Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
This chocolate cherry smoothie is full of nutrients, extra creamy and tastes like a chocolate-covered cherry! Drink this feel-good shake for an energizing breakfast or delicious snack anytime of day.
Features
- Dietary Features: Vegan, gluten-free, can be nut-free, no added sugar.
- High in protein and fiber.
- Rich in magnesium and antioxidants.
- Smooth, creamy texture and delicious chocolate cherry flavour!
- Can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for breakfast on-the-go.
Ingredient Notes
- Greens: Use fresh or frozen kale or spinach, both work great!
- Cherries: I use pitted frozen cherries, they’re perfect for smoothies. If you’d like to use fresh, you can but be sure to pit them first, of course!
- Frozen Banana: Essential for sweetness and creaminess! To prep bananas for freezing, simply peel, break until chunks and freeze in a freezer safe container or bag. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, you may want to slice them into small rounds for easier blending.
- Cacao Powder: Cacao powder adds the chocolate element. If you don’t have raw cacao on hand, regular cocoa powder works just fine too!
- Protein Powder: Any kind you like works. You can use chocolate or vanilla. I like North Coast Naturals, Vega, Outcast Mission and NuZest.
- Almond Milk: I used almond milk but any plant-based milk, coconut water or water works here.
- Chia Seeds: Optional but help to thicken the smooth and add additional nutrients like fibre and fats.
Tips
- Add the liquid to the blender first then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Start blending on low until it “catches”.
- Slowly increase speed to high and blend briefly until completely smooth and creamy.
- Keep blending as minimal as possible to avoid melting the smoothie with heat from the blender.
Variations
This smoothie is easy to customize. Try any of these add-ins:
- Veggies: For more volume and fiber, add up to 1 cup fresh or frozen cooked cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, beet or sweet potato.
- Fruit: Peach and strawberry work well for additional fruit.
- Fats: Try 1-2 tbsp hemp, flax or chia for thickening and healthy fats.
- Hydration: Try coconut water instead of milk.
- Nutrition Boosters: Try adding 1-2 tsp of “superfood” powders like spirulina, chlorella, maca, moringa or various mushroom powders.
- Smoothie Bowl: Reduce the liquid to as little as possible that will still allow for blending. Blend on low until smooth and creamy like ice cream. Scoop into a bowl and top with granola.
Prep & Storing Instructions
- Can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the fridge. It won’t be quite as thick after storing but it will still be delicious!
- For another prep option, add everything but the liquid to a freezer safe bag or container and store in the freezer. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, dump the ingredients into a blender, add liquid and blend.
- Another option is to make the smoothie and freeze in an ice cube tray. Transfer the frozen smoothie cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container and whenever you’d like a smoothie, toss a few in a blender with some liquid and blend it up! You can also add the cubes to any other smoothie.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This deliciously creamy chocolate smoothie is rich in feel-good nutrients and tastes like a chocolate-covered cherry! Try it with vanilla protein powder for extra flavour and protein or throw in a couple sweet, caramel medjool dates for sweetness.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk (375 mL)
- 1 1/2 cups frozen pitted cherries (210 g)
- 1 small frozen banana (100 g)
- 1 tbsp almond butter (15 g)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds, optional (12 g)
- 2 tbsp cacao powder (16 g)
- 1 scoop vegan vanilla or chocolate protein powder (30 g)
- 1 cup or small handful spinach or kale (35 g)
Instructions
- Add the milk to a blender then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Start blending on low then slowly increase speed, blending briefly on high until completely smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 386
- Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 14 g
- Protein: 28 g
Keywords: cherry smoothie, chocolate cherry smoothie
Sweet, creamy, & chocolatey! I have made this smoothie several times & it never disappoints. I love the chocolate & cherry combo. Thank you for a phenomenal smoothie! Xoxo.
★★★★★
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you love it.
When you suggest cauliflower as an additive you always say use fresh or cooked frozen, I keep frozen cauliflower in my freezer, I love it. Can I use the frozen raw cauliflower in smoothies? The only way I get raw veggies and fruits is in smoothies. I cannot eat raw,veggies,fruits,nuts seeds, just a few things I can’t have because of a condition I have, Crohns.
You can use raw frozen cauliflower if you’re ok digesting it. I have a hard time with raw cauliflower so I steam it then freeze it for smoothies. Up to you!
Thank you for the great recipe! I only recently found your site and have made several things already – they’ve all been awesome!! Loved this smoothie – love the chocolate cherry combo.
★★★★★
Glad you enjoyed it! Let me know what else you get a chance to try.
This was just what I needed this morning! I loved the flavour combo of cherries and chocolate.
★★★★★
This was very tasty. I used a whole frozen banana and less cherries but it was yummy! Recently got a Vitamix and am having so much fun with these creations… it’s 1000x time better than a regular blender. I’m so happy I got it!
★★★★★
Amazing post. I love how healthy and delicious your recipes are. It is indeed possible for people to enjoy eating healthy food, Kudos to you for keeping things interesting.