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Caffeinated Chocolate Protein Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

I shared a little bit on Instagram a couple weeks ago about how I’m trying to make my nutrition match a bit better with the energy I’m putting in at Orangetheory, so I have a pretty specific plan I’ve been recently following until I can get my food habits back in check. (It’s been a slooooow fade into some less than ideal eating habits that I was ready to nip in the bud.) I’m excited to share more about this nutrition plan in a couple of weeks though because it’s been so easy and I feel much better (even though I thought I was feeling fine in the first place).

Anyway! I’ve been drinking a protein shake for breakfast every other morning + a cup of coffee, but lately I’ve been struggling to make time for both. With Hadley in pre-k every day, gone are the days of sitting on the couch for 10-15 minutes sipping hot coffee. I experimented recently with combining my coffee with my post-workout protein shake, and the result was delicious and filling.

This caffeinated chocolate protein breakfast smoothie recipe combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different than cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no difference. The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair. A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast. Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won't even taste it, and just like that, you'll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

I shared this recipe on IG and received a record number of direct messages back, so I’m hopeful that some of you have given this recipe a whirl (literally!)

This caffeinated chocolate protein breakfast smoothie recipe combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different than cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no difference. The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair. A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast. Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won't even taste it, and just like that, you'll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

It combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different from cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no taste difference.

The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair (this smoothie is still fairly thin).

A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast.

Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won’t even taste it, and just like that, you’ll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

This caffeinated chocolate protein breakfast smoothie recipe combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different than cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no difference. The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair. A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast. Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won't even taste it, and just like that, you'll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

This smoothie recipe makes a big, big smoothie. It’s perfect for two people.

In this picture, it’s nicely portioned for one sweet, modest smoothie.

This caffeinated chocolate protein breakfast smoothie recipe combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different than cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no difference. The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair. A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast. Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won't even taste it, and just like that, you'll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

And in this one, I’m keeping it real and showing off my smoothie in an oversized K-State stadium cup, which is the only cup large enough in this house to hold the entire smoothie. I don’t mind hogging this entire thing because it’s delicious (deeeeewicious!) and my tummy is full and satisfied for hours. Hoo-rah.

This caffeinated chocolate protein breakfast smoothie recipe combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different than cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no difference. The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair. A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast. Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won't even taste it, and just like that, you'll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

It’s a beast, but my waistline isn’t hating it. So I’ll just keep on drinkin’ them. 😉

Essentials to note

-Do as I say and not as I do: unlike these pictures, pack your spinach in the blender first. Doing so ensures that every bit of it will be minced.

-Speaking of blenders, get a good one. (The Ninja brand is our personal favorite. We’ve had two and absolutely love them.) A good blender is a necessity to every cook’s kitchen. We use ours not only for smoothies, but for quickly chopping all kinds of things, such as nuts, graham crackers, even vegetables when we’re feeling lazy or short on time.

-Once your bananas are past the point of enjoying them (ha – basically when they start showing any signs of browning for me), peel them, break them in half, and place them in a ceramic bowl in your freezer. With the help of a spoon, each will pop right out with ease when it’s time to toss it into a smoothie.

-Typically frozen bananas give smoothies a very creamy, ice cream-like texture, but the hot coffee melts the banana down a bit. That’s okay though! This smoothie may not taste ice cream-like in texture, but it’ll still be a delicious.

-I’ve been really enjoying this inexpensive chocolate Whey protein powder from Walmart. I tried a plant-based kind a couple of months ago and it was more or less repulsive.

I hope you immensely enjoy this energizing breakfast treat!

Caffeinated Chocolate Protein Breakfast Smoothie Recipe

This caffeinated chocolate protein breakfast smoothie recipe combines all good things. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk tastes different than cows milk, but mixed into a smoothie like this, and there is no difference. The frozen banana thickens the smoothie just a hair. A couple shakes of cinnamon takes the bite out of the black coffee, and the chocolate protein powder gives it the rich, indulgent taste that makes it taste more like a treat than breakfast. Finally, the cup of spinach is effortless because you won't even taste it, and just like that, you'll knock out a major (!) portion of your recommended veggies per day.

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Caffeinated Chocolate Protein Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
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Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 smoothies
 
Ingredients
  • 8oz. unsweetened vanilla almond
  • 8oz. freshly-brewed black coffee
  • 1 cup of ice
  • chocolate protein powder (I use two scoops as recommended per serving on the container)
  • half of a frozen banana
  • a couple shakes of cinnamon
  • one cup of packed spinach
Instructions
  1. Pack spinach in first, then the banana and ice, then all other ingredients. Blend well for around 75 seconds. Makes two modest-sized smoothies or one giant smoothie. 🙂 Enjoy immensely!

Let’s chat!

What are your breakfast staples? Do you eat veggies with breakfast? If so, how do you get them in?

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