Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie
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Learn to make a creamy and nutritious chocolate banana smoothie with just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes! This delicious chocolate smoothie packs in all the flavor of a milkshake with far fewer calories!
Sometimes you need to treat yourself with something that tastes delicious while also packing in the nutrients. This smoothie does just that!
This easy to make chocolate smoothie takes just a few minutes and results in a deliciously creamy and indulgent treat perfect for breakfast, an after-school snack, or even a guilt-free dessert!
Why you will love this creamy Chocolate Smoothie
- Tastes just like an indulgent milkshake without the added calories.
- No added sugar makes it a guilt-free treat.
- Blends up in 5 minutes for a quick snack.
- Packed with healthy ingredients like banana, dates, and goji berries!
How to make a Chocolate Smoothie
Ingredients
- Dates– Adds natural sweetness as well as protein to the smoothie.
- Banana– Use a frozen banana for an extra rich and creamy texture. Make the bananas are full ripe before freezing.
- Unsweetened Cocoa or cacao powder– Provides a delicious chocolaty flavor without any added sugar.
- Whole Milk or Greek Yogurt – For that dose of calcium.
- Hazelnut Butter– Use a homemade hazelnut butter so the smoothie isn’t loaded with added sugar. This gives the smoothies a nutty and chocolaty flavor.
- Goji Berries (optional)- Provide a tart flavor while adding loads of antioxidants to the smoothie!
Directions
- Soak the dates overnight in the milk, if possible.
- In the base of a blender, add milk followed by dates and frozen banana, unsweetened cocoa, hazelnut butter, and goji berries (optional).
- Blend until the smoothie reaches your desired consistency. If using a Blendtec blender, run the smoothie cycle twice to get a smooth consistency.
Variations
- Almond milk instead of dairy milk or you can use yogurt too.
- Peanut butter instead of Hazelnut butter. I use hazelnut butter only if it is homemade because it is not loaded with sugar.
- You can add avocados too instead of bananas.
Commonly asked questions:
Why add dates to a smoothie?
I like adding dates to smoothies for a few reasons. First, they are a high fiber food that also contains a high amount of protein. Dates also naturally sweeten the smoothie making these smoothies sweet without added sugar. Finally, blended dates taste similar to caramel adding an extra sweet flavor to this decadent smoothie.
How do you use dates in a smoothie?
To add dates into a smoothie there are two steps to keep in mind. First, make sure to use pitted dates. If the dates are not pitted, remove the pits before using them. The second step is to soak the dates before blending them. I like to soak them overnight in the milk planned for the smoothie. This makes blending the smoothie a whole lot easier.
Why put bananas in chocolate smoothies?
Bananas make the perfect addition to any smoothie! They provide a thick and creamy texture to smoothies. Also, using frozen bananas in smoothies allows you to create a cold smoothie without adding ice to water it down.
How do you naturally sweeten smoothies?
Some of the most common ways to sweeten a smoothie naturally include using fruit, which are naturally sweet like ripe bananas, adding honey or agave, or using dates for an extra sweet flavor.
What is the best way to blend a smoothie?
For a high powered blender, you can toss all of the ingredients in, hit blend, and watch your smoothie creations come to life!
For traditional blenders, start with the liquid followed by harder to blend items. For this recipe I would put the milk in first followed by dates and frozen banana, after that the other ingredients go in no particular order.
What kind of chocolate should you use in your chocolate smoothie?
I highly recommend using unsweetened cocoa powder in smoothies. It gives the smoothie a delicious chocolate flavor without any added sugar. Another option to try would be adding chocolate syrup. The syrup adds a rich chocolate flavor but unfortunately adds additional sugar to the smoothie.
Why are Goji Berries good for you?
If you are not familiar with Goji Berries there are many wonderful reasons to make yourself acquainted. Goji berries often come in the dried form, similar to raisins. Packed with Vitamin A, these dried berries show many health benefits such as boosting your immune system and maintaining blood sugar.
Another reason you might consider adding goji berries to your diet has to do with the high levels of antioxidants found in this fruit. Zeaxanthin, also found in saffron and bell peppers, gives the berry a distinct bright red color.
Read: 8 Healthy Facts About the Goji Berry to learn more about this superfood!
Other healthy but decadent smoothies to try
If you enjoyed this creamy chocolate milkshake-like smoothie you will certainly enjoy these smoothies as well!
- Refreshing Orange Smoothie– Learn how to make this healthy copycat Orange Julius recipe at home with just a few simple ingredients.
- Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie– Try this creamy and delicious, milkshake-like peanut butter and banana smoothie. With no added sugar enjoy this nourishing smoothie guilt-free!
- Banana Nutella Smoothie– Your kids will love this delicious Banana Nutella Smoothie Recipe – a healthy-ish drink made from bananas and milk with a hint of Nutella and hot cocoa.
- Chocolate Almond Smoothie– Chocolate almond smoothie combines the goodness of bananas with nutrient-rich almonds and dates with a hint of cocoa to make this delectable smoothie.
- Coffee Walnut Smoothie– This coffee walnut smoothie is the perfect solution for when you are debating between having coffee in the morning or chugging down a healthy smoothie.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-7 seedless dates
- 1 medium-sized banana, chopped frozen or fresh
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups whole milk or milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon homemade hazelnut butter
- 1 tablespoon dried goji berries optional
Instructions
- Soak the dates in milk overnight, if possible.
- In the base of a blender, add milk followed by dates and frozen banana, unsweetened cocoa, hazelnut butter, and goji berries (optional).
- Blend in a blender until the smoothie is of a consistency that you desire. Alternatively, if you are using the Blendtec blender, run the smoothie cycle twice to get a well-blended smoothie.
Disclaimer: Approximate nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and can vary depending on the exact ingredients/brands used. If you have health issues, please work with a registered dietician or nutritionist.
