This Wake Up Smoothie combines a kick of coffee, chocolate and banana goodness. It’s the perfect way to jumpstart your morning!
Some days a gal just needs a little boost to get the engine started… (no judgement here!). If this sounds familiar, look no further! This Wake Up Smoothie is your new morning BFF. Easy to throw in a blender, this little beauty is the perfect amount of chocolate and espresso and to be honest, it’s not bad on the eyes either. Bring the café experience home with you and be your own barista. Order up!
Coffee Smoothie Ingredients
This Wake Up Smoothie has the following yummy ingredients – add in a scoop of your favourite chocolate protein powder or nut butter for more protein!
- Milk of choice – I use unsweetened fortified almond or oat milk, but any unsweetened milk will work.
- Frozen Banana – the riper the better for sweetness, and keep it frozen for the best texture. Add more ice if using fresh.
- Vanilla – This goes great with coffee. You could also use unsweetened vanilla flavoured milk, and omit the vanilla.
- Coffee, DUH – I used instant espresso powder (Nescafé Espresso Instant Coffee is my go-to, comes in decaf too).
- Ice – You can use at your own discretion to adjust thickness.
- Dates – To add some subtle sweetness I add 1-2 pitted dates. Adjust accordingly (honey works too)!
- Cocoa or Cacao Powder – Because, chocolate. Cacao powder is less processed (different taste). Dutch processed cocoa is darker in colour.
- Hemp Hearts – to add a boost of plant protein and omega-3’s.
Smoothie Add-Ins
We want to make sure your smoothie is going to satisfy your tastebuds AND nourish you! There are soooo many great additions I love to add into my smoothies. Keeping these stocked at home is crucial! Some of my favourites include:
- Hemp Seeds
- Protein Powder
- Chia Seeds
- Dates or Honey
- Avocado
- Turmeric or Cinnamon
- Natural Nut Butters
- Zucchini (great sub for bananas)
- Spinach or Kale (frozen works)
I am no stranger to a smoothie! If you are new to smoothies or are in a bit of a rut, I have so many great recipes for inspiration, and also a recent Smoothie Challenge, that offers up diverse flavours and ingredients for you to try! I love the flexibility of smoothies and appreciate the ability to adapt recipes based on what you have on hand in your fridge and freezer!
Make it Kid-Friendly
Clearly you don’t want to be giving your kids caffeine. Simply skip the espresso powder or coffee for the kids and you will have an epic chocolate smoothie – instant supermom/dad status! Try using peanut butter for the nut butter for a smoothie that tastes like a chocolate peanut butter cup. SO GOOD.
Wake Up Smoothie
Wake Up Smoothie
This Wake Up Smoothie is just the right amount of coffee, cocoa and banana goodness. It's the perfect way to jumpstart your morning! Plus, breakfast in 5 minutes? Sign me up! Add a scoop of your favourite chocolate protein powder or nut butter to add more protein.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder*
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup unsweetened milk (oat, almond or cow's milk)
- 4 ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
- 1-2 pitted dates, or more to taste** (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
Instructions
-
Blend all of the ingredients together until smooth and serve!
Recipe Notes
*Sub 1/2 cup brewed coffee and use less milk
**Adjust the sweetness in this recipe to suit you! Add 1-2 pitted dates or honey to taste.
Made the Wake Up Smoothie today with my new Vitamix! It was heavenly…. used Agave syrup instead of dates which worked well.
O.M.G. this one is SO SO SO freaking good! I added the hemp hearts, vanilla, pitted dates, avocado, and a wee pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate. This will be my morning staple breakfast from now on!
Hey Amy! Thanks so much! I am happy you liked it. Those smoothie additions sound amazing!! Tori
this was delicious!
Thanks Heather!
Just made this to get me thru the afternoon. So delicious!!
Would there be any sub for hemp hearts? Nutritional yeast maybe? Or chia seeds?
Hi Lee, Chia seeds or flax seeds could be great substitutes for hemp hearts in this!
This recipe sounds amazing and I just added it for the week. Wondering if I could get away w adding spinach – or does that sound crazy? Just read someone added avocado.
Hey Andrea! I like adding a little bit of spinach to smoothies (I’m all for more greens!), although it does like to change the colour sometimes. I haven’t had it with this smoothie, so let me know how it goes if you try it! Tori
I have been looking for a good chocolate shake for so long! The hunt is over. This is just the right amount of sweet and chocolate taste. I left out the coffee as my kids had it as part of their breakfast. Thanks so much!
Ah so happy you love it!!!
Thanks Tori….Loved it….I did frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, coffee, almond milk, honey, cocoa, hemp hearts, honey, protein powder, and spinach….
Yum! Sounds great Wendy. Glad you enjoyed! Tori
I put frozen cherries instead of banana. It was delicious!
Hey Audrey that sounds delicious! Thanks for the lovely review. Tori
Just tried this smoothie for the first time and it’s so good! I omitted the dates and did not add the hemp. Do you have the nutrional details for it by chance?
Hi Linda so happy you like it! I didn’t calculate the nutrition info yet for this one and of course that would change if you adapt things. You can always plug your version into Very Well Fit they have a good calculator online!
10/10! Just made this for breakfast & it was delicious. I added unflavored protein powder + chia seeds + flaxseeds. Thank you so much Tori! Xoxo.
Amazing Christin! I am so happy you enjoyed! xx
How many grams of Protein is in this smoothie?
Hi Mariah we haven’t done the calculations but it’s easy to throw into a recipe nutrition calculator should you wish!