This luscious chocolate berry smoothie tastes like dessert! It's made with healthier ingredients, including almond butter and berries, and there's NO banana needed.
What did we all do before the blender??
I didn't grow up on smoothies, but rather discovered them around the same time I began working out in my late teens.
My typical combo was milk, banana, and a protein powder of some sort.
As my nutrition evolved, I began experimenting with other fruits, fats, and even vegetables.
Today's recipe is one of my basic favorites, and it can be customized to your personal tastes.
Ingredients needed
- Milk - My favorite is full-fat coconut milk, but cow's milk or almond milk will also work.
- Almond butter - Sometimes, I use a tablespoon of avocado instead.
- Cocoa powder
- Frozen berries - I've used strawberries and cherries as well.
- Honey - Maple syrup can be used.
- Vanilla powder - Vanilla extract can be substituted.
- Stevia - For extra sweetness; if you don't like stevia, you can add more honey.
Recipe steps
Add the ingredients to a blender in the order listed.
Blend until smooth and creamy!
My favorite (non-banana) smoothie ingredients
If you happen to be reading this recipe because you're allergic to banana, here are some of my favorite substitutes.
- Avocado - Good fat, energy, makes the smoothie rich and thick; it's a good replacement for banana. Nut and seed butters are also fantastic for adding richness.
- Vanilla - I like using vanilla powder to avoid the alcohol in extracts; it adds sugar-free sweetness and delicious flavor.
- Honey - My favorite sweetener to use.
- Stevia - Nice to use in combination with honey to bump up the sweetness without adding carbs or contributing to candida.
- My Homemade Coconut Milk or canned full-fat coconut milk (without gums) - Again, adds sweetness without sugar grams and the flavor goes well with many fruits, as well as cocoa.
- Berries - I love adding these low sugar fruits and they pair well with many other foods, including cocoa.
Recipe notes
Using full-fat coconut milk makes this extra thick!
This is a great one to 'hide' greens (like spinach) in.
For more options, take a peek at my list of smoothie recipes without banana!
Chocolate Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of your choice
- 1 (heaping) Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon almond butter
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries (also good with just cherries or strawberries)
- 2 teaspoon honey
- stevia to taste
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder optional; you can also use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Blend all until smooth and creamy.
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Hope Martinez
I used chocolate almond milk and man is that a fruit and chocolate taste like any other!! Amazing recipe ♡
Lauren
Glad you enjoyed it, Hope! 🙂
Jennifer Bliss
Nice Chocolate Almond Butter Berry Smoothie you have here! Awesome pics of it, too!