Before you make it

Use whey isolate for the cleanest taste. Casein will work but can clump if you don’t whisk well. Plant proteins get a little gritty in cold pudding, so skip those if you can.

Pick a barely spotted banana. Green ones taste flat. Super brown ones turn the pudding mushy within 10 minutes. Slightly yellow with a few spots is the move.

Clear glass optional but cute. If you’re filming or just want it to look like a trifle, use a clear glass instead of a mug so the layers show off.

The recipe

Protein Banana Pudding in a Mug

Single serving banana pudding mug with creamy Greek yogurt protein base, fresh banana slices, crushed vanilla wafers, and a cloud of whipped topping. 35g of protein, ready in 5 minutes, no baking required.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword banana pudding, mug recipe, single serve dessert

Prep Time 5

Servings mug

Calories 350kcal

Ingredients

For the protein pudding base:

1/2 cup non fat plain Greek yogurt
1 scoop vanilla whey isolate protein powder about 25g
1 tbsp sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix
3 tbsp Fairlife fat free milk plus more if needed to thin
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Liquid stevia or 1 tsp maple syrup to taste

For the layers:

1/2 medium banana thinly sliced
4 vanilla wafers roughly crushed save 1 whole for the top
2 tbsp sugar free whipped topping Reddi Wip, Cool Whip Lite, or Truwhip

Instructions

In a mug or small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, protein powder, pudding mix, milk, vanilla, and sweetener until the mixture is thick and completely smooth. If it feels too thick to scoop, add another splash of milk a little at a time. Taste and adjust sweetness now, not later.
Spoon half of the pudding into the bottom of a mug. Layer in half of the banana slices and half of the crushed vanilla wafers.
Spoon the remaining pudding on top and smooth it into an even layer.
Finish with the rest of the banana slices, the rest of the crushed wafer crumbs, and a big swirl of whipped topping. Press the reserved whole vanilla wafer into the side of the mug like a little flag.
Eat immediately for a fresh crunchy texture, or cover and chill for 15 to 20 minutes if you want the wafers to soften into classic old school banana pudding texture.

Notes

Use whey isolate or a clear vanilla casein. Plant proteins and blends can taste chalky or grainy in cold pudding. Whey isolate dissolves smoothest.
The pudding mix is doing flavor work, not thickening work. Greek yogurt + protein powder is already thick. The 1 tbsp of sugar free vanilla pudding mix is what makes it taste like banana pudding instead of "yogurt with a banana on top."
Banana ripeness matters. A just barely spotted banana is sweet enough. A green one will taste flat. A super brown one will turn the pudding mushy fast.
Want it dressier? Use a clear glass instead of a mug so you can see the layers. This is the move if you're filming.
Make ahead? You can prep the pudding base up to 2 days ahead and keep it in the fridge in a sealed container. Slice the banana and assemble right before eating.
Macros vary based on your specific protein powder, yogurt brand, and wafer count. The numbers above assume Fairlife fat free milk, Fage 0%, vanilla whey isolate at 25g per scoop, and 4 standard Nilla wafers.