Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

This peanut butter hot chocolate recipe is the latest in my big round of protein powder based drink recipes.

I have a really hard time meeting my daily protein goals on the best of days, and now that we’ve added camping to the mix ... yeah, it’s a challenge.

So, I’ve started supplementing my protein in liquid form - but I’m not generally a fan of protein shakes. I just get bored, and it feels tedious.

IMHO, it’s so much easier when you’re taking that protein shake in the form of a cup of hot chocolate ... or a coffee drink... or a fancy tea drink.

I’ve come up with a dozen or so recipes - see the link list near the bottom of this post - and it’s made it so much easier to just stick to the protein plan.

Today, I’m sharing my high protein hot cocoa mix recipe, with a twist - it’s a hot chocolate drink, with the added flavour of creamy peanut butter!

My husband and I are both peanut butter lovers, so this rich peanut butter cup homemade hot chocolate is RIGHT up our alley!

The peanut butter - chocolate combo is such a great one in general, and it’s a delicious treat when done up as this thick hot chocolate.

It’s the perfect drink for cold weather camping, the holiday season, or just a delicious treat after the gym.

The thing is, it really doesn’t feel like you’re doing a protein shake. It just feels like a tasty, warm cup of cocoa - and it’s a sweet treat that the whole family will love!

I love to do them up as drink mix packets, assembly line style.

It takes me just a few minutes to whip off 10 or more packets, and then they’re just ready for whenever I need a mug of cocoa.

I’m just annoyed at myself for not thinking of the hot drink protein powder options earlier!

Anyway, let’s get to that peanut butter cup hot chocolate mix recipe!

Ingredients

This recipe uses a few simple ingredients, usually easy to find in most larger grocery stores.

I have some notes for you on the following ingredients:

Chocolate Protein Powder

As a protein drink, the main ingredient here is a Chocolate Flavored Protein Powder.

It adds protein, serves as kind of a powdered milk substitute (so you can make the drink with water!), contributes some sweetness, AND negates the need for using vanilla extract!

Personally, I use Revolution Nutrition's High Whey in Chocolate Cake.

It’s a high quality protein powder, low in sugar, and has a great milk chocolate taste.

That said, feel free to use whatever chocolate protein powder you like.

For best results, though, use something you actually like the taste and texture of!

Cocoa Powder

For a really rich hot chocolate, I like to boost the chocolate protein powder with a little Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.

If you don’t like an in-your-face chocolate flavor - or your protein powder is extra intense in the chocolate flavour department - feel free to skip the cacao powder.

Peanut Butter Powder

Because these are done up as instant drink mixes, I can’t use a regular smooth peanut butter in this recipe.

As a result, I use Peanut Butter Powder to get that peanut butter flavor into the drink.

I buy a natural peanut butter powder from Bulk Barn, with no added sugar involved.

Sweetener of Your Choice

I use a small amount of sweetener to boost the sweetness of the protein powder.

Because I’m watching my carbs, I use a Brown Sugar Substitute - specifically Brown Sugar Allulose.

I prefer it to those monk fruit / erythritol blends, as it doesn’t do the “cooling mouth” thing.

If you’re not watching your carbs, you can use regular brown sugar.

Brown sugar, specifically, complements the chocolate flavour and boosts the richness of the flavour... but feel free to use white sugar, if you prefer.

Milk (or Water)

You can make these high protein peanut butter hot chocolate drinks up with either hot milk or hot water. The only caveat: Milk will make for more of a creamy texture than water.

That said, you can use whatever kind of milk you like.

I tend to avoid dairy milk, so I generally use Unsweetened Almond Milk, though Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, Macadamia Milk, and coconut milk are all great options for non-dairy milk.

If regular milk isn’t an issue for you, feel free to use skim milk, 2% milk, or whole milk. Just keep in mind: the higher the milk fat percentage, the creamier the peanut butter hot cocoa!

Shaker Bottle

Ok, it may not be an actual ingredient, but a shaker bottle is a nice thing to have around, when you’re making a regular thing of these protein drink mixes.

I have several of the 20 oz BlenderBottles - it’s a great choice.

Perfect size for these drinks, and the blender globe in it makes it easy to whip up smooth drinks.

No blender bottle? Use a mason jar, immersion blender, or a frothing wand. It’s all good!

How to Make High Protein Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

The full recipe is in the recipe card at the end of this post, here is the visual walk through:

For Protein Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Combine dry ingredients in a shaker bottle or high-powdered blender.

Add hot water or hot milk*; shake until well combined, and smooth.

Pour into a large mug, garnish as desired: Mini marshmallows, whipped cream, melted peanut butter drizzle, Chopped up Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate shavings, mini dark chocolate chips, or even sugar free chocolate chips are all great options.

Enjoy right away!

For Protein Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Mix Pouches

Measure dry ingredients directly into individual snack-sized plastic baggies, seal and shake well to combine.

Press as much air as possible out of each baggie, seal the zipper.

Transfer baggies to an airtight container, labeled with the date, recipe name, and a note to use 12 oz of water or milk*, if you like.

More High Protein Drink Mixes!

Looking for more high protein, low carb drink mixes that can be made ahead? I've developed a whole series of instant drink mix recipes:

Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Cream of Chicken Soup (Low Carb, High Protein)
Cream of Mushroom Soup (Low Carb, High Protein)
Easy Bone Broth
Gingerbread Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Matcha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Mocha Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Peppermint Mocha (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Cappuccino (Low Carb, High Protein)
Protein Hot Chocolate (Low Carb, High Protein)
Pumpkin Chai Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)
Pumpkin Spice Latte (Low Carb, High Protein)