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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.
Wanted to lick the container! Delicious!
All the chocolate you ever need at one time. Added some cauliflower to replace a banana and maple syrup to replace the date. SooooooooGOOD.
This was one of my favorite recipes I really enjoyed the cacao powder there it didn’t make me feel too bloated And the taste was Yummy! Thanks
Excellent! Like having dessert before breakfast
Day 10 – Anything Chocolate works for me / my only issue was my date, I chopped it but some parts didn’t get touched / however it was still Good!
Yummy, but also very sweet!
I used frozen bananas and dates and skipped the ice…thick and so good!
Really enjoyed this sweet treat. For a bit of variety next time I make it, yes there will be a next time, I going to add some peanut butter powder.. it will be like a peanut butter cup yumm
I think I have to resign myself to the fact that I don’t like smoothies that aren’t fruit based and have little to no banana. Just not my thing!
another tasty one! I added almond butter while blending. Will definitely make again.
oh lovely-another dessert, thanks
This is a delicious chocolate shake with a slight almond butter flavor. I just blended everything together and I loved it!
SO smooth, creamy and delicious!
My grandchildren loved it too
Ok tasting, but i altered the recipe a bit because I didn’t have dates or cocoa powder, only used 1 cup of milk not 1 1/2, used cashew, almond out of stock, only used 1 banana, not 1 1/2. I forgot to freeze , added chia and flax seeds, did t have almond butter, used peanut
I love, love anything chocolate and decadent tasting. This was the perfect combination which hit the spot to start my day off right.
You saved the creamiest & dreamiest recipe for last….. chocolate, chocolate & more chocolate.
To the original recipe, I added, 1 tsp chia seeds, 1 scoop chocolate protein powder topped w/ unsweetened coconut flakes, pollen & fresh mint.
So, So Good.
This was yummy. I did not add the ice or toppings but I bet that would make it even better. Delicious end to 5he challenge.