Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie

Take your next breakfast or post workout snack to the next level with this Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie!  It’s creamy, delicious, high in protein, and includes only 5 plant-based ingredients!

Ever since my boys were little, they would drop everything and come running when they’d hear me fire up the blender.  It doesn’t matter if it’s my blueberry banana smoothie, tropical smoothie or kale smoothie, they love them all.

As they’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to incorporate protein into their smoothies to make them more satisfying, and this Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie has become a fast favorite.

Why you’ll love this recipe:

• This protein smoothie is creamy, delicious and high in protein, making it a great alternative for breakfast or a post-workout snack.
• It takes only 5 ingredients and comes together in mere minutes.
• It’s full of plant-based, healthy ingredients.
• This smoothie is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.

Recipe ingredients

This chocolate banana protein smoothie has just a few ingredients, most of which may be customized with what you have on hand.

Ingredient notes

• Almond butter.  The almond butter helps thicken the smoothie and adds flavor and even more protein.  It may be substituted with your favorite nut butter.
• Banana.  For best results, use frozen banana as it makes a thicker, frostier smoothie.  If you like your smoothie even thicker, add another 1/2 frozen banana.
• Protein powder.  I used Open Nature Plant-Based Chocolate Protein Powder, which includes 140 calories, 3 grams of fat, 7 grams carbohydrates, 21 grams of protein, and <1 gram of sugar per scoop.  The nutrition information below does not reflect this specific product, and will vary based on the type of protein powder that you use.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder.  I added cocoa powder to boost the chocolate flavor.

How to make this recipe

This chocolate protein smoothie recipe couldn’t be easier to make!  

1. Place all ingredients into the blender in the order listed in the recipe.  The frozen banana should be on top to keep them from getting stuck in the blender blades.
2. Place the lid on the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

Frequently asked questions

Are protein smoothies healthy?

Overall, this recipe is healthy as it includes quality, minimally processed ingredients, it’s high in protein and low in sugar compared to other smoothie recipes. 

What’s healthy for one person may not be healthy for another, however, so it’s best to discuss any questions or concerns with a doctor or nutritionist to find out what’s right for you.

How long should you blend a smoothie?

It only takes 30 to 60 seconds tops to blend a smoothie.  Simply blend until smooth and creamy.

Why do you put a banana in a smoothie?

Bananas are great in smoothies because they add a smooth, thick texture. 

What can you substitute banana with?

Many people don’t like bananas or don’t use them in their smoothies for dietary reasons, so the good news is that it may be substituted with another type of frozen fruit.

Frozen strawberries or raspberries would work perfectly in this recipe.  

For those following low carb or keto diets, cauliflower makes a great banana substitute for smoothies.  Simply freeze cauliflower florets or use frozen riced cauliflower to achieve a nice, thick texture.  For more information, see Eating Bird Food’s Chocolate Cauliflower Smoothie.

Does ice thicken a smoothie?

Ice does thicken smoothies, but I prefer not to use it as it makes smoothies more watery.  For best results, use frozen fruit instead of ice.

Recipe notes

• The nutrition information is an estimate only, and does not include the specific brands that I’ve used.  This information will vary based on the type of protein powder and non dairy milk that you use.
• It’s important to add the ingredients to the blender in the order listed to keep the frozen banana from getting stuck in the blender blades.
• Make sure the banana is frozen for a thicker, frostier smoothie.  For an even thicker smoothie, add another 1/2 banana.
• This recipe is customizable with whatever protein powder, milk or nut butter that you have on hand.

More smoothie recipes you’ll love:

• Banana smoothie
• Orange cream smoothie
• Pear smoothie
• Power green smoothie
• Strawberry smoothie by The Recipe Rebel

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

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