This chocolate avocado smoothie is amazingly healthy, quick and simple, and outrageously creamy. And you won’t even taste the avocado, it’s all chocolate and banana! Naturally gluten-free with paleo and vegan options.
I love avocado smoothies, and this smoothie is at the top of my list. Avocados make any smoothie super rich, thick and creamy. Chocolate and avocado together make an indulgent treat.
But no worries because this luscious smoothie is actually good for you!
Ingredients:
- Avocado
- Cocoa powder
- Banana
- Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for paleo and vegan options
- Milk or non-dairy milk
- Vanilla
- Maple syrup or honey (for non-vegan)
By the way, if you need this smoothie to be gluten-free, check out Is Cocoa Powder Gluten-free? for more info on brands that are tested as and labeled gluten-free! You can also read specifically about Hershey’s here → Is Hershey’s Gluten-free?
How to make:
It’s super easy!
- Just blend the ingredients until it’s creamy.
- Add a little milk if you want it thinner. Add sweetener, if desired.
- Serve!
Tips:
- As you blend, scrape down the sides of the blender to make sure all the ingredients are blended well.
- Like your smoothies extra cold? Use frozen bananas. It takes a little prep, but it’s worth it on those hot mornings. You can also freeze cubed avocado, so if you have some that are ripe that you’re not using, just cut them into cubes and freeze them.
- To make a smoothie bowl, top it with sliced fresh fruit and granola!
- You can store this smoothie overnight in the fridge for a quick breakfast on the run. But don’t forget about it because it will only last for a day.
- If you want to make a couple of batches, you can put the smoothie into freezer-safe glass jars with airtight lids and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just put one in the fridge to thaw overnight to thaw, stir and enjoy.
What milk alternatives can I use?
You can use any non-dairy milk you’d like. My favorites are cashew milk and then almond milk.
Soy milk and oat milk also work (for non-paleo). There might be slight differences in taste, so feel free to experiment and let me know which one you liked best.
How to freeze bananas and avocados:
For this smoothie, I just put the banana and ripe avocado in the fridge overnight. It makes this smoothie cold and refreshing, but if you like smoothies extra cold and don’t want to add ice (which would make it icy and watered down), then you can freeze the banana and avocado ahead of time.
How to freeze bananas:
Bananas are a staple for many, but no matter how much you eat them, there’s always a couple that start to turn bad. But that’s no problem because it means the banana will be extra sweet for this smoothie.
To freeze bananas, just peel and slice into little bites. Place the sliced banana pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Don’t overcrowd them or they’ll stick together in a clump.
Put them in the freezer for about two hours. Once the bananas are frozen, transfer them into a resealable plastic bag and use them when needed. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to freeze avocados:
Avocados, too, tend to go from ripe to overripe within a day or two. When there’s a sale on avocados, I buy what I can to have them for smoothies later.
To freeze avocados, just peel and dice into cubes. On a lined baking sheet, place the cubes on the sheet without overcrowding. Once they are frozen, transfer to a resealable plastic bag and store in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
If you’re looking for more information on avocados like how to choose them, cut them and store them, then check out my Ultimate Guide to Avocados. It has everything you need to know about avocados including all the healthy benefits.
Are you sure this smoothie isn’t actually pudding?
No, not exactly. It verges on being a pudding because of its chocolaty creaminess and thickness. If you want to make a pudding instead just leave out the milk. That’s what I did for this Healthy Mint Chocolate Pudding and the result is amazing!
If a non-avocado pudding is more your thing, try this super-rich Vegan Chocolate Pudding. It’s easy and sweetened with either coconut sugar or maple, and it’s also paleo.
Other smoothie recipes:
It’s hot out there, and one way to beat the heat is to start your day with a cool and refreshing treat.
- This Vietnamese Avocado Smoothie is simple, sweet and creamy. You can make it the traditional way with sweetened condensed milk or for a healthier version that’s both paleo and vegan, you can use maple syrup and coconut milk.
- This Blueberry Avocado Smoothie is an extra tasty and simply gorgeous treat. Easy to make paleo and vegan.
- This Cherry Ginger Lime Smoothie is bright and full of cherry flavor with spicy ginger and zesty lime juice.
- This citrusy Banana Orange Smoothie is healthy and smooth. With paleo, vegan and whole30 options.
- This Raspberry Banana Avocado Smoothie is perfectly fruity and creamy.
- If you like coconut, you’re going to love this Raspberry Coconut Smoothie. It’s rich and naturally sweetened. With a dairy-free and vegan option.
- If you want a tropical smoothie, this Strawberry Mango Banana Smoothie is easy breezy and full of amazing flavor.
Which one is your favorite?
If you try this chocolate avocado smoothie or any recipes you find here, I want to hear about it! Just tag your photos 📸#texanerin on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter so I can easily find them. You can also find all my recipes on Pinterest, just hit the follow button. Enjoy!
Photos and text updated 7/2021. The recipe is still the same. Here’s an old photo for reference.
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie (paleo, vegan, dairy-free options)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 2 small smoothies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (60 grams) plain Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt for paleo/vegan (see below for more info)
- 1/4-1/2 cup (60-120ml) cashew milk or whatever milk you'd like
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder (I like Dutch-process or Hershey's Special Dark)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 avocado (85 grams)
- 1 medium cold banana (about 120 grams without the peel)
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup, honey (for non-vegan) or another liquid sweetener, optional1
Directions
- Put everything, everything for the sweetener, and starting with 1/4 cup of milk, into the blender (or food processor) in the order listed.
- Blend until it's very creamy. Add more milk, if needed, until it's the desired thickness. Taste and add sweetener, if desired. I use 3 tablespoons of maple syrup.
- Serve immediately or keep covered in the refrigerator for up to one day.
Notes
- You could also add more banana instead of sweetener, but that will decrease the chocolate taste and make it more banana-y.
- Coconut yogurt will yield a thick smoothie like you see in the photos but you could also use coconut milk for a thinner version. If using yogurt, make sure that it's compliant with your diet (so - no added junk for paleo).
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195 comments on “Chocolate Avocado Smoothie (super rich, creamy, thick!)” — Add one!
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LOOK how thick this smoothie is, Erin!! It's safe to say that avocados are one of my favorite foods. And I have yet to try them in smoothies! But now I am convinced. Totally doing it.
I hope you'll like the whole avocado in smoothies thing. They make them so creamy! :)
It actually really surprises me that you like avocado with all the veggies you don't like ;) But Im glad you do. This smoothie looks really amazing! :)
Hehe. Hey, you know… avocados are actually fruit. BUT I wish they were veggies. Just so I could say that I love at least one type of vegetables!
Now this looks delish. I have only used avocados in smoothies once but I should try it more often. When you come we have to make a list of things to bake, and cook :-) because they are several recipes in your blog I must try!!
You really should! And oh… we don't have much time to cook and bake. I wish we had longer. :(
I LOVE the creamy texture avocado gives smoothies, and I'm with you on eliminating ice in smoothies. This looks incredible, love that deep chocolate colour!
Thanks! And yeah. Ice doesn't belong in smoothies. Where does it belong? I don't know. Perhaps snow cones? :D
Love how chocolatey this is!! Gorgeous pictures too! I am not a huge fan of bananas, but I see other fun ideas with this. I have a fridge full of avocados, so I might need to give it a try!
Oh, I'd love to read about what you come up with! I hope to see some avocado posts over on DD&D.; :D And thank you for the picture comment!
I'm pretty obsessed with avocados lately and have been buying WAY too many. Sounds like a tasty way to use my surplus!
Woohoo, avocado mania! Same over here. I actually made some other stuff with avocados. They're good stuff. :D
I love how chocolatey this is! I've never had avocado… I think I need an intervention lol
Haha. I hadn't had avocado until last year. You should really try them! Super healthy and all that… :)
OH I saw a recipe for chocolate mousse with avocado the other day, and now this makes me want to try this combination even more!
Yay! That makes me so happy to hear, Erin. :)
This looks so wonderful and rich and thick and creamy. The perfect chocolate smoothie!
Thanks, Kathryn! :)
I am allergic on apples but I keep eating them. I like a mix of banana and avocado and I love the glass from a picture :)
Hehehe. What happens when you eat apples? You and I should get together and eat apples and bananas. For scientific reasons! :D
It starts to be very itchy inside my mouth and I feel like scratching all the time, but it's difficult. We should do it, just for fun. Should we take boys with us, just in case someone will have to call an ambulance? ;)
So many creamy, healthy thickeners in one smoothie! How much can you taste the banana and avocado over the chocolate?
Hmm. Good question. You taste mostly banana and chocolate and not the avocado. If you want it more chocolatey, just add more cocoa powder, but then it'll be quite dark so you might need some added sweetener like honey, sugar, etc. Oh, or liquid Stevia! That's always nice in smoothies.
This smoothie is the perfect way to have some chocolate for breakfast! :)
Yeah it is! Totally guilt free and dessert-like. :)
Did you know avocados freeze wonderfully? I quarter mine and freeze on a tray, then bag them for my smoothies!
Me too! And they're just as good as when fresh! Although I do halves. Your quarter idea is much better. Thanks for the tip! :)
I am soo excited to know I can freeze avocados! I often end up throwing some out because I don’t use them before they get too ripe! Great tip. Thanks!!
You’re welcome! So happy that you won’t have to throw away any avocados ever again. :)
So far I can only eat avocado in guacamole but your awesome smoothies make me think I could possibly add them to the list of foods where avocado is ok for me.
Regina! You have to try! Honestly, little picky me, green hater me… I can do this and so can you. Be brave! :D
Oh my goodness – YES. Chocolate and avocado are the new match made in heaven. This looks wonderful!
Hehe. Thanks, Ali! :)
Do you know the nutrition stats?
I don't, sorry. You could try using Caloriecount or Spark People. Both have recipe analyzers. :)
I'm so glad you addressed the avocado thing because I won't lie – every time I see avocado in sweets I think, there's no way that tastes good :) But you've convinced me it might just be worth a try, your smoothie looks awesome!
Tracey. I have to tell you, I'm super picky. And I HATE green stuff. I would never post something that tastes green. :D I hope you give it a try!
I have yet to try adding an avocado to my smoothies. It took me a while to jump on the spinach in smoothie train, so I'm not surprised I'm a little hesitant about adding avocado. Something about green and sweets that makes me think twice. But I love adding spinach (can't taste it and its great for you) so I just need to suck it up and try this recipe!! Sounds delicious. :)
Oh no. No no no. No spinach in smoothies over here! I just can't. I've tried and it's not for me. But avocados?! Yes! Honestly, if I, the pickiest and most immature eater in the world can do it, you can too. ;)
I've made the avocado chocolate pudding and loved it. Turning it into a smoothie is a fabulous idea! :)
I remember leaving a comment on that post! :D It's kind of weird that I remember that, isn't it? But that just means it must have been an amazing post!
I've been actually doing a lot of experimenting with avocados lately as I've been working for the California Avocado Commission and you're right, they totally work for sweet treats. I've made cakes, cupcakes, pancakes and cookies and they're wonderful. Love, love, love your shake, what a delicious looking guilt-free treat!
Oh boy. I hope you share those recipes soon! I've also been experimenting with avocados in baked goods. Love them. :)