A chocolate brownie batter smoothie high in protein, fiber, potassium, anti-oxidants and more from avocado, zucchini, rolled oats, yogurt, and dark chocolate. Vegan, dairy-free and delicious.
Chocolate Brownie Batter Smoothie
I decided to make a brownie batter smoothie to eat before my workouts because eating healthy chocolate before a workout does amazing things.
Specifically, sports scientists say, this is because dark chocolate has a substance called "Epicatechin" that does all sorts of good things to the body: including supporting skin elasticity, lowering cholesterol, suppressing appetite. And the benefit that supports your workout is its ability to increase your blood flow, and boost your cardiac activity!
Now we are talking quality chocolate, though.
Chocolate that has 70% or more cacao, and very few additional ingredients, usually just cacao, cacao butter and some organic or plant-based sugar. Look for brands such as Chocolove, Theo, HU, Ghiradelli and more.
And dark chocolate in a smoothie also provides that fight free radicals and act as anti-inflammatories, which can help with post-workout recovery.
Ingredients in a Brownie Batter Smoothie
The main nutritional power houses in this smoothie are avocado, zucchini, rolled oats, dates, yogurt and dark chocolate chips.
How To Make A Brownie Batter Smoothie?
Pretty easy. Haha, I always say that. But it truly is. Just blend up frozen zucchini, avocado, yogurt, oats, chocolate, dates, milk, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
The brownie flavor comes out with the use of a chocolate bar and dates and oats..those ingredients make your taste buds scream "brownie!!".
Does A Brownie Batter Smoothie Contain Brownies?
Nope, not mine. I mimic the taste of brownies with extra healthy ingredients. Of course, if you want to add or eat a brownie with it, I won't judge. I might join you, haha!
How Healthy are Rolled Oats?
Pretty darn healthy.
Some people attest oats are among the healthiest plant-based foods on this planet. I am not seeing many studies supporting that sweeping claim, but they are very high in vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
Together these support things like weight loss, lower blood sugar levels and a reduced risk of heart disease. And sustained energy, making them a powerful ingredient in a pre-workout meal.
However, I get many questions on why I always use "gluten-free" rolled oats. Well, I always try to make recipes that avoid gluten because it's fairly easy and makes the recipe accessible to more people.
But there is an interesting issue involving rolled oats and gluten.
They already ARE gluten-free. By nature. So why go out of your way to buy a brand that says "Gluten-free" in big bold letters?
Why Buy Gluten-Free Rolled Oats?
Because although oats in general are naturally gluten-free, some brands process gluten-containing grains such as rye, wheat and barley on the same equipment as naturally gluten-free rice, buckwheat and oats.
To be safe, if you need to avoid gluten, look for brands that are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group, a nonprofit that provides their GFCO stamp on products that pass a stringent set of tests.
Everyone Needs Avocado Frosting Rosettes
Amirite?? So what the heck are they?
Basically chocolate frosting made with avocados, cacao powder and maple syrup. Blend up, stuff into a frosting bag out-fitted with a 1M tip and twizzle your frosting rosettes until your heart's content...
In summary, with the rolled oats providing fiber, the plant milk providing protein, and avocado rosettes providing potassium, we have a smoothie that is quite useful at providng pre-workout endurance, and post-workout recovery.
A workout-win-win, wouldn't you say? Or actually super useful to power you through a hectic schedule.
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Brownie Batter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup dairy-free yogurt
- ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (melted in microwave at 45 seconds on day of blending)
- 2 dates (boil for 5 minutes and then pit)
- ½ cup dairy-free milk (frozen in cubes for a frosty smoothie texture)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- pinch salt
- ½ avocado (ripe and scooped)
- ½ zucchini (frozen, chopped)
Chocolate Avocado Rosettes
- 1 avocado (ripe, scoop out flesh and put into a mixing bowl)
- ⅛ cup cacao powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Optional for Rosettes
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (to be extra fancy)
- 1 tbsp brewed coffee (To add caffeine and enhance chocolate flavor)
Instructions
Prep
- Boil dates for 5 minutes and then remove the pits. The dates put the "brownie" in this smoothie, but if you don't have dates, use 2 tbsp maple syrup or more. Taste-testing is a good idea. Freeze milk in ice cube trays; let thaw 20 minutes before blending if they are rock-hard.Freeze chopped zucchini; let thaw 20 minutes before blending if they are rock-hard.
Make Smoothie
- Blend up all ingredients, preferably in a high speed blender, until very smooth. Chill for at least an hour if it's not cold enough. I make mine the night before so it's chilled the next morning.
- To serve, either pour in a bowl and top with toppings OR pour in a glass and drink with a straw. Perfect before a workout to energize, also perfect to replenish when you are done. Enjoy!
Make Chocolate Avocado Rosettes
- Stir in a mixing bowl (too small an amount to blend) the avocado, the cacao, and the maple syrup. Spoon mixture into a piping bag with a 1M tip to create rosettes on your smoothie.If you don't have a piping bag, use a sandwich bag with tip cut off and squeeze drops onto the bowl surface. Or just spoon as though it is nut butter. You'll get the nutrition either way!
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