This banana & cacao smoothie recipe is one of my all-time favorites!

You’ll love the rich, creamy, earthy, naturally sweet flavor of this cacao smoothie. Plus, it’s super easy to make. Just blend it all together and enjoy.

Blend 1 cup of water, 1 small frozen banana, 2 tablespoons each of raw cacao powder and almond butter, a dash of cinnamon and a handful of ice until it’s smooth and thick. It takes 5 minutes and makes one big smoothie.

I wrote this recipe last year when I showed you the trick to never throw away a banana again and realized the recipe got a little buried in the post so I wanted to post it again to make sure you see it because it’s delicious!

What’s cacao you ask? No, I didn’t spell cocoa incorrectly, but they both come from the same plant.

Cacao is raw chocolate in its natural state

Cacao comes from the seed of an Amazonian fruit tree and is naturally rich in antioxidants.

It also contains minerals like magnesium, iron, and manganese.

Cacao also has a little plant-based protein, fiber, and good fats, plus that deep chocolate flavor. What’s not to love about a cacao smoothie?!

When both cacao and cocoa are produced, the fat (i.e. cacao/cocoa butter) is separated from the bean. The difference is that to make cocoa, the bean is first roasted. Cacao is left raw and never roasted, leaving its enzymes and many other nutrients intact. The end product is not mixed with anything else.

On the other hand, you’ll notice chocolate bars are typically labeled with a percentage, such as 70% or 80%. That’s how much of the bar comes from the cacao bean, and the rest is mostly sugar (plus milk in milk chocolate) to produce a sweeter taste.

Raw cacao isn’t nearly as sweet as most conventional cocoa powders, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not delicious. Plus, since it’s so high in antioxidants, you’re doing yourself a favor by consuming its raw chocolatey goodness. 

Why is it called Cacao and not Cocoa?

Legend has it that the spelling of cacao comes from way back in the early trade days of people simply misspelling cocoa (or vice versa) and eventually the raw state came to be known as cacao. Who knows if that’s true, but it’s a fun story and seems to make sense. Regardless, when prepared correctly cacao tastes divine and will definitely satisfy your “chocolate tooth” without the added sugar and dairy that usually come with chocolate.

You can find raw cacao powder at most natural grocery stores or on Amazon to make your cacao smoothie. Keep it in the fridge for an even longer shelf life.

Frozen Banana & Cacao Smoothie Recipe

Serves 1

• 1 cup purified water
• 1 small frozen banana (2 small frozen halves; always peel your bananas before freezing)
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao (raw cocoa powder)
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• dash of cinnamon
• handful of ice
• optional: add 1 serving of high-quality, organic chocolate or vanilla protein powder if drinking post-workout

Method: Blend all ingredients until smooth; serve cold.

Tip for your bananas: When bananas start to over-ripen, peel them, 1/2 them, then freeze them. Add them to your daily smoothies as needed for nutrients, fiber and extra creamy texture.

Another option would be 2-ingredient vegan banana ice cream. You can find that here.

Banana Cacao Smoothie FAQs

Can I use cocoa powder instead of cacao?

Unsweetened cocoa powder works just fine and gives you a slightly milder, more classic chocolate flavor. Use the same 2 tablespoons, and skip anything labeled hot cocoa mix, since that has sugar and milk powder in it.

Can I make a cacao smoothie without banana?

The frozen banana is what makes it sweet and creamy, so I don’t recommend skipping it. If you need to, add a few extra ice cubes and a little honey or maple syrup to taste, and expect a thinner, less sweet smoothie.

Can I add protein powder?

Add one serving of chocolate or vanilla protein powder, especially if you’re drinking it after a workout. Add an extra splash of water if it gets too thick.

Can I make it into a smoothie bowl?

Cut the water back to about 1/2 cup so it blends up thick, then pour it into a bowl and top it with sliced banana, a sprinkle of cacao nibs or a spoonful of almond butter.

More Healthy Smoothies

• Simple Blueberry Smoothie Recipe
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe
• Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe

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

Frozen Banana & Cacao Smoothie Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 4 reviews

• Author: Elizabeth Rider
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 5 mins
• Yield: 1 serving

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Description

This frozen banana and cacao smoothie is rich, creamy and naturally sweet, made with a frozen banana, raw cacao, almond butter and a dash of cinnamon. It tastes like a chocolate milkshake and takes 5 minutes to blend.

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Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 cup purified water
• 1 small frozen banana (2 small frozen halves)
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao (raw cocoa powder)
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• dash of cinnamon
• handful of ice
• optional: add 1 serving of high-quality, organic chocolate or vanilla protein powder if drinking post-workout

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

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Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth; serve cold.

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Notes

Tip for your bananas: When bananas start to over-ripen, peel them, 1/2 them, then freeze them. Add them to your daily smoothies as needed for nutrients, fiber and an extra creamy texture. Another option would be 2-ingredient vegan banana ice cream. You can find that here.