This healthy and easy chocolate smoothie will satisfy your sweet tooth. Learn how to make it in a blender with just 4 ingredients.
Recipe Highlights
- This decadent chocolate smoothie is a cold pureed drink made with cocoa powder. It takes only 5 minutes to make at home.
- Oat milk and frozen bananas gives this smoothie an extra creamy texture.
- Enjoy it for breakfast or whenever you’re craving a sweet chocolate treat.
- Cocoa powder is high in antioxidants, making this smoothie a nutritious drink. The bananas also add antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
RELATED: Chocolate Almond Smoothie
5 Chocolate Smoothie Benefits
1. Provides Antioxidants
Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants, including polyphenols and catechins. Antioxidants are good chemicals that keep your cells healthy. Over time, antioxidants can reduce your risk of chronic diseases.
2. Supports Digestion
This chocolate smoothie is great for your gut. Cocoa powder promotes the growth of good gut bacteria, which is needed for healthy digestion. It also reduces inflammation in the gut.
Bananas help digestion, too. The fruit is high in fiber, an essential nutrient that encourages regular bowel movements.
3. Benefits the Immune System
As the cocoa powder in this smoothie promotes gut health, it can also help immunity. That’s because a healthy gut is needed for good immune function.
4. Improves Mood
Drinking this smoothie can make you feel good, and it’s not just because of its delicious taste. The antioxidants in cocoa powder have been shown to support mood.
5. Helps Brain Health
The antioxidants in cocoa powder have an anti-inflammatory effect. This can protect your brain function as you get older.
RELATED: Benefits of Eating Bananas
Ingredient Notes
- Cocoa powder: For the best tasting and healthiest smoothie, use high-quality cocoa powder without added sweeteners.
- Oat milk: Oat milk tastes best in this recipe, but you can use any milk you prefer, including dairy versions.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is a classic partner for cocoa powder. To ensure this smoothie is healthy, use pure vanilla extract.
- Frozen bananas: Frozen sliced bananas are used, which make the drink sweet and creamy. Avoid using fresh bananas since it can make your smoothie watery and thin.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Variations
Protein powder: If you’re physically active or looking for a meal replacement, add protein powder to this smoothie. The protein powder will make the smoothie more filling and nutritious. Another option is powdered collagen, which can help promote healthy skin and joints.
Seeds: Hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds are great for adding texture and extra nutrients. These ingredients contain plant-based protein and healthy fats. Use 1 tablespoon to start.
Nut butters: Chocolate and nut butter are so tasty together. For this smoothie, try adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter.
RELATED: Banana Smoothie
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pour oat milk into the blender. Add vanilla extract.
The liquid should be added first.
Step 2: Add cocoa powder and frozen bananas.
Step 3: Blend until smooth. Start on low speed, then increase to high.
Step 4: Pour into a cup. Serve immediately.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Blender Tips
Liquids go in first.
When making a smoothie of any kind, it’s important to add the liquid ingredients first for a proper blend. Follow with powders or seeds, if using, along with fresh fruits or vegetables. The heaviest ingredients, such as ice or frozen fruit, should always be last.
Start on low speed then increase to high.
Always start on low but make sure to increase to high. When you blend on low the whole time, the motor can overheat.
Use a tamper to push ingredients.
To make the perfect smoothie, use a blender tamper while the lid is in place. This will allow you to push ingredients toward the blades and promote efficient blending.
Expert Tips
- Always use ripe bananas with a yellow peel and some dark spots. Avoid unripe bananas, which are firm and have green peels.
- Before freezing bananas, cut them into coins first. This will make it easier for your blender to break down. Never add whole frozen bananas to your blender.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, add another tablespoon of cocoa powder. You can also use chocolate protein powder as an add-in.
- Add a splash of oat milk if the smoothie is too thick. Blend for another 10 seconds to combine.
- Store leftover chocolate smoothie in an airtight glass jar or container. Drink the smoothie within 2 days.
Questions You May Have
For the smoothest blend, use cocoa powder instead of hard chocolate.
The smoothie tastes best using good cocoa powder, but you can use chocolate syrup. But, since chocolate syrup is made with sugar, the drink will not be as healthy.
Chocolate smoothies can be very healthy, as long as they’re made with high-quality ingredients. Always use a cocoa powder with little to no sweeteners.
Although this drink tastes best with frozen bananas, you can use ice or another frozen fruit.
Related
- Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- S’mores Smoothie
- Chocolate Collagen Smoothie
- Chocolate Almond Smoothie
- Chocolate Almond Protein Shake
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Chocolate Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup oat milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 ½ frozen bananas (sliced)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put oat milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, 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
- For the best tasting and healthiest smoothie, use high-quality cocoa powder without added sweeteners.
- Oat milk tastes best in this recipe, but you can use any milk you prefer, including dairy versions.
- Always use ripe bananas with a yellow peel and some dark spots. Avoid unripe bananas, which are firm and have green peels.
- Before freezing bananas, cut them into coins first. This will make it easier for your blender to break down. Never add whole frozen bananas to your blender.
- For a more intense chocolate flavor, add another tablespoon of cocoa powder. You can also use chocolate protein powder as an add-in.
- Add a splash of oat milk if the smoothie is too thick. Blend for another 10 seconds to combine.
- Store leftover chocolate smoothie in an airtight glass jar or container. Drink the smoothie within 2 days.