This chocolate zucchini smoothie is filled with your favorite flavors - cocoa, banana, and peanut butter - with a hidden serving of zucchini inside. Zucchini blends in seamlessly and adds fiber, Vitamin A, and antioxidants.
Recipe summary
Flavor: Sweet, rich, chocolatey, nutty.
Made with simple ingredients: Peanut butter, cocoa, banana, flaxseed, and zucchini are blended with milk to create this filling breakfast smoothie.
Yield: 1 smoothie
Great for: A quick breakfast, post-workout snack, afternoon pick-me-up.
Similar to: Green Apple Smoothie, Peppermint Smoothie, Blueberry Zucchini Smoothie
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Zucchini - Rich in vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber. For this recipe, you'll need about a cup of cubed zucchini, or about one small, fresh zucchini, cubed.
- Frozen banana- High in fiber and potassium. Using one frozen fruit helps thicken your smoothie and keep it cold, which is why I recommend using frozen sliced banana rather than fresh. Frozen banana can be substituted with other frozen fruit, like frozen peaches, frozen avocado, and frozen pineapple. Keep in mind this will change the flavor of your smoothie slightly.
- Nut butter - Almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter, or sun butter are all great options to add to your smoothie. Use your favorite.
- Ground flaxseed - Adds nutrients to your smoothie, like fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Can be substituted with chia seeds or hemp seeds if desired. This can also be omitted entirely if needed without affecting your smoothie.
- Cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder (or dutch cocoa powder for a milder flavor) adds the chocolate flavor to your smoothie.
- Liquid - We used almond milk today, which adds to the creamy consistency of the smoothie. Your preferred type of milk, like oat milk or cow's milk, also works as a substitute.
- Optional sweetener - The sweetness of your banana will affect the overall sweetness of your smoothie. If desired, add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup or honey to your smoothie for a sweeter flavor.
How to make a smoothie
- Add ingredients to the bowl of a blender.
- Cover with a lid and blend until smooth. Add more liquid as needed to reach desired consistency.
Tips and tricks
Don't add ice - For a flavorful frozen smoothie, don't add ice. Instead, use one frozen ingredient like banana or zucchini. Ice waters down your smoothie and makes the flavor bland.
Add optional mix-ins - Add your favorite smoothie mix-ins, like a tablespoon of flaxseed, chia seeds, or protein powder.
Use a high performance blender - Use a blender intended for smoothies for a smooth, even texture.
Frequently asked questions
No, zucchini has a very mild flavor and does not add any noticeable flavor to a smoothie. It's a great way to sneak extra veggies into your diet when you otherwise don't enjoy them on their own. When paired with cocoa powder and peanut butter, your zucchini won't even add a green hue.
No. For best taste and texture, enjoy your smoothie immediately. Over time, your smoothie will lose its cold, frozen texture, color becomes muted, and flavor can decline.
Add a teaspoon or more of honey or maple syrup if you'd like a sweeter smoothie.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Zucchini Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 small (125 g) zucchini, cubed (about 1 cup)
- 1 (115 g) banana, sliced and frozen
- 2 tablespoons (34 g) nut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons (8 g) cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon (9 g) ground flaxseed
- 1 cup (240 g) almond milk
Instructions
- In a blender add your smoothie ingredients: zucchini, banana, almond butter, flaxseed, cocoa powder, and milk.
- Blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.
Recommended Equipment
Notes
- Fresh vs frozen: If using fresh banana (instead of frozen) cut the amount of milk in half, then add more as needed to achieve desired consistency. Frozen banana helps keep your smoothie cold and thick.
- Mix-ins: Add extras like protein powder, collagen peptides, or a handful of spinach as desired.
- Milk substitutions: Almond milk can be substituted with your favorite nut milk, cow's milk, or water.
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