Craving a refreshing dessert-style smoothie that satisfies your sweet tooth without compromising your healthy habits? Say hello to the cinnamon chocolate smoothie of your dreams. The ultimate balance of wholesome and decadent, this Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie tastes just like your favorite chocolate shake but, believe it or not, is good for you. Made with frozen bananas, milk, cacao powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, this smoothie has all the flavors of an indulgent dessert without the unwanted fats, refined sugars, or additives. A Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie is beyond easy to make and takes just 5 minutes of your time, making it ideal for on-the-go breakfasts and post-dinner treats. If you’re anything like me, I’m confident that this delicious healthy smoothie is going to become a staple in your weekly routine. All it takes is 1 frozen banana, 2 cups of milk, 1 tablespoon of cocoa or cacao powder, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla. Blend until smooth and you have 2 creamy chocolate smoothies in 5 minutes. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get down to the goods.

Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie Ingredients

Now I know what you’re probably thinking: A smoothie that tastes like dessert and is still good for you? Elizabeth, there’s just no way. Trust me, I hear you. A lot of smoothies claim to be “healthy” when they are jam-packed with additives or excessive sugar from sugary yogurt or high-glycemic foods. However, this is not the case with my Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie! Instead of packing in not-so-great stuff, this smoothie is full of ingredients you can feel good about.

• Frozen banana. Not only are bananas healthy ways of sweetening your smoothie, but they are a terrific thickening agent. Just one frozen banana is all you need to create that thick, creamy consistency that transforms any smoothie.
• Milk. I typically opt for almond milk or oat milk, but you can use any plant milk or dairy milk you want for this smoothie.
• Cocoa or cacao powder. A tablespoon of cocoa or cacao powder will add the perfect amount of chocolatey goodness to this smoothie. If you’re wondering what the difference is between the two, read on. I’m explaining everything there is to know about cocoa and cacao powder down below.
• Ground cinnamon. Cinnamon is a delicious and warm spice that adds a rich and spicy flavor to this smoothie. Additionally, it also boasts an impressive array of health benefits (more on that later).
• Vanilla extract. This serves as a flavor enhancer, making this smoothie even more delicious. Trust me, you don’t want to leave it out.
• Garnishes. For a truly photo-worthy smoothie, I like to garnish this dish with chocolate shavings and anise stars. This is totally optional!

How to Make a Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie

If you have the ingredients, a good blender, and about five minutes of spare time, you can make this Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie. It’s too easy not to try! All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Blend the banana, milk, cocoa or cacao powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract together until smooth.
2. Pour the smoothie into glasses and top with chocolate shavings and anise. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Smoothie

Everyone wants to make an ultra-thick, super creamy, and delicious smoothie, right? (I thought so.) Here are a few quick tips to ensure your smoothie comes out drool-worthy every time:

• Texture is everything. When it comes to smoothies, the texture is everything. Creamy ingredients like coconut milk, nut butter, and avocados are ideal for transforming a bland and thin smoothie into a rich and creamy treat. If your smoothie is coming out on the thinner side, try adding more coconut milk, half a banana, or a dollop of almond butter.
• Add coconut water. On the other hand, if your smoothie is a bit too thick for your liking, try thinning things out with coconut water. Unlike regular tap water, coconut water has an extra boost of flavor, sweetness, and electrolytes that work great in smoothies.
• Skip the ice. While you might be tempted to toss a few ice cubes into your blender, I strongly advise you to resist the urge. Instead, try opting for frozen fruit. Frozen fruit will give you the same texture as ice cubes, but it won’t diminish the flavor of the smoothie the way that ice would.
• Add chia seeds. In need of a mid-day energy boost? Chia seeds are going to be your best friend. Add a teaspoon or two to your smoothie for a boost of protein, omega-3s, and antioxidants.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon

As I mentioned, cinnamon is an ultra-delicious spice that is known for jazzing up dishes with its strong, warm, and comforting flavor. However, our universal love for cinnamon isn’t limited just to its taste. For thousands of years, cinnamon has been prized for its wellness and medicinal properties. According to Healthline, these are a few of the health benefits of cinnamon:

• Rich in antioxidants. Cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, the plant compounds that help protect your cells.
• May support healthy blood sugar. Some studies suggest cinnamon may help improve insulin sensitivity.
• Anti-inflammatory compounds. Cinnamon contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Sweet flavor without sugar. A little cinnamon makes a smoothie taste sweeter and richer without adding any sugar.

Want to know more? Here’s what you need to know about cinnamon.

Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie FAQs

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this healthy chocolate smoothie recipe:

What is the difference between cocoa and cacao powder?

Many people wonder if cocoa powder and cacao powder are interchangeable. The answer is yes and no. While there are similarities between the two, cocoa and cacao powder are not the same product. Both come from the beans of the cacao plant, but their differences lie in the way they are each processed. Cacao beans are fermented to develop flavor and texture, which produces a bitter-tasting powder that has a high nutrient content. On the flip side, cocoa beans are both fermented and roasted. Because it is more processed, cocoa powder is less bitter, darker, and has lost some of its nutrient content. Cacao powder is the more nutritious of the two, but you can swap them if needed. While cacao powder might taste slightly more bitter than cocoa, it keeps more of its natural antioxidants.

Can you eat cacao powder every day?

As mentioned, cacao powder is a terrific source of antioxidants and nutrients that make it an excellent addition to any diet. In normal food amounts, like the tablespoon in this smoothie, it’s fine to enjoy every day. Cacao also has a little natural caffeine, so it gives a gentle lift. For that reason (and because it tastes delicious), I make this Cinnamon Chocolate Smoothie several times a week to eat for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-afternoon snack.

How do you save a smoothie to enjoy later?

Because this smoothie only takes a few minutes, I always recommend enjoying it fresh. Of course, we all know that life doesn’t always work out how we’d like it to. If you find yourself having to store leftovers, don’t panic. It is very possible to preserve a smoothie’s freshness even after it spends some time in the fridge. Essentially, the key is to prevent oxidation. You’ll want to pour your leftover smoothie into a glass container and fill it all the way to the brim (mason jars work great here). Then, seal your container with an airtight lid and refrigerate for up to 1-2 days. If you need to store it for longer, you can get away with freezing smoothies for up to 3 months. (Bonus: Check out my blog post on How To Save A Smoothie For Later for all my smoothie-storing tips and tricks.)

Can I make a chocolate smoothie without banana?

Half of a small avocado gives you the same thick, creamy texture. Since you lose the banana’s sweetness, blend in a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or a pitted date.

How much cinnamon should I put in a smoothie?

Start with 1/2 teaspoon for 2 smoothies, like this recipe. Cinnamon gets stronger as it sits, so taste it before adding more.

How do I freeze bananas for smoothies?

Peel them first, then break them into chunks and freeze them in a container or bag. Here’s how I never throw away a banana again.

More Healthy Smoothies

• Simple Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
• Frozen Banana & Cacao Recipe
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe
• Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie

You can also check out even more ideas in my Healthy Smoothie Recipe index. Print