Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
15
Last updated on Jul 30, 2024
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This creamy mint chocolate chip smoothie is packed with mint chocolate flavor and extra thick and creamy thanks to frozen cauliflower rice. It’s vegan, low in sugar and loaded with protein and healthy fats.
Last summer I became hooked on low sugar smoothies made with frozen cauliflower rice like my chocolate cauliflower smoothie. One particular combo that I was obsessed with was chocolate and mint so I had to share this one!
If you like mint chip ice cream, you will adore this smoothie combo. It’s rich and flavorful from the coconut and cacao, but also thick and creamy from the frozen cauliflower rice. I know you probably think I’m crazy for saying that cauliflower rice is going to make your smoothie thick and creamy, but trust me. It’s like magic!
Frozen Cauliflower vs. Frozen Banana
I feel like frozen cauliflower is the new frozen banana when it comes to making smoothies super thick and creamy. Literally cauliflower makes the texture so smooth it’s almost velvety. And it does this without making your whole smoothie taste like cauliflower or adding a ton of sugar. It’s pretty awesome!
Just FYI — one banana has around 15 grams of sugar where as one cup of frozen cauliflower has about 2 grams. Obviously, if you’re watching your sugar intake or trying to keep your blood sugar balanced, cauliflower is the better choice.
Can I Use Frozen Cauliflower Florets?
In general I’ve found that frozen riced cauliflower works better than frozen florets for smoothies because it blends up easily and quickly. Most grocery stores now carry riced cauliflower in the freezer section but you can easily make your own cauliflower rice too. Either buy a package of fresh riced cauliflower and freeze it or buy a whole head, pulse it into rice using your food processor, place in freezer bags and freeze. Feel free to steam or blanch the cauliflower rice before cooling and freezing if you want to make sure the cauliflower is easier to digest.
Ingredients Needed:
- dairy-free milk – I prefer unsweetened almond, cashew or coconut milk.
- nut butter – almond butter or coconut butter
- frozen cauliflower rice – use store-bought or make your own
- chocolate protein powder – I love Nuzest’s chocolate protein powder (use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order). If you’re not using sweetened chocolate protein powder, feel free to add some sort of sweetness to the smoothie if you prefer. Two medjool dates or 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey should do the trick.
- baby spinach – this adds additional nutrition and a pop of green color.
- chia seeds – a great way to add some fiber to your smoothie!
- medjool dates – these are optional, but this smoothie doesn’t have a ton of sweetness so I recommended adding 1-2 in if you like your smoothies sweeter, especially if you use unflavored protein powder or skipping the protein powder all together.
- cacao or cocoa powder – cacao not only adds a rich chocolate flavor but is also packed with powerful nutrients; including antioxidants, fiber, magnesium, and iron.
- fresh mint leaves or peppermint extract – this is the key for that mint chip flavor!
- cacao nibs – cacao nibs are chocolate in its raw form. They gives this smoothie that crunchy texture and chocolate flavor.
- granola (optional for topping) – I love topping my smoothie with a little granola so I have a few chewable bites that I can eat with a spoon… it makes the smoothie feel more like a meal. Try my coconut granola recipe.
More Smoothie Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
- Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie
- Orange Banana Smoothie
- Banana Almond Butter Smoothie
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Peppermint Smoothie
- Malted Chocolate Cauliflower Smoothie
- Snickers Protein Smoothie
More Cauliflower Rice Recipes to Try
- Cauliflower Rice Mujadara
- 17 Genius Ways to Use Cauliflower Rice
- Tuna Curry Bowl with Cauliflower Rice
- Cauliflower Tabbouleh Salad
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond,, cashew or coconut milk
- 1-2 Tablespoons almond butter or coconut butter
- 1/2-1 cup frozen cauliflower rice
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- handful baby spinach
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 Tablespoon cacao or cocoa powder
- 4-5 leaves fresh mint, or 1-2 drops of peppermint extract
- 1-2 medjool dates, (optional)
- 1-2 teaspoons cacao nibs
- granola, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Blend: Place all ingredients except cacao nibs and granola in a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Add: Mix in cacao nibs and blend a couple seconds more.
- Serve: Pour into a glass, sprinkle with granola and cacao nibs and enjoy!
Notes
- Sweetener – if you’re not using sweetened chocolate protein powder, you may want to add some sort of sweetness to the smoothie. 2 medjool dates or 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey should do the trick.
- Smoothie upgrade – feel free to add your favorite superfood ingredients to the smoothie as well.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe surprised me. I wasn’t sure about the cauliflower but I tried it because I love chocolate and mint. I really enjoyed it.
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Joy! Thanks for trying it and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
liked the chocolate taste! love all the different recipes.
I’m so glad this smoothie was a hit, Rachel! Thanks for trying it and leaving a review. I really appreciate it 🙂
WOW! The hidden veggies in this smoothie are a plus! Packed with protein too! I looove mint and having the fresh mint and chocolate combination tastes just like a mint chocolate chip milkshake but with less sugar and more superfoods! Love it!!
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Taylor. Thanks for tying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!
There is something about chocolate and mint in the summertime that just gets me so happy.
This was so refreshing after my morning walk today. Thank you
So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Teresa. Thanks for tying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!
Tried this tonight for a quick and easy dinner/dessert and it was amazing!!! Taste just like an Andis Mint without the guilt and kept me full and satisfied!!!
Woo! So glad you enjoyed this smoothie, Amy! Thanks for trying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!
This is exactly what I needed today! I was looking for something for lunch that was quick, lighter but still had some veggies in it, so I absolutely love that you use frozen cauliflower rice in this recipe!! Loved it–definitely will make this again! Thanks😁
Ahh yay!! So glad you loved this smoothie, Erica. Thanks so much for trying it and for coming back to leave a comment + star rating. I really appreciate it. <3
It’s a great idea. The flavor wasn’t bad, but it lacked any sweetness at all. Perhaps her chocolate protein powder had a sweetener? Mine is unsweetened so if I had added a date or something, it would probably have been much better. The cauliflower makes it grainy, but I love the idea of sneaking it in there.
Ahh yes! Most chocolate protein powders are sweetened so that’s what gives this smoothie a sweet flavor. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to try it again with a sweetened protein powder or your sweetener of choice.
Mint chip milkshakes are my favorite! I love your healthier spin on the concept. ?