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. Although it’s healthy enough to drink for breakfast or a snack, it could totally pass for dessert. That’s nice!
Why add zucchini to a smoothie?
But let’s address the elephant in the room: what zucchini making into a smoothie?
My take: zucchini is actually a very underrated smoothie ingredient. Like spinach and kale—vegetables we’re used to throwing in the blender—it has many health benefits. Zucchini is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins such as vitamin C.
It also gives smoothies a wonderfully creamy texture. No need for frozen bananas here! Frozen zucchini makes this smoothie thick and frozen 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 will need a 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 flavor. Cocoa powder works here too.
- Nutmeg and vanilla extract – For warm, dessert-like depth of flavor.
- Ice – To make the smoothie cold and icy.
- Almond milk – Or any milk you like! My homemade oat milk would be great here, and the 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 just as well.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Zucchini Smoothie
The first step in this zucchini smoothie recipe is freezing 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 vegetables to an airtight container, and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to make the smoothie. Tip: Pre-freezing the baking sheet prevents the zucchini from sticking together, making it easier to blend.
Once you have frozen zucchini, you can blend 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, have fun! Pour the smoothie into glasses. If you like, top 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, by all means, do! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Change the nut butter. This smoothie is DELICIOUS with tahini. Peanut butter would be incredible too!
- Increase 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. Instead, add your favorite fruit to the blender! Strawberries, blueberries, and bananas would be great. If needed, add a drizzle of maple syrup to sweeten the smoothie to taste.
Let me know what variations you try!
Healthier Smoothie Recipes
If you love this chocolate zucchini smoothie, try one of these healthy smoothie recipes next:
Zucchini Smoothies
Serving 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
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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.
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Pour into a glass. 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 use.
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