Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl
Recipe Key
This creamy thick chocolate smoothie bowl is packed with protein, fruits and vegetables but tastes like a decadent dessert. Enjoy this frozen bowl of deliciousness as a healthy breakfast or snack. It’s quick and easy to make, vegan, paleo and gluten free.
When it’s hot outside I love having a creamy frozen smoothie bowl for breakfast. Some of my favorites are the light and refreshing Lemon Green Smoothie Bowl, the deliciously energizing Matcha Strawberry Smoothie Bowl , and the incredibly satisfying Cherry Green Smoothie Bowl.
Are Smoothie Bowls Healthy?
The answer is sometimes. Not all smoothie bowls are healthy, sometimes they are made with lots of added sugar and not much nutrition, but not this one.
All my smoothie bowls are flavorful and refreshing. They also nourish your body with protein, healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants and lots of nutrients.
This thick chocolate smoothie bowl tastes like soft serve ice cream but fills your body with the nourishment you need to feel energized and satisfied.
Ingredients and Health Benefits
This healthy chocolate smoothie bowl is made with easy-to-find simple ingredients. Many of the ingredients are super-foods with incredible health benefits.
Frozen Blueberries – Blueberries are often called a “superfood,” wild or organic is best. The beautiful purple color in blueberries come from a special nutrient called anthocyanins, an antioxidant especially powerful in protecting our brain and nervous system from oxidative stress and inflammation. Anthocyanins can cross the blood-brain barrier to apply their benefits to our brain cells.
Frozen Bananas – These give the smoothie it’s creamy ‘ice cream’ like texture. They are especially good for neutralizing stomach acids because they are alkaline and high in potassium. Bananas contain pectin — a soluble fiber that helps keep food flowing nicely through the digestive tract. They contain lots of vitamins and minerals, and even a bit of protein! I recommend keeping sliced frozen bananas in you freezer for smoothies and vegan ice cream.
Cacao – Raw organic cacao is a “superfood” due to its high amount of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
- Cacao improves your mood. It stimulates your brain to release neurotransmitters which trigger emotions like joy, peace and love.
- Cacao gives you energy. It’s high in the natural stimulant theobromine, but won’t give you jitters like caffeine.
Chia Seeds – Another great “superfood. ” Chia seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are packed with antioxidants, fiber and protein.They are high in calcium to improved bone mineral density.
Nut Milk – I am a purest and make my own cashew milk for this smoothie (recipe included). I like it because it’s creamy and is easy to make, no straining necessary. Hemp milk is high in protein and easy to make but has a slightly grassy taste. You can use almond milk or macadamia nut milk. Choose one that is organic with the least amount of thickeners. Malk is a very pure brand, available in many health food stores. Coconut milk can be used for nut-free.
Spinach – Often considered a superfood because it’s one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. High in iron and calcium. It’s mild, you won’t even taste it. If you’re sensitive to oxalates substitute 1/4 of an avocado or one of the optional add-ins. I like pre-washed baby spinach.
Vanilla – This enhances the chocolate flavor and makes the smoothie taste sweeter.
Maple Syrup – I add a little maple syrup to sweeten the smoothie. Dates can be substituted.
Collagen or Protein Powder – Protein is the most satiating macronutrient. Protein keeps you full longer, this is partly because protein reduces your level of the hunger hormone ghrelin.
Ice – This helps make the smoothie cold and thick.
Optional Toppings – Toppings give the smoothie bowl texture and make you feel like you’re having a meal. Here are some recommendations. Berries, hemp hearts, shredded coconut, walnuts or almonds. You decide what you like.
How To Make A Chocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl
This smoothie is very easy to make and only takes a few minutes.
- Freeze your bananas the day before.
- If making your own cashew milk, soak cashews overnight and prepare nut milk (skip this step if using store bought nut milk).
- Put nut milk, cacao powder, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, spinach, salt, protein powder, frozen bananas, frozen blueberries, and ice into the blender.
- Blend on medium/low until it starts to combine. Scrape down the sides. Turn up to high and blend until creamy.
- Pour into 2 bowls.
- Top with your favorite toppings.
Tips
- Make sure your bananas, blueberries and ice are totally frozen. Take them out of the freezer once you have all the other ingredients in the blender and toppings ready.
- Put the nut milk in first, the rest of the ingredients next and the frozen fruit an ice in last. This help to keep it cold make blending easier.
- If the smoothie is not blending well, scrape down the sides, and blend again starting on low then turn up to high. If necessary, add a little more nut milk or water, but not too much, you want it to be thick.
- Don’t over blend, it will get warm and be too thin.
Optional Health Boosting Ingredients
This is a healthy chocolate smoothie bowl but you can make it even more nutritious with these optional health-boosting goodies. They will not affect the taste:
- 1/4-1/2 avocado (makes the smoothie more filling)
- 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower florets (raw or steamed before freezing)
- 1/2-1 cup frozen zucchini (cut into cubes before freezing)
- Maca powder – a super adaptogen to balance your body, read more about maca here
Serving
This smoothie is so good and can be enjoyed in many ways:
- energizing high protein breakfast
- healthy afternoon snack
- after a workout
- as a nutritious dessert
Storing
This smoothie is best made fresh and enjoyed immediately. If you have leftovers, store in the freezer, defrost for 5 minutes and blend again.
You can store it in the refrigerator, it won’t be thick like soft serve the next day, but it will still taste great.
Frequently Asked Questions
The thickness of the smoothie has to do with the amount of frozen fruit, ice and liquid. If your smoothie is too thin add another 1-2 ice cubes or a little more frozen fruit and blend again, briefly.
Since this smoothie bowl is full of protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables and not a lot of sweetener it can be good for weight loss. If you have it for breakfast, the protein, fat and fiber should keep you satisfied all morning. If you find you’re hungry after having the smoothie, next time add 1/4 – 1/2 of an avocado. The fat will reduce your cravings and keep you full.
Yes, strawberries or raspberries would be fine. The taste and color will be a little different. Make sure you use frozen berries.
Yes, but it will have less protein. You can add 2 tablespoons almond butter for additional protein.
I hope you love this decadent frozen chocolate smoothie bowl as much as I do. It’s high in protein, packed with nutrients and vitamins, quick and easy to make, creamy, delicious and oh-so-satisfying. Customize the toppings to suit your mood.
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If you like this recipe, try these other delicious healthy smoothie bowls:
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PrintChocolate Protein Smoothie Bowl
This creamy thick chocolate smoothie bowl is packed with protein, fruits and vegetables but tastes like a decadent dessert. Easy to make in just 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Smoothie, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: Vegan, Gluten Free, Paleo, Dairy Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashew milk*, almond milk or hemp milk*
- 2–3 Tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 1–2 Tablespoons maple syrup or 2-3 Medjool dates (softened in water if they’re dry)*
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large handful baby spinach
- Pinch sea salt
- 2 scoops collagen, or vegan protein, or hemp protein
- 1 large frozen ripe banana (sliced prior to freezing)
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries (wild or organic)
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds or ground flax seeds
- 4–6 ice cubes
Optional add-ins
- 1/4–1/2 avocado
- 1/2–1 cup frozen cauliflower florets (raw or steamed then frozen)
- 1/2–1 cup frozen zucchini (cut into cubes before freezing)
- 1 teaspoon maca powder
Optional Toppings
- hemp hearts
- shredded coconut
- organic berries
- sliced bananas
- chopped walnuts or almonds
- cacao nibs
Instructions
- If you’re making your own cashew milk, rinse soaked cashews and blend 1/4 cup cashews with 3/4 cup water on high for 3 minutes. Put into the freezer to cool while you gather the rest of the ingredients. Skip this step if using store bought nut milk.
- Place all ingredients (nut milk, cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla, spinach, salt, protein powder, banana, blueberries, chia seeds, and ice) in a high-speed blender and blend on medium-low pushing down the ingredients to incorporate. Turn up to high and blend briefly until smooth but still thick. Don’t over blend or it will get watery.
- Pour into 2 bowls.
- Top with your favorite toppings. I went with berries and coconut for one bowl, walnuts, raspberries and hemp seeds for the other.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For homemade cashew milk, soak 1/4 cup raw cashews in water for at least 4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Drain and rinse. Blend with 3/4 cup filtered water for 3 minutes. Makes 1 cup.
Hemp milk has more protein but has a slightly grassy taste. Click here for recipe.
The almond milk has a milder taste.
Leave out maple syrup or use dates for Whole30.
Nutrition information is with collagen.
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