This Chocolate Banana Smoothie is a creamy, delicious smoothie recipe that tastes like a chocolate milkshake. It’s a nutritious snack to satisfy your sweet tooth and made with just 6 ingredients. Vegan, paleo, and naturally dairy free.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox.
If you looking for a chocolate-free version, try Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, Blueberry Banana Smoothie, or Mango Banana Smoothie!
Why You Should Make This
- Tastes like chocolate milk that’s rich, creamy, chocolatey, and satisfying, but with extra nutrients and fiber!
- Quick breakfast, easy lunch, or workout snack.
- A great way to get in balanced nutrition in a flash!
- Enjoy it on the go or sit down to a smoothie bowl with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Ingredients
We’re making a healthy chocolate banana smoothie without yogurt so it’s naturally dairy-free but still has a creamy texture. All it takes is a handful of simple ingredients, including:
- frozen banana – frozen bananas stored as chunks is the best for smoothies. Use ripe bananas for the best banana flavor. Overripe bananas will give you a sweeter smoothie, but not as much prebiotic fiber.
- Medjool date – for caramel sweetness that acts as a natural sweetener (no added sugar needed).
- cacao powder – for a rich chocolate flavor. Bonus: it’s a good dose of magnesium, too. Feel free to sub unsweetened cocoa powder instead.
- cashew butter – provides a buttery, slightly nutty taste. You can also sub in peanut butter, almond butter, or your favorite nut butter combo. Choose sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut free option, just note it has a distinct flavor.
- hemp hearts – for additional healthy fats and a little plant protein boost. You can also use flax seeds or chia seeds, but just know the longer the smoothie sits, the thicker the consistency.
- milk of choice – use your favorite non-dairy milk such as unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or oat milk to keep the chocolate banana flavor present. Or, opt for coconut milk if you’d like a stronger flavor combination.
- blender – a high powered blender is a MUST for creating a smooth, creamy texture. If you’re making 1-2 servings you can use a NutriBullet. If you’re tripling the recipe for a family size serving, use a larger high powered blender.
Note: If you want to make a smoothie bowl, use less almond milk (only enough to blend it down) and a food processor for the best texture.
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
Smoothie Boosters
Feel free to boost your smoothie with some of the ingredients below. Just note that you might need more liquid to compensate. You can try:
- chocolate or vanilla protein powder – make it more of a protein shake by using your favorite protein powder, whether that’s plant based or whey protein.
- adaptogen powders – maca powder or reishi will add another depth of flavor to this frozen banana smoothie.
- Greek yogurt, Skyr yogurt, or cottage cheese – for extra grams of protein.
- big handful of spinach – trust me, you won’t taste the greens. It’s a great addition to make a green smoothie with a vitamin and minerals boost.
- collagen peptides – for pure protein and a nice boost of collagen.
- vanilla extract – for a pop of sweetness and floral flavor.
- maple syrup – if you have more of a sweet tooth, a little maple syrup will add extra sweetness.
How to Make a Chocolate Banana Smoothie
It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
Add the frozen banana chunks, Medjool date, cacao powder, cashew butter, hemp hearts, milk, and any additional add-ins into a blender.
Blend until smooth! Taste test for thickness and add more liquid if you would like a thinner smoothie.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover smoothie, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
Give it good stir or re-blend before drinking.
Smoothie Making Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure you get the best chocolate and banana smoothie:
- Use frozen fruit – the only fruit were using are frozen banana slices, so make sure the banana has been frozen overnight for the best consistency.
- Be mindful of flavored protein – if using flavored protein powders, just be aware the flavor of the smoothie will change slightly.
- Use a good blender – no one wants chunks in their smoothie, or a chunk to block their straw suction power. A good blender (NutriBullet works great for small servings) will give you the best consistency.
- Add just enough liquid – everyone has a different preference on how thick or thin a smoothie should be. If you like a thicker smoothie (as in, you want to eat it with a spoon), start with about half the amount of liquid the recipe calls for. Then you can always add milk if you prefer a thinner smoothie, or enough until you achieve the desired consistency.
- No ice – ice cubes waters down smoothies and makes them icy. If you have to use fresh bananas, you could use less milk or add in ice if you’re in a pinch. But for best results, get in the habit of freezing ripe banana chunks and you’ll always be set for making banana smoothies.
Recipe FAQs
How can I make my smoothie thicker?
To make the smoothie thicker, use frozen bananas. You can also add Greek yogurt, oats, or avocado, which will also make the smoothie more filling because of the additional protein and fiber.
Can I add other fruits to my chocolate banana smoothie?
Of course! Try sliced strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. Just be mindful that additional fruit will alter the flavor.
How do I make my smoothie sweeter without refined sugar?
You can add natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or an extra date. Ripe bananas will impart a natural sweetness, so you may not need much extra sweetener.
Is it okay to make the smoothie in advance?
While it is best enjoyed fresh, you can make the smoothie up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge in a tightly sealed container. Shake or stir it well before drinking. If it thickens too much, add a splash of milk or water.
If you make this Chocolate Banana Smoothie recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Xx Ashley
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
Smoothie
- 1 medium banana, frozen into chunks
- 1 Medjool date, pitted
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons cashew butter, or favorite nut butter
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts, optional
- ½ cup milk of choice
Optional Add-Ins
- scoop of protein powder
- 1 tablespoon maca powder or reishi powder
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- handful of spinach
- scoop of collagen peptides
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender; blend until smooth. Check for desired consistency and add more liquid if you'd like.
Leave a Reply