This Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie tastes like a Black Forest dessert in a glass. It's thick, creamy, and packed with superfoods. Made without banana but with a pop of cherry flavor that works well for an afternoon pick-me-up!
"Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!" - Allyssa
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 5 Minutes
- 👪Serves: 2
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 205 kcals and 5 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Frozen Cherries, cacao powder, maple syrup, cashew butter, and chia seeds.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and Whole30-approved.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: Thick, chocolatey, and naturally sweet, this cherry smoothie delivers a delicious boost of energy without using bananas or protein powder.
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If you’ve been looking for a smoothie that’s thick and creamy and packed with nutrients, this cherry smoothie without banana is it. This superfood smoothie gives you that decadent “Black Forest cake” vibe while sneaking in nutrition, just like my turmeric protein shake with ginger. I started making this on days when I needed something energizing but didn’t want the same old banana-based shake, and now my kids ask for the “chocolate cherry one” constantly.
This healthy smoothie is packed with ingredients that help you feel energized and balanced, not heavy or weighed down. It’s my go-to afternoon reset when I’m dragging, the same way I lean on almond butter dark chocolate cups or coffee fudge. And if you ever do want to boost smoothies with protein on busy days, this guide on how to add protein to smoothies breaks down simple ways to build them into a full meal.
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💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Nourishing and allergy-friendly: Packed with superfoods like cacao powder and greens, this cherry smoothie recipe is completely Whole30-approved as well.
Delicious: It has a rich, dark chocolate flavor but gives you a burst of energy from the tart cherries.
Versatile: There's lots of ways to adapt the smoothie recipe to suit your flavor preferences that day.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Frozen cherries: These give the smoothie its ultra-thick texture. Although you can use fresh cherries, it won't be as thick. If you have a ton, whip up this gluten-free cherry crisp too.
- Cacao powder: Though cocoa powder will work (learn the difference between cacao and cocoa), cacao powder is loaded with more calcium, antioxidants, and iron to make it a total superfood.
- Chia seeds: One of the foods I think every toddler should have in their diet! These little seeds absorb liquid and are a powerhouse of nutrients.
- Chlorella powder: Algae is a powerhouse of nutrients, and you can use a green powder or tabs of chlorella from EnergyBits.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
Toppings: The simplest way to change the flavor of this banana-free cherry smoothie is to use any of our favorite smoothie bowl toppings. 2-minute coconut whipped cream is our favorite.
More superfoods: I like to add a bit of magnesium powder to the smoothie when I feel I need a bit more recovery.
Protein: If you want to bump up the protein in this cherry smoothie, opt for beef-based protein powder or some high-quality collagen powder. Protein granola is a nice little bump, too, especially if using this as a post-workout smoothie.
Fruit: Of course, you can vary the cherries or add new fruits in, frozen mango and pineapple both pair really well in this recipe.
How To Make a Dark Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Step 1: Pulse the frozen cherries and ice cubes in a blender.
Step 2: Add in the remaining ingredients.
Step 3: Pour in the dairy-free milk and blend.
Step 4: Portion into a jar and enjoy!
Expert Tips
Any non-dairy milk will work for this smoothie recipe. Though almond milk is listed, make sure to use unsweetened almond milk to avoid any added sugars. That said, you can also use your own homemade hemp milk.
The cherry smoothie recipe tastes best when freshly made. Though you can make it the day before, it will thin out once stored in the fridge, and you'll probably want to reblend it.
To make it in advance, add all the ingredients for the smoothie into a plastic baggie and pop it in the freezer. When you're ready, break apart the pieces a bit and blend them up! This is a great way to meal prep smoothies for the week.
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie FAQs
While you can use fresh cherries, frozen cherries are best for smoothies. Frozen cherries will give the smoothie a thicker and creamier consistency than fresh.
Sweet cherries are typically fresh cherries that you'd find at the market in the summer. Tart cherries are normally used to make dried cherries or to freeze, which is why they're really dark in color.
Most fruits mix well with cherries, but the most popular fruits tend to be bananas, berries, mangos, and pineapple.
Homemade cherry smoothies can be a healthy addition to your diet. Cherries are a powerhouse of a fruit, and when mixed with protein, healthy fats, and other superfoods, they make a good choice for breakfast or a snack.
More Healthy Snack Recipes
If you tried this Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Without Banana Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
Chocolate Cherry Smoothie Without Banana
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¾ cup frozen cherries
- 3 ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon cashew butter
- 2 dates
- ¼ teaspoon chlorella powder
- ½ cup dairy-free milk
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- In a powerful blender add the cherries and ice cubes. Pulse slightly to chop.
- Add in the remaining ingredients.
- Pour the almond milk and water on top.
- Blend until smooth.
Notes
- Want to bump up the protein but don't agree with protein powder? Use collagen! Protein in it's purest form. Grab it from Perfect Supplements and use code mamabear10 to save some money.
- The recipe makes one larger (full mason jar ish) or two smaller kid-sizes.
- Any non-dairy milk will work for this smoothie recipe. That said, you can also use your own homemade hemp milk as well.
- You can easily sub out different nut butters for the cashew butter. In fact, almond butter, or almond hazelnut butter are great variations.
- You can omit the chlorella pwoder if you don't have it on hand, the smoothie will still pack a punch.
- If you use tart cherries the smoothie will be darker. And you can always bump up the chocolate flavor with a bit more cacao powder.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Louanne (Lou16) says
I love a chocolate cherry smoothie in the morning, although I use a vegan protein powder instead of chia seeds and some spinach instead of chlorella powder. I was actually wondering about making it thicker one day using some avocado and then popping with some of your coconut whip topping for a really special treat
fitasamamabear says
I use vegan protein powder as well depending on the day or if I'm sharing with kiddos. Definitely makes it yummy though! Avocado in the smoothie would be suuuppper creamy and truth be told, I am a fan of adding coconut whip to absolutely all recipes haha I keep an open can in the fridge at all times because I love it so much!
Thanks for dropping by!
Renee D Kohley says
I love cherries and chocolate! This is a super special treat!
fitasamamabear says
It's a tasty combo- and you can't fail with chocolate!
Laura Duffy says
I love all of the superfoods you combined in this. And it sounds delicious. Cherry + chocolate for the win!
fitasamamabear says
Haha I AM superfood fanatic 😀 and you can't fail with chocolate...
Saltish says
It looks simply yummy. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
fitasamamabear says
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
linda spiker says
Chocolate and cherry...swoon! Yum, great way to start the day!
fitasamamabear says
Haha yummy combo right?!
Rachel says
Oh yummm! I'm looking into trying to cut dairy out of my diet more, this is perfect!! Thanks!
fitasamamabear says
Ahh good luck lady! I have a whole post on cutting dairy (https://fitasamamabear.com/5-tips-go-dairy-free/) like anything else it's a big habit shift but doable! if you need help just ask!
Daniela says
Just the words chocolate and super foods had me! This looks divine!
fitasamamabear says
Haha yay! You literally cannot go wrong with chocolate!
Lindsey Dietz says
I use spirulina/chlorella in my smoothies! Such a powerful superfood! And chocolate + cherry is always a winning combination!
fitasamamabear says
Spirulina and chlorella freaking rock- such an easy way to get them in! And yes, chocolate is always a win haha