I know chocolate and healthy smoothie recipes don’t always go side by side, but this chocolate banana smoothie is different. For starters, there’s no added sugar, although if you have a really sweet tooth, you can add a Medjool date or two. Plus, it’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, delicious, and ready in 5 minutes.
The main ingredients are bananas, rolled oats, almond milk, nut butter, and cocoa powder. Just 5 ingredients! I like to think of it as an up-and-go breakfast drink. If you prefer, you can use dairy or any milk of your choice, but almond milk adds to this recipe’s delightful chocolate nutty flavor.
The recipe uses unsweetened cocoa powder. You can substitute cacao powder for a richer but slightly more bitter flavor. You can also add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to make a high-protein smoothie for a post-workout recovery drink.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Banana Smoothie Recipe
Whenever I have this smoothie for breakfast it’s like waking up to a real treat. It’s so rich, creamy and chocolatey! Better still this smoothie recipe makes a substantial filling breakfast drink. It’s high protein with good carbs and healthy fats and doesn’t have the excess added sugar and saturated fat of a typical milkshake.
I’m a big fan of overnight oats as a breakfast idea but if I’m looking for something a little lighter, this smoothie recipe is my go-to alternative. It also makes a great afternoon pick-me-up, full of the nutrients your body needs and far better than reaching for a sugary snack.
Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie Ingredients
I always think the main point about smoothies is that they’re quick to make. This one takes just 5 minutes and uses just five simple ingredients:
- 1 Frozen banana
- 1/4 Cup Rolled Oats
- 1 Cup Almond Milk
- 1 Tbsp Nut butter
- 2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Frozen Banana: I always find bananas are rarely perfectly ripe when you want to use them. So now when I find them turning speckled and brown in the fruit bowl I freeze them. Frozen bananas make your smoothie so much thicker and creamier. Plus in hot weather, there’s no need to dilute your smoothie with ice.
To freeze your bananas, cut them into chunks and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop the banana pieces in the freezer and leave overnight. You’ll find full instructions in this post: How To Freeze Bananas For Smoothies.
Rolled Oats: Adding oats to the mixture makes the smoothie so much more satisfying. As a healthy drink for breakfast, the filling oats will keep you going until lunchtime. I just add my oats to the mix without presoaking but if you like your oats softer, see the tips below.
Almond Milk: You can use any milk in this recipe even dairy but using plant-based milk eliminates saturated fat. Almond milk adds to the nutty flavor.
Nut Butter: Choose your favorite nut butter. I prefer almond or cashew nut butter for the best flavor but peanut butter is a good option. If you want to maximize the health benefits of this recipe, choose a nut butter that’s 100% nut and palm oil free. You can also substitute the nut butter for pre-soaked cashew nuts. See the tips below for soaking instructions.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: I like to mix things up and sometimes use cacao powder. It has a stronger flavor so I use slightly less. Stick to cocoa powder if you prefer a more conventional chocolatey taste. Both are nutritious and low in calories.
Recipe Tips For Success And Optional Extras
- Blender: Use a high-powered blender, at least 1000 watts is best. It’s essential when you’re using frozen ingredients and you want to get a creamy consistency.
- Use a frozen banana or add some ice cubes. If you don’t have a frozen banana you can use a fresh one but add a few ice cubes to your blend. You need a frozen ingredient.
- Soak Your Oats: You don’t need to soak your rolled oats. Rolled oats are not technically raw. They’re made from whole oat groats that are steamed and flattened. But if you prefer softer oats, add them to your chosen milk and leave the mixture in the fridge for 3-4 hours or overnight.
- Cashew Nuts: You can substitute raw cashew nuts for nut butter but you do need to soak them first. Use 1/4 cup of raw cashew nuts and cover the nuts to the brim of the cup with water. Leave overnight at room temperature and in the morning drain and rinse the nuts before adding them to your smoothie. A few raw chopped cashew nuts make a crunchy topping.
- Chia Seeds: These will make your chocolate banana smoothie even thicker and creamier.
- Chocolate Protein Powder: This smoothie is already high-protein but adding a scoop of protein powder is a good option if you want a post-workout recovery drink.
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon of vanilla extract helps to bring out the flavors.
- Spices: If you’re a big spice lover, experiment with your favorites. I like to add a little cinnamon but nutmeg, ginger or pumpkin spice are equally delicious.
How To Make A Chocolate Banana Smoothie
This recipe couldn’t be simpler:
Step 1: Add all the ingredients – frozen banana, rolled oats, milk, nut butter, and cocoa powder to a high-powered blender. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Pour into a large glass and enjoy! This recipe makes one smoothie but it’s easy to double the quantities if you want to make two drinks.
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Try these other Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep Ideas and Healthy Breakfast Ideas For Work (Snacks On The Go).
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana sliced
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 Tbsp nut butter
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients – frozen banana, rolled oats, milk, nut butter, and cocoa powder to a high-powered blender. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a large glass, sprinkle with chopped cashew nuts (optional), and enjoy! This recipe makes one smoothie but it’s easy to double the quantities if you want to make two drinks.