Originally, this was supposed to be avocado chia seed chocolate pudding for the May Bonus Recipe.
However, that didn’t work out so well. Turns out, no matter how much melted dark chocolate I pour over avocados, it still kinda tastes like chocolate avocado. Back to the drawing board.
New idea: Banana Split Chocolate Smoothie!
Good news: Smashing success. So delicious, in fact, that it was destined for the blog (I mean, look at that glam shot). Hubba.
This smoothie is such a simple concept but delivers big on flavor and decadence.
It starts with frozen bananas blended with cacao powder and almond butter. Next comes a couple of dates for sweetness, almond milk, and vanilla extract. The result is a rich, chocolaty, banana-infused shake that’s insanely delicious. Plus, just 9 ingredients, 1 blender, and 10 minutes required.
Let’s serve this baby up and get to snacking, shall we?
How is this a banana split smoothie, you ask?
For starters, it has three bananas! Two in the smoothie and one for serving. Get it? Banana split in the glass? You guys are smart.
For toppings, I went with plenty of coconut whipped cream, shredded coconut, cacao nibs (a must!), and a cherry.
I think you’re going to LOVE this smoothie! It’s:
Decadent
Rich
Creamy
Super chocolaty
Naturally sweet
Antioxidant-rich
& So delicious
This would make a perfectly suitable breakfast if you prefer sweeter smoothies, but I see it as more of a dessert! The coconut whip, shredded coconut, and cacao nibs send it over the top (highly recommended)!
If you give this recipe a try, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can see. Cheers, friends!
Banana Split Smoothie
Ingredients
SMOOTHIE
- 2 medium-large bananas (ripe, peeled, sliced and frozen)
- 2 Tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- 1 Tbsp salted almond butter (if unsalted, add pinch sea salt)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (more depending on preferred thickness)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 pitted dates (optional // for extra sweetness)
TOPPINGS
- 1 just ripe banana (peeled and sliced lengthwise)
- Coconut whipped cream
- Ripe cherries
- 1 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 Tbsp cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add frozen banana, cacao powder, almond butter, and almond milk to a blender and blend on low until thick and creamy (see photo), scraping down sides as needed. You are looking for a soft serve consistency.
- Add vanilla extract, dates (optional), and a bit more almond milk and blend once more until thick and creamy and well blended. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more almond butter for nuttiness, vanilla extract for vanilla flavor, salt for flavor balance, or cacao powder for more intense chocolate flavor. Set blender in freezer or refrigerator while preparing serving glasses.
- Cut a banana in half lengthwise and peel. Then slice in half lengthwise again (so you have four pieces). Slide banana wedges down into two serving glasses (or 1 large serving glass, as pictured // amounts as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size), and press with a spoon to “adhere” to the sides.
- Add smoothie and top with desired toppings, such as coconut whipped cream, cherries, shredded coconut, and cacao nibs (I highly recommend all!).
- Best when fresh but can be covered and frozen up to 2 days. Let thaw before enjoying.
Denise Fosco says
Thank you for a scrumptious tasty smoothie recipe that taste just like a banana split!!!!😊
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Denise. Thank you for the lovely review! xo
ST says
Tasted just like a banana split – I’m impressed. Didn’t try the bananas on the sides.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Shing says
This was so delicious!! Thank you!
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Shing. We are so glad you enjoyed it! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! Xo
Alexandra says
Delicious! A perfect treat!
Yay! Thank you for sharing, Alexandra! xo
Vicky says
I am a huge fan of banana split and this smoothie/ desert is just the best thing ever! I didn’t expect it to be so amazing and will be making this so so much because it is happiness in a cup! lol Thank you!!!!
Yay for happiness in a cup!! xoxo
Sophie Mansour says
I made this smoothie for breakfast, it was sooooo good!!! I added some ice cubes because i didn’t have frozen bananas and it made it colder:)
I would say this is one of the best smoothies i’ve ever tasted! My sister had a cup of it too and she LOVED it!
Sophie
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sophie! Thanks so much for sharing!
Emily says
Yum! This is a staple treat for me! I love single serving desserts that I can whip up in a few minutes. It’s great even without the dates (my blender doesn’t do well with them).
JoAnna says
I just saw this on my Instagram feed and glory be, I had all of the essential ingredients- I did have to substitute coconut milk because no almond. And wowza!!! Soooo delicious. Thanks so much for your passion to keep bringing healthy, delicious, and inspiring recipes to others – and oh so eye appealing too.
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!
Jaclyn says
This looks delicious! Is there a way to turn this into an ice cream?
Maybe freeze the leftover in ice cube trays and add to a Vitamix or other high-speed blender like you would “nice cream”? Let us know if you try it!
TJ George says
I have not made this yet, but plan to. I have a question about the calorie count (and I haven’t sat down to figure the ingredients individually). What makes the calorie and sugar/carbohydrate count so high?
Thanks
This looks VERY promising!
We hope you enjoy this smoothie! Really, a combo of the ingredients contributes to the higher sugar count. This smoothie is decadent and delicious and totally worth a couple extra calories ;)
Chris Walker says
Excellent! I added protein powder and extra almond milk to make a smoothie. It was a true meal substitute. I was not hungry for hours. Thank you! I will definitely try this as ice cream as well – great idea.
Matilda says
Dana, I just made this for my breakfast smoothie and WOW it is good. Thank you for your lovely recipes.
Whoop! Glad you enjoyed it, Matilda!
Lisa Loney says
I just made this for breakfast and it’s incredible! I don’t know why I didn’t try it before. I think I may have to make a second one shortly. It’s exactly as you describe. Thanks, Dana! Genius idea!
Yay! Glad you enjoyed it, Lisa!
Phalen says
I made this and it tasted amazing! I just used cashew butter instead of almond butter, and using the dates definitely did help with the sweetness, but was not too overpowering.
Yay! Glad to hear it, Phalen!
Jessie says
This was really good, totally hit the spot! My husband and I both loved it! Added a little extra almond milk and think when I make it next time, I’ll add some coca nibs and extra almond butter. Yum!
Marta Paddubskaya says
Hi!
May I ask, what blender are you using for your smoothies?
Cheers, Marta
Hi Marta! This one. Cheers!
KB Byerly says
I’ve made a chocolate smoothie something (kinda, sorta) like this but without four of the ingredients listed here. :) Also, I’m allergic to coconut, so, often when you use it, especially if there is a lot of it, I move on to a different recipe. But this looked so fantastic!
So, I subbed Aquafaba for it (I haven’t found a better coconut alternative that I like)! It was so delicious! Often, I check out your recipes because the pictures are crazy good. I tried your Cashew-Less Queso, as well as the Vegan Queso [with Cashews included] and they were both phenomenal and received RAVE reviews! Your Vegan Peanut Butter Cup Pie is also a dream! It came out absolutely amazing [for me] and was non-vegan approved! I’m more of the “taster” who likes to feed others.
I wanted to post a pics but my phone is ruination incarnate and my Nikon is broken. Sad face … yes, sad face. :( Keep up the fabulous work, Dana! You rock! I so look forward to the emails with the bright, beautiful pictures and wonderful recipes I receive from you! ~KB
Ive says
My daughter was craving ice cream after dinner this evening and wanted to buy some. I said I’ll try my best to prepare a healthier version, she seemed sceptical. I then whipped together the chocolate ? part of this…what can I say…she and her brother were both pretty blown away and said that I should hold onto the recipe for future reference ? Many thanks Dana!
Brenna says
Perfect hot-summer-day smoothie, or any day, really! Absolutely delicious!
Lisbeth Pisias says
Delicious! I added 1 Tbs Mexican Cocoa powder and 1 Tbs regular Cocoa powder, and honey as I was out of dates. It was AMAZING!!!
Jessica says
Yum! I just made this as a mid-morning, post-workout treat. I added some protein powder and a bit of maca powder as well (I can’t stand the taste of maca so figured this smoothie, if anything, could mask it!) and it is very good! I didn’t have any milk on hand so mixed a can of coconut milk with water (I think I saw you do that in an IG story a while back? Curious how you get rid of all the lumps. I could use a blender, I suppose) and that worked well. I ended up adding too much “milk” so I added half of a very ripe, fresh banana for a bit more sweetness and to thicken. It’s sooo good and I’m drinking it way too quickly! ;)
maggie says
Just made this and it’s soooo yummy! I omitted all the toppings though, to cut some calories. I also accidentally added 2 cups of almond milk, instead of just 1/4 but it was still pretty thick, a bit too much even. I think with only 1/4 cup it would have had ice-cream like consistency.
On a side note, I just wanted to thank you for sharing all those great recipes. I’ve been cooking mainly from your blog for the past months and there’s not a single thing that I’ve tried and didn’t love! Everything is just perfect, this is literally my favourite food blog.
Efi says
Looks amazing. But I don’t understand this line >> cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
I guess the second one was suppose to be different from cocoa powder? ;-)
Hi! Raw cacao powder is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and removes the fat (cacao butter). Cocoa looks the same but it’s not. Cocoa powder is raw cacao that’s been roasted at high temperatures.
Efi says
Thanks! Now when I looked again I could see it’s not the same word. I was sure that’s the same word haha
Celine M. says
I loooooove it! I make one glass almost everyday, but I only use 1 frozen banana.
Instead of the peanut butter, I use 2-3 tbsp of peanut powder and add a tbsp of chia seeds for extra omega.
It’s a perfect afternoon snack for the pregnant me (I need extra protein) !
Thank you so much for you brilliant recipes, you changed my life.
Ps: My husband recently offered my your cookbook! I couldn’t be so proud!
Kathryn says
I was in the mood for a decadent breakfast today but didn’t have a lot of ingredients or the patience to bake something…and then I remembered having seen this smoothie on your blog a while back. I’m so glad I decided to make it! I used maple syrup instead of dates, and the only topping I had was coconut, but it turned out even better than I expected! Now I’m waiting for my bananas to freeze so I can make some more to share. :)
Your blog has been my go-to for delicious, satisfying, and simple-yet-impressive recipes ever since I found your 5-ingredient granola bars (way back in the day!). I can always trust that your recipes are thoroughly tested and will turn out the way they’re supposed to. This is the only food blog I read regularly anymore. Thank you!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Kathryn!!
Mariana says
I just tried this, and it’s A M A Z I N G
And SO easy to make. I’m a bit worried I’ll be wanting to make this three or four times a week :-O
Thanks for your incredible recipes!
Mariana says
Oh, I forgot to mention: I didn’t have almond milk or almond butter, so I used coconut milk and peanut butter :-)
Whoop! Thanks Mariana!
Luci 's Morsels says
This looks amazing! I need to make more smoothies. I love them so much and haven’t in a while.
Ramona says
This could be called smoothie porn :-O <3
Faith says
I just made this and it is divine. My new go-to after-the-kids-are-asleep treat. And so quick to make. Thank you!
Ha! Yay! Glad you liked it, Faith!
Kathryn says
This tasted so incredible that I didn’t want to spend an extra moment garnishing it with the 3rd banana and toppings! I did manage to sprinkle some unsweetened coconut, but I was really happy with it! I definitely opted for the 2 dates b/c of my sweet tooth… helped to thicken it up too.
KRISTINA WILDE says
Literally going to recreate this!!!! LOOKS SO GOOD!
Candice says
Chocolate with avocados need deeper flavors like tamari and balsamic vinegar. Hope that helps!
Liz D says
Made this last night….. AMAZING!!!! My two year old son loved it as well! Thanks Dana!
Caroline says
I would totally add a layer of blended cherries this to make the cherries be tasted in two forms.
Love the idea!
SMART!
Natalia says
My mouth is watering! Such a perfect Summer treat…may have to save it for Banana Split Day in August! This looks amazing, and your presentation is beautiful as always.
Amanda Williams says
I made this tonight for dessert after making your Thai noodle bowls (so yummy) and I can not be more pleased! This was so good!!! I am totally a dessert girl, but this took the guilt out of the dessert! Thanks so much for all of your ridiculously easy, yet amazingly delicious recipes!!!
Yay!!
Jessica says
Omg this looks fantastic…I can’t wait to get my hands on some ripe bananas so I can make this!
PS I just got your cookbook finally and I am already obsessed with it…my fiance (who’s not even veg) and I absolutely love it :) Thanks so much for all of the wonderful and simple recipes!
So kind! Thanks Jessica! Hope you love this recipe + the book! xoxo
Caitlin says
This looks incredible! I had no idea there was such a thing as coconut whipped cream but it sounds amazing! I can’t wait to buy it and give this recipe a try!
Julia @ Sprinkles & Saturdays says
Ummm this looks to die for. Screw a smoothie for breakfast, I want this! haha
ha! you and me both (I kind of did this morning ;D)
Erin says
Made the non-fancy version for the fam this morning, and everyone loved it! Thanks once more, Dana!
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Erin!
Casey the College Celiac says
I’m always a fan of nana ice cream and this looks like the perfect summer dessert! Thanks for the great toppings ideas!
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
This is definitely an accident I’m not mad about. :) I hope you figure out the avocado chocolate chia pudding, because that sounds delicious! I’m sure you will – you’re a culinary goddess. I’d love to make a huuuuge glass of this and split it with my banana-obsessed boyfriend!
Maria G. says
The first picture leaves me drooling!
Carmen says
Oh this looks so sooo delicious! I really have to try this out. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
xx, Carmen
Sam says
omg Dana. You are the literal best. I love reading you blog posts!!! <3
too kind!
Renee Alexis says
This looks soooo good! Yum yum yum :D
Zena | Zena 'n Zaatar says
Omg I’m drooling over here. These look absolutely amazing!! Can’t wait to try them- banana splits are the best!
Crystal says
Ridonculous! I opened the email and my mouth dropped wide open. It seriously looks amazing and this is going on the To-Do list. OMG Dana.
Ha! Hope you love it, Crystal!
Shane says
Just wanted to tell you that I have permanently disabled Adblock Plus on your site :D
Aibreàn says
Dana this is the most decadent smoothie I’ve come across! I would definitely serve this as a dessert to my guests which is what I’m going to do tonight. Thank you for sharing this treat.
Sonal says
OMG, what a photo! Looks amazing.
Danica says
I make a version of this as a breakfast smoothie. This a a wonderful, jazzed-up version that I will definitely try. I throw some frozen cherries into mine, which turns it a reddish color, but it’s delightful.
Kathryn says
Another winner Dana!! Just made it and it’s so yummy!
Cassie says
Let’s get this banana split smoothie party STARTED ahaha! I think this would be so much better than a chia pudding. I thought this was a sinful dessert at first sight!
Heidi says
A woman after my own heart!! Everything splendid in one glass!
Margarita @ Tasty Mediterraneo says
I just received your recipe on my email, and wanted to let you know that I am definitely going to try it! It looks delicious! Thanks for sharing :)
Katie says
This looks absolutely amazing, its a healthy alternative to a classic dessert i love :) Thanks for the inspiration!
Izzy Bruning says
Wow it looks amazing!
Can’t wait to try! :)
Izzy |
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
Dana you are a genius! The banana split on the glass part is so clever. And the chocolatey blender overhead shot is calling to me big time! I’m a little sad the avo chia seed situation failed, but at the same time happy because this happened!
Jean says
Looks super indulgent but oh so simple to make…my kind of dessert! Can’t wait to try this:)
Aleksandra says
Perfect for the summer weather :)
Maria Carolina says
Looks delicious! I want to try!
LIL YACHTY says
Thanks so much me and my older sister made some banana splits ourselves with you recipe it was superb!