This healthy chocolate banana smoothie is a high-protein breakfast shake with the creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor of a milkshake. Banana adds natural sweetness, while protein powder, milk of choice, and other nourishing ingredients make it satisfying enough to power a busy morning.
I've been making smoothies for more than 25 years and am always experimenting with new combinations to keep mornings interesting. Whether you're heading to work, fueling up after a workout, or looking for a satisfying grab-and-go breakfast, this chocolate banana smoothie is an easy choice. It blends in just a few minutes and delivers plenty of protein to help keep you satisfied, making it a delicious way to start the day.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie Recipe Snapshot
- High in protein - Protein powder and milk make it satisfying enough for breakfast or post-workout fuel.
- Rich and creamy - Banana and cocoa create a smooth, milkshake-like texture.
- Fast and portable - Blend it in minutes and take it with you on busy mornings.
- Easy to customize - With your favorite milk, flaxseed, healthy fat, and other options.
Want to make more healthy smoothies? Here's a guide to making healthy smoothies that really breaks down how to make smart choices.
Ingredients You'll Need
Smoothie Base
- Milk - Use dairy milk or your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk, such as almond, oat, coconut, or hemp milk.
- Protein powder - Use a protein powder that fits your needs and dietary preferences. I prefer unflavored and unsweetened so I can control the sweetness and chocolate flavor. Check the label for protein content and choose a product with an ingredient list you are comfortable with.
- Cocoa powder - Use unsweetened cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavor.
- Banana - Adds natural sweetness and creates a thick, creamy texture. A frozen banana makes the smoothie especially cold and milkshake-like.
- Sweetener - Depending on the ripeness of the banana and your protein powder, you may not need any. If desired, add a little maple syrup, liquid chocolate stevia, monk-fruit maple syrup, or simple syrup to taste.
Optional Add-Ins
- Ground flaxseed - Adds fiber, healthy fat, and a little protein. Use ground flaxseed rather than whole seeds, which are harder for the body to digest.
- Cinnamon - A small pinch complements the chocolate and banana. Optional.
- Healthy fat - A tablespoon of MCT oil is optional and adds richness. Nut or seed butter is another good option.
- Maca powder - Optional. Maca is an adaptogenic root from Peru traditionally used to support energy and resilience to stress. Its earthy, malty flavor pairs well with chocolate. Start with a small amount, as the flavor can be assertive.
Please see recipe card for measurements.
Chef's tip: Bananas for Smoothies. Choose a slightly green banana for lower sugar and more resistant starch, a type of starch that functions more like fiber. As bananas ripen, the starch converts to sugar, making them softer and sweeter. To freeze bananas, peel and cut them into chunks, then freeze them in a single layer on a small sheet pan. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-style freezer bag. They work like banana ice cubes, adding natural sweetness and a thick, creamy texture to smoothies.
Substitutions and Smoothie Variations
- Chocolate peanut butter - Add 1-2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work too.
- Chia instead of flax - Use 1 tablespoon chia seeds in place of the ground flaxseed. The smoothie will thicken as it stands.
- Banana-free - Replace the banana with a little avocado for creaminess, then sweeten to taste.
- Chocolate crunch - Sprinkle cacao nibs over the top just before serving.
Chef's Tip: Try Homemade Milk - For fresh homemade milk without the additives found in many store-bought versions, try my homemade almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, or homemade hemp milk. Both are easy to make from pantry ingredients and work beautifully in smoothies.
How to Make a Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. For an extra-cold smoothie, use a frozen banana or add a few ice cubes.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy the smoothie right after blending for the best flavor and texture. To take it on the go, pour it into an insulated bottle and shake before drinking if it begins to separate.
Garnish with cacao nibs, banana slices, unsweetened shredded coconut, or hemp seeds.
This recipe makes one serving and works well as a grab-and-go breakfast, after-school snack, or post-workout smoothie.
Recipe FAQs
Start with unsweetened milk and an unsweetened protein powder. A ripe banana may provide enough sweetness on its own, but for a lower-sugar smoothie, use a slightly green banana and sweeten to taste with monk fruit or liquid stevia instead of maple syrup or honey. Keep in mind that dairy milk contains naturally occurring milk sugar, while many unsweetened plant milks are lower in sugar. Check labels, as amounts vary by brand.
Dairy milk and most unsweetened plant milks work well. Almond, hemp, oat, coconut, cashew, and soy milk each add a slightly different flavor and texture. Choose one that fits your dietary needs and protein goals. For a creamier smoothie, use dairy, soy, oat, homemade almond, or homemade hemp milk. Thinner milks will produce a lighter smoothie.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to pack more nutrition into a busy day. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, post-workout fuel, or a healthy snack, these smoothie recipes are easy to make and full of wholesome ingredients.
If You Make This Smoothie
If you make this chocolate banana smoothie, drop me a comment and let me know how you made it. I love hearing from you and your comments help others readers as well.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups milk of choice almond, dairy, oat, hemp, cashew,
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1 small banana
- 1 scoop unsweetened, unflavored, protein powder of choice
Optional Add-ins
- 1 tablespoon coconut MCT oil
- 1 tablespoon ground maca powder
- 2 teaspoons monk fruit (for no sugar) See notes below
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Garnishes
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao nibs
Would you like to save this recipe?
Never lose a recipe! We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- If you prefer a cold smoothie, add a couple of ice cubes. Garnish as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Would you like to save this recipe?
Never lose a recipe! We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.
Sally Vargas says
This will definitely get me back on the smoothie train, Sally. I tend to avoid them in winter, but I am always looking for something I could have to jumpstart the day!
Thanks for a great recipe.
Sally Cameron says
Hey Sally. I know if you live in a cold area smoothies can be tough, when you might perfer something warm. I don't drink my real cold, they are more room temp. I have another one I need to post real soon. A golden milk smoothie with turmeric and ginger, warm spices, which might sound good to you! So nice to see your comment. Thanks.