Your favorite summertime sweet treat just got a delicious, high-protein upgrade. These Chocolate Banana Protein Pops are rich, creamy, and, made from just five simple ingredients: cottage cheese, maple syrup, a banana, cacao powder, and protein powder. The result is a silky-smooth treat that is reminiscent of a fudge popsicle and is perfect for kids and adults alike!
Friends, as the weather starts to get warmer here in the San Francisco Bay Area, there is nothing that I am looking forward to more than creating summertime recipes. There’s something about summertime recipes that just hit different. Maybe because, unlike the winter, which is filled with richer, heartier meals, summertime recipes are crisp, light, and refreshing — and, oftentimes, perfect for taking on-the-go. This summer, I am looking forward to spending long afternoons in the backyard with my boys, and taking them to the beaches down in L.A. No matter where our summer travels may take us, you know what will also be coming along with us? These Chocolate Banana Protein Pops.
These pops are reminiscent of the classic fudgesicle, but are made way healthier. Growing up, I loved eating fudgesicles in the summertime, for a creamy, chocolatey, sweet treat. After all, what could be better than frozen chocolate on a stick? But, of course, the traditional fudgesicles are loaded with sugar and other processed foods, which are fine in moderation, but definitely aren’t something that I want to be reaching for regularly. Luckily, there’s a much better way.
I love the fact that these Chocolate Banana Protein pops strike the perfect balance between sweet and nostalgic. They have the classic, rich, chocolate flavor that you know and love, but take on a deliciously modern twist, thanks to the high-protein ingredients (aka the protein powder and cottage cheese). But, don’t knock it until you try it – you won’t taste the difference! Cottage cheese is truly my not-so-secret ingredient that I love adding to creamy recipes (like this one) because it doesn’t impact the flavor while still adding all of the high-protein benefits of creamy cottage cheese.
What You Need to Make These Chocolate Banana Pops
- Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese is rich, creamy, and packed with protein, making it the perfect base for this recipe! It adds all of the rich creaminess that milk would add to the popsicles, without taking away from the rich, chocolate-y flavor.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup makes these popsicles perfectly sweet, without adding in more refined sugars, which can leave you feeling slow, bloated, and sluggish. It’s perfect!
- Banana: Of course, these wouldn’t be Chocolate Banana Pops without the banana! You’ll need one whole banana to make this recipe. If you want these popsicles to be on the sweeter side, then the spottier the bananas, the better.
- Cacao Powder: Cacao powder adds that, rich, deep, chocolatey flavor that truly makes these pops shine. Don’t skip it!
- Protein Powder: For an extra boost of protein (alongside the cottage cheese), I recommend adding in a scoop of protein powder. Both chocolate and vanilla protein powder work well, here – as always, I recommend using what you already have!
Five Steps to Making These Easy High-Protein Pops
To make these pops, start by preparing the mixture. Add all of the ingredients (the cottage cheese, maple syrup, banana, cacao powder, and protein powder) to a blender. Blend the ingredients together until they’re smooth and creamy.
Once the mixture has come together, transfer it evenly into popsicle molds. Transfer the popsicle molds to the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight.
Once the popsicles are frozen, remove the from the freezer and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend freezing them overnight, to ensure that they are nice and solid by the time you are ready to eat them!
Yes! You can swap out the cottage cheese for silken tofu for a creamy, dairy-free alternative to this recipe that still happens to be high in protein.
Sure! I love adding a spoonful of peanut butter or even my homemade date caramel to give these pops to give them an additional flavor boost!
When stored in the freezer, these popsicles should stay fresh for up to one month.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Equipment
- Popsicle Molds these popsicle molds are perfect for making this recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ Cups Cottage Cheese
- 2 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 Banana
- 1 Tablespoon Cacao Powder
- 1 Scoop Protein Powder, I recommend using chocolate or vanilla
Instructions
- To make these pops, start by preparing the mixture. Add all of the ingredients (the cottage cheese, maple syrup, banana, cacao powder, and protein powder) to a blender.
- Blend the ingredients together until they're smooth and creamy.
- Once the mixture has come together, transfer it evenly into popsicle molds.
- Transfer the popsicle molds to the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight.
- Once the popsicles are frozen, remove the from the freezer and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!