meal prep that feels like a treat but fuels your day? You guessed it—pudding.
And the best part? It’s made with a handful of pantry staples, takes five minutes, and tastes like a peanut butter cup in pudding form.
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Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Protein Pudding
- High-protein and filling – perfect as a snack, dessert, or post-workout treat
- Naturally sweetened – no refined sugar, just honey or maple syrup
- Ultra-creamy – like spoonable peanut butter fluff
- Customizable – adjust the sweetness, swap the milk, or toss in your favorite toppings
- No-cook and make-ahead friendly – done in minutes, chills in the fridge
What Does It Taste Like?
This pudding is rich, smooth, and deeply peanut buttery. It’s sweet but not too sweet, with a mellow vanilla finish and a silky texture that’s somewhere between mousse and classic pudding. It’s satisfying enough to eat straight from the fridge, but also dreamy with sliced bananas, a sprinkle of granola, or a drizzle of chocolate.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Over 20g of protein per serving (depending on your protein powder)
- Great for meal prep
- Naturally gluten-free
- Balanced macros for energy and satiety
- Kid-friendly and perfect for packed lunches or after-school snacks
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter (natural, creamy)
- 1/4 cup milk of choice (almond, oat, dairy, etc.)
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional toppings:
- Mini chocolate chips
- Sliced banana
- Granola
- Crushed peanuts
- Cocoa nibs
Necessary Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small jars or containers for storage
Possible Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
Protein Powder
- Use vanilla for sweetness and creaminess
- Chocolate protein powder works too—turns it into a peanut butter cup flavor
- Unflavored? Add extra vanilla extract and sweetener
Yogurt
- Greek yogurt adds thickness and tang
- Use dairy-free alternatives like almond or coconut yogurt if needed
Nut Butter
- Swap almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for peanut-free options
Milk
- Any milk works—just adjust for consistency
- Oat milk makes it extra creamy, while almond milk keeps it light
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk the base
In a medium bowl, mix Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and protein powder until mostly combined. - Add liquids
Stir in milk, vanilla, sweetener, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Add more milk as needed to reach your desired texture. - Taste and adjust
Want it sweeter? Add more maple syrup. Too thick? Add a splash more milk. - Chill (optional)
Eat immediately, or divide into jars and refrigerate for 30 minutes to thicken and chill. - Serve with toppings
Sprinkle with chocolate chips, banana slices, granola, or anything else that makes it feel extra.
What to Serve With Peanut Butter Protein Pudding
- A scoop of granola or high-fiber cereal
- Fresh fruit like banana, strawberries, or apple slices
- Drizzle of chocolate sauce or extra peanut butter on top
- Layered in a parfait with oats or chia pudding
- Post-workout smoothie topper—thick and spoonable
Helpful Tips
This pudding is as easy as it gets, but these quick tips will help you get the absolute creamiest, most delicious result every time:
1. Use a Good-Quality Protein Powder
The flavor and texture of the pudding depend heavily on your protein powder—some can be chalky or overly sweet. Choose one you actually enjoy drinking on its own, and opt for vanilla or chocolate for the most dessert-like flavor.
2. Start with Less Milk, Add as Needed
Start with the suggested amount of milk, then gradually add more if you like a looser, silkier texture. The protein and nut butter will thicken the mixture more than you expect!
3. Taste as You Go
Depending on your yogurt and protein powder, you may not need any added sweetener at all. Start with a small amount of honey or maple syrup and adjust to taste—it’s easy to sweeten later, but hard to take it out.
4. Use a Blender for Extra Creaminess
If you want it ultra smooth and mousse-like, toss everything into a blender or food processor. It breaks up any clumps and whips in some air for a fluffier finish.
5. Let It Chill
While it’s totally fine to eat right away, giving the pudding 30 minutes in the fridge helps it thicken and allows the flavors to settle. Perfect for make-ahead snacking!
6. Dress It Up
This pudding is a blank canvas for toppings: bananas, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or a swirl of jam or jelly turn it into a full-on treat.
7. Make It a Parfait
Layer the pudding with granola, berries, or overnight oats in a jar for a protein-packed breakfast or dessert. It’s like a peanut butter cup—but wholesome.
Conservation and Storage
This pudding is a meal prep dream—it holds up beautifully in the fridge, stays creamy, and is ready to grab whenever that snack craving hits.
Refrigerator
- How to store: Spoon the pudding into individual airtight containers or jars for easy grab-and-go portions. Mason jars or small glass meal prep containers work perfectly.
- How long it lasts: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- What to expect: It may thicken slightly as it chills—just give it a good stir before serving, or add a splash of milk if you like it a bit looser.
- Bonus tip: Add toppings right before serving to keep things crunchy and fresh (especially granola or fruit).
Freezer
- Not recommended: Freezing can cause the texture to change—especially with yogurt or protein powder. It may become grainy or separate once thawed.
- If you must freeze: Only freeze for short-term storage (up to 1 month), and blend again after thawing for the best texture.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store the pudding in airtight containers or jars and refrigerate for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for meal prep—just portion it into individual servings for easy grab-and-go snacks.
- To serve: Stir well before eating, especially if it has thickened overnight. Add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the texture.
- Freezer: Not ideal. The pudding may become grainy or separate once thawed due to the yogurt and protein powder. Best enjoyed fresh or within the first few days of refrigeration.
- Top just before serving: To keep things crisp and fresh (especially if adding fruit, granola, or chocolate chips), wait to add toppings until right before you dig in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make it vegan?
Yes! Use dairy-free yogurt and plant-based protein powder.
Is this keto-friendly?
It can be! Use a low-carb protein powder, unsweetened nut milk, and skip the maple syrup or use a keto-friendly sweetener like stevia or monk fruit.
Can I use powdered peanut butter?
Yes! Just rehydrate it with milk before adding, or stir it directly into the mix with extra milk to balance the texture.
Can I make this in a blender?
Absolutely. A quick blend makes it extra smooth and creamy—perfect if your protein powder tends to clump.
Conclusion
This Peanut Butter Protein Pudding is the snack that truly does it all: creamy, crave-worthy, packed with nutrients, and ready in minutes. Whether you’re fueling your day, curbing your sweet tooth, or meal-prepping your week, this is the kind of recipe that keeps you full and happy.
If you try it, I’d love to hear how you topped yours! Leave a review and tag your creations on Pinterest—because protein pudding this good deserves to be shared.
PrintPeanut Butter Protein Pudding
- Total Time: 5–35 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
If you’ve ever craved something rich and peanut buttery, but also wanted to keep things healthy-ish and fueling, this Peanut Butter Protein Pudding is exactly what you need. It’s creamy, indulgent, and shockingly easy to whip together—no stove, no stress, and no questionable ingredients.
I started making this as a post-workout snack, but honestly? It’s become an anytime comfort food in my house. Afternoon slump? Pudding. Craving dessert but still want to hit your protein goal? Pudding. Need something to meal prep that feels like a treat but fuels your day? You guessed it—pudding.
Ingredients
-
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)
-
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based)
-
2 tablespoons peanut butter (natural, creamy)
-
1/4 cup milk of choice (almond, oat, dairy, etc.)
-
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, to taste)
-
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
Pinch of salt
Optional toppings:
-
Mini chocolate chips
-
Sliced banana
-
Granola
-
Crushed peanuts
-
Cocoa nibs
Instructions
-
Whisk the base
In a medium bowl, mix Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and protein powder until mostly combined. -
Add liquids
Stir in milk, vanilla, sweetener, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Add more milk as needed to reach your desired texture. -
Taste and adjust
Want it sweeter? Add more maple syrup. Too thick? Add a splash more milk. -
Chill (optional)
Eat immediately, or divide into jars and refrigerate for 30 minutes to thicken and chill. -
Serve with toppings
Sprinkle with chocolate chips, banana slices, granola, or anything else that makes it feel extra.
Notes
The thickness will vary based on the protein powder you use—adjust milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
No sweetener? Totally fine. Many protein powders are already sweet—taste first before adding maple syrup or honey.
For an extra creamy texture, blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender instead of mixing by hand.
Layer it in a jar with fruit and granola for a ready-to-go breakfast parfait.
Make it peanut-free by using almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert, Meal Prep
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jar (half the recipe)
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: peanut butter protein pudding, high protein snack, easy protein dessert, meal prep pudding, no cook snack, healthy pudding