This chocolate peanut butter smoothie is a delicious blend of peanut butter, cocoa powder and milk with a secret ingredient - uncooked zucchini - instead of banana to add nutrition and frosty thickness.
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie recipe is banana-free, and a powerhouse of protein, energy and nutrition, and satisfies your sweet tooth!
If you enjoy chocolate milkshakes, this chocolate peanut butter smoothie will be your new favorite beverage! Like in my creamy chocolate smoothie, and even in my chocolate beet smoothie, you'll find a hidden veggie surprise.
The surprise in this chocolate peanut butter smoothie has no banana and instead uses raw zucchini to provide a thick and creamy consistency. Using zucchini contributes to your vegetable daily intake, and thickens just like a banana smoothie recipe. I love bananas in smoothies, but my daughter is allergic and so I made this for her and all her fellow non-banana drinkers. Want to boost the protein? Toss in some chia seeds, hemp seeds or even some yogurt for a to boost the post workout muscle recovery potential of this delicious chocolate smoothie.
Why You'll Love This
- Rich peanut butter flavor
- Perfect grab-and-go protein shake
- Tastes like a healthy milkshake
- Kid-friendly & non-vegan approved
- Easy to customize with add-ins
- Chocolate dessert for breakfast
- Vegan, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free
Ingredients
- Peanut Butter - Use a creamy peanut butter, and a healthy natural brand, where the only ingredients are nuts and no added sugar. Adds protein more naturally than your favorite protein powder.
- Cocoa Powder - Use unsweetened cocoa powder. High in magnesium which supports sleep and digestion. You can also use cacao powder but might need more dates.
- Chocolate chips - Adding melted chocolate chips adds both a richer chocolate flavor and sweetener depending on how sweet your chips are. I use Enjoylife mini chips which are about 60% cacao.
- Zucchini - Wash, chop and freeze. No peeling if you buy organic. This veggie is naturally fiber-rich and and high in manganese, lutein, and vitamins A and C — all nutrients which contribute to healthy vision.
- Milk & Ice - Add milk and ice, or if you have time, freeze your milk in ice cube trays for a thicker shake.
- Dates or Maple Syrup. These are optional to sweeten. If your chocolate chips are sweet enough, you won't need this addition.
- Additional Chocolate chips - Melted to drizzle inside the glass, although this is optional.
Steps to Make
For the full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step 1. Prep by washing and chopping zucchini, and melt the chocolate chips at 60 seconds in the microwave. Streak a teaspoonful on the inside of the glass.
Step 2. Blend all the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy. For a touch of caramel flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract. If the peanut butter seems chunky and dry, you can first microwave if for 30 seconds and stir until smooth before adding it to the blender.
Step 3. Pour it into the glass and drink right away!
Make it a Smoothie Bowl
Leave off the milk to make this chocolate peanut butter smoothie into a smoothie bowl. You might have to add a few tablespoons into the blender to get it going, but you are after a thick, soft serve texture to don't add to much.
Spoon the mixture into a bowl, and add toppings. Here are my favorites to choose from:
Fruit: Add fresh sliced fruit such as kiwi, fresh berries, chopped pears or apples.
Coconut: Sprinkle coconut flakes or shreds on top for added fiber, or dob on spoonfuls of fiber-rich coconut butter.
Chocolate: Can there be too much chocolate? Never. Sprinkle quality chocolate chips or chocolate bar shards for added crunch. Use stevia sweetened chocolate chips for a sugar-free option.
Nut butter: Spoon on some nut butter for added protein, or tahini or sunflower seed butter to go nut free.
Granola: Granola sprinkled on top adds another level of crunch.
Nuts & Seeds: Add peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, or cashews. Or
hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Freeze-dried fruit: I've recently discovered how tasty adding dried fruit is to smoothies, smoothie bowls, even ice cream and yogurt. Think dried blueberries, cranberries, Goji berries, or even raisins.
Tips & Substitutions
1.If your peanut butter seems chunky and dry, you can first microwave if for 30 seconds and stir until smooth before adding it to the blender.
2.Instead of zucchini to thicken, use frozen riced cauliflower. Steaming both the zucchini and cauliflower first is also fine, just be sure to allow both vegetable to cool before using.
3. If you opt for a sweetener, instead of dates or maple syrup other options include applesauce, coconut nectar, agave, and honey if you aren't vegan. Stevia is a plant-based artificial sweetener.
FAQS
Is peanut butter good for you in smoothies?
Peanut butter is full of protein, heart healthy fats and fiber, and adds a delicious nut flavor to your smoothie. For optimum nutrition, use natural peanut butter, the kind with only nuts, salt and oil in the ingredients, and no added sugar or other additives.
How do you make a smoothie thick like ice cream?
The best way to keep a smoothie thick is to reduce the liquid, and be sure to have at least one thickening ingredient such as avocado, zucchini, frozen banana, mango, or even chia seeds. If not vegan, use greek yogurt, or find a thick plant-based yogurt such as coconut or cashew.
How many calories are in a chocolate peanut butter smoothie?
The typical recipe is about 360 calories. This recipe, using zucchini and dates is under 300 calories yet still lush and decadent chocolate shake.
More Delicious Smoothies
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie (no banana)
Ingredients
- ½ cup dairy-free milk If possible, freeze in ice cube trays prior night
- ½ cup zucchini raw, chopped, not peeled, organic
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter or any nut butter
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips use a teaspoon to streak the inside of jar
Optional
- 1-3 dates soft or soaked 5 minutes in just boiled water, or use a tablespoon of maple syrup
Instructions
Prep
- Melt the chocolate chips for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add most to the blender, but use some to streak the inside of the jar with the back of a spoon.½ cup chocolate chips
Make smoothie
- Combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. If you want it thicker or colder, add ice. If you want it thinner, add more milk. For a touch of caramel flavor, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.½ cup dairy-free milk, ½ cup zucchini, 2 tablespoon peanut butter, 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- Taste test for sweetness and add dates or maple syrup if needed.1-3 dates
Storage
- Drink right away to enjoy the frosty texture. Or store refrigerated for 24 hours, or pour into ice cube trays and freeze to blend another day.
Ela
I love peanut butter and I adore chocolate, so this would be the perfect smoothie for me! Love the addition of zucchini, so healthy and smart! 🙂
Dee Dine
Thank you Ela! This is such a favorite flavor at home!