A delicious ultra-creamy cacao smoothie recipe that almost tastes too good to be healthy.
It’s low in sugar, and it’s also vegan-friendly.
If you crave a mocha or even a hot chocolate, you have to make this cacao smoothie recipe with almond butter.
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Cacao Smoothie (Without Banana)
Savor the richness of a Cacao Smoothie without banana. Blend raw cacao, avocado, berries, almond milk, and a chia seeds for a creamy, decadent treat.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1–2 tbsp cacao powder (unsweetened)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp almond butter (unsweetened)
- 1/3 avocado (peeled and pitted)
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
Instructions
- Using a high-speed blender or a personal blender, like a Nutribullet, add the avocado, nut butter, and cacao first, followed by the rest of the ingredients.
- Blend for 2-3 minutes, depending on the power of your blender.
- Serve and drink it immediately.
Notes
*For recipe notes, smoothie variations, benefits, and more, scroll past the recipe!
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Smoothie
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 8.8g
- Fat: 17.6g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 13.4g
- Protein: 5.5g
Why You Will Love This Cacao Smoothie
This cacao berry smoothie is a luscious drink made with creamy avocado, bitter chocolate, and nut butter for a creamy experience.
It is honestly one of my favorite chocolate smoothie recipes, and I am sure it will become your favorite too!
But anyway, here is a list of reasons why this chocolate smoothie is a must-make:
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: The unsweetened cacao powder provides a rich, deep chocolate flavor that’s both indulgent and satisfying, perfect for chocolate lovers looking for a healthier option.
- Vegan Friendly: This smoothie is completely plant-based, making it an excellent choice for vegans and those looking to reduce their dairy intake without compromising on taste or texture.
- Nutrient-Dense: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from natural ingredients like blueberries, avocado, and chia seeds, this smoothie is a nutritional powerhouse that supports overall health.
- Energy Boosting: With natural ingredients known for their energy-boosting properties, this smoothie is perfect for starting your day or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up without the crash associated with sugary drinks.
- Creamy Texture: The combination of avocado and almond butter gives this smoothie a luxuriously creamy texture that’s both satisfying and filling, making it a great meal replacement or a filling snack.
- Naturally Sweetened: The inherent sweetness from the blueberries and the almond milk means there’s no need for added sugars, making this smoothie a healthier option for those looking to reduce their sugar intake.
- Easy to Make: Simple and quick to prepare with readily available ingredients, this smoothie is perfect for busy mornings or for anyone looking for a nutritious and delicious beverage without the fuss.
If you do enjoy this cacao drink as much as I do, I think you will also love my chocolate mango smoothie, as well as my pear and chocolate shake!
Smoothie Customization Suggestions
Chocolate works very well with many different ingredients, which is why this smoothie can easily be customized.
Some tested personally customization suggestions I can offer you include:
- More Sweetness: The original recipe lacks sweetness, which means the smoothie is naturally low in sugar. However, you can increase the sweetness by either adding a tablespoon of maple syrup or increasing the fruit by 1 cup rather than 1/2 cup.
- Extra Creaminess: For a non-vegan option, add 1/2 cup of yogurt, if you are vegan, you can add 1/2 cup of drained silken tofu.
- Boost The Protein: Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder for an extra 20-25g of protein!
- Increase Antioxidant Power: Boost the antioxidant properties of your smoothie by adding a handful of spinach or kale. These greens are virtually tasteless amidst the strong flavors of cacao and blueberries but elevate the nutritional profile significantly, adding vitamins A, C, K, and iron.
Equipment:
| Blender Type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Nutribullet 600 | ✓ |
| Vitamix Blender Propel 510 | ✓ |
| BlendJet 4000mAh | x |
| Ninja Blender BL610 | ✓ |
| Oster 6640 Blender | ✓ |
| Hamilton Beach 58148A Blender | x |
| AMZChef Blender 1800 W | ✓ |
| Wamife Blender | ✓ |
The smoothie is quite thick and requires frozen fruit. Less powerful blenders struggle to blend these kinds of smoothies without sufficient liquid.
To make these 2 blenders that are not compatible with this recipe, compatible, you will need to use 1/3 cup extra almond milk.
Dietary:
| Type Of Diet | Suitable |
|---|---|
| Vegan-Friendly | ✓ |
| Dairy-Free | ✓ |
| Gluten-Free | ✓ |
| Diabetic-Friendly | ✓ |
| Paleo-Friendly | ✓ |
| Keto-Friendly | ✗ |
| Raw Food-Friendly | ✗ |
This chocolate smoothie is suitable for diabetics, and is in fact, one of my uncle’s favorite smoothies!
Recipe FAQs:
Can I Use Cocoa Powder Instead Of Cacao Powder?
Yes, you can use cocoa powder as a substitute for cacao powder. Keep in mind that cocoa powder is processed at higher temperatures than cacao, which may result in a slight loss of nutritional value and a milder flavor. Use the same quantity for a similar chocolate taste.
How Can I Make This Smoothie If I'm Allergic To Nuts?
For a nut-free version, substitute almond milk and almond butter with oat milk and sunflower seed butter. These options maintain the creamy texture while avoiding nuts.
Is This Cacao Smoothie Kid-Friendly?
Yes, this smoothie is kid-friendly, especially for children who enjoy the taste of chocolate. It's a great way to sneak in some fruits and vegetables. For younger kids, ensure the smoothie's texture is smooth enough and consider adjusting the sweetness according to their preference.