The most epic yogurt bowl recipe! I mean you can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter. While the classic yogurt with granola and fruit is a good combo, I like to think of this as the next level.
This chocolate peanut butter yogurt bowl feels like a decadent treat, but made with good-for-you ingredients and packs in the protein in a delicious and healthy way!
One of the main struggles I see with my nutrient clients is getting in more protein. I get it, protein isn’t always as fun as carbs and fat, but it is essential in our diets.
Protein (amino acids) is the building blocks of cells, tissues, organs, and systems (provide structure and function), are crucial to the production of hormones, helps with digestion, helps with having a good body composition and gaining muscle, and helps keep us full (just to name a few!).
While I think focusing on real whole nutrient-dense foods is the best way to get protein, I love using protein powder for an extra boost. And this protein yogurt bowl does exactly that!
I’m not sure how I came up with this easy concoction, but I’ve been making it for years. Depending on how much of each ingredient you use, this high-protein yogurt bowl can be eaten for breakfast (as a full meal) or as a snack. Heck, I’ve even made a smaller portion of it for dessert! Adjust the quantities to fit your individual needs and goals.
Why we love this protein yogurt bowl
- couldn’t be easier to make – just yogurt, protein powder, and peanut butter stirred together until smooth and creamy
- packed with 40 grams of protein!
- customizable – easily change up the flavors if you like
- tastes AMAZING! – you can’t really go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter right?!
Are yogurt bowls healthy?
A yogurt bowl is a great choice for a healthy breakfast, snack, or even dessert. They are full of protein and healthy fats, probiotics, and some have carbs depending on the toppings you use. They also contain vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B12.
Protein and fat are key for helping with satiation and keeping you full while fat gives you a steady source of energy. Look for plain Greek yogurt without any added sugar and use fat-free or full-fat depending on your preference.
Which greek yogurt is best?
There are numerous yogurt options on the shelves at the grocery store and picking one can feel overwhelming. Look for one without any added sugar and minimum added ingredients. It’s important to remember that yogurt will have some grams of sugar from naturally occurring lactose, you just don’t want a lot of added sugar. You can choose between 0% fat or a fuller-fat version based on your goals. Full-fat tends to be creamier and not have as much tang.
I’m a big fan of skyr (Icelandic yogurt) as it is super thick and has a creamy texture. Some of my favorite brands are Siggi’s (skyr), Stonyfield, and Wallaby.
Ingredients
- plain greek yogurt – I used 0% fat
- protein powder – I love chocolate in this recipe, but any flavor will work!
- peanut butter
- cinnamon
- toppings of choice
How to make a yogurt bowl
- Make the yogurt bowl. Add all ingredients to a bowl. Mix well until smooth and combined.
- Enjoy! Top with toppings of choice and enjoy!
Pro tip: add the protein powder to the bottom of the bowl and add the yogurt and nut butter on top. This helps ensure the protein powder stays in the bowl rather than going all over the place when you stir it.
Toppings for a breakfast yogurt bowl
While this chocolate peanut butter yogurt bowl is good as is, it’s even better with toppings. And with adding the right toppings, you can make a healthy balanced meal.
- granola – I love adding some crunch to this and granola and yogurt are the perfect combo
- fresh or dried fruit – bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, and mango would all be great!
- sweetener – a drizzle of honey or maple syrup would be good if you want a little sweetness
- chopped nuts – walnuts, peanuts, or pecans
- seeds – hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chia seeds
- coconut flakes – chocolate and coconut are always a good combo
- cacao nibs or chocolate chips – more chocolate!
- cinnamon
Substitutions and additions
Greek yogurt bowls are so customizable and you can tweak them to your preference and your macronutrient needs. Here are a few suggestions to change up the recipe:
- yogurt – I love using plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt (skyr) in these yogurt bowls because it is high in protein and unsweetened. You could also use dairy-free yogurt if sensitive to dairy (although the recipe won’t be as high in protein). Use whole milk yogurt, low-fat, or nonfat yogurt.
- nut butter – any kind of nut butter will work or even a seed butter if you are allergic to nuts. Try almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini. To lighten up this recipe and reduce the calories, use peanut flour instead of peanut butter.
- protein powder – I love chocolate protein powder for this combo, but you could also use vanilla or any flavor you want. I know the flavors of protein powder are endless these days, from strawberry, snickerdoodle, peanut butter, and more! You can also use plant-based, whey, or collagen. I prefer plant-based as it makes it even thicker. I find whey and collagen change the texture some, but it is still good.
- sweetener – if you want it a little sweeter, stir in some honey or maple syrup. I find the protein powder adds enough, but it will depend on the brand/kind you use.
- cacao powder – to make it extra chocolatey, stir in some cacao powder
More healthy breakfast recipes
- chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
- sweet potato breakfast 3 ways
- smoked salmon breakfast bowl
- cottage cheese pancakes
- coffee protein smoothie
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Yogurt Bowl
ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (8 ounces – I used 0% fat)
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (about 1/4 cup – 25 grams)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- toppings: granola, fruit, peanut butter, honey, cacao nibs, cinnamon…
instructions
- Make the yogurt bowl. Add all ingredients to a bowl (for easier stirring, put the protein powder in the bottom of the bowl so it doesn't go all over the place when stirring). Mix well until smooth and combined.
- Enjoy! Top with toppings of choice and enjoy!
Jessica says
The PB and cinnamon go really well together!
Kelly Nardo says
Yes, it’s a favorite combo of mine. Glad you enjoyed, Jessica!
Cameron Martin says
This was quite literally, and without exaggeration, the worst thing I have ever forced myself to eat in the last 10 years approximately. That was when I tried blending two and a half cups of broccoli and 2 and 1/2 cups of carrots to get my daily serving of vegetables in anticipation of going to a Brazilian steakhouse later that day. I will never do that again. And I will never do this again. I used the Orgain organic protein powder plant-based (purchased off of Amazon) maybe that was the wrong choice? I also used nonfat plain Greek yogurt, crunchy peanut butter, honey, and chopped walnuts and some bananas. Thanks for trying to help.
Kelly Nardo says
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it, Cameron. It could be you don’t like that protein powder. Any protein powder will work and this recipe can easily be adjusted to fit your tastes (more sweetener, more PB…). Hope that helps!
Tam says
I tried this tonight and it is so good! I used 3/4 cup of Fage plain Greek yogurt, 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (Optimum Nutrition Hydro Whey, Chocolate) and 1 tbsp of sunflower seed butter. I topped it with walnuts, strawberries and a little granola. YUM!
Kelly says
Yum, that sounds delicious! Thanks for trying it, Tam!
Dan says
Looks great
Kelly says
The combo is so good – hope you enjoy it!
Felicia says
I’ve been struggling to get the right amount of protein in my diet without compromising my other macros, and I have tried a few different protein yogurt concoctions that just never seem right for me. But this was hands down the BEST one ever! I don’t have the budget to have many different flavors of protein powder, so I tend to grab vanilla so I can use it for many purposes other than smoothies (those I hate with a passion). I instead added just a tsp or less of natural unsweetened 100% cacao powder and it’s so yummy!
Thank you thank you thank you! I definitely will be checking out your other recipes!
Kelly says
This makes me so happy to hear! It really is such a great combo and whatever protein powder you like works well. Thanks for trying it Felicia!