Raspberry Chocolate Protein Smoothie

This raspberry chocolate protein smoothie is made with healthy ingredients and has 29 grams of protein! Get a powerful antioxidant boost while enjoying your breakfast (or dessert) smoothie. Easy to make in just 5 minutes and is vegan, gluten free, soy free and nut free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie

• Anti-inflammatory
• Has 29 grams protein
• Rich in antioxidants

If you need an incredibly healthy breakfast smoothie that also tastes amazing, look no further! This raspberry chocolate protein smoothie is rich in flavour and has 29 grams of plant protein per serving. Chocolate and raspberry are a classic combination for a reason—they just go perfectly together. This smoothie tastes like dessert and can be enjoyed any time of the day as a healthy treat!

Cocoa powder is what gives this smoothie a deep chocolate flavour. Cocoa powder is healthy to use in smoothies because it is a rich source of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in cocoa powder are called flavonoids. These compounds are powerful and protect cells in the body from oxidative damage. Other benefits of cocoa powder are improved insulin resistance, reduction of nerve injury and inflammation, improved cognitive function and mood.

This protein smoothie has both plant based protein powder and hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are a great source of protein for vegans and non-vegans alike! They also improve heart health and reduce inflammation in the body. This is because hemp seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids. This healthy fat protects brain health and lowers blood pressure. Adding hemp seeds to your daily protein smoothie is a great way to get these benefits on a regular basis.

Raspberries for Health

Raspberries are one of the healthiest fruits to eat. These small red berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants and may help to prevent chronic diseases and diabetes. They are also good for skin, helping to achieve a clear and glowing complexion thanks to a high vitamin C content.

Weight loss efforts may also be aided by consuming raspberries. They are high in fibre and manganese while being very low in calories. Fibre provides a feeling of satiety, keeping hunger away for longer than after eating low fibre foods. Raspberries help to manage blood sugar levels and can be helpful in reversing insulin resistance. Frozen raspberries provide all of these benefits just like fresh berries, so enjoy this smoothie often!

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this raspberry chocolate protein smoothie.

Cocoa powder: Gives the smoothie a deep chocolate flavour. Raw cacao powder can be used instead if preferred.

Hemp seeds: Adds to the creamy consistency of the smoothie.

Himalayan salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings depth to the other ingredients.

Protein powder: Use any favourite chocolate vegan protein powder. Sweetened or unsweetened types both work well, but we recommend using a sweetened type in this recipe for the most delicious result!

Frozen raspberries & banana: Creates the thick cold base of this smoothie. Use fully ripe bananas for a sweet tasting result.

Oat 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

Hydrating

Staying properly hydrated is a basic requirement for optimal health. By incorporating daily smoothies you can maintain your ideal hydration level more easily. Start each morning with a smoothie for easy hydration!

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 smoothies 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 smoothies nutrient rich.

Variations

Try an alternative plant milk

This recipe uses oat 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 in a blender.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency, try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe.

Make it without banana

If you don’t like bananas they can be replaced with another fruit in this recipe, like frozen pineapple. The flavour of pineapple blends with raspberry perfectly. Another fruit to try instead of banana is mango. It might not sound like these fruits go with the taste of chocolate, but they are actually quite delicious combinations!

Add more sweetness

For an extra sweet, dessert-like version of this protein smoothie an extra sweetening ingredient can be added. 1 tablespoon of agave or date syrup will make this smoothie very sweet. Other options for adding sweetness are a scoop of sweetened vegan yogurt, a little extra frozen banana or 1-2 medjool dates.

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.

• Pour into a glass and serve your raspberry chocolate protein smoothie.

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 smoothies from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Don’t over blend

Try to blend your smoothie for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothies 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 smoothies that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. It 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 glass

By placing your smoothie glass in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie stay cool for longer. 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!

How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies

There are different ways to freeze bananas for making smoothies and smoothie bowls. This method is the simplest way to freeze plenty of ripe bananas for smoothies at one time.

1. Peel your fully ripe bananas.
2. Break each banana into two or three pieces.
3. Freeze the banana pieces overnight in a reusable freezer bag.

FAQ’s

Can I make this smoothie with fresh fruit instead of frozen?

For a thick and cold smoothie it’s best to use all frozen fruit. It’s also okay to use half frozen fruit and half fresh fruit if not everything is frozen. The smoothie will still be cool and refreshing. Make sure that either the raspberries or banana chunks are frozen before adding to the blender.

Can I lose weight with smoothies?

Smoothies are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally lower calorie and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired like a huge meal would.

Can smoothies be refrigerated?

Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothies for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar. Be aware the consistency won’t be as thick as when it was first blended.

Can I make smoothies without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothies 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 to have a higher protein content, you can simply add one extra scoop of protein powder to the recipe. Avoid adding more than this as the texture of the smoothie may change and become unpleasant. Try adding other high protein ingredients like extra hemp seeds, vegan greek yogurt or almond butter.

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