Are you craving a sweet treat that won't totally wreck your macro goals? Look no further than this protein-packed banana pudding recipe! Made with a premade protein shake, this dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth while giving your body the fuel it needs. Plus, it's so easy to make that you can whip it up in just a few minutes. Creamy, comforting, and oh-so-delicious, this banana pudding will become your new go-to dessert.
I have to admit, I used to despise anything that was banana flavored. The overpowering flavor just wasn't for me. Just so happens that banana pudding happens to be my husband's favorite dessert, so I’ve come to really like it. And in attempts to secretly up his protein intake, I have found a way to add protein into his favorite treat without him noticing!
Who knew that giving in to your partner's favorite treat could lead to such a delicious discovery?
3 Reasons Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Creamy and indulgent: This protein banana pudding recipe is exactly what you need in your life. It's so creamy and indulgent, you won't even believe that it's actually packed with almost 8g of protein. Compared to store-bought Raymundo’s Nilla Wafers + Banana Pudding cups, which have 140 calories, 2g fat, 26g carbs, and 2g protein, our recipe is a bit lower in carbs and higher in protein!
- Super easy to make: You won't need any complicated tools or techniques, just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time.
- Perfect summertime treat: Whether you're enjoying it by the pool or as a post-workout snack, this banana pudding will surely bring a smile to your face. Plus you can easily double or triple the recipe, and bring it to your next BBQ.
You may also like: Avocado banana chocolate protein pudding
Ingredients
- Premade vanilla protein shake: I used Core Power 26g protein shake in vanilla. If looking for high protein, they also have an elite series line that has 42g of protein!
- Milk: To ensure you have the full 2 cups of liquid, you will need 2 oz of milk. I used regular 2% milk.
- Sugar Free Vanilla Jello Pudding mix: To keep this recipe lower in carbohydrates, I used the sugar free pudding mix. There is a banana cream sugar free jello box if you would like this recipe to be a stronger banana flavor.
- Bananas: Small banana slices will layered throughout the cups to give true banana pudding vibes!
- Nilla wafers: It wouldn’t be classic banana pudding if we didn’t have Nilla wafers! I used the mini variety and crunched them up as I layered ingredients.
Kitchen Tools Required
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Serving glasses/cups
How to Make Protein Banana Pudding
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the protein shake, milk, and Jello mix. Mix until smooth.
- Slice your bananas into small coins.
- Assemble in your preferred serving cup with layers: crushed Nilla wafers, banana slices, then pudding. Repeat until you reach the top, preferably 2 layers of each.
Swaps or Alternatives
Jello does have a banana cream sugar free mix that you may use if you would like a stronger banana flavor. The longer the pudding cups sit, the more the bananas will meld with the pudding!
If looking to increase the protein content even more, Core Power does have an elite series line that has 42g of protein! This swap would bump the protein content to 11g per cup. You can also try different flavored pre-made protein shakes such as chocolate or strawberry.
Quick Tip(s)
The secret to making this recipe even better? Make it ahead of time and let those flavors meld together for a truly delicious treat. Plus, making it ahead means it's ready to go whenever that sweet tooth strikes.
FAQ’s
How long does this banana pudding last?
If you store your pudding in an airtight container in the fridge, it should last at least three to four days. But let's be honest, it’s so good that it probably won't make it that long anyway! Remember to keep any toppings, like whipped cream and extra Nilla wafers, separate until you're ready to serve.
What variations can I try with this recipe?
Sometimes it’s fun to switch things up with a classic dessert. Enter: fun variations and swaps for banana pudding. Have you ever tried adding caramel or chocolate chips on top? Or maybe mixing in some crushed Oreos for a cookies and cream twist? Another delicious option is to swap out the vanilla wafers for graham crackers or granola. You can also swap the pre-made vanilla protein shake for chocolate, strawberry, or even caramel flavor. The possibilities are endless!
Macros & Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 pudding cup
- Calories: 135
- Protein: 7.5g
- Carbs: 19.2g
- Fats: 3.2g
Protein Banana Pudding
Equipment
- 1 Medium bowl
- 1 whisk
- 1 Spoon
- Serving glasses/cups
Ingredients
- 1 14oz Core Power 26g protein shake, vanilla
- 2 oz 2% milk
- 1 Jello pudding mix packet, vanilla
- 2 small bananas
- 30 mini Nilla Wafers, crushed
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the protein shake, milk, and Jello mix. Mix until smooth.
- Slice your bananas into small coins.
- Assemble in your preferred serving cup with layers: crushed Nilla wafers, banana slices, then pudding. Repeat until you reach the top, preferably 2 layers of each.
Notes
- Nutrition information may vary depending on brand and ingredient varieties used.
- Nutrition information does not include additional toppings.