Creamy Kale Chocolate Protein Smoothie

If you ask me, green smoothies don’t have to taste like lawn clippings.

This nutrient-packed kale and chocolate smoothie proves that healthy can actually taste good. Rich chocolate flavor masks the earthiness of kale, while protein powder turns it into a proper meal replacement.

It’s blended with frozen banana for natural sweetness and a creamy texture that makes you forget you’re drinking your greens. A splash of almond milk and a touch of honey bring everything together.

It’s a quick breakfast option that fills you up and gives you energy to tackle your morning, without sacrificing taste for nutrition.

What Kind of Kale Should I Use?

For smoothies, both curly kale and Tuscan kale (also called dinosaur or lacinato kale) work great, though curly kale is usually easier to find at most grocery stores. If you’re new to adding kale to smoothies, start with Tuscan kale since it has a milder flavor that won’t overpower your chocolate and peanut butter. Before adding kale to your smoothie, remove the tough center stems and give the leaves a quick rinse. A helpful tip is to prep your kale ahead of time by washing, de-stemming, and freezing it in portions – this not only makes your smoothie colder but also helps break down the leaves for a smoother blend.

Options for Substitutions

This smoothie recipe is super adaptable – here’s how you can switch things up:

• Protein powder: Any chocolate protein powder works here – whey, pea, or soy. If you don’t have chocolate flavor, use vanilla protein powder and add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.
• Almond milk: Feel free to use any milk you like – oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or regular dairy milk all work great here.
• Kale: Not a fan of kale? Swap it for spinach, which has a milder taste. You can also use swiss chard or even romaine lettuce.
• Chia seeds: You can replace chia seeds with flax seeds or hemp seeds. If using flax, make sure they’re ground for better nutrient absorption.
• Peanut butter: Any nut or seed butter works well – try almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter. Each will give a slightly different but equally good flavor.
• Banana: For a lower-carb option, try using 1/4 avocado instead. You can also use 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower – trust me, you won’t taste it!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Blending

The biggest challenge when making a kale smoothie is ending up with a gritty texture that feels like you’re drinking chopped leaves – to avoid this, blend your kale and liquid first for about 30 seconds before adding other ingredients. Another common mistake is using warm ingredients, which can make your smoothie taste flat and unappetizing – make sure your banana is frozen and your almond milk is cold for the best temperature and texture. If you’re finding chunks of chia seeds in your drink, try soaking them in the almond milk for 10 minutes before blending, which helps them blend more smoothly and also makes their nutrients more available. To prevent protein powder from clumping, add it last and pulse a few times before doing the final blend.

What to Serve With Chocolate Protein Smoothie?

This filling smoothie works great as a quick breakfast or post-workout meal, but adding a few extras can make it even more satisfying. I like to serve it with a piece of whole grain toast topped with sliced banana and a drizzle of honey – it adds some nice crunch and extra staying power. For a protein-packed morning, you could add a hard-boiled egg on the side, or make it part of a breakfast spread with some Greek yogurt topped with granola. If you’re having this as a post-workout snack, a small handful of mixed nuts or a few whole grain crackers can help round things out.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This smoothie tastes best when enjoyed right after blending. If you need to store it, pour it into an airtight container or mason jar, filling it as close to the top as possible to minimize air exposure. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours, though you might notice some separation.

Prep Ahead: Save time in the morning by making smoothie packs! Put your kale, banana chunks, and chia seeds in individual freezer bags. When you’re ready to blend, just dump a pack into your blender with the protein powder, almond milk, and peanut butter. These freezer packs stay good for up to 3 months.

Remix: If your stored smoothie separates, no worries! Just give it a good shake or a quick whirl in the blender to bring it back together. You might want to add a few ice cubes if it’s not cold enough for your taste.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 25-30 g
• Fat: 15-20 g
• Carbohydrates: 50-55 g

Ingredients

• 1 serving chocolate protein powder
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/2 banana
• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup ice
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

Step 1: Blend the Ingredients

Gather all your chosen ingredients and place them into a blender.

Make sure everything is securely in place before you begin blending.

Blend until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency, making sure there are no large chunks remaining.

Step 2: Pour into a Glass

Once the mixture is thoroughly blended, carefully pour it into a glass of your choice.

Ensure there is some space left at the top for your toppings, if you wish to add any.

Step 3: Add Toppings and Enjoy

Add your preferred toppings to the top of your blended beverage.

This could be anything from fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of syrup.

Once your toppings are in place, your drink is ready to enjoy!

Sip and savor the flavors.