Protein Smoothie (without protein powder!)

chocolate protein smoothie poured into a glass on a marble board.

Protein Smoothie (without protein powder!)

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: protein smoothie without protein powder

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 5

Servings:

Calories: 458kcal

Author: Megan Gilmore

This Chocolate Protein Smoothie is made without protein powder but packs 20 grams of protein into each glass! It's the perfect breakfast or post-workout drink.

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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 information is for the whole batch. This information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, so it's just an estimate, not a guarantee.

Banana Tip: I like to freeze bananas whole and then slice them into pieces before blending. This makes them break down faster in a blender. Check out my How to Freeze Bananas post for more tips.

Update Note: This recipe was posted in June 2014 and updated in January 2025. The update adds a tablespoon of peanut butter, uses soy milk instead of water, and corrects the nutrition information. You can find the original recipe here.

Nutrition