Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
This super creamy avocado smoothie made with bananas, avocado, and cocoa powder tastes like a chocolate shake but is so much better for you. Easy to make, full of nutrients, and filling.
A chocolate avocado smoothie is a creamy and ultra-satisfying breakfast, snack, or dessert. This healthy smoothie is packed with nutrients so you can enjoy it guilt-free any time of the day!
When it’s hot outside, we are a smoothie-loving household. The truth is that we enjoy smoothies all year long. However, when the weather heats up, our blender goes into overdrive!
We love fruity smoothies, green smoothies, oatmeal smoothies, and even peanut butter banana green smoothies. We have tons of fun constantly creating new and delicious variations of old favorites. But, today I’m sharing a smoothie of a different sort: a chocolate avocado smoothie!
If you’ve never heard of a chocolate avocado smoothie before, you are in for a treat. This smoothie is rich, creamy, decadent, and satisfying in all the right ways. It’s chock-full of healthy nutrients and fats, and it will make you feel like you’re having a “cheat day” - even though you aren’t!
Key Ingredients For Avocado Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to make this nutrition-packed and filling smoothie at home:
- Avocado: The secret ingredient for giving this smoothie a rich creaminess while also adding desirable healthy fats.
- Banana: Bananas are one of my top go-to fruits to add to smoothies. They naturally sweeten it and also help thicken the smoothie. Plus, their awesome flavor pairs well with almost any smoothie combination! Check out my whole guide on bananas.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Full of antioxidants, cocoa powder lends a rich, chocolatey flavor and health benefits while making this smoothie an indulgent treat.
- Maple Syrup or Honey: While the banana lends some sweetness, you may find that you need just a little more. Add some maple syrup or honey and feel free to adjust the amount according to your taste preferences. For a lower sugar option, use dates. If your banana is very ripe, you may be able to skip the sweetener. No calorie sweeteners like stevia, monkfruit sweetener, or another sugar free sweetener will also work.
- Almond Butter: Adds filling protein and a nutty flavor that was meant to be paired with cocoa and avocado. Use any kind of nut butter or skip this for a lower calorie option.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: I used unsweetened almond milk to give this smoothie because it’s low in calories and sugar and adds a slightly creamy and nutty flavor. Any milk will work - cow's milk, nut milks, oat milks, or other.
- Chia seeds: Don’t worry about grinding them or soaking them. Simply throw the chia seeds into the blender along with the other ingredients to an extra punch of nutrition. Hemp seeds could be swapped in for a higher protein option.
- Ice: If you use frozen bananas, you can omit the ice, but it just helps to thicken your smoothie. Plus, I like the crunchy bits of ice in my smoothie!
Note: For a complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions on how to make this smoothie recipe, check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Recipe Tips And Ideas
Here are a few tips to add some variety to your chocolate avocado smoothie and make sure it comes out perfectly every time for a luscious treat.
- When making smoothies with avocado, only use avocados that don’t have black spots in the flesh as they will add a bitter taste to your smoothie.
- Make this smoothie and add it to popsicle molds then freeze to create rich fudge pops with a healthy twist!
- If you don’t have almond milk, you can substitute any type of milk (dairy or non-dairy).
- Try adding ¼ cup of oats in the blender for an ultra-thick and filling oatmeal smoothie.
- If you want even more greens in your smoothie, add a handful of spinach and blend until smooth. It won’t change the flavor profile of the smoothie but will increase the vitamins and minerals.
- To ice or not to ice? I like icy smoothies, but if that’s not your thing, you can omit the ice altogether. The result will be a smoothie with more of a pudding-like texture.
What To Serve With Chocolate Avocado Smoothies
Anything! You can pair this with a meal such as breakfast, a healthy snack, or enjoy it for dessert. The possibilities are endless!
If you’d like to enjoy this smoothie with an equally satisfying breakfast, try having it with my Ham and Cheese Egg Muffins or Broccoli and Cheese Frittata to feel full for hours.
It tastes great with Baked Blueberry Buttermilk Oatmeal and muffins too, such as my Applesauce Muffins or Banana Quinoa Chia Muffins.
Frequently Asked Questions this Avocado Smoothie Recipe
Here are some questions I frequently get asked about by some readers…
Why is my smoothie so thick?
Everyone has slightly different preferences on how thick they enjoy their smoothies. If you make the smoothie according to the recipe and feel it’s too thick, you can add more almond milk just a little at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
What do I do if my avocado smoothie is too thin?
If you make the recipe and feel it’s too thin or watery, try adding 3-4 ice cubes and blend again. Repeat until you reach your preferred consistency.
Can I taste the avocado?
Good question! If you aren’t a fan of avocado on its own merits, don’t worry because you can’t taste it in this recipe. The flavor blends perfectly with the bananas and chocolate and those stronger flavors definitely overpower any avocado flavor.
But, the avocado is super helpful for adding beneficial fats and nutrients as well as creating a rich, creamy texture for your smoothie.
How can I tell if my avocado is ripe?
Avocados are hard before they ripen. You’ll know your avocado is ripe once it feels a little softer and has a little “give” when you press on it.
You want to use a ripe avocado for this recipe because you’ll get the most flavor and best texture. However, avoid using overripe avocados that have black spots as they will give your smoothie a bitter flavor.
Can I use frozen avocado?
Absolutely! Many stores have started to carry frozen avocado chunks and this can be a great option when you don't have ripe avocados on hand. You can also freeze your own avocados when they are getting ripe before you need them,
Can you add protein powder to this smoothie?
To add extra protein to this avocado smoothie, you can add a protein powder of your choice. Other options to add more protein are hemp seeds, tofu, chickpeas, or pasteurized egg whites.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love:
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
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Ingredients
- 1/2 avocado
- 2 ripe bananas
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp maple syrup (or honey or dates, adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 cup ice
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Instructions
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* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.
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