This healthy smoothie is easy to make with plenty of plants, almond butter, and cacao for a creamy, chocolatey way to start the day.
Includes simple swaps to easily make this nut-free!
about this healthy cacao smoothie recipe
I’m a big fan of anything-chocolate, especially if I can sneak it into a healthy smoothie recipe!
This cacao smoothie was inspired by Kelly LeVeque’s Fab Four Smoothie formula.
Kelly has been a guest on the Feel Good Effect podcast a number of times talking about about her Fab Four Smoothie method.
Her method involves adding fiber, fat, and protein to a smoothie to keep blood sugar stability stable and keeps you filled up for hours.
So I wanted to create some new smoothie options for you using her formula as a base!
process & tips for making this cacao smoothie
All you need to do is add all your ingredients to a blender and let it work it’s magic.
Before you know it you’ll be sipping on a delicious, nutrient dense smoothie!
The powerhouse combination of fiber, fat and protein in this smoothie makes it more filling and satiating than a smoothie that’s only fruit-based.
Plant-powered fiber comes in the form of cauliflower, spinach, chia seeds, and almond butter.
Healthy fat comes in the form of chia seeds, almond butter, and cacao powder.
And the protein can be found both in the almond butter, chia seeds, as well as the protein powder.
Because this smoothie is made without bananas it’s naturally very low in sugar and gets its sweetness from your protein powder of choice. So make sure you choose one you like the taste of!
adding cauliflower to smoothies
Don’t be afraid of the frozen cauliflower rice!
If you’ve never used it before it might sound like a strange ingredient.
But it adds a nice creaminess without adding banana and is a great low-sugar substitute.
It also adds some plant-based fiber (without adding any cauliflower flavor) to the final smoothie!
how to make a berry cacao smoothie
It’s super simple to take this recipe and turn it into a berry cacao smoothie!
Simply add 1 cup of frozen mixed berries in place of the frozen cauliflower.
Then blend and you’ll have a delicious berry twist on this chocolatey smoothie.
how to make a cacao smoothie bowl
To make a cacao smoothie bowl, make the smoothie thicker by using only ¾ cup milk.
Be sure to use frozen riced cauliflower to help you get that thick consistency.
Once blended, pour into a bowl and add your choice of smoothie bowl toppings.
Some fun ideas would be nuts, seeds, fresh berries, granola, honey, cacao nibs and an extra drizzle of almond butter.
ingredients & modifications
Protein powder: You can use any chocolate protein powder you like the taste of. To keep this recipe vegan friendly, be sure to use a plant-based. To keep this recipe paleo friendly, be sure to use a grain-free and dairy-free protein powder.
Frozen riced cauliflower: Riced cauliflower is one of the most underrated & easy ways to add a boost of veggies to your smoothies. Also, the smaller riced size makes it easier to blend. Look for riced cauliflower in the fresh or frozen section of your store.
Almond butter: You can use any nut butter you prefer in place of the almond butter. You can also use seed butter for a nut-free version.
Chia seeds: The chia seeds really help to thicken up this smoothie and provide some healthy fat & fiber. If you don’t have them or don’t like them, you can skip them in this recipe.
Almond milk: Any non-dairy milk will work great in this recipe, so if you don’t prefer almond milk you can use cashew milk, hemp milk, or oat milk instead. If you like a thinner consistency in your smoothies, add more milk.
Unsweetened cacao powder: I like the taste and added benefits of cacao powder, but you can also use cocoa powder in its place.
Tip: If using fresh riced cauliflower in place of frozen riced cauliflower, be sure to add extra ice to the blender for better texture.
more easy smoothie recipes
Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
this recipe is…
dairy free , egg free , gluten free , grain free , mayo free , nut free , paleo , soy free , vegan , vegetarian
I hope you’ll make this easy Cacao Smoothie recipe soon.
If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
Cacao Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen riced cauliflower
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond butter
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cacao powder
- 2 scoops chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- optional: ice
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Blend on high until very smooth.
Notes
Nutrition
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