This light, frosty and delicious Chocolate Banana Swirl Smoothie contains two layers of smoothie goodness. A fresh and sweet banana layer, swirled into a rich and creamy chocolate layer, all hinted with nutmeg and nutty maca powder for an energizing boost. When you are craving chocolate, this healthy recipe satisfies. Plus get two bonus wellness beverage recipes. And enter a mini giveaway!..
Well hi. Yes, I DO love chocolate.
But First and First...
THANK YOU. I need to say thank you for the response to my last blog post, my Healthy Happy Vegan Kitchen cookbook pre-order bonanza. Please check out all the pre-order freebies (like a 50-page wellness guide and meal plan!) if you haven't already. Details on that here. Like HHVK on Facebook: facebook.com/HealthyHappyVeganKitchen
This smoothie is similar to my favorite almond banana energy shake, but instead of almond butter, I have added in some rich chocolate and maca -- and a few whole raw almonds sprinkled on top for crunch-appeal. Of course if you wanted to add in a spoonful or peanut or almond butter that would be delicious too.
But as is, this is a very light and frosty-amazing blend that is low in fat and rich in banana-y C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E flavor. You can really taste the banana mingling with the chocolate. Naturally sweetened and dairy-free, this creamy frozen bliss is a winner!
Bananas, in case you needed a reminder, are incredibly healthy. They contain fiber, potassium, vitamins C and B6, magnesium and they are fat free. I love them because they always make my stomach feel great because I find them very easy to digest. I love the quick boost of energy from the sweetness.
I have always loved the idea that bananas are nature's energy bar. They come in their own little biodegradable wrapper (aka banana peel) and they offer up a wide variety of energy and nutritional benefits.
Another nutritional boost to this smoothie is the maca powder. I found some great info on maca over on VegKitchen, such as.. "Grown in the mountains of Peru, it has been called “Peruvian ginseng”" and among some possible benefits: mood balance, vitamins, energy, hormonal balance and more. Maca is one superfood that I highly suggest you look into adding to your smoothie-add-ins pantry. I love HealthForceNaturals product here: Healthforce Macaforce Vanilla Spice, Powder, 350-Grams
Two Bonus Recipes! Happy to share these two bonus wellness recipes for you to try, both from the wellness-savvy folks at Dole Fresh. I love this Dole Tonic, all green and amazing. And check out the pineapple-infused "Running Man" at the end of this post!
Win a Dole Yoga Mat + Copy of 365 Vegan Smoothies! Little mini giveaway for you guys who are continuing to strive for wellness in 2015! Enter to receive a bright green, totally energizing Dole Salads Yoga Mat + a copy of my book 365 Vegan Smoothies + a handful of salad and banana coupons .. because free bananas are always a good thing! Here is the yoga mat, my kitties use it just as much as me.. Entry form at bottom of post!
Chocolate-Banana Swirl Smoothie with Energizing Maca
By
Published 01/26/2015
Ingredients
- 2 large frozen bananas
- 1 cup almond milk
- 2 teaspoon cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon maca powder
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon
- 1 fresh banana, sliced
- topping: a few almonds and vegan dark chocolate chunks, sliced fresh banana
Instructions
- Place your serving bowl in the freezer for at least 2-3 minutes before serving -- this helps your layers stay frosty when assembling your bowl. Choose a clear glass deep bowl or a glass like a mason jar.
- Add the frozen banana, nutmeg, maca and almond milk to a blender, like a Vitamix, and blend until smooth and frosty.
- Scoop ⅓ of the mixture out into a small cup.
- Add the cocoa powder to the mixture still int he blender and blend until smooth.
- Assemble bowl or glass: Add the fresh sliced bananas to the bottom of the glass - leave about 2-4 out for garnish. Scoop ½ of the chocolate mixture into the bowl. Then add all the yellow banana mixture (that you set aside) then top with the remaining chocolate mixture. Add toppings: almonds, banana, chocolate chunks and serve!
Yield: serves 1-2
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.
Total time: 10 mins.
Nutrition
- Calories: 275
Tags: banana,maca,chocolate,smoothie,easy,cocoa,snack,dessert
disclaimer: this post is sponsored by my friends at Dole, but all opinions are my own.
*disclosure: This post contains a Vitamix affiliate link. Ready to buy the best blender ever? Get free shipping by using my link!
Sophie says
I made it a few days ago & loved it so much! it is super easy & yummy too! xxx
May says
I like adding chia seeds to my smoothies. Makes it so thick.
Elizabeth says
I made this smoothie for breakfast, adding in hemp protein powder and topping with goji berries. It's kept me full and energized all morning! Thanks, Kathy!
Katherine B says
Looks sooo yummy! My fav smoothie is 1 1/2 frozen bananas, coconut milk (or CREAM even better,) a little vanilla soy yogurt or a few tbsp of peanut butter, and tons of cocoa powder (or if I have it, I use So Delicious chocolate coconut milk for part of the coconut milk.) It's like a treat... but healthy. I'm also still trying to perfect a creamy cherry smoothie. Maybe your book could help me with that!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Kathy! I'm the biggest idiot, I never even thought that you had your own blog- I thought it was the Finding Vegan pages on facebook and the site itself! Excuse me as I go stalking but this smoothie looks delicious! I recently got some maca and was unsure how to use it but now I can do it with this! Cheers!
jillconyers says
Rarely is a smoothie made in our house that doesn't have maca in it. It's our favorite add in for a nutrient boost.
1froglegs says
My favorite superfood to add is cacao powder.
adaprincess2 says
This looks so good! My favorite super food has been chia & hemp. Love them both 🙂
Catherine Lenarski says
It looks delicious!
jane says
This looks really good.Never tried Maca before usually just go with ground flax.But I'd love the chance to give it a try.
Taylor Cawley says
Sometimes I forget how great chocolate and banana are together without their other soulmate, peanut butter!
saniel says
Camu camu-it's a natural energy booster that's great for your eyes and gums. The research on camu camu full of vitamin C and is popular way to increase health and ward off the effects of diseases. I use in smoothies and on top of banana/coconut ice cream. Yum, thanks
Jessica says
I'm all about those bananas. I already have plans to make an açai banana smoothie bowl for breakfast tomorrow. But I can't wait to give this a try!
Erin O'Dwyer says
cacao nibs in vanilla flavored smoothies- makes them taste like chocolate chip ice cream!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
Chia seeds are pretty great, because while they don't have much flavor they make smoothies nice and thick like pudding!
Devin Oxner says
I like adding mama powder and cinnamon to my smoothies!
Kathy Patalsky says
I do not know what mama powder is, but I think you must have meant MACA, yes? haha (Or what is this mama powder you speak of??) 😉
Rebekah Lu says
Spirulina and matcha are my current favorite add ins. 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
matcha ahhh my fave.
Ello Shertzer says
Chia seeds are my favorite superfood add-in! Although I've never tried maca. I'm going to get some next time I go grocery shopping though!
Kathy Patalsky says
love chia! Try maca! It has a butterscotch-y flavor I love
Caitlin Tharp says
I love adding chia seed, ground flax seeds, or hemp seeds to my smoothies. I also just bought some maca powder, so I cannot wait to start incorporating that into my foods.
Kathy Patalsky says
love hemp seeds tooo! I love them sprinkled on top rather than blended, I love the butter texture, like sprinkles!
Terri Jones Cole says
Hemp seeds and maca are my favorite super food smoothie boosters.
Kathy Patalsky says
good ones!
Rebo544 says
My favourite superfood smoothie booster is my greens plus powder which contains all the veggies and greens I need in the sneakiest of ways!
Kathy Patalsky says
neat! I love getting my greens in smoothies too.
Claire Elizabeth says
My favourite superfood smoothie booster is either carob or ground flaxseed! Both are so high in fibre and minerals and vitamins! So delicious too! I love the chocolate-y flavour of carob and the nuttiness of flaxseed! Mmm! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
oo carob. I am a carob fan too.
Marina D says
My favorite superfood add in is definitely chia seeds! I feel like it makes my smoothie so much more filling!!
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes I agree!
Jessica Aleece Monroe says
My favorite is cacao nibs and maca!
Kathy Patalsky says
good combo too!
Kristy says
My favorite super food add in is turmeric!
Kathy Patalsky says
love it too!
Midmom58 says
I love my smoothies! My favorite add ins are: soaked chia seeds- they blend in and make a smooth and thick treat but not pudding thick; matcha for the glorious green color and bright flavor; an almond milk frozen cube to keep things cool on my travels.
Kathy Patalsky says
Almond milk cubes to keep smoothies cool: smart!!!
Krista says
My favorite add in is spirulina. Many other "super food" I can put in other meals, but spirulina is not something I can add to say oatmeal or yogurt and still eat it. lol
Kathy Patalsky says
love spirulina! The color is so bold! It makes everything such a pretty green color.
Hannah Sharp Walker says
I love chia seeds because they give smoothies a good texture and fun little pop!
Kathy Patalsky says
I agree!
Shanna says
For dessert-like smoothies, I like maca powder, raw cacao nibs/powder, and any type of organic berries, and for green smoothies, I like spirulina, ginger, and raw hemp seeds. Oh and matcha powder!!
Kathy Patalsky says
all my faves too
Ashley P says
I like maca and flax seeds!
Kathy Patalsky says
flax is so healthy, I need to add more flax!
BARBARA STARNONI says
I took note of the recipe and tomorrow morning I do now ... too inviting!
Sarojini says
Mine has to be chia and maca equally, for their effects. Perfect pre-workout/ run! love you chocolatey smoothie.
Elin Roberts says
Flax seeds
Kathy Patalsky says
a fan favorite it seems 🙂
Bianca says
chia seeds!
Kathy Patalsky says
another popular one!
Rana Durham says
my favorite superfood to add into smoothies is spirulina
Kathy Patalsky says
and this is another fan favorite it seems!
Rana Durham says
yes, I love how it gives me so much energy. thanks for the giveaway.
Adriane says
I love adding aloe juice or raw cacao. This smoothie recipe looks so amazing!!
Kathy Patalsky says
YES I love aloe. I love this brand called George's Aloe, NO aftertaste. Tastes like water.
Sara Dufour says
I recently tried spirulina for the first time and I love how neutral-tasting and yet bright green it is. I also have some flax meal that I haven't opened yet!
Kathy Patalsky says
flax meal is great! Be sure to store in the fridge to help keep it fresh.
Tiffany says
My favorite superfood in smoothies are chia seeds and hemp seeds! I love how thick they make my frozen smoothies 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
I agree!