Even if you’re not the biggest avocado fan, the chocolate flavor in this smoothie will help hide any noticeable avocado flavor. You can always add more cacao powder or maple syrup, to taste, if you have a particularly strong-flavored avocado. Instead of using a frozen banana for creaminess, as many smoothies do, the avocado in this recipe acts as an emulsifier, giving the smoothie a velvety, creamy texture. It also adds healthy fat, to help keep you feeling satisfied. This smoothie recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly. It’s a delicious treat, to help satisfy a chocolate craving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
When you open your avocado, make sure there aren’t any noticeable black spots throughout the flesh. This could be a sign of rancidity and will make the avocado not taste good. (You can also check by making sure it doesn’t smell sour.) Smooth, green flesh will give you the best-tasting results! This recipe calls for water as the base, because it will get plenty of creaminess from both the avocado and peanut butter. (You can also leave out the peanut butter for a nut-free & lower-calorie drink.) However, you can use almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk that you like. I tend to use raw cacao powder in this recipe, but if you keep cocoa powder on hand, that will work, too! If you want to sneak more nutrients inside, try adding a handful of fresh baby spinach, or add more protein by adding a scoop of protein powder. You can also change the sweetener by using maple syrup or honey, instead of the dates.
How to Make a Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- Blend. Add the water, avocado, cacao powder, pitted Medjool dates (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and peanut butter to a high-speed blender. Blend until the dates are totally broken down, and the mixture looks like a chocolate avocado pudding. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula, if needed, to help everything blend smoothly. Note: If you don’t have a high-speed blender, skip the dates and sweeten this smoothie with maple syrup, instead. It will be much smoother that way!
- Add the ice. Once the smoothie looks smooth, add in a large handful of ice cubes, and blend again. This will give the smoothie a slushy texture. Keep in mind that the more ice you add, the more diluted the flavor will be, so don’t add too much. Taste the smoothie and adjust any flavoring to your liking, then this healthy chocolate smoothie is ready to serve right away. Storage Tip: It’s best to drink smoothies right away for the best texture and flavor. It will not taste as fresh if you store it in the fridge overnight, but you can pour it into a popsicle mold and freeze it for a sweet treat later! Looking for more healthy smoothie recipes? Try my favorite Spinach Smoothie, Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, or Apple Smoothie for more ideas. If you try this Chocolate Avocado Smoothie recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
