This zucchini smoothie tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but shhh! It’s made with healthy ingredients like almond butter, dates, and zucchini.
This zucchini smoothie tastes like a chocolate milkshake. It’s creamy, rich, and sweet. Even though it’s healthy enough to drink for breakfast or a snack, it could totally pass for dessert. It’s that good!
Why add zucchini to a smoothie?
But let’s address the elephant in the room: what’s zucchini doing in a smoothie?
My take: zucchini is actually a hugely underrated smoothie ingredient. Similar to spinach and kale—vegetables that we’re totally used to tossing in the blender—it has many health benefits. Zucchini is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins like vitamin C.
It also gives smoothies an amazing creamy texture. There’s no need for a frozen banana here! Frozen zucchini makes this smoothie thick and frosty on its own.
Zucchini Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
Ready to try this chocolate zucchini smoothie recipe? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Zucchini, of course! You’ll need one medium. Chop and freeze it at least a day before you plan to make the smoothie.
- Medjool dates – For sweetness.
- Almond butter – It adds protein and healthy fats.
- Cocoa powder – It gives the smoothie a rich chocolate taste. Cacao powder works here too.
- Nutmeg and vanilla extract – For warm, dessert-like depth of flavor.
- Ice cubes – To make the smoothie cool and frosty.
- Almond milk – Or any milk you like! My homemade oat milk would be great here, and coconut milk would make this smoothie taste even more decadent and creamy. If you don’t need this smoothie to be dairy-free, regular milk works too.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Zucchini Smoothie
The first step in this zucchini smoothie recipe is freezing the zucchini.
Wash it, chop it, and spread it in a single layer on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours. Then, transfer the veggies to an airtight container, and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to make the smoothie. Tip: The initial freeze on the baking sheet prevents the zucchini from sticking together, which makes it easier to blend.
Once you have frozen zucchini handy, you can blend up the smoothie. Place the zucchini, almond milk, dates, almond butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, and nutmeg in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed to blend. Add a handful of ice and blend again.
Finally, enjoy! Pour the smoothie into glasses. If you like, top them off with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and a drizzle of almond butter. Cheers!
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is fantastic as written, but if you want to change it up, by all means, do! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Change the nut butter. This smoothie is DELICIOUS with tahini. Peanut butter would be fantastic too!
- Amp up the protein. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or a tablespoon of chia seeds.
- Nix the chocolate. For a fruity zucchini smoothie, skip the cocoa powder and dates. Add your favorite fruit to the blender instead! Strawberries, blueberries, and banana would all be great. If necessary, add a drizzle of maple syrup to sweeten the smoothie to taste.
Let me know what variations you try!
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
If you love this chocolate zucchini smoothie, try one of these healthy smoothie recipes next:
Zucchini Smoothie
Serves 2
This zucchini smoothie recipe tastes like a chocolate milkshake! It’s made with healthy, plant-based ingredients, but it’s sweet, rich, and creamy.
Prevent your screen from going dark
-
In a high-speed blender, place the zucchini, almond milk, dates, almond butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, and nutmeg. Blend until smooth, adding more almond milk as needed to blend. Add a handful of ice and blend again.
-
Pour into glasses. Drizzle with almond butter, sprinkle with chocolate chips and coconut flakes, if desired, and serve.
*If your dates are not soft, soak them in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes. Pat dry before using.
