When I want a chocolatey treat, I generally opt for this healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie because it hits all the notes of a chocolate milkshake (rich, creamy, chocolatey, satisfying), but without all of the excess sugar and dairy in a milkshake.
It’s ready in 5 minutes with 5 simple ingredients: a frozen banana, unsweetened cocoa powder, natural peanut butter, vanilla and almond milk. The banana makes it naturally sweet, so you may not need any added sweetener at all.
I add natural peanut butter for protein and healthy fats, which makes this a satisfying breakfast or snack. You could also use almond butter or omit the nut butter completely if that’s better for you. Find more of my favorites in my healthy smoothie recipes.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- It tastes like a chocolate milkshake. Rich, creamy, chocolatey and satisfying.
- Ready in 5 minutes. Everything goes in the blender at once.
- No added sugar needed. A ripe frozen banana does the sweetening.
- Easy to customize. Swap the nut butter, use any milk, or add protein powder.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie Ingredients
- 1 large frozen ripe banana
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons creamy natural peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- Optional: a teaspoon or two of honey or maple syrup
See the printable recipe card below for the full recipe.
Ingredient Notes
Frozen Banana
Freezing the banana beforehand gives the smoothie a thick, frosty texture. Always peel your bananas before freezing, which is a great way to never throw away a banana again. The riper the banana, the sweeter your smoothie.
Cocoa Powder
Use unsweetened cocoa powder. You can start with one tablespoon and add more according to your taste. Cacao powder (raw chocolate powder) is also great here, or you can replace it with any chocolate protein powder.
Peanut Butter
Use a creamy natural peanut butter. Almond butter works great, too!
Almond Milk
Feel free to use any milk of your choice, or even water. Add more to thin the smoothie out if it’s too thick to blend.
Optional Add-Ins
A teaspoon or two of honey or maple syrup can be added for sweetness, but it’s completely optional. For extra staying power, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder (plus about 1/2 cup more milk) or 1 to 2 teaspoons of flax seeds or chia seeds. Here are more easy smoothie boosts to try.
How to Make a Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- Blend: Add the almond milk to a high-powered blender, then the frozen banana, cocoa powder, peanut butter and vanilla. Blend on high for about 90 seconds, until completely smooth.
- Adjust: If the smoothie is too thick, add a bit more almond milk or water to thin it out. Taste it, and if you’d like it a bit sweeter, add honey or maple syrup and blend again briefly.
- Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately. This recipe makes one serving, but it’s easy to double if you’re sharing.
Storage
Smoothies are best right away. If you make too much, store the leftover smoothie in a tightly sealed container in the fridge for up to a day. Give it a good stir or shake before drinking.
More Healthy Smoothies
- Simple Blueberry Smoothie
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
- Pineapple Spinach Smoothie
- Apple Spinach Smoothie
- Cake Batter Vanilla Protein Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter High-Fiber Smoothie
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Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
Description
This healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie blends rich cocoa, creamy peanut butter and sweet banana into a delicious, nutritious treat. Feel free to swap the peanut butter for almond butter or leave it out altogether. The ratios of ingredients are flexible, so adjust everything to your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 large (or 2 small) frozen ripe banana (always peel bananas before freezing)
- 1–2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder or chocolate protein powder, starting with 1 tablespoon and adding more to taste)
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (or almond butter, or omit if desired)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or your preferred milk or water), plus extra if needed to adjust consistency
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons ground flaxseeds or chia seeds
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness if needed, adjust to your liking
- Optional: 1 serving of your favorite protein powder if you want to turn this into a protein drink. Add 1/2 cup more milk or water if you add protein powder
Instructions
- Blend: Add the milk to the blender, then add the rest of the ingredients, starting with 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and adding more as needed, depending on how chocolatey you want your smoothie. Blend on high for 90 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Adjust: Check the consistency; if the smoothie is too thick, add a little more milk or water until it reaches your desired thickness. Taste and add honey or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter smoothie.
- Serve: Serve immediately. This recipe makes one smoothie; scale the ingredients if you’re preparing for more people. Enjoy!
Notes
Optional: You can add 1-2 teaspoons of flax seeds or chia seeds to this smoothie for extra fiber and nutrients, but it’s not necessary if you don’t have any on hand.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie FAQs
Is a chocolate banana smoothie healthy?
This one is. It’s made with a whole banana, unsweetened cocoa, natural peanut butter and unsweetened almond milk, with no added sugar unless you choose to add a little honey or maple syrup.
Can I make it without a frozen banana?
A fresh banana works, but the smoothie will be thinner and not as cold. Frozen bananas are what make it thick and creamy like a milkshake.
Can I make it without peanut butter?
Use almond butter instead, or leave the nut butter out completely. It will be a little lighter but still chocolatey and delicious.
How do I add more protein?
Add a serving of your favorite protein powder and about 1/2 cup more milk or water so it still blends smoothly. If you love chocolate for breakfast, try my Chocolate Overnight Oats too.
If you make this chocolate banana smoothie, let me know how you liked it and leave a star rating in the comments!
This chocolate banana smoothie recipe is a delicious and healthy treat!.