Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Posted Feb 18, 2026
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This chocolate banana smoothie recipe is easy to make in 5 minutes with 5 wholesome ingredients including banana, cocoa powder, protein powder, and honey. It’s thick, creamy, and a kid-approved breakfast or snack that’s perfect for busy mornings.
I consider myself a bit of a smoothie connoisseur. I drink one every morning, my kids love to drink them, and over the years I’ve created, tested, tweaked, and perfected dozens of healthy and delicious smoothie recipes. This chocolate banana smoothie is one such recipe, it’s delicious easy and loved by everyone in our house.
It tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but it’s made with good-for-you ingredients. Naturally sweet bananas, cocoa powder, and a scoop of protein powder blend together into a thick, creamy chocolate and banana smoothie that makes a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack!
Chocolate Banana Smoothie: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Milk. Use whole milk, 2%, skim, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.
- Frozen banana. For a thick creamy smoothie – make sure your banana is frozen. If you use a non-frozen banana I suggest adding 1/2 cup ice to help thicken the smoothie.
- Chocolate protein powder. Use your favorite brand. I love this chocolate protein powder.
- Honey. maple syrup is a great substitute for honey – or you can omit if you like your smoothies a little less sweet.
- Vanilla extract. optional but it adds a great depth of flavor.
- Add-ins. you can add some nutrition boosters like chia seeds, 1 cup of green (spinach, kale, etc), bee pollen, ground flaxseed, etc.
How to Make a Chocolate and Banana Smoothie
Let’s walk through how to make this recipe together step-by-step, and of course you can watch the video for further guidance.
Begin by putting the ingredients into the blending container of a high-powered blender in the order listed in the recipe. It’s important to add the liquid first for easy blending.
I always add the honey towards the end (or last). This ensures it doesn’t get stuck to the bottom of the blender and that it does get fully incorporated into the smoothie.
Then, blend, staring on low speed and quickly increasing to high speed for 30 to 50 seconds, or until the mixture is smooth and thick.
Serve
Pour into one or two cups (depending on how hungry you are or if you’re sharing with someone), and serve immediately.
I always eat my smoothie alongside another healthy breakfast recipes like cottage cheese pancakes or peanut butter banana baked oatmeal.
Store/Freeze
I honestly suggest drinking this chocolate banana smoothie right away. However, you could freeze it in a glass jar for up to 1 month. Make sure to leave room at the top of the jar for the smoothie to expand as it freezes.
Chocolate Banana Smoothie Recipe FAQS
Absolutely, I have 6 kids and often double this recipe to make some for everyone.
Yes, just omit the protein powder in this recipe. The cocoa powder makes it nice and chocolatey on it’s own.
Use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best results!
Yes you can easily make this recipe dairy-free by using almond, coconut, or oat milk as the base. You can also use maple syrup in place of honey and a vegan protein powder to make it vegan.
Using frozen bananas makes it nice and thick. You can add 1/2 cup ice if it’s not thick enough for you, or some chia seeds.
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
Chocolate Banana Smoothie
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (whole, 2%, almond, coconut, etc.)
- 1 frozen banana (large, or two small)
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon chocolate protein powder (optional, but recommended)
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Put ingredients in the order listed in the container of a high powered blender.
- Blend, starting on low speed and quickly increasing to high speed. Blend on high for 30-50 seconds, or until the mixture is thick and smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Milk. Use whole milk, 2%, skim, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.
- Frozen banana. For a thick creamy smoothie – make sure your banana is frozen. If you use a non-frozen banana I suggest adding 1/2 cup ice to help thicken the smoothie.
- Chocolate protein powder. Use your favorite brand. I love this chocolate protein powder.
- Honey. maple syrup is a great substitute for honey – or you can omit if you like your smoothies a little less sweet.
- Vanilla extract. optional but it adds a great depth of flavor.
- Add-ins. you can add some nutrition boosters like chia seeds, 1 cup of green (spinach, kale, etc), bee pollen, ground flaxseed, etc.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
