Raw Chocolate Banana Shake (Printable Version)
Creamy blend of raw cacao and ripe bananas creates a naturally sweetened, energizing shake ready in minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 2 large ripe bananas, preferably frozen, peeled and sliced
02 - 1½ cups plant-based milk (almond, oat, or coconut)
→ Chocolate Flavor
03 - 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
04 - 1–2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or agave nectar, to taste
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Texture and Extras
06 - 4–6 ice cubes, optional for thickness
07 - Pinch of sea salt
08 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds, optional
# How to Make It:
01 - Add the banana slices, plant-based milk, raw cacao powder, maple syrup (starting with the lesser amount), vanilla extract, and sea salt to a blender.
02 - Toss in ice cubes and chia or flaxseeds if using, for extra creaminess and nutritional value.
03 - Blend on high speed for 30 to 60 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth and frothy.
04 - Taste the shake and add more maple syrup or agave if a sweeter flavor is desired, then blend briefly to incorporate.
05 - Pour evenly into two glasses and enjoy right away while cold and fresh.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like a milkshake from a diner but fuels you like a proper breakfast with no crash afterward.
- Frozen bananas do all the heavy lifting for creaminess so you never need dairy or weird thickeners.
02 -
- Blending chia seeds too far ahead of drinking turns the shake into a pudding, which is still delicious but definitely not what you signed up for.
- Always use raw cacao powder rather than Dutch processed cocoa if you want the full nutritional benefits and the most intense chocolate flavor.
03 -
- Peel your bananas before freezing because peeling a frozen banana is a small nightmare you do not want to experience twice.
- A tiny dash of cinnamon or espresso powder alongside the cacao deepens the chocolate flavor in a way that makes people ask what your secret is.