If you’re looking for chocolate protein powder smoothie recipes, these ideas will give you some options to pair with chocolate protein, from avocado to peanut butter!
Anything made with chocolate feels more like dessert than breakfast. Especially for those who crave sweets in the mornings. That’s why I’ve made a point to share some of my favorite healthy chocolate recipes with you all. In this case, your smoothies can be mindfully sweet and wholesome at the same time.
It’s no secret that I love smoothie recipes, especially in the summertime. They’re nutritious, convenient, and easy to customize for different ingredients and goals. I’ve talked about my Superfood Smoothie, Mint Smoothie, and one of my favorite ways to enjoy smoothies, my SIAB (smoothie in a bowl). And while the adults prefer a green smoothie, the children love chocolate flavors the most!
Rather than using cocoa or chocolate syrup, the easiest way to add chocolate flavor and protein is with high-quality protein powders. Not revolutionary, but definitely delicious. This helps you hit your protein goals while supporting your health—which is why these recipes deserve a spot in your smoothie rotation. They hit that sweet spot (literally), while still keeping up with your proteins, fats, and fibers. Keep reading for the recipes.
Chocolate Protein Powder Smoothie Recipes
I’ve got a lot of information in today’s post including ingredient combos, the best way to make a chocolate protein smoothie (you want it smooth and creamy, not chunky and chalky!), and of course recipes to get you enjoying a smoothie right away.
How to Make a Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Choose a good-quality protein powder.
The chocolate protein powder is basically the star of the show when it comes to your smoothie. So you want to make sure you’re using a good one! I always recommend choosing a high-quality protein powder with minimal ingredients, no chalky aftertaste, and strange ingredients.
Two of my favorite protein powders for smoothies are Simply Tera’s and Ancient Nutrition Whey (get $10 off with my link). With simple ingredients that you recognize and great companies dedicated to animal welfare (both use grass-fed whey), quality and transparency, they are both great choices. I prefer whey protein for a creamy taste and high quality animal protein, but if you have a favorite plant-based protein powder that has a nice chocolate flavor, feel free to use it!
Don’t skip the creamy ingredient.
The best part of any smoothie is how creamy and satisfying it is. But in order to achieve that, make sure you’re using the right base! Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, nut butters, or even a little avocado are great options that have extra nutrients and healthy fats.
As I discussed in my post on kid-friendly smoothies, I love my Vitamix Ascent for blending smoothies with that perfect, creamy consistency! (I never get any complaints from Mazen or Birch, who freak out over any chunks in a smoothie!)
Throw in a frozen banana for thickness.
If you’re someone who likes their smoothie really thick and creamy, don’t skip out on the frozen bananas. This is a great dairy-free alternative that also is high in potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Plus, bananas tend to play nice with a lot of different flavors—peanut butter, chocolate, fruits—you name it.
Go easy on the liquid.
Most chocolate protein smoothie recipes call for a little liquid—like regular dairy milk or your favorite nut milk—to help loosen up the thickness. You don’t want to jump in and add too much immediately, otherwise you may end up with chocolate protein milk! Start small—you can always add more if it’s too thick.
What to Put in a Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Smoothie Base
- Unsweetened almond milk
- Oat milk
- Whole milk
- Coconut water
- Ice
Creamy Ingredients
- Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
- Frozen banana
- Avocado
- Silken tofu
- Cottage cheese
Fruits (Fresh or Frozen)
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Mango
Veggies
- Spinach
- Kale
- Zucchini (peeled)
- Cauliflower rice
- Cucumber
Healthy Fats
- Almond butter
- Natural peanut butter
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseed
- Hemp seeds
- Coconut flakes
Super Foods & Flavor Boosters
- Cacao nibs
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt (just a sprinkle!)
- Maca powder
Sweeteners (if needed!)
- Medjool dates
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Stevia
Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipes
Coffee Protein Shake
This blended treat in a glass is for all of you who love a balanced blend of java and protein. I wasn’t the biggest fan of iced coffee outside of summertime (gasp!), until this smoothie reignited my love for it. It’s my favorite way to use up any leftover iced coffee in the pot. I do love it because of its rich coffee milkshake flavor, but the 20-30 grams of protein are great, too. It’s the perfect all-in-one energy drink.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- ½ cup ice cubes made from brewed coffee (or use cold coffee + regular ice to save time!)
- 2/3 cup whole milk (or almond milk to make it plant-based)
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 tbsp almond butter or peanut butter
- Handful of baby spinach
Optional: Add chia seeds, whipped topping, or cinnamon sprinkle on top.
Instructions
Step 1: First, make your coffee ice cubes. Brew a strong cup of coffee, let it cool, pour it into an ice cube tray, and freeze. (You can also just use iced coffee and some regular ice to save a step!)
Step 2: Add all ingredients to your blender.
Step 3: Blend everything together on high speed until smooth and creamy. This should only take about 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 4: If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Pour into your favorite glass, sip, and enjoy your coffee-meets-breakfast moment.
Chocolate Cookie Protein Smoothie
I love having smoothies as a whole meal or a post-workout treat, but other times, all I want is a simple, snack-like smoothie. I shared this Vanilla Cookie Smoothie recipe a couple years ago, and have since played with different flavors to see what all I could make. I typically consider myself a vanilla girl through and through, but when the chocolate craving hits, this is a simple chocolate one!
Ingredients
- ½ banana (frozen)
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 cup milk of your choice
- 1 scoop chocolate protein power
Instructions
Step 1: Toss all of the ingredients into your blender.
Step 2: Blend on high until everything is smooth and creamy.
Step 3: If your smoothie isn’t at your desired consistency, add in a few extra ice cubes and blend again.
Step 4: Pour into a glass and enjoy. It’s that easy!
Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie
For the chunky monkey lovers! This smoothie is very creamy, chocolatey, and naturally sweet thanks to the banana. It’s basically like dessert, but it’s nourishing and skips any added sugar. The banana adds that silky texture and hint of sweetness, while the protein keeps you full and energized. It’s a good one if you need a boost of fiber or carbs before a workout.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 frozen banana
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
- ½ tbsp chia seeds
Instructions
Step 1: Toss everything into your blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: If you like it extra thick, add a few ice cubes and blend again.
Step 4: Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!
Chocolate Avocado Protein Smoothie
Don’t let the avocado scare you off—this smoothie is all chocolatey, creamy goodness, with zero avocado taste. It’s rich, silky smooth, and loaded with healthy fats and protein to keep you full and satisfied. The avocado makes it extra thick and creamy, while giving your smoothie a little nutritional upgrade with fiber and heart-healthy fats. And don’t tell the boys, but this is my favorite way to use up an avocado that is still good, but a little too brown for them to eat with a fork.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- ½ avocado
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- ½ tbsp cocoa powder (optional, but gives an extra chocolatey richness)
- A few ice cubes to thicken
Instructions
Step 1: Add everything to your blend and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Pour into your glass and enjoy every chocolatey sip!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Who doesn’t love the PB + Chocolate combo. This chocolate peanut butter blend is rich, chocolatey, creamy, and has that perfect salty-sweet peanut butter kick. The banana adds natural sweetness, while the protein and healthy fats keep you full and energized. It’s one of my favorite ways to sneak in some extra nutrients and feel like I’m having a milkshake.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 frozen banana (for creaminess and natural sweetness)
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 tbsp chia seeds or flaxseed
- Ice cubes (optional, for a thicker texture)
Instructions
Step 1: Toss everything into your blender.
Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Give it a little taste—add more milk if it’s too thick or a few ice cubes if you want it extra cold.
Step 4: Pour into a glass and enjoy your thick, chocolatey, peanut-buttery goodness!
Sneaky Veggie Chocolate Green Protein Smoothie
This one’s my little secret for sneaking in some greens into my day without sacrificing the chocolatey flavor I’m craving. The cocoa and protein powder do an awesome job of masking the veggies, so it still tastes like a rich, creamy, chocolate shake. You’d never guess there’s spinach, kale, or even zucchini hiding in there! (It’s so chocolatey good your kids will even love it—guaranteed!)
Ingredients
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup spinach or kale
- ½ frozen banana
- ¾ cup almond milk or oat milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds or hemp seeds
- ½ cup zucchini (fresh or frozen, peeled to avoid a green color)
Instructions
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy!
Chocolate Cherry Dough Boy Smoothie
If you’ve never made a smoothie bowl with fresh cherries and chocolate—this is your sign to make a Chocolate Cherry Dough Boy Smoothie! Cherry season is short and sweet, so I love making the most of it with this rich, chocolatey, dessert-like smoothie bowl. It’s packed with protein, oats, and all the good stuff to keep you full. It feels much more like a treat than a balanced meal, which makes it even better!
Ingredients
- 10 fresh cherries (pitted)
- 1/3 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- ½ banana
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
Instructions
Step 1: Before doing anything, make sure to take the cherry pits out first! I just smashed each one and they came right out. If you follow this method, make sure to wear splatter-proof appropriate clothes!
Step 2: Add everything to your blender, mix it together, and let it chill overnight (or at least for a few hours).
Step 3: In the morning, give it a quick blend until smooth.
Step 4: Pour into a bowl, add your favorite toppings (granola, extra cherries, cacao nibs—you name it) and enjoy!
Take your protein game up a notch with these delicious chocolate protein smoothie recipes!
Grab your blender and your favorite ingredients—we’re making snacks, meals, and mid-day treats easy and convenient again.
