How to Make the Perfect Banana Cocoa Smoothie
American · Easy · 5 min · 2 servings
This banana cocoa smoothie is a chocolatey kid friendly drink that feels like a special treat but is made with wholesome ingredients parents can feel good about. Kids are always surprised that something this delicious and chocolatey is actually good for them.
Why this recipe works
This Banana Cocoa Smoothie recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 5 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 245 calories with 8g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 large frozen ripe bananas
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate milk
- 0.5 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 teaspoon honey
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare Frozen Bananas
Ensure your bananas were frozen when very ripe with brown spots for maximum sweetness. Break the frozen bananas into chunks before adding them to make blending easier on the motor.
Step 2: Add All Ingredients
Pour the chocolate milk into the blender first then add the frozen banana chunks, cocoa powder, vanilla yogurt, almond butter, and honey in that order for the smoothest blend.
Step 3: Blend Until Creamy and Smooth
Blend on high speed for 60 to 90 seconds until the smoothie is a deep chocolate brown color and has a thick creamy consistency similar to a milkshake. Scrape sides if needed.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Pour into two glasses and serve right away. A few mini chocolate chips or a tiny pinch of cocoa powder dusted on top makes this kid friendly smoothie look extra fancy and exciting.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- almond butter → sunflower seed butter for a nut free version that is safe for school snacks
- chocolate milk → regular whole milk plus an extra teaspoon of cocoa powder and a small drizzle of maple syrup
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Forgetting to freeze the bananas ahead of time which means the smoothie will be thin and watery instead of the thick milkshake consistency that makes kids love it
- Using Dutch process cocoa instead of natural unsweetened cocoa powder which can interact poorly with other ingredients and create an off flavor
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 245 calories, 8g protein, 42g carbs, 6g fat, 4g fiber.
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