This vitamin-rich, healthy chocolate protein smoothie is the perfect on-the-go breakfast…or just because you’re craving something delicious and chocolate!

I don’t know if I’ve ever made something so many times in a row in a given week as I have this delectable little smoothie. This chocolate protein smoothie is already winning some major fan awards around here. We can’t get enough!

Pouring chocolate protein smoothie into glass.

I’ve posted a handful of smoothie recipes over the years, but if I’m being honest, I don’t venture out of my smoothie rotation much because we’ve had some pretty bad tasting healthy smoothies over a lifetime, and we’ve been scarred. There was one time I swear we all sat looking at each other chewing our smoothie and getting grassy bits stuck in our teeth and wondering how to politely spit it out somewhere discreet. 

Yeah, that was a traumatic experience for all. I’m happy to report that while this chocolate protein smoothie is incredibly healthy and vitamin-rich, it doesn’t taste even remotely like grass. It is delicious!

Step by step look at ingredients going into blender for chocolate protein smoothie.

With no added sweeteners…and all-natural ingredients…this creamy chocolate smoothie has solidified a place as a breakfast (and afternoon snack) staple with my kids slurping it up faster than I can make it. You guys, IT’S SO GOOD!

Because I usually have homemade kefir coming out of my ears, it’s what I use for the base of this smoothie (hello, probiotics!), but almond milk or any other type of milk would work delightfully well here. 

As I note in the recipe, the ingredient amounts are very adaptable (and I’ve given some additional insights at the bottom of the post). While I’ve been sticking pretty close to this particular ingredient lineup, I usually don’t stress about measuring anything. A handful of this, a handful of that. 

Layered ingredients in the blender for chocolate protein smoothie.

I’ve started freezing all the bananas I can find and stocking up on frozen cherries from Costco because I do not want even five minutes to get in the way of me being able to whip up this chocolate delight at a moment’s notice. 

I’ll be honest, when Theresa, a sweet MKC reader sent me the recipe, I wasn’t sure if it would make my soul sing. I mean, it’s a smoothie after all! If I want a chocolate fix, I’m going straight for the cookies. But I knew no one in my family would complain if I found a way to change up our rather boring kefir smoothies that we drink literally every morning for breakfast. Especially if the new and improved smoothie was all-out chocolate. 

And wow. I’ve never had a healthy smoothie (or a chocolate smoothie, for that matter) taste this amazing. 

Blending chocolate protein smoothie.
Top down view of chocolate protein smoothie.

A few tips (and notes on ingredients): 

-You definitely want to use unsalted cashews for this recipe. You can experiment with other nuts as well, but I’ve found cashews blend amazing well in this smoothie recipe. If you only have salted nuts, try rinsing them really well. 

-I have and use a Vitamix. You can see a comparison I did between Vitamix and Blendtec here. I don’t think you necessarily need either of these blenders for this smoothie recipe, but you definitely want to use a blender that can…well…blend pretty darn well so all those magical ingredients combine into the spectacular frothy creaminess that is this chocolate protein smoothie. 

-The  protein powder I use regularly is Vital Collagens (I get it at Costco). It is unflavored/unsweetened. Any protein powder you like the taste/texture of will work great here. And you can leave out the protein powder, too.

-Frozen bananas and frozen cherries are key for a super cold smoothie vs just a pitcher of chocolate liquid. I haven’t subbed in other fruits (yet). Also, I’ve discovered that frozen cherries on their own make the most amazing snack (totally worth the tummy ache later). 

-If you are new to throwing greens in your smoothie, please, please trust and believe me that you literally cannot even remotely taste the spinach. Not at all. That’s a pretty sweet deal considering the pumped up vitamins it adds to this smoothie.

Chocolate protein smoothie in clear glass with cherry on top.

Ok, there you go! More words than you probably needed to read about a smoothie, of all things, but it was necessary for you to fully understand the life changing power of this chocolate smoothie. 

If you try any variations, be sure to report back! I’m not brave enough to venture out quite yet because this particular set of ingredients has made me just so very happy.

And I feel so healthy with all those added vitamins that I almost have the energy to run a marathon! Or maybe just continue to walk slowly on the treadmill. Don’t want to go too crazy. 🙂

One Year Ago: Super Soft Chocolate Drop Sugar Cookies {Thin + Crispy Variation Included!}
Two Years Ago: Thai Coconut Milk Grilled Chicken
Three Years Ago: Turkey and Brown Rice Taco Burritos
Four Years Ago: Easy 5-Minute Thai Peanut Sauce
Five Years Ago: Overnight Raised Waffles

Blending chocolate protein smoothie.

Delicious Chocolate Protein Smoothie

4.79 stars (236 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup kefir or almond milk (see note)
  • ¼ to ⅓ cup unsalted cashews
  • ⅓ to ½ cup packed spinach
  • 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder, natural unsweetened or Dutch-process
  • 1 scoop, or more protein powder
  • 10 to 15 frozen cherries
  • ½ to 1 frozen banana

Instructions 

  • Add the ingredients in the order listed to a high-powered blender and process until smooth, scraping down the sides if needed.

Notes

Adaptations: you can see from the ingredient list that this smoothie is rather adaptable. I don’t usually measure much; I just throw in a handful of cashews – same with the spinach.
Almond Milk: if using almond milk, you can use unsweetened or a sweetened vanilla variety.
Sweetness: if you’d like the smoothie sweeter, you can add in a pitted date or a drizzle of honey (but that’s not really necessary especially if using a whole banana).
Protein Powder: my favorite protein powder is vital collagens. It is unsweetened/unflavored.
Blender: a good blender should have no trouble blending the cashews super smooth with enough time.
Cocoa: also, Dutch-process cocoa will make the smoothie a bit darker and sweeter than natural, unsweetened (I’ve used both with great results).
Serving: 1 Serving, Calories: 209kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 231mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g
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Recipe Source: sent to me by a reader, Theresa (inspired by her sister Annie’s made up smoothie recipe) – thanks, ladies!