This post may contain affiliate links.
Dessert and leafy greens don’t usually share a glass, but this chocolate cherry smoothie makes the case. It blends up thick and milkshake-like, with a handful of spinach tucked behind the cocoa and cherries—all from simple, whole-food, plant-based ingredients.
I’m not usually a chocolate person, but this one won me over. It’s creamy and rich without being overly sweet, and it reminds me why a good chocolate smoothie is worth keeping in the rotation. Think of it as a dairy-free milkshake with a plant-based twist.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love It
This chocolate cherry smoothie tastes like a milkshake but blends up from simple, plant-based ingredients you probably already have in the freezer and pantry. It’s the smoothie I reach for when I want dessert vibes without the fuss.
- Rich cocoa and juicy cherries are a classic pairing for a reason—together they taste like a chocolate-covered cherry in a glass, with a creamy texture that feels downright luxurious.
- A handful of spinach disappears completely behind the chocolate and cherry flavor, so you get a serving of greens without anyone knowing it’s in there.
- It works any time of day: a breakfast that feels like a treat, a midday pick-me-up, or an after-dinner snack that satisfies a sweet craving.
- It’s made with a frozen cherries and a few pantry staples, so you can whip it up in under five minutes with no prep.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Ingredients
Wondering how this chocolate cherry smoothie recipe stacks up as a nutrient-packed powerhouse? Let’s break down the healthy, flavorful ingredients that make this recipe so special:
- Spinach: Look for fresh baby spinach at your local farmers’ market or produce section—its mild, slightly earthy flavor blends seamlessly into smoothies. Opt for bright green leaves with no wilting or yellowing for the freshest taste.
- Almond Milk: Choose unsweetened almond milk for a creamy, nutty base that won’t overpower the smoothie. Many grocery stores carry options from subtle to bold nuttiness. See my guide on the best almond milk brands or learn how to make almond milk.
- Frozen Sweet Cherries: These cherries bring a sweet-tart burst of flavor to your smoothie. You can find them in the frozen section—look for pre-pitted ones for convenience. If fresh cherries are in season, freeze them yourself for the ultimate flavor boost.
- Banana: A ripe banana adds natural sweetness and creamy texture. Choose bananas with a few brown spots for optimal sweetness. If you want a thicker smoothie, freeze bananas in advance for your smoothies.
- Ground Cinnamon: A pinch of cinnamon lends a warm, slightly sweet-spicy note that elevates the smoothie. For the best aroma, opt for fresh-ground cinnamon or high-quality Ceylon cinnamon from specialty spice shops.
- Cacao Powder: Go for unsweetened cacao powder to achieve a rich, chocolatey depth without added sugars. You can adjust the amount to suit your taste. Check out my other cacao powder recipes to get more ideas on how to use this superfood.
Free 5-Day Soup Challenge
To celebrate this cozy season, we’re cooking up a fall-inspired soup each day—packed with veggies, perfect for busy nights, and every bowl you make is a chance to win $750 in prizes!
How to Make a Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Making a chocolate cherry smoothie is quick, easy, and results in a creamy, delicious treat. Follow these simple steps for a nutrient-packed blend:
- Add the spinach and almond milk to your blender. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and no visible spinach pieces remain.
- Toss in the frozen cherries and banana. The frozen cherries will create a thick, frosty texture, while the banana adds natural sweetness and creaminess.
- Sprinkle in the cacao powder and ground cinnamon. These ingredients will give the smoothie its rich chocolate flavor with a hint of warmth from the cinnamon.
- Blend everything together on high until the smoothie is creamy and well-combined. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a splash more almond milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or a few extra cherries if desired.
Topping Ideas
Toppings make all foods more fun, but this especially applies to desserts. If you’re looking to add toppings to this chocolate cherry smoothie then here are my top suggestions: sprinkles, crushed nuts, hemp seeds, whipped cream, cherries, or cinnamon.
Easy Swaps and Add-ins
While my cherry chocolate smoothie recipe is full of vegan options, some fruits are naturally higher in sugar. If you’re watching your glucose levels, then try these tips and tricks to blending a low-sugar smoothie, no matter the recipe:
- Swap the cherries: Strawberries or other low sugar fruits work well if you want a less sweet smoothie.
- Add protein: A scoop of my homemade protein powder turns this into a meal that holds you over.
- Swap the almond milk: Any unsweetened non-dairy milk works—try homemade cashew milk or oat milk.
- Make it creamier: Use half a banana plus 1/4 avocado for an extra-velvety texture.
- Make it thicker: Start with 1/2 cup of milk and add more only as needed while blending.
More Chocolate Smoothie Recipes
Dessert smoothies make great energy-boosting snacks or fun after-dinner treats. Double (or triple) and serve in cute glasses as well as add fun toppings to turn up the wow factor of these fun recipes:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Chocolate Weight Loss Shake
- Skinny Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
- Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie
If you make this chocolate cherry smoothie, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Jen HansardVideo
Ingredients
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 cup cherries frozen
- 1 banana
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ground
- 1-2 tablespoon cacao powder
Instructions
- Pour the almond milk into a blender and add the spinach. Blend until smooth.
- Add the cherries, banana, cinnamon and cacao powder and blend again until smooth. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Chocolate Level: Start with 1 tablespoon cacao powder, then taste and add more if you want a deeper chocolate flavor.
- Lower Sugar: Swap half of the banana for 1/4 avocado for a less sweet, creamier smoothie.
- Milk Swaps: Any plant milk works in place of the almond milk; oat milk is especially good here.
- Storing: Best fresh, but it keeps in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake before drinking.
Nutrition
Equipment
Common Questions
Heck yes! While flavor pairings may be a personal opinion, I think that many antioxidant-rich fruits go well with chocolate.
You’ll want to take out the pits in fresh cherries before tossing them in the blender. I like buying frozen cherries for smoothies since they come with the pits already removed.
My milkshake includes cherries, cacao powder, banana, cinnamon, almond milk and spinach. This may sound like a less than sweet combo, but try it before you deny it! This combo is plant-based and oh-so-amazing.
To achieve a thick consistency, use frozen cherries, add half a frozen banana, or include a scoop of Greek yogurt. Adjust the amount of liquid to control the texture.
Love my recipes?
Let me plan your week!
Dinner decided, grocery list done. 750+ ad-free recipe library and live coaching calls included.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
This is a delicious one! I had this one when I wasn’t feeling great, and it was wonderful!! Thank you!
Hi!
I’m wondering what kind of cherries You put into the smoothie? I live in Poland in Europe and we eat two different kinds of cherries – each one have it’s own name in our language and both are translated into english as ‘cherries’. One is rather sour-sweet and the other one is only sweet.
I will be grateful for your help!
P. S. I love your site and all the recipes!
Hi there Agnieszka, (What a beautiful name!)
I’m so happy that you’re enjoying our recipes and articles. Thank you! There are many types of cherries here in the states as well, but we use the general name most frequently. I would say – choose your preference. The only item in the recipe that is adding much sweetness is the banana, so I think sweeter cherries would be a great choice. Also – we have an awesome FREE 10-day Soup Challenge coming up that I think you’d love! You can click here to check it out!
We skipped the cinnamon. Gives us heart burn
This is so good. I am so surprised the sweetness even without anything added to it. It is in my top 5 favorite green smoothies. I pre froze this in a quart size ziplock bag. I used super greens: kale, spinach and chard. I added in a tbs of hemp seeds and another cup of almond milk due to everything being frozen. Taste like a frozen chocolate milk. My husband only likes 1 tbs of cocoa and go for 2. I have this premade for the week and I go through this smoothie first before my other ones. Thank you for helping me eat more greens
Isn’t it amazing how sweet natural and healthy foods can be? I’m so glad you love this one, Whitney! Way to go eating more plants!
Love this recipe, Jen!! My husband and I use this for dessert often. It’s very versatile and open to modifications. Keep up the good work!
Rawkin a smoothie for dessert is such a great way to avoid unhealthy habits with sweets. Yay Rhea!