An energizing chocolate protein smoothie made with chickpeas and frothy from aquafaba. A vegan, gluten-free, and banana-free smoothie!
Say hello to my Chocolate Protein Smoothie. This protein-rich chocolate smoothie is like drinking a cloud. And that's because it includes a fluffy vegan aquafaba chocolate mousse made from a can of chickpeas.
This decadent chocolate milk shake is not simple, there are a few steps but it's worth it for a chocolate dessert for breakfast kind of drink that is also full of protein.
What Is A Chocolate Protein Smoothie?
This smoothie has a rich chocolate flavor and texture from the chocolate aquafaba mousse, and protein and fiber from the beans. I like to use white beans in smoothies because there is no 'bean' flavor, but navy beans are sometimes hard to find so chickpeas are fine. In both cases, rinse the beans well and chill them before making the smoothie. Also be sure to use unsalted beans.
Ingredients
The ingredients list for this smoothie is straight-forward - just chocolate aquafaba mousse and beans, as well as some milk and maple syrup. But then that begs the question: where does one get chocolate aquafaba mousse? The answer is you make it at home! Here's how:
Steps to Make
To make chocolate aquafaba mousse, you need chilled aquafaba, the liquid from a can of unsalted chickpeas. And you need chocolate chips, melted, and a few other items such as cane sugar and cream of tartar.
Step 1. Melt the chocolate chips for 1 minute in the microwave. Stir and set aside to cool a bit but not harden.
Step. 2 Into a bowl, add the aquafaba, sugar and cream of tarter and mix until stiff peaks form, about 7-8 minutes.
Step. 3 Fold melted chocolate until it's blended but not deflated, about 1 minutes.
Step. 4 Chill the mousse about an hour before making the smoothie.
How Healthy is a Chocolate Aquafaba Smoothie?
This smoothie is full of mood-boosting magnesium and antioxidants, protein, fiber, folate, iron, and magnesium.
The nutrition comes from the chickpeas and chocolate.
The aquafaba adds texture, not necessarily nutrition. Let's stop here a minute and quickly review exactly what Aquafaba is!
How Healthy is Aquafaba?
Aquafaba has some nutrition, a sprinkle of antioxidants and b vitamins, but no fiber, nothing like the nutrition in chickpeas. However, the appeal with aquafaba is it behaves like egg whites, and adds a frothy airy texture. This is similar to how gas bubbles add the effervescent quality to sparkling water.
And this frothy quality is a wonderful addition to any smoothie or shake. It's like drinking a cloud! However, it takes a bit of diligence to get to the cloud-state.
Q&A for a Protein Smoothie
How do you make protein shakes taste better?
Well, for one, don't use protein powder mixes. Protein powders are processed and taste terrible. Use a plant protein such as beans or yogurt for protein in a smoothie
Are protein shakes good for you?
Yes, if made with wholesome, non-processed ingredients like this one.
What fruits can I add to protein powder?
Adding fruits will add flavor. My favorite fruit to add is strawberries or cherries.
How to Store
I love to drink my smoothies same day, same hour to be sure I get all the frosty flavor and nutrition, but if you just can't drink it right away, pour it into a mason jar, and leave it in the refrigerator for 24 hours before it really will lose nutrition. Before you drink, shake it up because it will have separated but it should take great!
Other Smoothie Recipes
Ultimate Green Smoothie
Healthy Strawberry Smoothie
Chocolate Beet Smoothie
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
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Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
makes about 1 cup chocolate aquafaba mousse
- 1 can chickpeas (use liquid only) unsalted, organic
- ½ cup chocolate chips quality, such as Enjoylife or HU
- ¼ cup organic powdered sugar
makes a 1 cup shake
- ½ cup chocolate aquafaba mousse (recipe on this page)
- ¼ cup chickpeas
- ½ cup almond milk
- 2 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional) taste-test before adding to see if needed for sweetening
Instructions
Make the Chocolate Aquafaba Mousse
- Melt the chocolate chips for 1 minute in the microwave. Stir and set aside to cool a bit but not harden.
- Into a bowl, add the aquafaba, sugar and cream of tarter and mix until stiff peaks form, about 7-8 minutes.
- Fold melted chocolate until it's blended but not deflated, about 1 minutes.
- Chill the mousse about an hour before making the smoothie.
Make the Protein Smoothie
- Blend all ingredients until smooth. Add more milk if the texture is too thick.
- Add maple syrup at the end after taste-testing - I don't like adding sweeteners to healthy smoothies but if your chocolate didn't have a lot of sweetener in it, you might need it.
Drink or Store
- Drink this smoothie right away or store refrigerated for one day in a mason jar.
Ela
Aquafaba and beans? This is amazing, Dee! I love baking with beans and chickpeas but I never tried combining aquafaba and beans. Your shake looks so delicious. 🙂
Dee Dine | Green Smoothie Gourmet
Thank you Ela, you are so supportive. Yes, it's a great combo since aquafaba is really empty nutrition, so the beans add protein! Thanks for stopping by sweetie, Dee xx