This chocolate banana protein shake is smooth, creamy, and protein-packed. You’ll love that it’s just 1-step so you’re always a quick blend away from sipping a homemade banana protein smoothie.
Table of Contents
I love the refreshing chill of a smoothie on a hot summer day or after an intense workout. This banana protein recipe is made completely in the blender in one step, so you can have a protein-rich breakfast in a flash.
Skip the smoothie bar and blend frozen banana and cocoa powder for a budget-friendly breakfast that your whole family will enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Banana Protein Shake Recipe
- Perfect for Pre or Post-Workout. Whether you prefer to eat before or after working out, banana chocolate protein shakes are protein-rich to give you the energy to carry you through the day, even after that long run.
- You Control the Sweetness. Chocolate protein banana smoothies are made with unsweetened almond milk and are sweetened with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. Increase, decrease, or skip the maple syrup to personalize sweetness.
- Budget-Friendly. Hitting the smoothie shop daily, or weekly can really add up. This banana protein smoothie recipe uses budget-friendly ingredients you can keep on hand for smoothies without swiping your credit card.
- Kid-Friendly. Chocolate and bananas are always a hit with kids. Serve up chocolate banana protein smoothies with a straw or as a smoothie bowl topped with your child’s favorite fruit or granola.
Ingredients
- Almond Milk: Unsweetened, vanilla, or plain varieties.
- Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness to unflavored protein powder and unsweetened milk.
- Protein Powder: Unsweetened or unflavored protein powder works well for this recipe and allows the flavors of banana and chocolate to be forefront. My favorite protein powder is pure, 100% whey protein isolate. It is unsweetened and packs 25g of protein per scoop! You can also use vanilla protein if you prefer an additional vanilla flavor, just omit the maple syrup.
- Cocoa Powder: For decadent chocolate flavor without any added sugar.
- Banana: Ripe bananas are sweeter and contribute a smooth texture to these banana protein drinks!
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla is totally optional but adds warm vanilla flavor that complements the maple syrup.
- Ice Cubes: A handful of ice makes for a cold and frosty smoothie with a perfectly drinkable consistency.
Substitutions
- Milk: Use your favorite non-dairy or dairy milk for this recipe. Oat milk, cashew milk, soy milk, and dairy milk are all great picks. Using unsweetened milk gives you the most control over the sweetness by adding maple syrup.
- Cacoa: Make banana cacao smoothies by substituting cocoa powered for cacao. Cacao, the unprocessed form of cocoa powder, will have a stronger, less sweet taste.
- Protein: You can use your favorite flavored protein for this recipe. Make a double chocolate smoothie by using chocolate protein powder or up your banana flavor using banana protein powder.
How to A Make Chocolate Banana Protein Shake
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: Add all ingredients to the blender in the order listed. Blend on high speed until smooth. Enjoy cold!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Freeze Ripe Bananas. If you have too many bananas to eat before they are overripe, peel, halve, and freeze in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. You’ll save yourself from throwing away overripe produce and be ready to make banana-flavored protein shakes anytime!
- Start with a Pulse. If you’re doubling or tripling this recipe or have a lower-power blender, begin by using the pulse setting and pulsing several times. This will help the ingredients begin to mix for smooth and creamy shakes.
- Enjoy Immediately. This protein shake is best when served immediately. Because this recipe is made with frozen banana and ice, the texture and the refreshing chill of this drink will change if the smoothie becomes room temperature. If you like to sip your smoothie slowly, pour it in an insulated cup with a lid to keep it cool longer.
- Let the blender do the scrubbing. My favorite way to clean my blender is to rinse it, fill it halfway with warm water and a few drops of soap, and run it for 10-15 seconds on a medium speed. The speed of the blender combined with the soapy water will loosen any smoothie from the blades and sides of the container. Then just rinse, air dry, and your blender is ready for tomorrow’s smoothie!
Recipe Mix-Ins
- Strawberries: Add a handful of frozen strawberries before blending for a strawberry-banana smoothie.
- Avocado: ¼ cup frozen avocado will blend smoothly with banana and will add some additional flavor, protein, and fat to your smoothie.
- Peanut Butter: Mix in 1 tablespoon of your favorite peanut butter or nut butter for additional protein.
- Collagen Powder: Don't have protein powder? No worries! Just substitute two scoops of unflavored collagen powder for the protein powder and follow the recipe directions as listed.
- Dark Chocolate: Add an extra chocolatey kick to your protein shake by substituting dark cocoa powder for regular cocoa powder. So tasty!
Serving Suggestions
Banana protein shakes are a quick breakfast, snack, or lunch, especially if you are on the go. Pour your smoothie into a cup with a lid to sip on your morning commute.
Smoothies are a complete meal alone or serve alongside savory breakfast favorites like Breakfast Casserole with Tater Tots or Black Bean Breakfast Enchiladas or sweeter breakfast recipes like Blueberry Lemon Bread or Dairy-Free Banana Muffins.
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: To make this smoothie gluten-free, be sure to select a protein powder that is gluten-free, such as whey protein powder isolate.
- Vegan: This shake can also be made vegan by using a plant-based protein powder.
- Nut-Free: To make this recipe nut-free, use soy milk, oat milk, or dairy milk.
FAQs
Bananas have a small amount of protein, around 1 gram, depending on the size. For a banana smoothie rich in protein, add a serving of protein powder before blending your smoothie. There are many protein powders available so you can select one that matches the level of protein that you’d like your smoothie to have.
The amount of protein in a chocolate banana smoothie will be determined by the type of protein powder you use. I use 100% whey protein powder (linked below), for a total of 25g of protein per smoothie.
For a higher protein smoothie, look for a protein powder with your ideal amount of protein. You can also increase the protein in a smoothie by adding a tablespoon of peanut butter.
Banana and chocolate mix well together in smoothies, desserts, breads, and muffins. Banana and chocolate are a popular combination in many foods because bananas are so multi-purpose for blending and baking.
The best milk for a protein shake is one that compliments the flavors of your other ingredients. Unsweetened almond milk blends well with fruits like bananas and is delicious with chocolate. To be able to personalize the sweetness of your protein shake with maple syrup and fruit, look for a milk that has no added sugar or sweeteners.
Tools Needed to Make This Recipe
More Smoothie Recipes
- Pineapple Banana Smoothie
- Vegan Protein Shakes (4 Ways!)
- Green Peanut Butter Date Smoothie
- Blueberry Spinach Smoothie
- Creamy Raspberry Smoothie
- Pineapple Green Smoothie
- Protein Popsicles (Made with a Smoothie Base!)
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Chocolate Banana Protein Shake
Email FacebookIngredients
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk vanilla or plain; or another type of milk (oat, dairy, soy, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup if using unsweetened/unflavored protein powder
- 1, 25g scoop protein powder unsweetened/unflavored, chocolate, or vanilla
- 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder natural
- ½ banana ripe or overripe
- 1 splash pure vanilla extract optional
- 1 handful ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the blender in the order listed.
- Blend on high speed until smooth. Enjoy cold!
Notes
- To store: This recipe is best enjoyed immediately.
- Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free select a protein powder that is gluten-free.
- Nut-Free: To make this recipe nut-free, you can use soy milk or dairy milk.
- Pre-Freeze Bananas: To make this smoothie anytime, pre-freeze halved bananas in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
- Start with a Pulse: Start blending your smoothie by using the pulse setting of your blender. Once ingredients are starting to blend, switch to a medium to high setting until your smoothie is fully mixed.
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