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Make this easy protein smoothie that tastes like a Wendy's Frosty in only five minutes! Originally published January 2017. Last updated January 2023.

A good workout can be it's own reward but if you need a little extra motivation, I highly recommend adding this beginner protein smoothie to your routine. I'll walk you through how to make it and share my pro tips for a lightning-fast process. Let's get into the details.

If you enjoy this recipe, you'll also love my immune-boosting orange smoothie as well as this green smoothie for glowing skin!

sprinkling sliced almonds on top of chocolate smoothie.

slicing bananas on wooden cutting board.

What You'll Need for this Recipe

Raw Dark Cocoa Powder provides true chocolatey flavor without excess sugar. There is some caffeine, though, so if you are sensitive to that or want to make this a Daniel Fast compliant smoothie, I recommend trying carob powder + a bit of maple syrup instead.

Almond Butter helps create smooth texture and provides the boost of protein in this smoothie. You can use the nut butter of your choice, crunchy or smooth!

Banana adds natural sweetness, energy in the form of carbohydrates, and fiber. I'm not big on bananas so I can assure you that the flavor isn't overpowering.

Almond Milk is the necessary liquid base but it adds mild nutty flavor and additional protein. You can swap in whatever milk you like.

Ice adds texture and chill but you can make it frosty with my next tip.

How to make a smoothie thick without ice? Use frozen produce. For this one, freeze the banana ahead of time and you can skip the ice!

Jazzmine placing banana pieces into glass blender carafe.

adding heaping spoon of almond butter smoothie smoothie ingredients.

Tips & Tools

Grab a blender as well as a cutting board and knife to bring everything together. This is a quick and easy smoothie and you could even break up the banana by hand, if needed. You'll also need a spoon for the cocoa powder. Lastly, I'm big on making small moments feel a bit more special so I love to sip my homemade smoothies through a glass straw. Sprinkle sliced almonds over top for extra flair!

Can I meal prep this smoothie? Yes. You can make it ahead of time and refrigerate for up to two days. Just keep in mind that some separation may occur--stir it up! Alternatively, you can use my frozen smoothie pack method to prep further in advance.

How to add more protein? I call this chocolatey nut butter smoothie a basic protein shake for beginners because it uses minimally processed ingredients and whole food protein sources. It's good for post-workout recovery but you can step things up by adding your favorite protein powder.

If you like this basic protein smoothie without protein powder and want to try a meal replacement shake, my dark chocolate salted protein smoothie is a natural next step with 26 grams protein and ample fiber!

chocolate protein smoothie ingredients in blender.

blending chocolatey smoothie ingredients in blender.

Is this smoothie PCOS friendly?

This healthy copycat Wendy's frosty has a balance of protein, healthy fat, and fiber. This makes it a great option for people with PCOS who are looking to support healthy hormones and balanced blood sugar. Check the recipe card for full nutrition facts and my collection of PCOS meals.

pouring chocolate smoothing into rocks glass.

Jazzmine pouring post workout smoothie into glass.

Favorite High Protein Dishes

Apple Spice Overnight Oats

Baked Oatmeal Bars

Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Sweet Green Power Smoothie

I hope you take this healthy shake for a swirl soon. And sharing is caring so be sure this pin this five-ingredient smoothie for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Skinny Frosty Recipe