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Whip up this chocolate banana smoothie as a great pre workout energy booster. It’s got protein + natural energy to fuel your day to the workout and beyond.
I’m always on the lookout for quick + simple snacks before and after a workout. I don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen prepping complex meals after a long run! That’s where this chocolate banana smoothie recipe comes in.
It’s super simple, as well as quick to make. It is 100% plant based, and will fuel me with the protein boost I need for a great run or gym session. A chocolate banana protein shake is going to empower your body with the right ingredients to maximize your activity–whether that’s a gym, a mountain hike, or swim.
Table of Contents
Almond Butter in Smoothies
Almond butter is quite possibly my favorite nut butter. I use it all the time, from strawberry vegan muffins for breakfast to sweet potato noodles for dinner, and everything in between.
I use both roasted and raw almond butter. The roasted version has a stronger almond flavor. Raw has a milder flavor. Either work in this chocolate banana smoothie recipe. My favorite brand is Barney Butter which uses almonds from my home state of California, or I also make homemade nut butter when I have the time.
Nuts in general are loaded with healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Adding some almond butter to my smoothie gives me all of those plus it’s extra satisfying, and can even be used as a meal replacement. Don’t be afraid to add in an extra scoop or two if you’re really hungry!
Another plant protein option
You can also boost the protein in your smoothie by using homemade protein powder. One serving adds 10 grams of protein! I created this protein powder because I wasn’t happy with the ‘clean’ options on the market.
Can a Smoothie be Dessert?!
1000% yes! On my site and in my books + ebooks, I have a bunch of dessert smoothies.
While I am not against having dessert-dessert, I sure love blending up a smoothie that tastes like a milkshake. Spinach in a dessert??? Yup. And I happily sip away knowing I’m ticking off all the boxes when it comes to a healthy, wholesome, satisfying dessert. This chocolate banana smoothie really does taste like a milkshake! Here are some more of my fave dessert-like smoothies:
- Vanilla protein shake
- Chocolate smoothie bowl
- Peanut butter chocolate smoothie
- Raspberry smoothie
- Rainbow blast smoothie
- Strawberry milkshake
- Red velvet smoothie
- Caramel protein shake
- Skinny mint smoothie
- Cinnamon date smoothie
While smoothies can totally taste fresh + healthy, they can also be perfectly satisfying for that sweet tooth. Yum!
How to make a Chocolate Banana Smoothie
There’s so many ways to do a chocolate shake like this, but I’m gonna show you the healthiest and tastiest. It’s been my fave for awhile now, so I have a feeling I’m gonna get you hooked on it too.
Pro tips: use frozen bananas to up the creaminess + chill in this drink. If you want to keep the sugar down, then only use half the bananas. If you don’t have a high powered blender, then no worries! Just be sure to blend the spinach + liquid first. Once there are no leafy chunks, then add the remaining ingredients. That ensures the smoothest smoothie possible.
Smoothie ingredient swaps
Smoothies are perfect ingredient swap recipes. If you’re out of almond milk, then swap with oat or cashew milk. Any nut butter can be used in place of almond butter; just pick one with a simple ingredient list (nut butters don’t need extra oil + preservatives, just the nuts and maybe some salt!). If cacao powder is hard to find, then swap out for 100% cocoa powder. Need a little extra sweetness? A bit of maple syrup turns this into an incredible dessert.
Now ready, set, blend! Then leave a rating + comment with how your chocolate banana smoothie turned out.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 bananas frozen
- 2 tbsp cacao powder unsweetened
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 serving homemade protein powder
Instructions
- Blend spinach and almond milk in blender until smooth.
- Add bananas, homemade protein powder, and cacao, and blend again.
- Pour into a cup and enjoy.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Use frozen bananas to make smoothie cold.
- You can swap homemade protein powder for 2 tbs almond butter or protein powder of your choice.
- Swap the almond milk with the dairy-free milk of your choice.
- Swap the spinach with any leafy greens.
So, I cheated a little – I did not use the cacao!! 😉 I know, but I don’t care for chocolate so that is the only one ingredient I took out of this super yummy smoothie. The almond butter really added some creaminess to the whole thing, thank you for sharing this!!
Wow this was a real treat full of banana chocolatey goodness, great when you need a little pick me up.
Oh man! This was good! I almost chickened out and didn’t make it, but I’m so glad I did. I don’t like bananas, but I’ve been pushing myself through these recipes which usually call for just 1/2 a banana, and I’ve enjoyed them. When I saw 2 bananas for this one, though, and no other fruit to cover the flavor… I got nervous. I also hated the smoothie that had cocoa and strawberries (the only one I’ve hated), so I was hesitant to try cocoa again. So I started making this, but just added 1 banana and 1 TB cocoa to to start, tasted it, and liked the flavor. I added another 1/2 banana and 1/2 avocado with the other TB of cacoa to keep the banana flavor from being too strong. So yummy and chocolatey!! I think next time I’ll do 1 banana and 1 avocado to keep the banana flavor down even a little more, but it’s honestly not too strong. I also just realized I forgot the nut butter, so I’m looking forward to trying this one again soon!! I also may go back and try to cacao strawberry one again too. I used dark cacao with that one, which I normally love. Maybe that was my mistake.
One of my favorite I add chia seeds and refrigerated overnight…it makes a great breakfast pudding/smoothie ♥️♥️
I love a “dessert” smoothie! I made this one with peanut butter instead of almond butter, so delicious.
Love! Love! Love!
I like some smoothies better than others, but this one was difficult to finish. I think the cacao powder is just too bitter. I also think that two bananas is a bit excessive. Will not be making this one again.
This is hands down one of our favorites, especially for my youngest child. The flavor is so yummy and the color isn’t so green (which he has a problem getting past). Yummy!
I don’t typically like smoothies with milk (of any kind) so I was hesitant when I saw this one on my menu for today.
Boy was I wrong…SO GOOD and CHOCOLATY! I added a little cinnamon as well.
Goes to show you that you have to try everything at least once.
This is a keeper especially when i am having a chocolate craving.
Absolute best smoothie I have ever had!!!!!!!!
Love the banana flavor! One of my favorites along this month long journey!
This is one of my favorite smoothies so far! I only did 1 banana because I’m not a huge fan of bananas but I did add a little bit of cinnamon to it which added just a little something else. My favorite nut butter is Justin’s Nut Butter and they have a honey almond butter that adds a little bit of sweetness. I’m a fan!
Well doesn’t this sound delicious! I tried for lunch even though it’s for next week. I just couldn’t wait and it did not disappoint! I’m not a fan of bananas so I used 1/2 banana and subbed avocado.
Still delicious!.
Right?!?! It is so hard waiting sometimes for a recipe you know is delicious!
So happy you were able to make that substitution so your smoothie was perfect for you.
This is my “go to” green smoothie recipe. Add some cinnamon for some added yum.
Ooooo I will have to try adding that extra yumminess of cinnamon to mine next time =P
I made the Chocolate Banana Smoothie 2 days ago. I waited to see what happens to my sweet cravings. I’m a known chocoholic amongst my family and friends. Wow, the smoothie was so tasty. Today my husband offered me chocolate cheese cake, one of my most favorite desserts. Told him I’d rather have the chocolate smoothie. He was totally blown over. I was able to have my sweet at a much less calorie count. We are all pleasantly amazed.
Hey Rashida,
That is so awesome to hear that this smoothie has helped with your chocolate cravings. Yay!!
Rawk on!!
do you have the calorie count for this?
Hey Catherine,
Yes! If you look just under the ingredients list you will see the nutritional value there 🙂