This Chunky Monkey Smoothie is made on most days of the week by someone in our home. It is so loved and used regularly! It’s full of healthy fats, hidden veggies, and protein to actually keep you full and satiated.
Why we love our Chunky Monkey Smoothie
My kids make smoothies a few times a week. They are a great fast breakfast they can make themselves, which gives me a break from cooking. However, I wasn’t ok with them just being full of fruit/juice/added sugar, as that just spikes their blood sugar – leaving them hungry and a little cranky a few hours later when the blood sugar spike drops. This is one we can both agree on, as it has healthy fats, hidden veggies, protein, and no added sweetener. Woot!
It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, Whole30*, Plant-based Whole30*, vegan, egg-free, with nut-free options. Perfect for so many dietary needs! It only takes 5 minutes to make with basic ingredients you might already have on hand.
Ingredients
- Frozen bananas – We love overripe bananas in our house because we can throw them in the freezer for this recipe! A great way to use up bananas and add natural sweetness without any added sugar or sweeteners.
- Dairy-free milk – I love using canned coconut milk, as it’s rich and thick. But you can use whatever dairy-free milk works best for you and your dietary needs.
- Nut butter or sun butter – We are big chocolate + peanut butter fans in this house, so peanut butter is usually what we use with this smoothie. But you can use almond butter, cashew butter, sun butter…again, whatever your dietary needs are!
- Cocoa powder – Let’s be real, Hershey’s cocoa powder or whatever you can find in the baking aisle works just fine here.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla is ideal, vanilla extract works just as well if that’s what is accessible to you.
- Frozen riced cauliflower – OPTIONAL, but seriously y’all: if eating cauliflower tastes like THIS…why the heck not? My kids know that it’s in there and don’t care. Even my son who has moved out of the house has continued to put frozen cauliflower in his smoothies for easy veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chunky Monkey Smoothie
- *How is this smoothie Whole30? Yes, the ingredients are Whole30 compatible. Are smoothies allowed on Whole30? Yes (if all ingredients are compatible). More from the Whole30 website: “We’ll always encourage you to prioritize eating whole foods during meals, but smoothies (especially if they contain protein and fat) are a helpful way to get additional nutrition when solid meals aren’t possible or convenient.” You can read more about this on their “Can I Have” article on Whole30.com (scroll down to S for “Smoothie”) or HERE for the Plant-based version.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Sure you can in the sense of you can make a smoothie “pack”. In a reusable or zip top bag, add the banana, nut butter, cocoa, vanilla, and protein powder. Freeze until ready to use. When ready, dump the ingredients into the blender and add the dairy-free milk, blending until smooth. Voila! Look how easy you just made breakfast!
- Are you sure you can’t taste the cauliflower? TRUST – none of my boys like cauliflower. At all. But, they all agree they don’t taste it at all in this smoothie. The frozen cauliflower makes it thicker and is undetectable. I dare you to try it!
Chunky Monkey Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1.5 bananas, peeled and frozen
- 1 cup almond or coconut milk or any dairy-free milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons nut butter my kids prefer peanut butter, but almond butter or sun butter works too
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 - 1 tablespoon cocoa depends on how chocolately you like it
- 1 scoop or tablespoon vital protein collagen or egg white powder optional, but adds protein and satiety
- 1 cup frozen riced cauliflower optional, but you WON'T TASTE IT!
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth.
- Pour and enjoy!
I’ve had stuff before which claimed you can’t taste the cauliflower but I always could but this is a game changer and completely true!! I’ve just made my second one with only 1/2 a banana cos that’s all I had and added some chia seeds to thicken and it’s delicious! My new favourite thing…!!
This smoothie is a favorite for my teen daughter! She is not a morning person so having a quick but filling breakfast is key to her getting out the door in time for school. This smoothie is perfect for a nutritious but quick breakfast.
Perfect solution for that fast morning option. Happy she enjoys it – thank you!
This is now our daily shake for the kids and myself. We’ve been enjoying it for months! Thank you- great recipe!
So happy this is a regular in your home, thank you! <3
Made this for my 2 and 4 year olds- added riced cauliflower too! They LOVED it!
So tasty! I added a large handful of spinach instead of cauliflower and it’s wonderful. It may not be necessary, but I ran the spinach and the milk first before adding the other ingredients just to make sure the greens were well blended and undetectable in the smoothie. 🙂
I love that tip for doing the greens first to help them blend in. Thanks for sharing!
I always add the cauliflower to this. I do less liquid so it can put it in a bowl and top with sliced almonds and cacao nibs. Its such a good treat!
Oooo. a smoothie bowl! I love it – thanks for sharing!
Made this today as an afternoon snack and wow-so good!! Added in the frozen cauliflower rice and the collagen- can’t taste the cauliflower at all. Will definitely make for my semi-picky little one too!
YES! I love that the cauliflower is undetectable. Thank you!
I’ve made this smoothie for the past two days for my breakfast! I was getting sick of my usual eggs and this has been hitting the spot. So delicious and easy to make!
I’m so happy this one hit the spot! We love this easy delicious option, thank you!
My family devours this recipe! It is so versatile as either a breakfast, snack, or dessert! Definitely add the frozen riced cauliflower – can’t beat the creamy, smooth consistency and this mama likes that my girls are getting more veggies! Thanks for another winner!!
So happy your family loves this recipe! My boys make it weekly and just looove it. Thank you!
This is a go-to smoothie for me! I love the flavor and the fact that I can add a veggie (cauliflower is the best)! Sometimes I add a little instant coffee too. 🙂
Best view i have ever seen !
This is hands down, my favorite smoothie recipe. So quick and easy to make and the perfect, post-workout breakfast!
Always a delicious combo! In true Autumn fashion, I usually add veggies (frozen spinach or cauli rice!)
YASSS to the added veggies, good for you! My boys can’t even taste the cauliflower in these and it makes it nice and thick!
The kids and myself really love this recipe! And it’s true that you really can’t taste the riced cauliflower. Perfect, easy breakfast.
This smoothie is amazing! I’ve never added cauliflower to a smoothie before but that plus the frozen bananas gave the drink a nice milkshake consistency.
I love how you can’t taste the frozen riced cauliflower but it does make it nice and creamy. So happy you enjoyed it, thank you!
Such a easy and delicious smoothie. My kids didn’t even notice the added cauliflower. Big hit in our house
We’ve had this for a snack several times now and enjoy it!
I find that if I double the recipe it makes 4 one cup servings which is perfect for my crew!
I haven’t tried adding the cauli-rice but I have been adding about a cup of microgreens and that is delicious!!
This has been my teenage son’s go to breakfast all week. He even willingly adds in the cauliflower!
Love that he is rocking the cauliflower in it and so happy he’s enjoying it on the regular!
I’m addicted to your brownies, and now this! Just the right balance of peanut butter! Next time I’ll try the cauliflower hack!
Wahoo! So happy you love the brownies as well as this easy smoothie recipe. I love putting the cauliflower in – I don’t taste it at all and makes it even thicker.