Chocolate Smoothie
This chocolate smoothie blends deep cocoa flavor with creamy banana and your choice of milk for a thick, satisfying drink that works any time of day.
Equipment
- High-powered blender - Vitamix, Ninja, or similar works best for frozen ingredients
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Tall smoothie glass or mason jar
- Freezer-safe bag or container
- Silicone spatula
- Reusable stainless steel straw - optional
Ingredients
- 1 large frozen banana - about 120g or 4.2 oz, sliced before freezing
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder - 12g
- 1 cup milk of choice - 240ml, dairy, almond, oat, or coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup - 21g, optional, skip if banana is very ripe
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup ice cubes - 75g, optional, for a thicker, colder smoothie
- 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice - 30g, optional, adds creaminess and healthy fat
- 1-2 tablespoons chocolate protein powder - 15-30g, optional, for a post-workout version
- cocoa powder - for dusting, optional garnish
- dark chocolate chips - optional garnish
- nut butter - drizzle, optional garnish
Instructions
- Peel a ripe banana with brown spots, slice into 1-inch rounds, and freeze in a single layer for at least 2 hours.
- Add milk, cocoa powder, vanilla, sweetener (if using), salt, and any optional add-ins to the blender jar.
- Add frozen banana slices and ice cubes to the blender on top of the liquid.
- Blend on low for 10 seconds, then increase to high and blend for 45-60 seconds until completely smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or chocolate intensity, then pour into a chilled glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Banana ripeness matters: The more spotted the banana, the sweeter your smoothie will be. Under-ripe bananas make a starchy, bland smoothie.
- Always add liquid first: Placing milk at the bottom of the blender before adding frozen ingredients protects the motor and ensures everything blends evenly.
- Don't over-blend: Blending too long generates heat from friction, which can slightly warm the smoothie and make it less thick.
- Use Dutch-process cocoa for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor compared to natural cocoa powder.
- Don't skip the salt: A tiny pinch sharpens and deepens the chocolate flavor noticeably.
- Chill your glass in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before pouring to keep the smoothie cold and thick longer.
- Batch prep: Keep a bag of pre-sliced frozen bananas in the freezer so this smoothie is always less than 5 minutes away.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours in an airtight jar. Shake or stir before drinking.
- Make-ahead: Freeze pre-portioned smoothie packs (banana slices, cocoa powder, and dry add-ins) and blend fresh each morning with your milk of choice.
- No banana? Substitute with 1/2 cup frozen mango, 1/2 ripe avocado, or 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt for creaminess.