A blend of creamy chocolate indulgence topped with sticky, sweet homemade caramel sauce! This chunky monkey protein smoothie is more like ice cream than a shake. Easy to whip up post-workout, decadent, and a refreshing way to curb a craving.
Switch up the same old post-workout smoothie with this chunky monkey protein smoothie! This protein smoothie tastes more like dessert than a snack and yet it’s loaded with healthy ingredients.
Basically, it's an easy way to enjoy boosting your daily protein intake!
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, this smoothie has recovery in mind. Thus it contains a healthy blend of both protein and carbohydrates (as well as some fats for flavor).
Topped with homemade, three-ingredient, healthy caramel sauce and this chunky monkey smoothie is also a hit with kids.
What Is A Chunky Monkey Smoothie?
Chunky monkey is a common term for the combination of chocolate and bananas. The combination is not only delicious (especially in recipes like homemade protein ice cream) but it has a name of its own!
This particular healthy smoothie uses cacao powder to make it chocolate. Cacao powder is one of the healthiest forms of chocolate as it doesn’t go through a lot of processing (learn more about cacao versus cocoa here).
Cacao powder is high in calcium, magnesium, and antioxidants. It’s slightly bitter on its own but when combined with a sweetener (in this case bananas) it creates delicious dairy-free chocolate.
Ingredients In The Protein Smoothie
Frozen bananas: make sure the banana is frozen prior to blending it as this will make the chunky monkey smoothie much more creamy.
Vanilla protein powder: the protein powder you choose will affect the taste and texture of the smoothie. For best results, use Genuine Health’s Fermented Vegan Protein Powder.
Cacao powder: cacao powder is the purest form of chocolate. Which means it's also loaded with benefits. Unsweetened cocoa powder will work but you won't reap as many perks.
Almond butter: any nut butter will work in the chunky monkey smoothie but for the caramel, you want to make sure it's almond or almond hazelnut butter.
Oats: again the goal of this protein shake is recovery! Which means a blend of carbohydrates also. The regular oats also help make this chunky monkey smoothie ULTRA creamy.
Step By Step Photos
Which Protein Powder To Use
This recipe has been made with a variety of protein powders in both chocolate and vanilla.
When choosing a protein powder make sure to read the ingredients and opt for one that suits your dietary needs and has minimal ingredients.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, I personally use Genuine Health for my protein powder. Not only do they have a few healthy additions to their protein powders (it’s fermented, they add healthy fats etc) but it also doesn’t contain any seed oils which have a multitude of health risks but are common in purchased products.
Another great option is Botanica protein powder which is made solely from whole-food ingredients.
Both work well for this chunky monkey protein smoothie and either chocolate or vanilla can be used.
Keep in mind that the protein powder you choose will affect the flavor and the texture of the recipe. Especially since vegan protein powders are made with different protein blends that absorb liquid uniquely.
Learn more about choosing a protein powder for your goals.
Is This Chunky Monkey Smoothie Okay For Kids?
Yes! This chunky monkey smoothie is well-balanced and a healthy snack for kids.
However, if you’re not comfortable with giving your kids protein powder you do have another option:
Collagen!
Collagen is a beneficial part of bone broth and is wonderful for your hair, skin, and nails. Learn more about collagen and why you may want to boost your intake. However, unlike bone broth, it doesn’t taste like well, bone broth.
Similarly, collagen powder is odorless and flavorless. Plus, if ethically sourced one of the purest forms of protein you can give to your kids! I grab my collagen from Perfect Supplements and while I love their big tub of powder, I love the individual packets even more!
Grab some collagen powder and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
If you’re going to use collagen powder you may need to add 1-2 dates to the smoothie to account for the loss of sweetness from the protein powder.
Important Teaching Tips
The chunky monkey smoothie is best when eaten as soon as it’s made. It will thin out if stored.
Likewise, you can store the homemade, healthy caramel sauce however it will harden slightly.
If you need to omit the protein powder, opt for collagen powder and add 1-2 dates to adjust the sweetness of the smoothie.
Make sure to use frozen bananas for ultimate creaminess!
Lastly, for the dairy-free caramel sauce, make sure to use a runny nut butter or it won't blend well.
Fast, crave-worthy snacks that hit your protein goals (without tracking or extra cooking time).
Frequently Asked Questions About The Chunky Monkey Protein Smoothie
Frozen banana is what makes a smoothie creamy. Though anytime you use bananas in a smoothie it will be thick, only frozen banana gives it that "ice cream-like" feel.
You never need to add protein powder to smoothies. However, removing it will alter the texture and flavor. If you want to switch to a more natural protein, use collagen powder instead.
To make a smoothie thicker, reduce the liquid in the smoothie or add in more of an item like avocado, frozen banana, or coconut milk that makes a smoothie creamy.
Other Awesome Protein Recipes You'll Love
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Protein granola
- Protein truffles
- Green protein shake
- Cookies and Cream Protein Shake
- Chocolate peanut butter bomb shake
- Overnight cookie dough protein oats
- Chocolate chia protein balls
- Peanut butter and jam protein balls
- Key lime protein shake
- Chocolate fudge protein balls
- High protein cookies
- High protein pancakes
- Yogurt protein pancakes
- Energizing protein bar
- Healthy smoothie recipes
- High protein snack recipes
Creamy Chunky Monkey Protein Shake With Caramel
Equipment
Ingredients
- Caramel Drizzle
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Smoothie Ingredients
- 1 banana frozen
- ⅓ cup vegan vanilla protein powder
- 5 ice cubes
- 3 tablespoons raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 date
- ¼ cup oats
- ¾ cups almond milk
Instructions
- In a blender, combine everything but almond milk.
- Pour milk over top.
- Blend on high until combined and smooth.
- You may need to use a tamper as the smoothie is thick.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the healthy caramel topping.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass.
- Place the caramel drizzle into a ziplock bag, cut the corner tip off and drizzle over smoothie.
Notes
- This recipe makes 1 super large indulgent smoothie or two small ones.
- Both why or vegan protein powder will work however the flavor will be different. The whey smoothie will be sweeter. If you've just switched to a vegan protein powder, it's a bit less sweet. Add in another date if you need to!
- This protein chocolate smoothie is best when eaten as soon as it’s made. It will thin out if stored.
- Likewise, you can store the homemade caramel sauce however it will harden slightly.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder will work in place of cacao powder though you'll have more health benefits with the latter.
- Make sure t use frozen bananas to make sure it's super creamy.
- If you need to omit the protein powder, opt for collagen powder and add 1-2 dates to adjust the sweetness of the smoothie.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
An easy, healthy and delicious. This chunky monkey protein smoothie makes the perfect post-workout meal or healthy snack to keep you fueled.
Frozen bananas, chocolate and satiating nut butter. Use this healthy smoothie to curb chocolate cravings or to keep your kids full and energized!
Gina says
SO yummy! My son kept asking for more. This healthy snack is now one of our favorites. I'm excited to make it again! Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
I love that I your son loved it too, parenting win.
Jessie says
Easy post-workout treat, delicious, and satisfyingly refreshing. Yum!!
Maida says
Tastes like dessert and doesn't even feel like I'm drinking a protein shake! I tried this as a post-workout treat and now that I'll be looking forward to making this again after hitting the gym.
fitasamamabear says
Haha the best of both worlds!
Mindy says
I made this after a lunchtime workout today, and it's definitely going to be a regular part of my recovery. It gave me a nice energy boost and was so, so delicious. Highly recommend!
fitasamamabear says
Happy you love it.
Destiny says
I've never had a protein shake that tastes this good. It's now my post-workout treat.
fitasamamabear says
Wahoo!
Mike Sr. says
Hi there. I want to try this amazing smoothie but before I do just have one question. You list syrup as one of the ingredients in the Caramel Drizzle. What kind of syrup are you referring to? Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
Fidget, it's for maple syrup. My apologies, this is a crazy old recipe! I'll update that now so that no one else makes the mistake. Thank you!!
Alice | Letters to my Daughter says
Oh my gosh that looks delicious! And congratulations because someone loved this post so much, they added it to the #BlogCrush linky! Feel free to collect your "I've been featured" blog badge 🙂
fitasamamabear says
It's suuuch a yummy one!