Powder-Free Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie

Would you believe me if I told you that you can easily make a delicious plant-based smoothie with 20 grams of protein, without any protein powder? Yes! While protein powders are a great way to supplement the protein in your diet, sometimes its nice to only eat whole, pure foods.

Personally, I have nothing against protein powders and use them frequently – especially when I am eating a purely plant-based diet. I strength train 3 times a week and spin/run 2 times a week, therefore I supplement my diet with a protein powder immediately after my workout to help build muscle (remember – muscle helps burn fat!). However, I save the protein powders for the heavy workouts and like to drink this type of smoothie on my rest or recovery days.

This shake is naturally sweetened with fruit. Use an alternative milk that has a higher protein content such as soy or a pea protein milk. Hemp seeds add protein and are a superfood rich in Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. Pure cacao powder adds the chocolate flavor and is rich in magnesium and iron. Oats add additional fiber. Cauliflower rice adds fiber and sulforaphane – an important antioxidant found in cruciferous vegetables (I also always like to add a bit of veggies to all my meals).

This would make a great breakfast, post-workout smoothie or afternoon snack. Make it into a smoothie bowl with a sprinkle of granola or extra cherries.

Love smoothies? Let me know!

Powder-free Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie

Print Recipe

Simple, plant-based/vegan smoothie made only with whole foods. Chocolaty and naturally sweetened with fruit, it takes less than 5 minutes to prepare. Perfect for breakfast, post-workout or a snack! 

• Author: Jeannine
• Prep Time: 5
• Total Time: 5
• Yield: 1 smoothie 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 cup Ripple unsweetened vanilla milk or unsweetened vanilla soy milk
• 2 tablespoons cacao powder
• 2 tablespoons hemp seed
• 3/4 cup (about 10) pitted dark cherries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 medium banana
• 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower rice
• 1/4 cup gluten-free oats
• Optional: 1 medjool pitted date (to sweeten)
• 1/2 cup ice 

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Instructions

• In a high-speed blender, add all the ingredients and blend until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides as needed. 
• If you’d like a thinner smoothie, add 1/2 cup cold water. 
• Adjust flavor as needed (ie., add more cacao powder or option date if you would like sweeter)

Notes

• Calorie information is without the date. Adding a date will add about 18 more grams of carbs and 60 more calories. 

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 17
• Fat: 17
• Carbohydrates: 56
• Fiber: 10
• Protein: 23