We’re starting the new year off right with a simple, healthy, and Easy Protein Cannoli recipe made multiple ways! Want a dip or shell? The choice is yours! This healthier dessert option made using Greek yogurt and ricotta is more than delicious and comes with your choice homemade cannoli shell.

Start this one with either a food processor or blender. Either will work though my preference here would be a smaller food processor as it’s easier to remove your protein cannoli “mix” from. I’ll put a link to mine below in the recipe card.

Add into whatever you’re using, 3/4 cup of vanilla Greek yogurt, 1 1/2 cups of part skim ricotta cheese, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 3 tablespoons of a sweetener, and an optional 1 scoop of a vanilla protein powder for even more protein and flavor.

The scoop of protein really isn’t needed here, the recipe is still high in protein without it. I’ll put the full nutritional breakdown for both ways down below.

Process or blend those together until smooth. If your Greek yogurt and/or ricotta cheese has too much liquid in them you may need to add in 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to give it a thicker, more cannoli like texture.

From here, lightly mix in some mini chocolate chips or anything else you want for flavor and texture. Some of my favorites?

Healthier Cannoli Mix-Ins

• Crushed Pistachios (The best!)
• Slivered Almonds
• Toasted Walnuts
• Citrus Zest
• Cacao Nibs
• Fresh Berries
• Dried Cranberries
• Chia Seeds
• Hemp Hearts
• Cinnamon
• Peanut Butter Chips
• Sugar Free Chips
• Sugar Free Sprinkles
• Sugar Free Candy

Now the fun part begins if you’re not immediately diving into it with a spoon. That fun part? Picking a shell! My top 3 options here are:

Protein Cannoli Shells

The first “shell” can be made by using a pie crust and cutting it so that you can place your pieces into a muffin tray. Cutting around the bottom of a glass is an easy way to do this. You can also buy a pre-cut mini pie crust but you’ll be paying more to save minimal time so don’t waste money like me!

After you’ve placed/pressed your pieces into your muffin tray you’ll want to bake them on 425F/218C for 13-16 minutes or until browned to your liking.

The air fryer works here too if you only want a couple, just make sure to adjust accordingly. I usually go 350F/176C for 10-12 minutes.

Next? Mini tortillas! Roll up some aluminum foil however big you want your cannoli hole or take out a cannoli form which is even easier and more forgiving. If you’re using foil, try to make it longer than your shell so that you have something to grab when you need to get it out.

The cannoli forms I use were around 5 bucks shipped and will literally last forever, I’ll throw a link to them in the recipe card.

Wrap your tortilla around whatever you’re using and hit it with a toothpick to close it. If your tortillas are flexible enough you alternatively put them seam side down.

Repeat with however many protein cannoli shells you want, coat them with cooking spray, and put them in an air fryer on 350F/176C for 8-9 minutes. Once they’ve browned up a bit, remove your foil by using the toothpick or by pulling out your form.

Last, our lowest calorie and carb option. Wonton wraps! Almost the same idea as your tortillas here without the need for a toothpick or air fryer. Loosely, I say loosely because they’re not as rigid, wrap them in your foil or a cannoli form and put them seam side down onto a baking sheet. You can wet one end with water to make them stick better before closing it off.

Coat them with cooking spray and put them into the oven on 400F/204C for 7-9 minutes or until they look crispy!

After you’ve made choice (if it’s not all 3), stuff your protein cannolis with your filling until they look like this…

Protein Cannoli Tips

When you get bored of vanilla, you can easily switch up the flavor(s) of any ingredient to match the flavor cannoli you’re going. Some of my favorite protein cannoli combinations?

• Plain Greek yogurt + coffee flavored protein powder + 1 teaspoon of instant coffee
• Lemon Greek yogurt + vanilla protein powder + graham cracker crumbs + lemon zest
• Cake batter Greek yogurt + cake batter protein powder + rainbow sprinkles
• Blueberry Greek yogurt + vanilla protein powder + fresh blueberries
• Peanut butter Greek yogurt + 1/2 chocolate protein powder and 1/2 powdered peanut butter
• Coconut Greek yogurt + chocolate protein powder + shredded coconut + almond slivers

Store your mix in the fridge where it should last around 5-7 days and fill your homemade cannoli shells the day you plan to eat them for the best results.

Ready for a meal? Try our Healthy Baked Ziti with Cottage Cheese next!