Healthy Chocolate Banana Smoothie

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This chocolate banana smoothie is a deliciously creamy blend that combines the rich flavor of chocolate with the natural sweetness of bananas, making it a perfect guilt-free indulgence. Packed with nutrients and easy to make, it’s an ideal choice for a healthy snack or post-workout treat.

large glass cup filled with chocolate banana smoothie with a bright green straw and a strawberry in cup.

There are times when I just need something sweet, chocolatey, and refreshing. Those are the days I fire up my blender and make a healthy chocolate smoothie, and it’s ready to enjoy in only minutes!

Made with velvety almond milk and creamy banana, this dairy-free chocolate banana smoothie is perfectly sweet and refreshing. We have 4 amazing veggie and fruit smoothies and a delicious vegan fruit smoothie bowl recipe on this website.

Reasons you will love this recipe

  • Naturally Sweet and Satisfying: This smoothie combines the rich taste of chocolate with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, providing a delicious and satisfying treat without the need for added sugars.
  • Low-Fat and Guilt-Free: Made with wholesome, low-fat ingredients, this smoothie is a perfect choice for those looking to indulge in a creamy, chocolatey drink while keeping their fat intake in check.
  • Quick and Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this chocolate banana smoothie in minutes, making it a convenient and healthy option for busy mornings or post-workout refueling.

Ingredients you will need

cocoa powder, almond milk, banana, vanilla on light background

With only 5 ingredients, your sweet craving is filled easily within 5-minutes flat.

  • Banana- Using bananas to make a vegan chocolate smoothie adds natural sweetness and a creamy texture, eliminating the need for dairy or added sugars.
  • Vanilla- This extract enhances the overall flavor by adding a warm, sweet undertone that complements the richness of the chocolate and the natural sweetness of the bananas.
  • Cocoa powder- Adds a deep, rich chocolate flavor without the need for dairy or extra sugars. It also provides antioxidants and a boost of minerals, making the smoothie both indulgent and nutritious.
  • Plant milk- I love almond milk or vanilla almond milk, but any plant milk will work. We have an easy recipe for making your own cashew milk that doesn’t require any straining.
  • Ice- Using ice in a smoothie helps to achieve a thicker, colder texture and creates a refreshing, chilled drink. It also helps to blend the ingredients more smoothly, giving the smoothie a more satisfying, frosty consistency.

How to make banana chocolate smoothies

The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.

vegan chocolate banana smoothie ingredients in blender before processing

STEP #1: Peel a banana and add it along with plant milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and ice to a blender. This can also be made with frozen bananas.

I love to use almond milk or even vanilla-flavored almond milk in my smoothie but any plant milk will work just fine. Other great options are soy and rice milk. You can even make your own plant milk from scratch if you want to.

vegan chocolate banana smoothie in blender

STEP #2: Just a quick spin in a blender is all this recipe needs. You don’t need a high-power blender, because any of them will do. More powerful blenders like my Vitamix 5200 series will make these smoother but are not necessary.

*Originally published April 2015.

Freezing bananas

One thing that I like to do is keep frozen bananas in my freezer. When my local grocery store sets those bags of ugly ripe bananas out for $1.99, I grab them up. At home, I peel them and place in a gallon-sized freezer bag and put them in the freezer.

We all know that the ugliest bananas are the sweetest, and that’s terrific in a smoothie like this because no other sweetener is needed. The banana takes care of it! They are great to use in other recipes like vanilla vegan ice cream and even chocolate banana vegan nice cream.

Another good thing about frozen bananas is that less ice is required to make a smoothie.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen bananas for a chocolate banana smoothie?

Yes, using frozen bananas is ideal for making chocolate banana smoothies. They provide a creamy, thick texture and make the smoothie colder and more refreshing without needing to add extra ice. Just peel and freeze the bananas in advance for the best results.

How can I make my chocolate banana smoothie richer in flavor?

To enrich the flavor of your chocolate banana smoothie, you can add a splash of vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon, or a tablespoon of nut butter. These additions enhance the overall taste and complement the chocolate and banana flavors.

What types of plant-based milk work best for this smoothie?

For a chocolate banana smoothie, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk are excellent choices. They provide a creamy texture and a subtle flavor that complements the banana and chocolate. Choose unsweetened varieties to control the sweetness and keep the smoothie healthier, or make your own almond milk.

vegan chocolate banana smoothie in two glasses with straw

If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!

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two vegan chocolate banana smoothies in glasses with green straws and strawberries, cocoa powder spilled on white background
4.43 from 14 votes

Chocolate Banana Frozen Smoothie

Need a quick, sweet snack without all oil, fat, and sugar? Here ya' go! 0.4 grams of fat and 1.3 grams of protein. You're welcome!
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients 

  • 1 medium banana fresh or frozen
  • 3/4 cup plant milk almond, soy, cashew, oat
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ice cubes enough to get the consistency you like

Instructions

  • Peel a banana and add it along with plant milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and ice to a blender. This can also be made with frozen bananas. See my tips for freezing bananas in the article above.
  • I love to use almond milk or even vanilla-flavored almond milk in my smoothie but any plant milk will work just fine. Other great options are soy and rice milk. You can even make your own plant milk from scratch if you want to.
  • Just a quick spin in a blender is all this recipe needs. You don't need a high-power blender, because any of them will do. More powerful blenders like my Vitamix 5200 series will make these smoother but are not necessary.

Video

Notes

Tips & Suggestions:
Bananas- Using frozen bananas is ideal for making chocolate banana smoothies. They provide a creamy, thick texture and make the smoothie colder and more refreshing without needing to add extra ice. Just peel and freeze the bananas in advance for the best results.
Plant Milk- For a chocolate banana smoothie, almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk are excellent choices. They provide a creamy texture and a subtle flavor that complements the banana and chocolate. Choose unsweetened varieties to control the sweetness and keep the smoothie healthier, or make your own almond milk.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1.3g | Fat: 0.4g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 21g

Disclaimer

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.

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3 Comments

  1. Instead of using water ice cubes, I use frozen dark or regular chocolate Silk milk. When I get low on S.C.M I freeze the small amount into cubes or mini containers and use that instead of water cubes.

4.43 from 14 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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