Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie
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This chocolate peppermint smoothie is creamy, chocolatey and perfect for the holidays. It tastes like dessert, but is protein-packed and loaded with healthy ingredients so makes for a great breakfast or post-workout treat.
Happy December! I can’t believe it’s already time for the holidays again! And this chocolate peppermint smoothie is the perfect, quick and easy recipe to whip up to get you in the holiday spirit.
Made with chocolate, peppermint and frozen cauliflower, this smoothie is rich, creamy and tastes like a decadent milkshake, but is packed with nutritious ingredients and 25 grams of protein!
Why You Gotta Try This One
This is the kind of smoothie that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a good playlist. It’s got that classic chocolate peppermint combo but blended with feel-good ingredients that work for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Easy to make, fun to drink, and surprisingly filling.
Ingredients Needed
- almond milk – I love using unsweetened almond milk for the liquid in my smoothies as it provides a neutral flavor and adds some creaminess. You can use store-bought or make homemade almond milk. Oat milk, coconut milk or regular dairy milk will all work as a substitute.
- frozen banana – frozen banana helps to thicken this smoothie and adds a little sweetness. Be sure to check out my guide for how to freeze bananas.
- frozen cauliflower florets – helps to thicken the smoothie while adding a boost of nutrition. Cauliflower is a low calorie vegetable that’s high in fiber. You won’t even notice this nutritious veggie in the mix.
- chocolate protein powder – chocolate protein powder gives this smoothie a ton of chocolate flavor! I personally love Nuzest protein powder. It’s plant-based and delicious. (Use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.)
- cocoa powder – gives a rich chocolate flavor without adding any sugar. It also adds some healthy antioxidants to your smoothie.
- medjool date – a natural sweetener that is also a great source of fiber.
- peppermint extract – can’t have a chocolate peppermint smoothie without the peppermint flavor!
- cacao nibs – these are optional, but I love adding a sprinkle of cacao nibs on top for a nice crunch.
- candy canes/peppermint candies – another optional topping, but I love how festive the candy canes make this smoothie!
Make It Your Own
Want to mix things up a little? Here are a few simple ways to customize this chocolate peppermint smoothie without losing its festive feel:
- Turn it into a smoothie bowl: Use a little less almond milk for a thicker consistency, then top with cacao nibs, crushed candy canes, or even coconut flakes for crunch.
- Add extra creaminess: Blend in a spoonful of almond butter, cashew butter, or even avocado for a richer texture and a dose of healthy fats.
- Bump up the fiber: Toss in a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds for a subtle nutrition boost that helps keep you full longer.
How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie
Place all ingredients into a high powered blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass and top with cacao nibs and peppermint candies, if desired.
Brittany’s Tips
- Freeze your cauliflower ahead of time: Frozen cauliflower makes this smoothie thick and creamy without any veggie flavor. If you’re using fresh cauliflower, chop and freeze it the night before.
- Start with less peppermint extract: Peppermint can be overpowering, so start with ⅛ teaspoon and add more to taste if needed.
- Blend twice for a silky finish: After your first blend, let it sit for 30 seconds, then blend again to make the smoothie extra smooth and creamy.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almond or oat milk, plus more as needed to thin
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup frozen cauliflower florets
- 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder, 25 grams, I used Nuzest
- ½ Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 medjool date
- Handful of spinach, optional
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Cacao nibs, for topping
- Candy canes/peppermint candies, for topping
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and top with cacao nibs and peppermint candies.
Notes
- This smoothie is naturally sweetened with banana and a Medjool date, but feel free to add another date or a touch of maple syrup if you want it sweeter.
- You can skip the candy cane topping to keep things more wholesome, or leave it on for a festive touch.
- Any chocolate protein powder works here, but I personally love Nuzest for its clean ingredients and flavor. Use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
Like This Recipe? Rate & Comment Below!
What Type of Blender is Best?
A high-quality blender goes a long way when it comes to making perfectly blended smoothies that have a similar texture to a smoothie you’d get from a smoothie shop. High-powered blenders can process frozen fruit and veggies easily! I’ve found that my Vitamix blender works great for smoothies like this one, but it’s definitely an investment. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, check out the Ninja Foodi smoothie bowl maker.
More Smoothie Recipes to Try
- Green Protein Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Green Smoothie
- Pumpkin Gingerbread Smoothie
- Tahini Smoothie
- Cottage Cheese Smoothie
More Festive Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Easy Peppermint Bark
- Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
- Cranberry Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips
- Healthy Gingerbread Loaf
Be sure to check out all of the smoothie recipes as well as the full collection of Christmas recipes on EBF!
Seemed too foamy; not cold enough; chunky even after blending a long time. Added ice; didn’t help
Hi Teresa – Did you use whey protein powder or plant-based? Whey protein powder doesn’t soak up as much liquid and can result in a foamier texture. In regards to the chunkiness what blender do you have? The quality of your blender will definitely determine the texture of your smoothie.
Absolutely delicious!
Yay! So glad you loved this smoothie, Susan. Thanks for making it and for coming back to leave a review. I so appreciate it!
Hope this isn’t a dumb question, but is the frozen cauliflower cooked or raw? I will use fresh and freeze it, but wondered if it should be raw or cooked for the yummy smoothie. Thx
I made this smoothie many times during the Christmas season, as I was really craving peppermint and chocolate. It is so nice to enjoy that flavour combo in a healthier way than eating candy! This recipe is delicious. I will definitely keep eating it during the new year! I sometimes substitute kefir for the oat milk for extra protein, and I used a few frozen strawberries for sweetness, as I had them on hand instead of dates. Yum! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I normally don’t make your chocolate smoothies for breakfast because I need to feel more virtuous than that, but I loved that this one has spinach and cauliflower in it so we had it today. It was delicious!!! Festive, tasty AND virtuous! Thanks for another great breakfast idea!
WOO! I am so glad that you are loving this recipe, Emma. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, I appreciate it so much!
This is so good! To eliminate some sugar, I left out the date and cocoa powder. Also used unsweetened almond milk and protein powder, and added a handful of spinach. I think the only sugar remaining was from the banana. It was still sweet and decadent. I will be making this often. Thanks for this awesome recipe combo!
YUM! This sounds delicious, Kerrianne. Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me.
Hi Kerrianne. Two years late, but I have to say that cocoa powder has no sugar. You may be thinking of hot cocoa mix, like Swiss Miss? Cocoa powder is good for you!
This looks delicious! I would like to use yogurt in place of the protein powder. How much yogurt do you recommend using? Thank you!
Hi Ann – I’d start with adding 1/4 cup and then check the texture. I do want to not that the Greek yogurt will add a tang to the smoothie that wouldn’t be there with the original recipe. I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy this recipe.