This Ultra Creamy Chocolate Smoothie is a healthy way to satisfy chocolate cravings! Made with banana, nut butter (I use SunButter for an allergy-friendly option!), and raw cacao powder, it’s an easy breakfast or dessert. Read about suggested additions to add additional protein, healthy fats, and superfoods.
Adore smoothies that taste like dessert? You’ll also love this Dreamy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie, or this Pumpkin Spice Latte Smoothie.
Contents
The BEST Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Smoothie lovers unite! This simple chocolate smoothie delivers rich chocolate flavor in an uber-creamy base.
Banana smoothies are sweet and creamy without the need to add sugar or dairy products. This recipe tastes just like a chocolate milkshake, but is loaded with nutrition.
I use smoothies as a quick meal replacement when I don’t have time to cook (or on hot days!). Into the mix, I will throw in greens, protein, or superfoods, to balance my diet for the day. These are great additions to add to smoothies for picky eaters, too!
The secret to this smoothie is adding nut butter! In addition to adding satiating healthy fats, it adds the super creamy texture.
I use SunButter sunflower seed butter. The combination of chocolate, banana, and this super smooth seed butter is an absolute dream!
SunButter is perfect for anyone looking to add healthy fats to baking or snacks. I also use it in this Oatmeal Breakfast Smoothie and this uber-thick Chocolate Smoothie Bowl recipe.
Any variety would work, but I always have No Sugar Added and Organic on hand. The Chocolate variety would bump up the chocolate factor in this and would also be perfect!
Hop on over to SunButter’s website to see where it’s sold near you!
What You’ll Need
- Bananas (peel, quarter and freeze these so you always have them on hand when the craving strikes!)
- Milk of Choice (I love unsweetened almond milk, but choose coconut or oat for a nut-free option).
- Cacao Powder (or natural cocoa powder)
- SunButter No Sugar Added (any variety works here!)
- Vanilla Extract
- Ice Cubes (optional, but makes this extra thick and ice-cream like!)
Optional Smoothie Boosters
- Greens (my favorite green smoothie addition is baby spinach – easy to keep frozen!)
- Hemp Seeds or Chia Seeds (extra fiber!)
- Protein Powder (I love this grass fed whey for the best textured smoothie!)
- Collagen Powder
- Cinnamon
- Greek yogurt (more protein! Add 1/4-1/2 cup to the mix.)
- Cacao Nibs (a great way to add more chocolate flavor and a slight crunchy texture!)
- Veggies: I keep other veggies, like cauliflower and zucchini, in my freezer to add bulk to smoothies without additional calories or carbs. I like to use 1/2 banana and 1/2 zucchini in my smoothies!
How to Make a Chocolate Smoothie
Step 1: Add all smoothie ingredients to a blender. Start with less liquid, and add more to reach a desired texture. If you’re adding protein powder, greens, or superfoods, add them in to the blender at the same time..
Step 2: Process the smoothie ingredients until a very smooth texture is reached. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk to thin it out, if desired.
FAQ & Substitution Ideas
Can I freeze this smoothie?
Yes! I prefer to freeze the ingredients unblended. I put banana, spinach, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, SunButter, and protein powder in a ziplock bag, and when ready to enjoy, dump the contents into a blender along with the milk. This creates the best smoothie texture.
If you’d like to freeze smoothies to take to-go, blend the smoothie, add it to a cup with a lid, and freeze it. Remove it from the freezer about 1-2 hours prior to enjoying.
How to Make a Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Instead of using SunButter, add peanut butter to this smoothie recipe! Other nut butter options are almond butter, cashew butter, and macadamia nut butter. All of these options will add the same creamy texture!
How to Make a Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
Reduce the amount of liquid to about 3 tablespoons, and add all smoothie ingredients to a blender. You will need a high speed blender with a tamper stick to get this as thick as possible for a smoothie bowl. Spoon the thick smoothie to a bowl, and add fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, or granola to the top!
See this post on how to make the Best Thick Smoothie Bowls, for additional tips and topping ideas!
Is this Chocolate Smoothie Vegan?
Everything in the base recipe is vegan. Use a plant based protein powder if choosing to add that option.
Dairy Free Chocolate Smoothie
This recipe is dairy free as written. Use a dairy free protein powder of choice if choosing to add additional protein.
Other Healthy Smoothie Recipes
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Chocolate Smoothie
Equipment
- High Speed Blender if you love making smoothies, invest in a good blender!
Ingredients
- 2 bananas peeled, quartered, and frozen
- 1/4-1/2 cup unsweetened milk almond, coconut, or cashew are great!
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder or natural cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons SunButter no sugar added or nut butter of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (about 4 large ice cubes)
Smoothie Boosters
- 2 cups spinach or other greens
- whey protein powder or protein powder of choice
- collagen
- 1-2 tablespoons hemp seeds or chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1-2 tablespoons cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add all smoothie ingredients to a blender. Start with less liquid, and add more to reach a desired texture. If you’re adding protein powder, greens, or superfoods, add them in to the blender at the same time.
- Process the smoothie ingredients until a very smooth texture is reached. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk to thin it out, if desired.
Video
Notes
Optional Smoothie Boosters
- Greens (my favorite green smoothie addition is baby spinach – easy to keep frozen!)
- Hemp Seeds or Chia Seeds (extra fiber!)
- Protein Powder (I love this grass fed whey for the best textured smoothie!)
- Collagen Powder
- Cinnamon
- Greek yogurt (more protein! Add 1/4-1/2 cup to the mix.)
- Cacao Nibs (a great way to add more chocolate flavor and a slight crunchy texture!)
- Veggies: I keep other veggies, like cauliflower and zucchini, in my freezer to add bulk to smoothies without additional calories or carbs. I like to use 1/2 banana and 1/2 zucchini in my smoothies!
I mean, it’s good, but it doesn’t taste anything like a chocolate shake. It just tastes like the bananas and peanut butter