Start your day with a creamy, chocolatey smoothie that tastes like a milkshake but packs 20g of protein and 12g of fiber. This nutrient-dense, plant-based smoothie fuels you with healthy fats and lasting energy - perfect for breakfast, post-workout or just as an excuse for morning chocolate. My kids love it too!
This is our favorite go-to daily breakfast that my kids actually crave. I make this vegan chocolate protein smoothie almost every morning and we never get sick of it. It seriously tastes like a Wendy's Frosty!
I started out making half of this recipe just for myself, but my kids were stealing it and begging for sips every morning so I doubled it. Now I make enough for me and my three young kids to eat for a filling breakfast together. The recipe makes two large adult-sized servings.
I love that you can easily sneak veggies into this one (a handful of spinach or frozen riced cauliflower) and it's loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats. If this sounds like your style, definitely try out my healthy blueberry milkshake too!
Ingredients
As a Master Certified Health Education Specialist with a Master of Public Health degree, it's important to me that the dishes I create not only TASTE good but also DO good for your body.
- I always have the best luck with a newer jar of almond butter since it's runny and easy to measure. With a powerful blender, though, you can even use the harder sections from the bottom of the jar. You can use any nut or seed butter in this recipe and many days I'll swap it out for tahini which also pairs well with the chocolate flavor.
- The chia and hemp seeds blend right into the smoothie so there's sno grainy or crunchy texture.
- For the protein powder, lately I've been loving this almond protein powder that provides 18 grams of protein per serving and is made from just one ingredient. For a nut-free option, I recommend this pumpkin seed protein (code ELAINE20 for 20% off sitewide), which is also made from just one ingredient. Neither have a strong flavor, so the chocolate in this recipe stays front and center.
- I really love the 365 brand of cocoa powder from Whole Foods and use it ALL the time in my kitchen!
Instructions
Blend everything except the ice in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy. Then blend the ice in one cup at a time. Enjoy!
Make-Ahead Smoothie Jars
It's surprisingly easy to meal prep smoothies. This is one of my favorite ways to get ahead of a busy morning... especially because I am NOT a morning person!
Add everything but the liquids into a freezer-safe jar. In the morning, dump it into your blender and add the almond milk, vanilla and ice. Once everything is blended you can pour it back into the jar and have a frosty-cold glass!
At this point I feel confident calling myself a smoothie expert! I even wrote a cookbook of my favorite smoothie recipes. I also recently conducted a test of blenders at every price point to find the best blender at every budget!
I hope you love this vegan chocolate protein smoothie! It truly is one of our very favorite breakfasts. If you make it, please drop a review below and tag me on Instagram so I can see your chocolate smoothie adventures!
Vegan Chocolate Protein Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Start your morning with a deliciously creamy, chocolatey smoothie that's as satisfying as a milkshake - but packed with over 20 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber! This vegan chocolate protein smoothie is the ultimate nutrient-dense breakfast, giving you sustained energy, healthy fats and a boost of plant-based protein to fuel your day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened, plain almond milk
- 3-4 large, soft pitted Medjool dates
- 2 tablespoons raw creamy almond butter
- 2.5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1-2 scoops plain, unsweetened protein powder (I love this pumpkin seed protein powder [code ELAINE20 for 20% off sitewide], this sunflower seed protein powder [code ELAINE20 for 20% off sitewide] and this almond protein powder)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (don't skip!)
- optional veggie boost: handful fresh baby spinach or frozen riced cauliflower
- 3 cups ice cubes
Instructions
- Place all ingredients (except the ice) in a high speed blender. Blend on the highest speed for one minute until smooth and creamy.
- Add the ice one cup at a time blending between each cup. This ensures you will not overwhelm the blender. Do not overblend as you want the smoothie to be cold, thick and frosty. But be sure to blend enough so that the ice is fully incorporated.
- Serve and enjoy immediately. Divide between 2-3 glasses. This recipes makes enough for me and my three young kids to eat for a filling breakfast together. I get a large portion (about half) and then divide the rest between the three of them. Alternatively, this makes two large adult sized portions for a filling breakfast.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
Check out my Ultimate Healthy Vegan Chocolate Milkshake for another chocolate treat in a glass!
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blender
Cynthia says
This has become my favorite afternoon snack to have ready when the grandchildren get home from school. And I sneak in a couple of handfuls of spinach too. This takes care of my afternoon sweet fix and fills me up until dinner. Love knowing that we are getting healthy protein. Thank you for this smoothie!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Cynthia! We make this literally every morning and I feel the same way as you! Spinach is the perfect thing to hide in this one for sure. I'm so happy to hear you have been enjoying it too! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and leave this five star review! Best, Elaine
Madeline Stewart says
Absolute FAVORITE! My kids, husband, parents and everyone else I make this for totally love it too!! Satisfies my hunger and my cravings!
Elaine Gordon says
Hi, Maddie! Thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear you love this smoothie too. It is our favorite and we make it almost daily! Hope to see you soon XO, Elaine
qtpiealamode says
My family ❤️ this.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much! So happy to hear that!
Mary says
Just wanted to say I love this recipe! We have made it a handful of times. Last night, my sick daughter asked for it, which made me extremely happy bc I have been having trouble getting food in her. We had run out of almond butter but it was great with peanut butter too!!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know, Mary! I really appreciate that! I'm so happy to hear that you and your daughter are enjoying it and I'm glad it helped get some nutrients in her while she is sick. I'm so sorry to hear she is sick and I hope she feels better soon. Be sure to see my immunity recipe round up (there are some good recipes for kids on the mend in there): https://www.eatingbyelaine.com/best-immunity-boosting-recipes-vegan-gluten-free-refined-sugar-free/ - Best, Elaine
El says
This is so good!
Does the nutrition info assume 1 or 2 scoops of your preferred protein powder?
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much for the 5-star review, El! The nutrition info originally reflected 1 scoop, but I now use 2 for a full serving. I’ve updated the recipe and serving size accordingly—thanks for catching that!
Best,
Elaine