When my sweet tooth hits I want to eat something right away. But I also know if I fill up on cookies I’ll be shaky and hangry in no time. Instead, I like to whip up a smoothie that can both satisfy my sweet tooth and give me lasting energy without the crash. Enter this Mint Chocolate Smoothie.
Dessert smoothies bring up the sweetness level in a smoothie, yet do it in a strategic way. They use the power of natural sugar in fruit like bananas so you still get the fiber. Plus, by adding a natural energy ingredient like cacao powder (which contains natural caffeine), you’ve got an energy booster in a cup!
Don’t let the spinach in this keep you from blending the ultimate minty dessert smoothie today.
Table of Contents
Mint Chocolate Smoothie Ingredients
Even my dessert-like smoothies use whole food, plant-based ingredients. I love getting creative with food and figuring out just the right combos of unique ingredients to bring the flavor and texture I want.
- Almond milk: I use almond milk since it’s widely available in most grocery stores today.
- Spinach: This superpower green is full of protein, vitamins and minerals that will naturally energize you.
- Mint leaves: A little mint goes a long way! Plus herbs like mint naturally help your body detox.
- Banana: A creamy, naturally sweetened way to add thickness and lightly sweeten your smoothie.
- Avocado: My fav way to add healthy fat to smoothies. Add them in fresh or frozen!
- Medjool dates: I love the way this fruit adds sweetness to a smoothie as well as fiber.
- Cacao powder: A chocolate-lovers dream ingredient! 1 tablespoon will turn any creation into a chocolate-y heaven.
Easy Ingredient Swaps
Before running off to the store for some new-to-you ingredients, check your kitchen! You may have some easy swaps on hand that will work great in this treat. 100% unsweetened cocoa powder can be used in place of cacao powder with little to no flavor change.
No need to use almond milk if you’ve got another kind of dairy-free milk on hand. Cashew milk or oat milk would work great in this recipe. While fresh mint leaves really elevate the flavor in this mint shake, mint extract can be used in a pinch.
How to Make a Minty Chocolate Dessert Smoothie
Since this smoothie has leafy greens, I like to use my two-blend method for the smoothest finish possible. First, blend the spinach, mint leaves and almond milk until smooth. Make sure no leafy chunks remain (the gaps between your teeth will thank you!).
Second, add the remaining ingredients and blend again until smooth. This gives your blender the chance to really break down the leaves before blending everything else and is really a no-fail way to avoid leafy smoothie chunks.
Pro Tip: Dates are rather sticky, and can be tricky to blend completely. I like to add them in the 2nd step and slowly get my blender speed to medium. Leave it blending on medium until you don’t hear the dates whipping around in chunks, then turn it up to high to finish off the blend.
Blending a Mint Chocolate Protein Shake
If you want to get the most out of this chocolate creation then add a plant-based protein powder to turn this into the ultimate mint chocolate protein shake. Most of us don’t need bodybuilder amounts of protein and the other weird ingredients in many commercial protein powders, so stick to a plant-based protein powder like my protein powder recipe for a super clean, super fine powder.
It will boost this mint chocolate smoothie by 10g of protein and add in healthy fat and fiber to help your body get full and stay full.
Mint Chocolate Smoothie FAQs
I use spinach, fresh mint, almond milk, banana, avocado and cacao powder to make my chocolate mint smoothie. These ingredients might sound a bit odd together yet once blended, they create the perfect shake-like texture and rich chocolate flavor you’re looking for.
Use cacao or cocoa powder for that chocolate flavor you desire. 1-2 tablespoons per serving is more than enough. Use plant-based milk instead of water as the liquid base to keep the creamy-nutty combo you want in a chocolate smoothie. Then add in ingredients like banana and avocado to thicken the smoothie to perfection.
They can be! My mint chocolate smoothie is full of whole food, plant-based ingredients that deliver the sweetness, chocolate flavor and creaminess you want yet without any weird junk in them. And bonus, it’s super easy to blend!
More Dessert Smoothie Recipes
Love when a smoothie can double as a dessert? So do I! Save these recipes for your next dessert night or to use as a great afternoon energy boost:
- Red Velvet Smoothie: Seriously brings the red velvet flavor in a glass.
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothie: Another rich, chocolate and fruit smoothie for all those chocolate covered fruit lovers.
- Cinnamon Bun Smoothie: Breakfast vibes whenever you want with this warming cinnamon smoothie.
- Strawberry Milkshake: All the love of a milkshake without any of the dairy in this fresh strawberry shake!
Love this recipe? Please leave a rating in the recipe card below & if you loved it, leave a comment further down. Thanks for visiting!
Mint Chocolate Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cups almond milk unsweetened
- ¾ cup spinach
- ¼ cup mint leaves fresh
- 1 banana
- ¼ avocado
- 2 medjool dates
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- cacao nibs optional
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Blend spinach, mint and almond milk until smooth.
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold. Bananas are easy to freeze and toss into any smoothie.
- Add plant-based protein powder like homemade protein powder to quickly turn this into a protein-packed shake.Â
- Swap cacao powder with 100% unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Swap almond milk with the plant milk of your choice.Â
This is for LaVonne who asked about a “print-friendly” button so she could easily print out the recipes.
If you just right-click on your mouse after you bring up a recipe, you will see a list of words. “Print” is one of them. Click on that. A page will come up that will say “Print” or “Cancel” and then how many pages it will print if you want it all. There will also be a page on the right, showing what you want printed. If it’s not all on that
page, then go to “pages” on the left side, and put “2” or “3” on
that line. I do this all the time and it usually works. If you just want one or two pages, click on the line for “pages.” Then go to the
large “Print” at the top and click on that.
Thanks for sharing, Ginny!
This skinny mint green smoothie is really good. I I used the whole amount of spinach and half of a small avocado (for one smoothie), and added some plant based protein powder. It was really good! And I was able to use some of the last bit of fresh mint from my garden.
Hi Melissa,
Yay! We love this recipe + we’re happy you do too! Thanks for blendin’ with us!
Cheers 🙂
If you are using this recipe as a meal replacement, is it an issue that there is no protein?
Thanks!
Hi Isabelle,
Great question! If you’re using green smoothies as a meal replacement it’s important to include protein + healthy fats to ensure you’re getting a complete meal! But don’t let that stop you from enjoying our Skinny Mint Green Smoothie as a meal replacement! Simply add your own! Here are our favorite healthy fats and tips on making any recipe the perfect meal replacement!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
Cheers 🙂
Hello, So excited about trying your smoothies. Was just wondering if you could add a print button to your recipes. I am making a green smoothie recipe cookbook for quick references when I’m in a hurry and I can’t get to the computer to find them. would love to have your recipes right at my finger tips.
Thank you so much
La Vonne
Hi LaVonne,
Thanks for reaching out! We love hearing that you’re putting together a green smoothie recipe cookbook, + I’ll definitely forward your request on to our tech team. In the meantime, check out our recipe cards for printer-friendly PDFs…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/shop
Also, check out our upcoming book! It will be on shelves starting November 3rd!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/shop
Hey Sweeties
Do your recipe cards have the recipes on them or do I have to do that my self? Not sure how this works. Also I have pre ordered you’re new book coming out on Nov 3. So excited and looking forward to getting it in. Are the recipes in your new smoothie book all new or will some of them be from your web site?
Thank you for getting back to me and answering my questions. I sure do hope your team will make printer friendly button on your recipes. Would be so helpful.
Thank you so much. Have a blessed and healthy day.
La Vonne
Hi La Vonne,
Great questions! Our recipe cards include 39 of our favorite recipes! During our challenge months, you can also purchase recipe cards for all of the recipes included in that specific challenge. We hope you’re planning on joining us for our October 30-Day Challenge – starting next week!
Yay! We’re so excited to hear you pre-ordered our upcoming book! Our book is packed with new recipes + our favorites!
Happy blendin’!
Did this recipe and it was massive. Took a while to get halfway into it but by that time (10-15 minutes) it gelled up into a solid mess with water separating to the top. Wasn’t too happy with it in general. Maybe I’ll play around with the number of bananas and how much avocado that’s put in.
Hi Seiko,
Thanks for reaching out! All of our recipes make two servings, for a total of 32oz. Still too much? Simply cut any recipe in half!
Separation when storing your green smoothie is completely natural, so give your smoothie a quick shake before enjoying. Finding your smoothie thickening, it might be pectin, its naturally occurring in your favorite fruits, and it’s the same ingredient that causes your favorite jams + jellies to gel.
Lastly, our recipes are here to inspire you, so please don’t feel you need to follow them to a T. Adjust any recipe to meet your needs + satisfy your taste buds!
I tried this with dried figs instead & it was great! Thanks for the sweet recipe!
Hi Stephanie,
Yum! Dried figs sound like a great way too add natural sweetness to this recipe, in place of dates. We also love honey + maple syrup!
This is my FAVORITE recipe!! My sister was planning to skip dinner yesterday to go shopping with me so I made it for her and she loved it just as much as I do!! Gives me a great excuse to use up the mint in my garden because I have so much of it.
I found that blending the dates FIRST with one cup of milk and then adding the other cup of milk and greens to blend worked best. That could be just my blender, with is a Ninja.
Regardless, this recipe is so good!! I love how thick and creamy it is: it really fills you up and keeps you satisfied for hours. Thank you so much for these recipes. The challenges are also so well thought out. You guys make it so easy to be healthy!
-Ella
Hi Ella,
Yay! We’re so happy to hear you love our Skinny Mint Green Smoothie! How can you not love a recipe that is inspired after Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies!! And cheers to sharing the green smoothie love with your sister. Thanks for blendin’ with us + sharing your blending tips!
Cheers 🙂
I like to put my pitted dates in a small amount of water and microwave for 15 seconds to soften them. I have a Blendtec but I still do this to be sure I don’t any bits left over. If you plan ahead, you could soak the dates overnight too.
Great tip, Melissa!
What speed when you blend spinach with milk?
Hi Toon,
Thanks for reaching out! What blender are you using? If you’re using a Vitamix – here’s the manufacture’s suggestion…
1. Place all ingredients into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 45 seconds or until desired consistency is reached.
Hope this helps! Cheers 🙂
Delicious! =) We used plain Greek yogurt for the avocado, as our avo was still in the freezer, rock-solid. Oops…
Added ground flax and almonds.
Used a very lightly packed 1/2 c. mint, as it was already flowering… but that was sufficient.
We will make this flavor again! Thank you!
FORGOT to tell you! We are cutting sugar, so I did not add dates!
It was great, even without that extra sweetness!
Hi Gail,
We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed this smoothie! You will have to keep us updated + let us know how you enjoy the Shamrock Green Smoothie!
Looking to cut back on sugar, read our blog post on low-sugar fruits here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/low-sugar-fruits
I just made this smoothie for the first time. I used chocolate mint from my garden and kale instead of spinach. I also used water instead of almond milk (because I didn’t have almond milk on hand) and added a little bit of cinnamon. It is excellent! I am packing it to take to a curriculum work session this morning. Thanks for all of the great recipes!
Hi Stevie,
We’re so excited to hear you enjoyed our Skinny Mint Green Smoothie. If you’re growing chocolate mint in your garden, you might want to try our Shamrock Green Smoothie…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/vegan-shamrock-shake
Hi! Will be harvesting our mint TODAY to make this!
I would also like to get the recipe for the Shamrock Smoothie, referenced above. The link takes me to the right page…but no recipe! =) Thanks!
Hi Gail,
Our apologizes, here’s the link with the recipe…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/vegan-shamrock-shake
Thanks!
You’re so welcome, Gail! 🙂
It was ok. Way too much mint. If I make it again, I’d use less mint. The texture with the avocado was great, but the mint ruined and overpowered the flavor of the rest of the ingredients.
Hi Sandi,
Thanks for your feedback! We really appreciate you taking the time to let us know! 🙂
Hi i just wanted to know if this is good for kids i have a 1 year old & 4 year old i wasn’t sure the cacao powder was ok, i did click the kid friendly link but just wanted to make sure as i really want to get my daughters into healthy smoothies too.
Hi Farren,
We love sharing green smoothies with Little Rawkstars!
Cacao is filled with two things that we love: antioxidants and chocolatey flavor! The rich, chocolatey flavor of cacao is delicious + dessert like, which helps to resist those sugar cravings while still satisfying any kid’s sweet tooth! The antioxidants boost your immune system which helps to resist those nasty colds and sickness.
Do know that cacao can be a stimulant, similar to caffeine. If you want to avoid a potential energy spike, but still enjoy the chocolately flavor, carob is a great substitute!
This sounds incredible. Just bought my blender yesterday so I can’t wait to give it a whirl! One question ….. are medjool dates the same as ordinary dates? I’m in Oz & I haven’t heard of them. Also, is cacao powder the same as cocoa powder? Lol sorry for so many dumb questions! I’m new to all this healthy green stuff! Cheers xo
Hi Jo,
If medjool dates aren’t available in your area. You can use any type of seedless dates that available in your area.
Natural unsweetened cocoa powder is actually very similar to raw cacao powder except for experiencing higher temperatures during production, which decreases antioxidant activity.
Let us know how you enjoy the smoothie!
I have a question. I’ve recently somehow become allergic to avocados and I was wondering what I can use instead in my smoothies. Thanks!
Hi Tahere,
Try replacing the avocado with another healthy fat! These are some of our favorites…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-fats
I didn’t have any dates when I made this but I substituted raw honey. At first I tried it without any honey and it needed something. I drank this before an intense workout and drank the remainder when I returned home. Very filling and refreshing and gave my milk supply a boost. Thank you!
Tara,
Honey is a great replacement for dates! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed this smoothie with your workout! 🙂
Mine would not turn chocolate brown- but I used cocoa nibs which I guess isn’t a good sub for cocoa powder? And I know you guys don’t count calories- but while tasty this one was a biggie- so eater beware! 🙂
Hey! Thanks for blending with us! You can totally use nibs. So glad you enjoyed this one!