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Let’s be real, sometimes healthy shakes taste…well, healthy. You know, that grassy, vaguely green flavor that screams “I’m doing something good for myself!”? But what if you could have a creamy, indulgent chocolate shake that tasted like a treat, while still packing a serious nutritional punch? Enter my secret weapon: the Banana Chocolate Protein Shake.
Why this Chocolate Protein Shake Rawks
This isn’t your average protein shake. We’re talking velvety smooth, rich chocolate flavor, with a subtle sweetness from banana and boosted with a variety of plant-based protein sources to give you customization freedom to the max!
Here’s a few more reasons I love this recipe:
- I’ve hidden an ingredient that’ll revolutionize your shake game: Frozen cauliflower florets! When blended, they add an incredible creaminess to shakes without altering the flavor. They’re also a sneaky way to add extra fiber and nutrients without anyone getting all cray-cray on you.
- It tastes like a dessert, not a diet drink.
- It’s packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, keeping me full for hours.
- It’s a fantastic post-workout recovery drink.
- It is easily customizable. Use your favorite protein powder (or make my homemade protein powder recipe) for an even bigger protein boost.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chilled Almond Milk: The base of our creamy concoction.
- Frozen Cauliflower Florets: The secret ingredient for ultimate creaminess and extra fiber.
- Almond Butter: Healthy fats and protein for sustained energy.
- Hemp Hearts: A boost of plant-based protein, omega-3s, and fiber.
- Cacao Powder: Rich chocolate flavor and antioxidants.
- Medjool Date: Natural sweetness and a touch of caramel flavor.
- Banana: Creaminess, sweetness, and potassium.
- Cacao Nibs: A crunchy, antioxidant-rich topping.
- Protein powder: Use what you love. My recommendation is an unflavored and unsweetened plant-based blend or make my homemade protein powder.
More Protein Shake Add-Ins
To significantly boost the protein content of a shake, add additional protein powder (whey, plant-based, collagen). You can also add greek yogurt, nut butters, seeds like chia, flax, and hemp, silken tofu, and cottage cheese.
How to Make a Banana Chocolate Protein Shake
Simply toss all the ingredients (except the cacao nibs) into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If you like your shakes extra cold, add a handful of ice. Pour into a glass, sprinkle with cacao nibs, add some sliced banana and toss on some more hemp hearts for a satisfying crunch.
Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite shake!
Ingredient Swaps
This recipe offer so many easy swap options, so don’t shy away it if you can’t do one of the ingredients! Instead, try one of these substitutes:
Use half a banana or swap it with 1/4 avocado to still be super creamy, yet lower in sugar.
Swap almond milk for oat milk or coconut milk.
Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter or peanut butter.
Swap dates for a tablespoon of maple syrup (vegan) or honey (vegetarian) to keep the natural sweeteners flowing.
More Protein-Packed Recipes
If you make this banana chocolate protein shake, I wanna know how it turns out for you. Comment below and let me know!
Banana Chocolate Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cups almond milk chilled
- ½ cup frozen cauliflower florets
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 medjool date pitted
- 1 banana
- ice optional
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients until smooth.
- Add ice to glass (if using) and pour smoothie on top.
- Feel free to top with a drizzle of almond butter and sprinkle with hemp hearts and cacao nibs.
Notes
- Use a serving of Homemade Protein Powder to make this a 25-gram protein shake.
- Add a serving of collagen to get it to be a 45+ gram protein shake.
- To cut down on the natural sugar, swap the banana with avocado.
looks yummy.
question, if I’m already using your home made protein powder do I have to add more hem-heart?
Hi Gigi! I’d recommend adding the hemp heart in there even with the homemade protein powder!
Hi! I love this smoothie! I just have a question. The recipe says serves 1, and also says divide between two glasses, so is the recipe for one person/serving or for two? Thank you!
Hi Char! This smoothie is for 1, yet you can definitely share if you’re feelin’ it!
Really liked this!! I swapped maple syrup for the dates. Will definitely make again
Hi Joanna! You’re so right, dates are a great swap in this one!
This is really good. I didn’t realize until I was making it how similar it is to the mocha smoothie, which is one of my favorites.
Yes! Super similar to the Mocha smoothie. Both are a fave of mine as well!
I didn’t think I would be a fan of this smoothie but oh man, I was wrong! It was delicious! It was creamy and not too chocolaty (I’m not a fan chocolate shakes). I added ice to the blender to make it thicker and cooler and it was perfect! I’ll have to try again because since I took the shake to go I really couldn’t waste time with toppings. Cacoa powder is my new favorite addition to smoothies!
So glad you gave it a try even if you didn’t think you’d like it, Teresa!
Chocolate Protein Shake 🙂 I Enjoyed My Chocolate, Bananas And Dates Smoothie, Sweet Without Being Overbearing. I Added Ice For That Milkshake Consistency. I Will Make This Smoothie Again 🙂
Ice can definitely be added to this one, if you’re not wanting to pour it over. Great idea, Wendy!
This is really yummy! I didn’t have any ice and wanted a cold smoothie, so I added some frozen strawberries for a chocolate covered strawberry smoothie.
Now THAT is a great idea, Michelle!
This is a delicious and filling smoothie. It is great for breakfast or a treat in the afternoon and tastes great.
You’re so right, Stefanie- doesn’t matter the time of day this is a great choice!
This one I have to say was the bomb! My fav by far, I can’t get enough of chocolate!
I’m a chocolate lover too, Michelle! So this is definitely my go-to when I’m needing some chocolate!
Nice chocolate flavor and a decent flavor smoothie.
What a treat!
As someone else has said, a healthy way to take care of a chocolate craving.
Healthy way to take care of a chocolate craving.
Chocolate yumminess! I only added 1 banana, also added almond butter to blend. Perfection for those chocolate cravings! This is so filling too! Will blend this smoothie again!!
This was my favorite smoothie of the 10 day challenge! Very rich and creamy with the added ice. I will make this again!
being a chocoholic, I absolutely loved this recipe. I shared this with my daughter and she was amazed with the flavor. Is seriously thinking of purchasing a machine!