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This Chocolate Protein Smoothie is made without protein powder but packs 20 grams of protein into each glass! Enjoy it for breakfast or a post-workout drink.
This high-protein smoothie is an easy addition if you’re trying to increase your protein intake. It uses simple pantry staples and a frozen banana for sweetness.
As written, it’s vegan-friendly, but it’s also easy to customize.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Instead of protein powder, this recipe features a combination of plant-based protein sources, including hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds), peanut butter, and your favorite milk.
Adding a spoonful of your favorite nut butter adds creaminess and extra protein. I prefer the flavor of peanut butter, but almond butter or sunflower seed butter will also work.
You can also add any other mix-ins you like, such as chia seeds or oats.
Detoxinista Tip
Dairy milk has 8 grams of protein per cup, and if you need a dairy-free option, soy milk has a similar protein profile! (This will vary slightly by brand; this recipe assumes you’ll use an unsweetened version.) If you prefer coconut or almond milk, those will work, too, but you’ll get less protein per glass.
How to Make Protein Smoothie without Protein Powder
In a high-speed blender, combine:
- 1/2 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 handful fresh baby spinach
- 1 frozen banana, sliced into pieces
- 3 tablespoons of hemp hearts
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Secure the lid and blend until smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure even mixing.
If the smoothie texture looks runny, add a handful of ice cubes and blend again. This will give your smoothie a slushy texture.
Just keep in mind that the more ice you add, the more diluted the flavor will be—so don’t overdo it!
Serve the protein smoothie right away for the best texture and flavor. Turn it into a smoothie bowl by topping it with extras, like chopped walnuts, cashews, or pumpkin seeds.
Looking for more smoothie recipes? Try my favorite green smoothie, ground flaxseed smoothie, or my vegan protein shake.
Ingredients
- ½ cup soy milk (or other milk)
- 1 frozen banana , sliced
- 3 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free, if desired)
- 1 handful fresh baby spinach (optional)
- 1 cup ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the soy milk, frozen banana slices, hemp hearts, cacao powder, peanut butter, vanilla, and baby spinach (if using). Secure the lid on the blender and blend until smooth.
- If the texture doesn't look slushy enough, add cup of ice cubes and blend again. Keep in mind that adding ice will dilute the flavor slightly, so use only as much ice as needed to achieve the consistency you want. Serve right away for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this protein smoothie without protein powder, leave a comment and star rating below, letting me know how you like it.
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How much Protein is in this?
Could i use a scoop of chocolate protein powder- i love Vegas choc-a-lot flavor- instead of the raw cocoa powder (or in addition to it)?
I tried pineapple instead of the cacoa since bed time is an hour or so away. Turned out actually pretty decent. Also, didn’t have hemp hearts so used hulled hemp seed. I love the frothy texture that it has! I would maybe add another spice to suit the pineapple, maybe nutmeg?
I am definitely trying this recipe again with the cacao. Thank you so much for a delicious recipe and post-workout drink!
I have a Vitamix (which I swear would turn rocks into pea gravel!) and make a smoothie every morning for breakfast. It sounds crazy what I put in it but it turns out REALLY tasty and gets my morning off to a great start. Here’s the basics of what goes in (this makes two large cups of which I drink both):
Unsweetened Almond Milk
Greens (either spinach or a mix of kale/chard/spinach)
Greek Yogurt (non-fat, plain)
Mini carrots (maybe 3)
2 dates (for sweetness)
Whatever other veggies I have on hand, brussels sprouts, cauliflower asparagus, etc
An ice cube of pomegranate seeds
A quarter or third of a frozen banana
A cup of frozen blueberries
A scoop of chocolate whey protein power (90 cals, 18 gms protein)
A tsp each of: cinnamon, green tea leaves, turmeric, dried wheatgrass powder, chia seeds, nutritional yeast flakes
A tablespoon each of raw cacao powder and PB2 powder
3 drops liquid Stevia
I usually have it around 8am and it holds me a good 4-5 hours. I’ve been having this for breakfast for over a year now and not only have I lost weight (adding exercise, of course), but I feel with all the nutrients I’m getting each day is helping keep me healthy.
I made this using sunflower seeds in place of hemp b/c I didn’t have any, and cocoa powder. It was just the right amount of sweet! I might add more cinnamon next time. Thanks! I like the almond milk suggestion.
I am 3 days post dental surgery and trying to get as much nutrition in as possible. I just made this smoothie using chocolate hemp protein, pb2, cinnamon, and water. It was so
yummy! Thank you!
Yum! I just made this (spinach included) and it was good! I decided to throw in a couple strawberries that were about to go bad and also added a tablespoon of coconut oil (i’m trying to eat more fats) and a splash of almond milk to thin it out a bit from there. so good!! thanks megan!
I love the chocolate banana combo, so I will definitely try this! I have some Nutiva Hemp Protein shake powder in chocolate flavor, so maybe I’ll try it with that. I always keep frozen bananas in the freezer, so I can make this today! Thanks, Megan!
I love this shake! I add 1 tablespoon of Great Lakes Gelatin Collagen Hydrolysate which means it’s not vegan but it adds 6 grams of protein.
Is frozen spinach ok in these smoothie recipes? They’re easier for me to buy b/c they won’t go bad as quickly. Thanks!
I haven’t tried using frozen spinach myself, but I don’t see why not! Let us know if it affects the flavor at all– you typically can’t taste the fresh spinach much.
Its the only kind of spinach I ever have on hand. I use the ninja which doesn’t do such a great job blending it up, compared to the vitamix. There is definitely a slight, noticable spinach taste anytime I have used it. But I kind of expect that. 🙂
I just asked b/c some veggies are better in certain forms. Like I’m hearing that cruciferous veggies need to be steamed to be properly digested, carrots and tomatoes are more nutritious cooked, etc…