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This creamy chocolate black bean smoothie is perfectly rich and fudgey for a fun and delicious snack or treat! Don’t worry – the beans add extra creaminess and let the banana, chocolate, and dates shine through. This is the perfect smoothie for picky eaters who aren’t getting enough fiber or protein!
Black Bean Chocolate Smoothie for Breakfast
Beans in a smoothie? I know it sounds weird, but hear me out! Just like in black bean brownies, the beans have a really mild, slightly nutty flavor that hides behind the more flavorful cacao powder, almond butter, dates, and banana.
Plus, it helps act as a thickener for a thick and creamy smoothie! If you didn’t know there were beans in this smoothie, you’d never guess!
If you have trouble getting your little ones to eat protein, this black bean brownie smoothie is the perfect way to serve them extra protein, fiber (and other nutrients) without a fight. It’s tasty enough for dessert but healthy enough for breakfast!
Why We Love This Smoothie Recipe
- An inexpensive way to add plant-based protein
- Beans have tons of health benefits, like supporting healthy digestion, strong bones and heart health
- A quick and easy recipe that relies on common pantry staples
- Loaded with healthy fats from hemp hearts and almond butter
- Naturally sweetened with frozen banana
- Rich, chocolatey flavor thanks to cacao powder
- Creamy, kid-friendly smoothie the whole family will love
Ingredient Notes
- Milk: Use your favorite dairy or plant-based milk alternative, such as unsweetened almond milk.
- Overripe frozen banana: This adds sweetness and a rich, creamy texture. I usually keep a stash of frozen bananas on hand all the time!
- Black beans: To keep things simple, I recommend using canned beans. Drain and rinse them well. You can use black beans that you cooked yourself if you have them on hand.
- Hemp hearts: These little seeds are loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and plant-based protein.
- Cacao powder: This is a raw form of cocoa powder with a really rich chocolate flavor.
- Almond butter: For extra fats and a creamy texture. Feel free to use natural peanut butter instead.
- Pitted dates: These add a rich sweetness and flavor similar to brown sugar. Medjool dates are my go-to variety, but any dates will work.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the milk, frozen banana, black beans, hemp hearts, cacao powder, and almond butter. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the blender if needed.
- For additional sweetness, add in 2-3 pitted dates and blend until smooth.
- Serve right away for the best taste and texture.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
EXPERT TIPS
- Add a bit more milk if you prefer a thinner smoothie.
- If your dates are on the firmer side, soak them in a bowl of boiling hot water for 5-10 minutes to soften before blending.
- Use an overripe banana to maximize sweetness in this smoothie.
Recipe FAQs
Although they seem like an unusual ingredient, black beans are actually a fantastic ingredient for smoothies! The starches help thicken the smoothie to make it extra creamy while you get the benefits of extra fiber, protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, folate, magnesium, and more.
Plus, they have a very mild, neutral flavor that blends in very easily; you definitely taste the chocolate and banana much more than you taste the beans.
Yes! Black beans are my favorite type of bean because they pair so well with chocolate, but you can also use any white beans, cannellini beans, chickpeas, and more. It’s best to use really neutral-tasting beans that blend into the background to let the flavors in your smoothie shine through.
If you don’t have a ripe banana on hand or your little one doesn’t tolerate bananas well, try using part of a ripe avocado and/or a little unsweetened Greek yogurt instead. For sweetness, add an extra date or a drizzle of maple syrup. Throw in a few ice cubes for the cold temperature, too.
Storage Guidelines
- Black bean smoothies are best served fresh from the blender.
- If you have leftover smoothie, my kids love when I freeze it in a popsicle mold for chocolate popsicles!
Serving Suggestions
This chocolate black bean smoothie can be enjoyed as a snack between meals, or pair it with your breakfast favorites for a healthy, filling meal. I like to serve it with some fresh fruit and extra protein for a complete meal. Try it with:
- Zucchini Frittata Muffins
- Mini Egg Bites
- Scrambled Eggs For Baby
- Granola Cups With Yogurt And Berries
- Banana Zucchini Pancakes
Recipe Variations
- Add more protein: You can add a bit of cottage cheese, silken tofu or a small amount of protein powder. This can be a helpful way to sweeten the smoothie, too.
- Make chocolate popsicles: Pour the smoothie into popsicle containers and freeze for a delicious cold treat!
- Make smoothie bowls: For a fun breakfast option, pour the smoothie into a bowl and serve with sliced bananas, fresh raspberries, extra hemp hearts, sliced almonds, and any other toppings. It’s great for breakfast!
Like it? Save this recipe for later!
More Smoothie Recipes
- Tropical Island Green Smoothie
- Ninja Fruit Smoothie Recipe
- Green Smoothie Without Yogurt Or Banana
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie (No Yogurt)
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Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk or milk alternative
- 1 overripe frozen banana
- 1/2 cup cooked or canned low-sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
- 1 level tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 2-3 pitted dates
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, combine the milk, frozen banana, black beans, hemp hearts, cacao powder, and almond butter. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the blender if needed.
- For additional sweetness, add in 2-3 pitted dates and blend until smooth.
- Serve right away for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Add a bit more milk if you prefer a thinner smoothie.
- If your dates are on the firmer side, soak them in a bowl of boiling hot water for 5-10 minutes to soften before blending.
- Use an overripe banana to maximize sweetness in this smoothie.
