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Did you ever think you’d see chocolate and veggies in the same recipe?! Well, I’m here to tell you that it is not only possible, but it’s DELICIOUS!
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Smoothies are always the answer when you don’t know what to make, but want to get some good nutrition in. They are so easy to eat, that most picky eaters will at least try them. And in my house, anything chocolate is a winner!
Smoothies are one of my best hacks for getting protein and veggies into a meal/snack that kids and adults will love. They’re easy, customizable, quick, and you don’t have to do a ton of grocery shopping to make them. You probably keep some if not most of these ingredients already on hand!
Zucchini is not something you usually squeeze into a breakfast or snack. The flavor is so mild when it’s raw that you’re not going to notice it in the smoothie at all! Zucchini contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds, like antioxidants.
This particular smoothie recipe can become your go-to when you want to pack in a bunch of nutrients. Thanks to the dates, it’s sweet but not too sweet. It’s got veggies in it, protein and fat from nut butter, hemp hearts, and milk, and it ends up tasting like a chocolate milkshake!
Also, if you’re in the market for a blender for smoothies (and a million other things!), this one is the best out there! Or if you’re just looking for a single-serve smoothie blender, this is my other favorite!
All you need is:
1-¼ cup milk (I like 2% milk but you can use any kind)
3 dates (pitted!)
2 tbsp cashew or almond butter
1 small raw zucchini
1 large frozen banana
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp hemp hearts (optional)
You could also add chia seeds instead of hemp seeds, but keep in mind that chia seeds will have a little more texture, even when blended!
I think zucchini works best in this recipe because its high water content allows it to blend in with the rest of the ingredients without adding any flavor. I have made smoothies with cauliflower before as well, but I haven’t tried it in this one. It would probably work well, though!
Yes! You can use any type of milk you want. Using an alternative milk will change the nutrition stats a bit (likely less protein and fat unless you’re using soy milk), but it will still blend up nicely!
Yes, when you use a dairy-free milk, this can be a vegan smoothie recipe.
Yes! Omit the nut butter, or add a nut-free butter like sunflower seed butter or granola butter.
Yes, and let them add the ingredients to the blender so they can see exactly what goes in it! This is how I introduced my kids to both spinach and cauliflower when they became picky as toddlers. You don’t have to make a big deal about it, you’re simply adding it as one ingredient to the recipe. It’s lovely for them to see that they like something with a vegetable in it. Even though the smoothie doesn’t taste like vegetables, it increases their familiarity with the veggie.
I love to top my smoothie with hemp seeds (sometimes instead of putting them in the blender); I love the added texture when you sprinkle them on top, but either way works great! You can also sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips on top if you want!
I personally love using cashew or almond butter in this recipe. You could definitely use peanut butter, but I find that peanut butter dominates the taste a little bit more than cashew or almond. If you’re looking for a peanut butter chocolate treat though, that could fit the bill perfectly!
Healthy Chocolate Smoothie – if you want to try another healthy chocolate smoothie recipe, this one uses avocado!
If you want more ideas for healthy, easy meals and snacks for your family, check out my Meal and Snack Survival Guide! It will simplify your mealtimes and make feeding your kids a breeze!
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