This high protein banana pudding is a healthier twist on traditional banana pudding! It’s made with simple ingredients such as cottage cheese, ripe bananas, pudding mix, and protein powder. Then, individual servings are assembled in jars with layers of crushed vanilla wafers, banana slices, creamy banana pudding, and fluffy whipped cream. This protein banana pudding is delicious and could not be easier to make. Just blend the ingredients, assemble, chill the mixture, and enjoy! It’s a high-protein twist on the classic banana pudding dessert!

Why You Will Love High-Protein Banana Pudding

It has a delicious banana flavor with a creamy pudding consistency.
The cottage cheese adds protein and contributes to the creamy texture.
This recipe is easy to prepare. There is minimal prep time and we used simple ingredients. This recipe only takes about ten minutes to make.
It’s the perfect snack or dessert.
It’s a healthier alternative that is still rich and creamy.
There are no eggs, condensed milk, or butter.
No baking is required to make this recipe!

What Is Protein Banana Pudding?

This high-protein banana pudding is a twist on traditional banana pudding, made healthier and packed with protein. It consists of cottage cheese, bananas, vanilla pudding mix, protein powder, and a splash of vanilla extract. We used cottage cheese as the main ingredient rather than Greek yogurt since cottage cheese isn’t as tangy. These ingredients are blended, and then the dessert is assembled with layers of crushed vanilla wafers, the banana pudding mixture, and banana slices, and is topped with whipped cream. I kept this recipe simple and lightened it up. All you have to do is blend the ingredients, assemble, chill the pudding, and enjoy!

Ingredients Needed

Cottage Cheese: You can use low-fat, fat-free, or full-fat cottage cheese. You can’t taste the cottage cheese in this banana pudding, it just makes it creamy and adds protein!
Bananas: Use ripe bananas for a sweet banana flavor. Blend one banana with the pudding mixture and slice the other for layering.
Pudding Mix: You can use a vanilla instant pudding mix or a sugar-free instant pudding mix. The pudding mix helps thicken the banana pudding and gives it a classic pudding flavor.
Protein Powder: Use your favorite vanilla protein powder. The protein powder adds sweetness and additional protein.
Vanilla Extract: Add a splash of vanilla extract for flavor.
Maple Syrup: As an option, add a touch of maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup if you prefer your banana pudding sweeter.
Vanilla Wafers: Layer this banana pudding with crushed mini vanilla wafers.
Whipped Cream: When ready to serve, add your favorite whipped topping.

How To Make Protein Banana Pudding

Step 1: Add the vanilla wafers to a Ziploc bag. Then, seal the bag and lightly crush the wafers.

Step 2: Peel the bananas. Slice one banana and set it aside. The other banana will be blended.

Step 3: Add the cottage cheese, one banana, vanilla instant pudding mix, vanilla protein powder, and vanilla extract to a blender.

Step 4: Blend the ingredients. As an option, you can add maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.

Step 5: Assemble each serving of banana pudding in an airtight jar, container, or cup. Add a layer of crushed vanilla wafers, a few banana slices, and the blended banana pudding mixture.

Crushed vanilla wafers and banana slices in a jar

Continue these layers until you reach the top of the jar.

Then, chill the assembled banana pudding in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, top with whipped cream.

Serving Suggestions

Layer this banana pudding with crushed vanilla wafers and banana slices. After assembling it, chill it in the fridge. Then, top with your favorite whipped cream before serving. You can also sprinkle more crushed vanilla wafers over the top or add more banana slices. As an optional topping, add some coconut flakes or a light dusting of cinnamon.

Expert Tips

Slice A Banana: One banana will be blended with the pudding mixture for this recipe. Slice the other banana to use for layering.
Use Ripe Bananas: Use ripe bananas for this recipe, as they are naturally sweeter than unripe bananas. However, avoid using overripe bananas.
Don’t Over-Blend: Avoid over-blending this banana pudding. Ensure all the ingredients are combined, but don’t over-blend, as the texture may become thinner. You want it to have a thick pudding consistency.
Chill The Pudding: Chill this banana pudding before serving it. As it chills in the refrigerator the texture will become thicker.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover high-protein banana pudding in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Variations and Substitutions

What Protein Powder To Use: For this recipe, use your favorite vanilla protein powder that you like the taste of. I used Orgain vanilla protein powder. To get 30% off Orgain products use our discount code healthyfoodiegirl.
Add Maple Syrup: This protein banana pudding is already sweet from the pudding mix, ripe banana, and protein powder. However, if you prefer it sweeter, add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup. Or, you could add honey or your sweetener of choice.
Banana Pudding Mix: You can substitute the vanilla instant pudding mix for a banana-flavored instant pudding mix. Then, you can reduce the amount of banana you blend in with the cottage cheese to half a banana or add the whole banana for even more banana flavor.
Sugar-Free Pudding: You can make this recipe with sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix instead. However, the amount of pudding mix to add will be different. If you use sugar-free instant pudding mix, use 2 ½ teaspoons for this recipe.
Vanilla Wafer Cookies To Use: I used mini Nilla wafers. If you prefer, use sugar-free vanilla wafers or omit them. Or, substitute them for graham crackers or ladyfingers.
Make It Gluten-Free: To make this protein banana pudding gluten-free, use gluten-free vanilla wafers or omit them. Also, ensure your instant pudding mix is gluten-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Cottage Cheese Should I Use?

You can make this banana pudding with fat-free, low-fat, or full-fat cottage cheese. The cottage cheese will be whipped with the ingredients in the blender.

Do I Need To Chill Banana Pudding?

Yes, chill this banana pudding before serving for at least 30 minutes or a few hours to allow the pudding to thicken.

More Recipes To Try Next!

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.