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This combination is so simple, I hardly consider it a recipe, but I’ve been enjoying it far too often to keep it all to myself.
What I love most about this frosty chocolate shake is that it’s exclusively sweetened with fruit, and has a slushy texture reminiscent of an authentic milkshake. The key to this texture is using frozen banana, which is notorious for its ice-cream like qualities, and adding very little liquid, to keep the mixture nice and thick. Paired with cinnamon, which is thought to help balance blood sugar, and nutrient-rich hemp hearts, this shake packs over 10 grams of protein per serving, and will keep you satisfied far longer than a traditional milkshake!
For an even healthier spin, try adding a handful or two of fresh spinach to the mix. It adds a slightly green tint to this shake, but doesn’t affect its rich chocolate flavor.
The next time you need a post-workout snack, or just a tasty chocolate treat, I hope you give this shake a shot!
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Chocolate Banana Protein Shake (Vegan, Nut-free)
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 frozen banana*
3 tablespoons hemp hearts
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free, if desired)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3-4 ice cubes (optional)
2 handfuls fresh spinach (optional)
*Tip: Be sure to peel your bananas before freezing! If you have a high-speed blender, like the Vitamix, you can leave the banana whole, but otherwise, I recommend slicing the banana into small coins before freezing, for easier and more uniform blending.
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until thick and smooth. Adjust any flavors to taste, as desired, and serve immediately!
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana*
- 3 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol-free, if desired)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3-4 ice cubes (optional)
- 2 handfuls fresh spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a high-speed blender, and blend until thick and smooth. Adjust any flavors to taste, as desired, and serve immediately!
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy!
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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite shake combination?
This recipe was so delicious after a workout. I recently bought a huge bag of hemp hearts at my local Costco and have been intimidated to use it. This delicious recipe will be in my regular rotation from now on. Thank you for all the amazing recipes.
This was good. I did subtract 1 T hemp and add 1 T choc protein powder. I also added a small scoop of beet powder. I had no spinach so I skipped it. Thanks.
Another winner! Delicious recipe!
I was skeptical but this shake is delicious….so good in fact that I drank it so quickly I wanted to make a second one. Luckily I waited a few minutes because what I didn’t expect is that I’ve been really full for a few hours now – must be all the protein. This will be on my list of regulars to have now. Didn’t add spinach yet, may try that next time. Yummy – thanks.
Taste great, thanks for this recipe.
How come it needs to be served immediately?
It has the best texture when you serve it right away. If you let it sit, it will still be edible, just not quite as enjoyable!
Yum. Also, thank you for not putting avocado in e v e r y t h i n g. Some people (like me) are sadly allergy to it. Great web site. Really enjoying it and feeling inspired.
Hi Megan,
Your protein shake recipe is fantastic. I have featured it in our website Green Thickies.
Of course all credits are given to you and linked back to this page. I have not posted the actual recipe, but only a small snippet from this page and one photo from here.
Hope that is okay with you. Thanks a lot 🙂
Katherine,
Green Thickies
can I do it with chocolate pieces instead of powder?