High-Protein Banana Pudding (with Cottage Cheese)
2
Published May 30, 2025
This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this creamy and delicious high-protein banana pudding — no pudding mix required! It’s naturally sweetened, packed with 20 grams of protein, and so easy to whip up.
I’ve been on a cottage cheese dessert kick lately, and this high-protein banana pudding might just be my favorite yet. It has everything you love about classic banana pudding—sweet banana flavor, creamy texture, and nostalgic toppings—but with a healthier twist.
We’re blending cottage cheese with ripe banana, a touch of maple syrup, and vanilla protein powder to create a silky-smooth base that’s naturally sweetened and packed with protein. Trust me, once you try this easy, high-protein treat, it might become your new go-to healthy dessert.
And if you’re loving cottage cheese as much as I am, be sure to check out my chocolate cottage cheese mousse or high-protein strawberry mousse next!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Protein-packed – Thanks to cottage cheese and protein powder, this dessert has 20 grams of protein per serving.
- Easy to make – All you need is a blender and 5 simple ingredients and you’ll be enjoying this banana pudding in minutes!
- No pudding mix – Blending everything together gives it that dreamy, pudding-like texture, without the pudding mix!
- Naturally sweetened – No refined sugar here—just banana and a touch of maple syrup.
Ingredients Needed
You only need a handful of ingredients to whip up this creamy, protein-packed banana pudding. It comes together fast and tastes just like classic banana pudding you know and love!
- cottage cheese – the secret to that ultra-smooth, creamy texture. I recommend full-fat for the best flavor and richness. I like using Good Culture or Kalona Supernatural.
- ripe banana – adds natural sweetness and banana pudding vibes. The riper, the better!
- maple syrup – just a little to enhance the sweetness. You can adjust depending on your banana and sweetness preference.
- vanilla extract – a splash of vanilla gives that classic pudding flavor.
- vanilla protein powder – for an extra boost of protein and sweetness. I used Equip Vanilla protein powder, but any high-quality vanilla protein powder works.
Not a fan of cottage cheese? Try my healthy banana pudding instead, which is made with Greek yogurt.
How to Make Protein Banana Pudding
Step 1: Add cottage cheese, banana, maple syrup, vanilla and protein powder to a blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy. Divide between two glasses and add toppings of choice.
Brittany’s Tips!
- Use a ripe banana: The more brown spots, the better. It adds natural sweetness and that nostalgic banana pudding flavor.
- Blend it smooth: Use a high-speed blender (or food processor) to make sure the cottage cheese gets totally creamy, no one wants a lumpy pudding!
- Serve chilled: It’s delicious right away, but even better after chilling in the fridge for 15–30 minutes.
- Serve a crowd: You can totally double or triple this recipe to serve a crowd. It’d be the perfect dessert to bring to summer cookouts and BBQs.
How to Store Banana Pudding
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just note that the texture may thicken slightly as it chills and the banana flavor will get stronger over time. Give it a stir before serving and enjoy cold, straight from the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can! Just know the pudding won’t be quite as rich and creamy. I personally prefer full-fat cottage cheese for the best texture and flavor, but use what you like.
Absolutely. It’s packed with protein, potassium, and just the right amount of carbs. Perfect for muscle recovery!
Yes—as long as you skip the vanilla wafers or use a gluten-free brand. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free.
You can use whey protein powder as it blends in easily and adds extra protein without affecting the creamy texture. You can also use a plant-based protein powder, but you might need to add more liquid as plant-based protein powders tend to soak up more liquid, so the end result might be thicker.
More High-Protein Desserts
- Protein Pudding
- Protein Cookies
- High Protein Dunkaroo Dip
- The Best Protein Brownies
- Protein Milkshake
Be sure to check out the full collection of high protein desserts on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
High-Protein Banana Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ scoop (12.5 grams) vanilla protein powder, I used Equip Prime Protein
- Optional toppings: banana slices, whipped cream and crushed vanilla wafers
Instructions
- Add cottage cheese, banana, maple syrup, vanilla and protein powder to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Divide between two glasses and top with additional banana slices, a dollop of whipped cream and crushed vanilla wafers, if desired.
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just note that the texture may thicken slightly as it chills and the banana flavor will get stronger over time. Give it a stir before serving and enjoy cold, straight from the fridge
- Not a fan of cottage cheese? Try my healthy banana pudding instead, which is made with Greek yogurt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This sounds so good! Do you think you can sub yogurt for the cottage cheese to make it vegan?
Totally, but it might have more of a tang from the yogurt and it won’t have as much protein. Let me know if you end up trying it and how it turns out!