Make this meal-replacing smoothie that tastes like a delicious chocolate shake but has full servings of protein, fiber, and healthy fat. It comes together in just five minutes with everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen!
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my healthy date snickers bars, too!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love this Recipe
Nutritionally Balanced - I live for a good smoothie and have been tweaking this recipe to taste like a chocolate shake all while providing an abundance of protein, healthy fat, and nearly a day's worth of fiber. And I finally got it just right.
Meal Replacement - This creamy, filling breakfast smoothie is absolutely golden for getting your nutrients in quickly and easily. And it's velvety smooth.
Tastes Like a Chocolate Shake - Nuff said! I only like smoothies that actually taste good AND with health benefits. This one fits the bill just like my green smoothie for glowing skin, immune supporting sweet orange smoothie, and superfood açai blackberry smoothie.
What You'll Need for this Recipe
My meal replacement shake with protein and fiber has a simple ingredient list. Here's what to add to your next grocery run.
- Almond Milk
- Chia Seeds
- Cinnamon
- Dark Chocolate Protein Powder
- Frozen Cauliflower
- Maple Syrup
- Olive Oil
- Sea Salt
I add frozen cauliflower for texture and fiber, along with other nutrients like potassium and vitamin C. If you want a thick smoothie with no banana, try frozen cauli! It replaces the chill of ice and you can't taste it at all. I'm generally a fan of using frozen produce in smoothies instead of ice and love this hack.
What kind of milk to use in a protein shake? I use almond milk to meld all the ingredients together into a liquid texture and add a bit of creaminess. You can use the milk of your choosing, either plant-based or dairy. Just keep in mind that the texture may vary.
What does it taste like?
This essentially tastes like a thick, salted chocolate shake with a hint of warm sweetness. The dark chocolate protein powder creates the chocolatey milkshake vibes that make this smoothie taste like a Wendy's frosty along with a full serving of protein. You can add a tablespoon of cacao or cocoa powder for even stronger chocolate taste. And cinnamon provides flavor depth and slight sweetness that I love here.
Maple syrup adds neutral sweetness but you could use two medjool dates or the sweetener of your choice instead, if needed. Olive Oil adds another layer of flavor and a good dose of healthy fat for a truly balanced protein smoothie. Sea salt is another flavor addition that creates the sophisticated salted chocolate taste I named the smoothie after. It's a small ingredient that makes a big difference so don't skip it!
Tips & Tools for this Chocolate Meal Replacement Drink
Grab a high-powered blender (this smoothie is THICK) and that's pretty much all you'll need. No chopping or produce prep required. I do recommend using measuring spoons and cups until you get comfortable with this recipe because the balance is delicate. Too much cinnamon, for example, will give the smoothie a bad aftertaste.
Can I freeze this smoothie? Yes, absolutely. Freeze in an airtight container with a bit of room at the top and thaw out in the refrigerator before consuming. It takes about eight hours to thaw so defrosting overnight is perfect. Check out my frozen smoothie packs method for freezing tips at the prep stage.
If you can't find dark chocolate protein powder near you, use a neutral or vanilla flavored protein powder and add 2 tablespoons of cacao or cocoa powder.
Enjoy your salted dark chocolate meal smoothie for breakfast, lunch, or dinner by pouring into a cute glass and sipping through a sustainable straw. Easy!
Why is this a good smoothie for PCOS?
The magic of my clean chocolate smoothie for people with PCOS is how balanced it is. The ingredients help support stable blood sugar, fight insulin resistance, and feed happy hormones. I include cinnamon for a warming flavor note and blood sugar support.
And chia seeds are a powerhouse in this recipe with fiber, healthy fat, and protein. They help support digestion and you might find that this is a filling smoothie that keeps you regular! I use milled or ground chia seeds and you can also try basil seeds or flax meal. I'm so excited to add this creamy hormone healthy milkshake to my collection of recipes for managing PCOS.
I love this drink recipe because it's easy and not only tastes amazing but makes me feel great, and I hope you'll love it, too. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this protein packed dark chocolate smoothie for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Smoothie Recipe
Salted Dark Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 serving dark chocolate protein powder
- 1-2 cups milk depending on desired thickness and blender strength
- 1 ½ cup frozen cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- ⅓ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Add protein powder, milk, frozen cauliflower, chia seeds, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and sea salt to a blender.
- Cover and pulse until ingredients are liquified and have a smooth, uniform texture. It will be thick.
- Pour smoothie into a glass and enjoy while cold.
Britney says
I made this after my workout yesterday and it was delicious! I felt like I was drinking a milkshake, but better because it was healthy. It kept me nice and full until dinner time! Def keeping this recipe in the rotation.
Robin says
I started exercising in earnest about 6 months ago so I'm really concerned with getting enough protein. This is shake was a wonderful snack for me on busy days - I substituted cardamom for the cinnamon and added grape seed instead of olive oil. Terrific!
Marta says
Yours is my go-to site for smoothies to get me through my midday slump. This salted dark protein smoothie made me feel like I was sipping on a chocolate milkshake, but gave me the boost I needed to finish out a demanding day!
Jen Sim says
This recipe came in perfect timing! Recently I’ve been searching for recipes that are high in protein and this shake ticked all of my boxes - Yum!
Tope Obodoechina says
This was sooo good AND had everything moving just the way it should! Haha