Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

• It tastes like a dessert milkshake. Seriously, the blend of sweet, tart cherries and rich cocoa is so luxurious, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s actually good for you. It satisfies those sweet cravings in the most delightful way without any guilt.
• It’s a powerhouse of nutrients. Between the antioxidants in the cherries and cocoa, the protein from the yogurt, and the healthy fats from the almond butter, this smoothie is a complete meal. It keeps you full and focused for hours, making it the ultimate breakfast or post-workout refuel.
• It comes together in under 5 minutes. On busy mornings, speed is everything. Just toss everything in the blender, whiz it up, and you’re out the door with a delicious, healthy drink in hand. It’s the definition of a fast, fuss-free meal.
• It’s incredibly versatile. Don’t have almond milk? Use oat milk. Out of Greek yogurt? A scoop of protein powder works beautifully. This recipe is a wonderful template that you can adapt based on what you have available.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
• 1 medium banana (preferably frozen)
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon almond butter (or any nut/seed butter)
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1 pitted Medjool date or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness

Tools: A high-speed blender.

The frozen banana is non-negotiable for that thick, creamy, milkshake-like texture—it’s the real secret here. And using frozen cherries means you don’t need to add ice, which can water down the flavor. The almond butter adds a subtle nuttiness and healthy fats that make the smoothie seriously satisfying.

Serves: 1 (generous) | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Freeze your banana ahead of time. This is the single best tip for a perfect smoothie. Peel a ripe banana, break it into chunks, and freeze it on a parchment-lined tray before transferring to a bag. It makes all the difference for creaminess.
• What kind of cherries are best? I highly recommend frozen dark sweet cherries. They’re picked at peak ripeness and frozen, locking in their flavor and nutrients. Tart cherries will work but will result in a much sharper, less dessert-like taste.
• Is your blender struggling? If you have a less powerful blender, try adding the liquid first, then the softer ingredients (yogurt, nut butter), and the frozen fruit last. This helps the blades get moving more easily.
• Taste as you go. Depending on the sweetness of your fruit, you might want an extra boost. Blend everything first, then taste and decide if you need that optional date or maple syrup.

How to Make Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A slice of whole-wheat toast with avocado — The creamy, savory fat from the avocado provides a lovely contrast to the sweet, cold smoothie, making it a more balanced and substantial meal.
• A small handful of almonds or walnuts on the side — The extra crunch and protein help round out the meal, keeping you satisfied even longer. It’s a great textural counterpoint to the drinkable meal.

Drinks

• A hot cup of black coffee or espresso — The bitterness of the coffee is a classic pairing with chocolate and cuts through the sweetness of the smoothie perfectly. It’s the ultimate breakfast duo.
• A glass of cold water with lemon — This might sound simple, but it’s incredibly refreshing. It cleanses the palate and ensures you start your day hydrated.

Something Sweet

• A small, dark chocolate square — For the true chocoholic, enjoying a piece of high-quality dark chocolate after your smoothie extends the chocolate cherry experience in the most delightful way.
• A few fresh, ripe strawberries — If you have any on hand, they continue the berry theme and offer a fresh, juicy bite that complements the deeper flavors of the smoothie.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using fresh banana instead of frozen. This is the most common error and it will result in a thin, lukewarm smoothie, not a thick, frosty one. The frozen banana is crucial for texture and temperature.
• Mistake: Adding ice to supplement frozen fruit. Ice dilutes the flavor as it melts. If you need to thicken the smoothie further, just add more frozen fruit. I’ve messed this up before too, and you end up with a watery drink.
• Mistake: Not blending long enough. Impatience can lead to a chunky smoothie. Give your blender a full minute on high to ensure everything is silky smooth. You should hear the motor sound change to a consistent, high-pitched whir when it’s done.
• Mistake: Skipping the fat (like nut butter). The fat isn’t just for flavor; it’s essential for satiety. Without it, the sugar from the fruit can hit your system too quickly, leaving you hungry sooner.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make smoothie packs for the week. Portion out the frozen cherries and banana into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just dump the bag into the blender with the other ingredients. It saves precious minutes and mental energy.
• Tip: Add a handful of spinach. You won’t taste it, I promise! It’s an effortless way to sneak in extra greens. The chocolate and cherry flavors are strong enough to completely mask the spinach.
• Tip: Use cacao nibs for a crunch. If you love texture, blend the smoothie until smooth, then throw in a tablespoon of cacao nibs and pulse just once or twice to distribute them. It gives a wonderful chocolatey crunch.
• Tip: For a coffee kick, add instant espresso powder. A teaspoon of instant espresso or coffee granules will amplify the chocolate flavor and give you an extra boost of energy. It’s a next-level mocha cherry situation.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
You can, but the texture is best immediately after blending. If you must prep it, make the smoothie and store it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking, as it will separate. For a better make-ahead option, prepare the ingredient packs (frozen fruit etc.) in bags so assembly is lightning fast.

I don’t have a high-powered blender. Will this still work?
Absolutely! A standard blender can handle this, it just might take a little more patience. Use the pulse function to break up the frozen fruit first, and you may need to stop and scrape down the sides a couple of times. Adding the liquid first is even more critical for less powerful models to help them get started.

How can I make this smoothie vegan?
It’s super easy. Simply swap the Greek yogurt for a plant-based alternative like coconut or almond milk yogurt. Just make sure it’s an unsweetened, plain variety to keep control of the sweetness. Everything else in the recipe is naturally vegan-friendly.

What can I use instead of almond butter?
Any nut or seed butter works wonderfully here. Peanut butter will give it a more pronounced, almost peanut butter cup flavor. Tahini (sesame seed paste) adds a fascinating, slightly bitter note that pairs really well with the chocolate. Sunflower seed butter is a great nut-free option.

Is this smoothie kid-friendly?
100%! It tastes like a treat, so most kids love it. It’s a fantastic way to get them to consume fruit, protein, and maybe even some hidden spinach. You can even pour it into a popsicle mold and freeze it for a healthy frozen dessert on a hot day.