A thick, dreamy chocolate smoothie bowl that’s as dense as soft-serve ice cream. I use a simple technique for extra-thick smoothie bowls, and adding a spoonful of nut butter makes this one particularly creamy. Perfect for breakfast, an afternoon refresher, or an indulgent but healthy dessert.
If you love smoothie bowls, try variations like a pitaya (dragon fruit) bowl or an acai bowl for more superfood-packed options.
*This recipe was developed in partnership with SunButter, a sunflower seed spread that’s great for allergy-friendly cooking and baking.
Cacao, Banana, and SunButter
If you enjoy smoothie bowls, you’ll appreciate the method behind this thick chocolate bowl. Rather than relying on a blender, I make this in a food processor so it requires very little liquid and transforms into a texture very similar to soft-serve ice cream.
Add a drizzle of SunButter or your favorite nut butter for a richer, silkier texture — the result tastes indulgent enough to be dessert.
The toppings are the best part. Think fresh berries, banana slices, nuts and seeds, cacao nibs or dark chocolate shavings, shredded coconut, and an extra swirl of nut butter. There’s no need to add maple syrup or other sweeteners; ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and fiber.
SunButter is made from sunflower seeds and can be substituted wherever you’d normally use peanut butter, making it an allergy-friendly alternative that still adds healthy fats and creaminess.
What You’ll Need
Thick Chocolate Smoothie
- Frozen bananas — Peel and quarter ripe bananas, freeze overnight so they’re solid for the thickest texture.
- Raw cacao powder or natural cocoa powder.
- Protein powder of choice — collagen, whey, or plant protein. Collagen keeps the texture smooth; whey can create a slightly fluffier result.
- SunButter (or any nut/seed butter you prefer).
- Vanilla extract.
- Milk of choice — oat, almond, or coconut milk. Greek yogurt can be used instead of some liquid if you want more protein and creaminess.
Smoothie Bowl Topping Ideas
- Extra drizzle of SunButter or another nut butter
- Fresh fruit — blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, mandarins, banana, etc.
- Hemp seeds or chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- Chopped nuts — almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamias
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- Cacao nibs or dark chocolate shavings
- A dollop of Greek yogurt or whipped cream (optional)
How to Make Healthy Chocolate Smoothie Bowls
Step 1: In a food processor, combine frozen bananas, SunButter (or other nut butter), vanilla, protein powder, and 2–3 tablespoons of milk. A blender can be used, but it will require more liquid and patience; a high-speed blender with a tamper works best.
Step 2: Process until the mixture becomes thick and smooth. Pause a few times to scrape down the sides and encourage even blending. Avoid adding extra milk unless absolutely necessary — too much liquid will thin the bowl.
Step 3: Scoop the thick smoothie into a bowl.
Step 4: Top with banana slices or chopped fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, and an extra drizzle of SunButter or nut butter of choice.
FAQ & Variations
Choose your nut butter: Swap in your favorite nut or seed butter — peanut, almond, hazelnut, cashew, or SunButter. Each adds healthy fats and a creamier consistency.
Chocolate berry bowl: Use one frozen banana plus one cup of frozen berries (strawberries, cherries, or mixed berries). For a chocolate-acai twist, blend frozen banana with a frozen acai packet. Always use fully frozen fruit for the thickest result.
Greek yogurt option: Replace the milk with 1/3 cup Greek yogurt for tang and extra protein.
Vegan option: Use a plant-based protein powder and plant milk; the recipe is easily made vegan.
Other Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Superfood Acai Smoothie
- Chocolate Chip Mint Smoothie
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Smoothie
- Creamy Banana Coffee Smoothie
Connect on social media to share your creations and see more healthy recipes and inspiration.
Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
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Equipment
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food processor or high speed blender with tamper stick
Ingredients
- 2 bananas frozen (solid, overnight)
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder or natural cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon SunButter (or other nut/seed butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 10-20 grams protein powder collagen, whey, or plant protein
- 2-4 tablespoons milk coconut, almond, or oat
Optional Toppings
- berries blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
- fresh fruit oranges, cherries, pineapple
- seeds chia, hemp, sunflower, pumpkin
- nuts almonds, walnuts, pecans, macadamias
- coconut flakes unsweetened
- SunButter an extra drizzle
Instructions
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Add frozen bananas, SunButter, vanilla, protein powder, and 2–3 tablespoons milk to a food processor. A blender can be used but may need more liquid and a tamper.
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Process until thick and smooth, pausing to scrape the sides as needed. Avoid adding extra milk unless necessary to keep the bowl dense.
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Scoop the thick smoothie into a bowl.
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Top with fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, cacao nibs, and an extra drizzle of nut butter.
Notes
Fruit variations: Swap in frozen berries, cherries, or an acai packet for different chocolate-fruit combinations. Fully frozen fruit yields the best texture.
Greek yogurt option: Replace some or all milk with 1/3 cup Greek yogurt for more protein and tang.
Vegan option: Use plant-based protein and plant milk to keep the recipe vegan.