Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie Bowl
A delectable treat bursting with juicy raspberry and rich chocolate flavour, sure to satisfy all dessert cravings—this chocolate raspberry smoothie bowl is super easy and quick to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. Vegan, gluten free, soy free.
Why You’ll Love This Smoothie Bowl
- Has 19 grams of protein
- Extra thick
- High in antioxidants
Raspberries and chocolate are a classic combination for a reason, it’s hard to think of a better match! This chocolate raspberry smoothie bowl is sweet, slightly tart and has an ultra thick consistency perfect to enjoy with a spoon. Almond butter gives this smoothie bowl an even richer taste and texture.
This bowl of goodness can be enjoyed as a healthy dessert, a snack between meals or even as breakfast! It has 19 grams of plant protein and is packed with highly satiating ingredients to keep hunger away for hours.
Raspberries have an antioxidant called anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol. Antioxidants keep you healthy by protecting cells from oxidative stress, which leads to diseases over time. Raspberries also reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels. Bananas are high in antioxidants as well as gut-healthy fibre.
Cocoa powder gives this smoothie bowl its rich chocolate flavour. There are antioxidants in cocoa powder like polyphenols. Cocoa powder also has an anti-inflammatory effect on the gut. That means regularly adding cocoa powder to your smoothie bowls can be a healthy choice.
Ingredients Needed
These are the ingredients you will need to make this chocolate raspberry smoothie bowl.
Himalayan salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings depth to the other ingredients.
Cocoa powder: Gives the smoothie bowl its chocolate flavour.
Almond butter: Adds a rich creaminess when combined with the frozen ingredients.
Protein powder: Any favourite chocolate vegan protein powder. Use a sweetened protein to balance any tartness from the raspberries.
Frozen raspberries & banana: Creates the thick, creamy base of the smoothie bowl and adds sweetness.
Coconut milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds a creamy consistency.
For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Benefits
High fibre
Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.
Nutrient dense
Vegan smoothie bowls are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothie bowls nutrient rich.
Quick and easy
It’s incredibly fast to make a yummy smoothie bowl. Gather your ingredients and toss them in the blending container, blend, and you’re already done! Rinse the blender container. It doesn’t get much more simple than that. Smoothie bowls rarely take more than 5 minutes to make. This makes them a great option if you find yourself short on time for a healthy meal.
Variations
Try an alternative plant milk
This recipe uses coconut milk but you can try using any plant based milk you prefer. Some alternatives include soy, almond or cashew! You can also make your own plant milk from scratch.
Make it even sweeter
For a super sweet version add 2-3 medjool dates or 2 tablespoons of agave or maple syrup to the blender. These add-ins may also be helpful if using an unsweetened protein powder.
Switch base ingredients
If you don’t like bananas then try something else as the base! Mango usually substitutes banana well. If you’re allergic to or simply dislike a suggested ingredient then try to find something with a similar texture that you enjoy the flavour of. There is no wrong way to make a smoothie bowl, and you can always omit any ingredients you don’t have on hand.
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender.
- Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.
- Scoop into a bowl and add desired toppings. Serve your chocolate raspberry smoothie bowl immediately!
Prep & Blending
Add ingredients in the correct order
Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.
Use a tamper
Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothie bowls from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.
Avoid over blending
Try to blend your smoothie bowl for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothie bowls will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.
Use a high power blender
For smoothie bowls that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. A Vitamix can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.
Chill your bowl
By placing your bowl in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie bowl stay cool for longer. This way it won’t start melting instantly while you are eating it. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie bowl!
FAQ’s
Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?
The raspberries need to be completely frozen when blending for a satisfying, thick result. Using fresh raspberries will create a smoothie like consistency instead of something that can be enjoyed with a spoon.
Can I lose weight with smoothie bowls?
Smoothie bowls are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally healthier and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie bowl helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired.
Can smoothie bowls be refrigerated?
Smoothie bowls are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothie bowls for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar. Be aware the consistency will not be as thick as a fresh smoothie bowl.
Can I make smoothie bowls without a high speed blender?
Yes, you can still make smoothie bowls with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.
How can I increase the protein?
If you wish for your smoothie bowl to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie bowl. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.
Related
Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie for Weight Loss
Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie Bowl
Mint Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie Bowl
Chocolate Raspberry Smoothie Bowl
Equipment
- high power blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 pinch Himalayan salt
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 scoop chocolate vegan protein powder (sweetened)
- 3 cup frozen raspberries
- 2 frozen bananas
Toppings pictured
- raspberries
- chocolate shavings
- melted chocolate
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender.
- Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.
- Scoop into a bowl and add desired toppings. Serve immediately.