This isn’t your average sugar-loaded, heavy cream-laden milkshake; it’s a sophisticated, grown-up hot cocoa smoothie.
It may be served chilled, but every sip is deep, rich, and intensely chocolatey. Using a base of cauliflower and oats topped with warming spices makes it the ultimate healthy treat for those sweet cravings all winter long.
Why I Love This “Warm Chocolate” Smoothie that Drinks Like a Milkshake
I love this recipe because it makes chocolate feel like health food.
Using unsweetened cocoa with fiber-rich cauliflower, oats, and warming spices, means I get to enjoy that hot cocoa milkshake vibe while staying full and energized. It’s the perfect way to satisfy a chocolate craving without the guilt.
What’s Inside: The Powerhouse Ingredients
This isn’t just a delicious drink; every ingredient in this Fall Chocolate Smoothie was chosen to give your body a specific boost:
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Packed with antioxidants (flavonoids) that support heart health and can even improve your mood. It’s a healthier way to get that chocolate taste without any processed ingredients you’ll find in protein powder. I have a few other tricks if you want to boost the protein content of this smoothie that I’ll share below.
- Frozen Banana: Using an extra ripe frozen banana is the foundation for creating a deliciously creamy smoothie base. It helps emulisfy the blend of ingredients and gives you a healthy boost of potassium.
- Frozen Cauliflower: Works with the banana to provide that milkshake thickness and gives you a massive dose of fiber and nutrients without adding any veggie flavor.
- Rolled Oats: Adds a malty depth along with protein and heart-healthy soluble fiber to keep you full longer.
- Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds bring Omega-3s, fiber, and protein and help the smoothie thicken up beautifully.
- Medjool Dates: These bring a natural caramel-like sweetness and healthy minerals, acting as a natural energy source.
Make it a Hot Chocolate Protein Smoothie
I always recommend aiming for a macronutrient balanced smoothie. That means loading it up with ingredients that bring fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
The basic recipe for this fall chocolate shake has tons of fiber from the cauliflower and rolled oats. The oats also do double-duty with adding 3-4g of protein. You get a good dose of healthy fats from the almond butter and chia seeds. But here are a few tips to incease the amount of protein:
- Chocolate Protein Powder: Use this instead of cocoa powder to get a massive protein boost with a sweet chocolatey flavor. Most protein powders give you anywhere between 20-30g per serving.
- Greek Yogurt: A great option if you want extra protein but don’t like using powders. Adding 1/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt will get you about 6-7g of protein. When combined with the oats, almond butter, and chia seeds, you end up with about 15-16g of protein.
The Healthy Hot Chocolate Milkshake Recipe
Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 1 large smoothie, about 32 oz.
Ingredients
- Liquid Base: 1 cup milk of choice
- The Solids: 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen cauliflower
- The Thickener: 1 tbsp almond butter, 1/3 cup rolled oats, 2 pitted dates
- The Boosters: 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1-2 tsp allspice, 1 tbsp chia seeds
Make it Your Own
- Change the liquid base: Use 1 cup coffee for an energizing mocha vibe to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up! Add a splash of milk to tame the coffee bitterness if desired.
- Increase Protein: Add 1/3 cup Greek yogurt or 1 serving of chocolate protein powder. Both ingredients will also make the smoothie extra creamy.
- Boost the sweetness: Add 1 tbsp honey or agave if you find the unsweetened cocoa powder too bitter.
- Experiment with flavor: Add 1 tsp flavored extract to tailor the flavor to your taste and help keep this recipe fresh. Try vanilla, peppermint, almond, or hazelnut extract.
Instructions
- Liquid First: Pour your milk (or optional coffee) into the blender.
- Add Your Boosters: Add the oats, chia seeds, dates, nut butter, and spices.
- The Frozen Layers: Add your frozen banana and cauliflower on top.
- Blend: Blend on high for 2 minutes to ensure the oats and dates are completely emulsified into a smooth, creamy blend.
- Adjust: This recipe is intended to be nice and thick so that you can drink it through a straw. If it’s not blending smoothly or you want a thinner consistency, add 2-3 tbsp of milk until you achieve the consistency you want.
Pro Tip: For the best results, use Smootheeze Freezer Trays to freeze your leftover morning coffee into cubes. Dropping two coffee cubes into this recipe creates an instant, frosty Mocha Latte Smoothie!
Hot Chocolate Milkshake
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 2 pitted dates
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1-2 tsp allspice
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 serving chocolate protein powder (use instead of cocoa powder)
- 1 cup coffee (use instead of milk)
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (makes it creamier and boosts protein)
- 1 tbsp honey or agave (for a slightly sweeter taste)
- 1 tsp flavored extract (try vanilla, peppermint, almond, or hazelnut)
Instructions
- Liquid First: Pour your milk (or optional coffee) into the blender.
- Add Your Boosters: Add the oats, chia seeds, dates, nut butter, and spices.
- The Frozen Layers: Add your frozen banana and cauliflower on top.
- Blend: Blend on high for 2 minutes to ensure the oats and dates are completely emulsified into a smooth, creamy blend.
- Adjust: This recipe is intended to be nice and thick so that you can drink it through a straw. If it’s not blending smoothly or you want a thinner consistency, add 2-3 tbsp of milk until you achieve the consistency you want.
Notes
Make it Your Own
- Change the liquid base: Use 1 cup coffee for an energizing mocha vibe to start your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up! Add a splash of milk to tame the coffee bitterness if desired.
- Increase Protein: Add 1/3 cup Greek yogurt or 1 serving of chocolate protein powder. Both ingredients will also make the smoothie extra creamy.
- Boost the sweetness: Add 1 tbsp honey or agave if you find the unsweetened cocoa powder too bitter.
- Experiment with flavor: Add 1 tsp flavored extract to tailor the flavor to your taste and help keep this recipe fresh. Try vanilla, peppermint, almond, or hazelnut extract.
Nutrition
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