Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Recipe That Actually Tastes Like Dessert

A chocolate smoothie recipe that tastes like dessert but has greens, collagen, and antioxidants? Yes. It exists. And it's my new favorite breakfast.

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“I want a smoothie that tastes like it’s healthy,” said no one ever! This chocolate smoothie recipe is the healthy answer to your chocolate milkshake cravings (and mine!).

This healthy chocolate smoothie with collagen powder, spinach, dates, and cacao nibs is packed with superfoods but tastes like dessert.

Here’s What’s in this Superfood Chocolate Smoothie Recipe

Image of Laura Klein pouring mint chocolate green smoothie with collagen
You’ll be blown away by how yummy this chocolate smoothie recipe with collagen powder, spinach, dates, cocoa nibs is. – Credit: Image via Organic Authority Studios

Loaded with superfood ingredients like cacao nibs, fresh mint leaves, frozen spinach, a scoop of collagen protein powder, and non-dairy ice cream (you can use vanilla or chocolate), this super sneaky healthy smoothie will make you feel like you’re drinking a milkshake when really, you’re just doing your body a lot of good. It’s the perfect healthy green smoothie that doesn’t taste green at all.

Watch the video to see how easy it is to make!

Healthy Smoothie Recipe Ingredient Highlights

Image of a female hand holding a healthy chocolate milkshake with cocoa nibs and mint. Make this with vanilla ice cream if you really want to punch up the minty flavors or make it with chocolate ice cream and even add a teaspoon of cocoa powder to punch up the chocolate (and antioxidants!). If you're a total chocoholic, you could always add an organic chocolate sauce or chocolate syrup drizzle.
This chocolate mint shake (smoothie?!) is full of antioxidants and even your mom would agree this is perfectly suitable for breakfast. – Credit: Lauren Lobley

Cacao Nibs

Aside from being rich in antioxidants, cacao nibs are also good for heart health and healthy digestion. Research shows that cacao flavonoids may help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke, reduce inflammation, and improve mood.1 These compounds support cardiovascular health by improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress.2

Greens (Mint + Spinach)

Image of vegan chocolate milkshake in glass jar with mint and cacao nibs which are full of antioxidants, and mint that has tons of nutrients including vitamin C! Making this a healthy chocolate milkshake recipe. Depending on which brand of vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream, it can lean even healthier, but either way you're getting in some good nutrients with this easy chocolate milkshake recipe that's the perfect sweet treat.
This is a healthy green smoothie because it’s full of ingredients that support whole-body wellness, like spinach and collagen powder. – Credit: Lauren Lobley

It’s safe to say you already know why spinach is good for you (here’s looking at you, phytonutrients and iron). Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, along with folate and magnesium, making it one of the best healthy smoothie greens you can add to any recipe.3 The frozen spinach blends seamlessly into this chocolate smoothie, adding nutrients without any grassy flavor.

What’s more is the mint leaves in this healthy smoothie recipe are not only nutritious, they may help improve IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), relieve indigestion, improve brain function, and may even help with bad breath.4 Fresh mint also adds a cooling flavor that makes this chocolate smoothie taste like a restaurant-quality shake.

Dates

But did you know that dates are also a healthy item to add to your repertoire? They’re high in fiber, which helps with elimination if you’re a bit backed up (hey, it happens to the best of us). Dates are also rich in antioxidants and may support brain health.5

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Speaking of antioxidants and spinach… while we are obviously team healthy milkshake to get your greens in, we love these chef-tested organic greens powders on days we don’t want to clean the blender

Collagen

Image of mint chocolate shake with spinach and collagen
Collagen is a special ingredient, making this smoothie skin-food supplement as well as a delicious meal. Image by Lauren Lobley – Credit: Lauren Lobley

Collagen, one of our wellness BFFs, is great for your hair, skin, joints, and nails—it may even speed up wound healing. For nerd alert status deep dives on collagen, check out our guide to marine collagen (the most bioavailable form) and this guide on vegan collagen (is that a thing?).

0Leave us a comment to let us know if you’re on team shake or team smoothie!Post a comment.

For plant-based eaters, we have been super impressed with the Aloe Gorgeous Plant-Based Collagen Support by Ora Organic and love the vanilla notes for this recipe.

Easy Healthy Chocolate Smoothie: Make it Ahead Method

If a milkshake for breakfast is still too much for your hectic mornings, try prepping the ingredients ahead and storing them in the fridge or freezer.

Measure out the spinach, cacao nibs, and dates in your favorite mason jar or two, or any food storage container (BTW have you seen Caraway’s food storage collection?). Just remember to stay away from anything PTFE. Then when you need a quick, healthy breakfast, pop it into the blender with the rest of the ingredients for a quick and easy brekky/snack/meal.

Healthy Green Smoothie with Chocolate, Mint, Spinach, and Collagen Powder: The Method

Image of Laura Klein with a healthy chocolate milkshake with mint and spinach in a kitchen with sunflowers and a window. For creamy chocolate milkshakes.
Whichever you decide—shake or smoothie—it’s going to be delicious and healthy. Let us know what you think after you finish your glass! – Credit: Organic Authority Studio

Btw, if you’re looking for more chocolate recipes consider whipping up this insanely easy delicious chocolate blender mousse! It’s dairy free and made with coconut cream. And one of the best parts is you can make it ahead for fuss-free hosting.

And if you stumbled on this recipe because you wanted some healthy green recipes for St. Patrick’s Day, here are some more options: insanely easy shepherd’s pie (that happens to be vegetarian), this bright and vibrant emerald salad with pickled berries and Irish cheese, lusciously crispy roasted potatoes and cabbage, and classic (for a reason!) pot roast and potatoes. Oh, and here’s how to turn your beer green naturally (no yucky stuff).

7 min. Prep
0 Cook
7 min. Total
1 Servings

Ingredients

Preparation

Place non-dairy milk first into a blender, and follow with the other ingredients. Blend until smooth (about 1 minute). Serve immediately in your favorite glass and enjoy! Do you love milkshakes that are thick or thin? Feel free to adjust to your preferences. For a thicker shake, try adding a bit less non-dairy milk or cream (or adding frozen banana chunks!). And if you prefer a thinner shake, add a little more milk.

Sources:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4696435/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146107/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3742995/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164534/
  5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992385/
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By Lauren Lobley
Lauren Lobley is a mom of two, private chef, published cookbook author, food blogger, and host of a podcast ... More about Lauren Lobley
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