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 Cinamon 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. 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 some evidence-based health benefits of cinnamon (that are 100% backed by science):

• Rich in antioxidants. First things first, cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and protect your body from diseases.
• Protects against heart disease. Cinnamon helps reduce your cholesterol levels (getting rid of the bad stuff while keeping the good stuff intact) and can help lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.
• Improves insulin sensitivity. Insulin is one of the key hormones that work to regulate your metabolism and sustain your energy levels. However, lots of folks are actually insulin-resistant, meaning they’re immune to such effects. Cinnamon is great because it drastically reduces insulin resistance, ensuring that the hormone is able to do its job.
• Anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory effects, meaning it’s able to help lower your risk of chronic illness and support your immune system.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 is a nutrient-dense superfood that is guaranteed to give your sweet treats an instant health boost.

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. That being said, it is totally safe to eat every day! Cacao keeps you feeling refreshed, relaxed, and energized. For those reasons (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.)

More Healthy Smoothies

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

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