Greek Yogurt And Granola Are The Start To This Protein-Packed Banana Pudding

Let's face it, trying to keep your sugar intake low and your protein intake high can lead to some pretty uninspiring snack bars and desserts. However, a simple whisk-up for a tasty, high-protein banana pudding starts with a few scoops of Greek yogurt and some granola. A sachet of sugar-free instant banana pudding mix, mixed into Greek yogurt, is a popular way to create a smooth and protein-rich pudding that isn't loaded with sugar. What elevates the yogurt-based snack into a proper pudding is the use of granola to give it a little extra crunch. Adding it straight up can be a bit more breakfast-y feeling, but crushing granola up first in a food processor (or in a Ziploc bag with a rolling pin) gets it more like a crumble or dust that you'd use in a dessert.

You can always experiment with different combinations of vanilla or banana flavor to get a ratio you like, whether that's flavored pudding mix or yogurt. If you like it smoother and less fluffy, you can add a dash of milk, but that's a preference thing. Greek yogurt is the protein source, so your product choice effectively dictates how protein-packed your pudding is. Vanilla-flavored Oikos Triple Zero, for instance, contains 17 grams of protein for every 170-gram serving. Cabot Creamery Reduced Fat Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt, which placed second in our ranking of Greek yogurt brands, contains 13 grams for the same serving. Since different brands have different amounts, consult our ranking of high-protein yogurts so you can choose the option that best suits your goals.

You can add any old granola to your banana pudding, but the fun begins when you start choosing flavors that really go well with banana. Cocoa, nuts — and coconut, for that matter — are all winners here, but to keep to the concept of puddings and dessert front and center, you can opt for cookie butter-flavored granola for a delicious Biscoff-meets-banana combo without adding in the cookies themselves. Peanuts (and peanut butter, of course), hazelnuts, and pecans are all excellent combos for banana pudding as well, so choosing a granola with these ingredients is a surefire win. Just remember that if you're trying to keep your sugar intake low, that also extends to the granola you choose. 

For extra panache when assembling, you can layer your granola in levels, or place it at the bottom of your container as a base. Consider saving some of the crushed up granola to crumble back on top for a delectable finishing touch. But why stop there with the extras? Sliced fresh banana is a no-brainer topping, and a sprinkling of coconut shavings won't hurt either. Other toppings like vanilla wafer cookies are popular with classic banana puddings, if you're not on the strict-sugar-free buzz. What you're left with is a scrumptious pudding that's protein-rich and sweet, with little or no added sugar, and a satisfying crunch.