Enjoy this chocolate protein smoothie after exercise or when you need a filling snack. It’s high in antioxidants, protein, and takes just 5 minutes to make.
Recipe Highlights
- A chocolate protein smoothie is a blend of oat milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, Medjool date, and frozen bananas.
- The rich chocolate flavor comes from the protein powder and cocoa powder.
- Frozen bananas make the drink creamy, thick, and satisfying.
- The next time you’re craving a healthy dessert, make this 5-minute smoothie recipe.
RELATED: Chocolate Protein Shake
3 Benefits of Drinking Chocolate Protein Smoothies
1. Supports Muscle Building
Due to its high protein content, this smoothie is a good post-workout option. Consuming protein after exercise is needed for muscle recovery and growth. For best results, drink this protein smoothie within 1 hour of working out.
2. Boosts Feeling of Fullness
Bananas are an excellent source of fiber, a nutrient that decreases hunger. It’s digested slowly by the body, so it makes you feel more full. The protein powder in this smoothie enhances satiety too.
3. Promotes Good Digestion
Your digestive system needs fiber to function properly. This smoothie is a great source, as it contains both bananas and Medjool date. Getting enough fiber will lower the risk of digestive issues, including irregularity and constipation.
RELATED: Chocolate Almond Protein Shake
Ingredient Notes
- Oat milk: Use unsweetened, unflavored oat milk for the healthiest choice.
- Vanilla extract: For the best flavor, use pure vanilla extract.
- Cocoa powder: Pick a high-quality cocoa powder that’s free of added sugar and other ingredients. Note that cocoa powder is not the same as hot cocoa mix, which has powdered milk and sweetener.
- Chocolate protein powder: You can use whey or plant-based protein powder. Vanilla and unflavored protein powder will also work, but the chocolate flavor won’t be as strong.
- Medjool date: Remove the pit before adding a Medjool date to your blender.
- Frozen bananas: When freezing bananas, always use ripe ones for the best sweetness. Avoid green bananas because they have a bitter flavor.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Variations
Nut butters: Nut butters are so delicious with chocolate. They also provide extra protein and healthy anti-inflammatory fats. Try adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, or hazelnut butter to the recipe.
Seeds: Like nut butters, seeds provide protein and fats that fight inflammation. Examples include chia seeds, flax seeds, and hemp seeds. Use 1 or 2 tablespoons per smoothie.
Collagen powder: To increase the protein content of your smoothie, add powdered collagen. The ingredient is good for the skin and making drinks more filling. Most collagen powders are unflavored, so it won’t alter the flavor of your drink.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Put almond milk and vanilla extract into the blender.
To encourage a smooth blend, start with the liquids first.
Step 2: Add cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, Medjool date, and frozen bananas, in that order.
The hardest and heaviest ingredient should always go in last.
Step 3: Blend on low speed, then increase to high.
Step 4: Pour the smoothie into a cup. Drink right away.
Blender Tips
Slice bananas before freezing.
Never put whole frozen bananas in your blender, as this can break the blades or container. They should be cut into smaller pieces before freezing them. For high-powered blenders, slice bananas into chunks, about the size of apple wedges. If your blender is less powerful, cut them into coins.
RELATED: How to Freeze Bananas Properly
Load lightest ingredients first.
The best way to make a creamy, well-blended smoothie is to start with liquids. Next, add any powders, seeds, and nut butters. Follow with soft ingredients, such as any leafy greens or fresh fruit. Finish with heavy ingredients, including ice and frozen fruit.
Gradually increase the speed.
To protect the motor of your blender, start on low speed. This will give the blades a chance to chop up the ingredients. You can then increase the speed after 5-10 seconds.
Push down ingredients with a tamper.
Using a tamper is a simple way to avoid air pockets in your smoothie. As the blades are moving, insert the tamper through the lid. This will let you rotate ingredients and ensure everything is fully pureed.
RELATED: Mocha Protein Shake
Expert Tips
- If you prefer thicker smoothies, add extra frozen bananas. You can also add a few ice cubes.
- For a thinner smoothie, put a splash of oat milk in the blender and puree for 10 seconds.
- Refrigerate leftover chocolate protein smoothie in an airtight container, like a jar. Enjoy within 1-2 days for optimal flavor and texture.
Questions You May Have
Chocolate protein smoothies are nutritious if they’re made with quality ingredients, like real cocoa powder without added sweetener.
Many fruits work well with chocolate, including cherries or berries. This smoothie uses banana, which is delicious with chocolate.
Avoid food waste by scraping out leftover smoothie in the blender. You can do this using a blade scraper. This tip of a blade scraper is specially designed to reach underneath the blades.
Related
- 12 Health Benefits of Eating Bananas
- Chocolate Smoothie
- Chocolate Almond Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Collagen Smoothie
If you tried this Chocolate Protein Smoothie recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and let me know how you like it in the comments below.
Chocolate Protein Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup oat milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 Medjool date pitted
- 1 ½ frozen bananas sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put oat milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, Medjool date, and frozen bananas into a blender. Secure lid.Place ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.Start the blender on LOW speed for 10 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for a full minute.
- Pour smoothie into a cup. Serve immediately.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- Use unsweetened, unflavored oat milk for the healthiest choice.
- Pick a high-quality cocoa powder that’s free of added sugar and other ingredients. Note that cocoa powder is not the same as hot cocoa mix, which has powdered milk and sweetener.
- You can use whey or plant-based protein powder. Vanilla and unflavored protein powder will also work, but the chocolate flavor won’t be as strong.
- If you prefer thicker smoothies, add extra frozen bananas. You can also add a few ice cubes.
- For a thinner smoothie, put a splash of oat milk in the blender and puree for 10 seconds.
- Refrigerate leftover chocolate protein smoothie in an airtight container, like a jar. Enjoy within 1-2 days for optimal flavor and texture.
- Never put whole frozen bananas in your blender, as this can break the blades or container. They should be cut into smaller pieces before freezing them. For high-powered blenders, slice bananas into chunks, about the size of apple wedges. If your blender is less powerful, cut them into coins.
- The best way to make a creamy, well-blended smoothie is to start with liquids. Next, add any powders, seeds, and nut butters. Follow with soft ingredients, such as any leafy greens or fresh fruit. Finish with heavy ingredients, including ice and frozen fruit.