Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth: 5 Guilt-Free Chocolate Protein Smoothies
Chocolate protein smoothies are a delicious and nutritious way to start your day or refuel after a workout. With the right ingredients, these shakes provide protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in one tasty beverage. Unlike some sugary store-bought chocolate smoothies, homemade versions let you control the quality of ingredients.
In this article, I'll share 5 guilt-free but indulgent chocolate protein smoothie recipes made healthier with plant-based proteins, dairy alternatives, and natural sweeteners when needed. Whether you're a chocolate lover, gym-goer, or just want a satisfying morning meal, these shakes fit the bill. Grab your blender and let's get blending!
5 Delicious Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipes: At a glance
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Chocolate Coffee Protein Smoothie
Chocolate Coconut Protein Smoothie
Chocolate Walnut Chai Protein Smoothie
Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie
Best protein powders to use for chocolate protein smoothies
When making chocolate protein smoothies, opt for unflavored whey or plant-based protein powders like pea, hemp, or rice protein powder so you can control the flavor. This allows you to add cacao, peanut butter, coffee, or other mix-ins to create your own natural chocolate taste.
If you want to go for flavored protein powder then go for chocolate flavour and just omit the raw cacao or chocolate from the smoothie recipes below.
Some great-tasting protein powders to use in chocolate smoothies include:
Unflavored pea protein - mix with cacao powder or other ingredients
Unflavored Hemp protein - nutty flavor works well in chocolate shakes
Unflavored Rice protein - neutral taste lets other flavors shine
Chocolate whey protein- Good for reducing calories by omitting the raw cacao or chocolate
Mocha or chocolate vegan protein - Good for reducing calories by omitting the raw cacao or chocolate
Aim for 1-2 scoops (25-50g) of protein powder per smoothie. Combine with raw cacao, coffee, nut butters, or your other favorite chocolate add-ins for a delicious nutrition boost.
Must-Have Tools and Ingredients
Let's go over the smoothie-making tools and basic ingredients to have on hand:
Blender - A powerful blender helps pulverize tougher ingredients like ice and make smooth, creamy shakes. I use a Vitamix or Ninja but any quality countertop blender works well.
Liquid base - For chocolate protein smoothies milk and Non-dairy milk like almond and soy is the perfect liquid base because they have a nice creamy consistency that complements the chocolate in the smoothies.
Banana - This fruit adds natural sweetness and body to chocolate protein smoothies. Banana yields a thick, milkshake-like consistency.
Other typical smoothie ingredients are ice, cacao powder, nuts, seeds, coconut, coffee, nut butter, greens, and more. The recipes below combine chocolate protein with different add-ins for tempting flavor combos.
Related article: 5 Best Liquid Bases For Protein Smoothies
How to Make Chocolate Protein Smoothies
Making protein shakes at home is very simple:
Add ingredients to blender. For most blenders, liquids go in first.
Blend on high speed until smooth, about 60 seconds.
Adjust consistency if needed by adding more liquid for a thinner shake or more banana or ice for a thicker texture.
Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately for ultimate freshness and nutrition.
To reduce calories decrease ingredients such as banana and honey or replace raw cacao or dark chocolate with low calorie chocolate-flavored protein powder.
These recipes make one 16-20 oz serving. Double ingredients if making two shakes. Now let's get blending with 5 crave-worthy chocolate protein smoothies!
5 Delicious Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipes
1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
200 ml of milk or unsweetened dairy alternative (almond, oat, or soy milk )
1-2 tablespoons of raw cacao or 50 g of raw dark chocolate (85% or above)
1 medium-sized banana
1 tablespoons of peanut butter
1 scoop (30 grams) of unflavoured protein powder
1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
4 ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
Add your liquids first, followed by all ingredients to a blender.
Blend until smooth, about 60 seconds.
Add more milk for thinner consistency or banana or ice for thicker, if desired.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Yield:
16-20 oz serving
Nutrition Per Serving (made with raw cacao and almond milk) :
Calories: 488
Protein: 27.1g
Sugar: 27.9
Fat: 15.2
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2. Chocolate Coffee Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
200 ml of milk or unsweetened dairy alternative (almond, oat, or soy milk )
1 tablespoon of raw cacao or 50 g of raw dark chocolate (85% or above)
1 medium-sized banana
1-2 espresso shots or 50-75 filtered coffee (cooled)
1 scoop (30 grams) of unflavoured protein powder
1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
4 ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
Add your liquids first, followed by all ingredients to a blender.
Blend until smooth, about 60 seconds.
Add more milk for thinner consistency or banana or ice for thicker, if desired.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Yield:
16-20 oz serving
Nutrition Per Serving (made with raw cacao and almond milk) :
Calories: 398
Protein: 24g
Sugar: 24g
Fat: 5.9g
3. Chocolate Coconut Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
200 ml of milk or unsweetened dairy alternative (almond, oat, or soy milk )
1 tablespoon of raw cacao or 50 g of raw dark chocolate (85% or above)
1 medium-sized banana
1 tablespoons of coconut chips (sprinkle more on the top when blended)
1 scoop (30g) of unflavoured protein powder
1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
4 ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
Add your liquids first, followed by all ingredients to a blender.
Blend until smooth, about 60 seconds.
Add more milk for thinner consistency or banana or ice for thicker, if desired.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Yield:
16-20 oz serving
Nutrition Per Serving (made with raw cacao and almond milk):
Calories: 494
Protein: 25g
Sugar: 24g
Fat: 18.3g
4. Chocolate Walnut Chai Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
200 ml of milk or unsweetened dairy alternative (almond, oat, or soy milk )
1 tablespoon of raw cacao or 50 g of raw dark chocolate (85% or above)
1 medium-sized banana
1 tablespoons of walnuts (sprinkle more on the top when blended)
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
1 scoop (30 grams) of unflavoured protein powder
1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
4 ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
Add your liquids first, followed by all ingredients to a blender.
Blend until smooth, about 60 seconds.
Add more milk for thinner consistency or banana or ice for thicker, if desired.
Pour into a glass to serve.
Yield:
16-20 oz serving
Nutrition Per Serving (made with raw cacao and almond milk):
Calories: 504
Protein: 28g
Sugar: 30g
Fat: 24.9g
5. Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie
Ingredients:
200 ml of milk or unsweetened dairy alternative (almond, oat, or soy milk )
1/2 cup frozen pitted cherries
1 medium banana,
1 scoop (30 grams) unflavoured protein powder
1 tablespoon cacao powder or 50 g of raw dark chocolate (85% or above)
1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
Directions:
Add your liquids first, followed by all ingredients to a blender.
Blend until smooth, about 60 seconds.
Add more milk for thinner consistency or banana or ice for thicker, if desired.
Pour into a glass to serve.
Yield:
16-20 oz serving
Nutrition Per Serving (made with raw cacao and almond milk):
Calories: 382g
Protein: 23g
Sugar: 34.9g
Fat: 5.9g
About author
Gavin is the owner of Tru Foo Juice Bar. He has over 6 years of experience running a juice bar and creating juice and smoothie recipes for the consumer market
His passion for juicing began in his early 20s as he explored natural ways to boost nutrition and energy. Over the years, Gavin has experimented with countless ingredient combinations to create the perfect juice and smoothie blends and bring them to the masses.
