The BEST Thick Chocolate Smoothie Bowl (Vegan & Gluten Free)

The Best Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

I am so obsessed with Smoothie Bowls! If you follow me on Instagram, you probably don’t need me to tell you this..

During this ridiculous heat wave we’ve been having here in England, I’ve woken up craving refreshing smoothie bowls most mornings.

I haven’t posted a blog recipe for a smoothie bowl yet so I thought I’d share one of my favourites with you on here.  It really is THE BEST Thick Chocolate Smoothie Bowl.  It’s thick, creamy, filling and so delicious!

I don’t know about you, but I prefer my chocolate smoothie bowls thick so I can eat it like ice cream with a spoon. Yummmm. This chocolate smoothie bowl will satisfy all your choccy cravings and will help to keep you going throughout the morning.

For more easy but delicious breakfast recipes why not try my Hot Chocolate Overnight Oats?

If you make this Smoothie Bowl, please make sure to comment below or tag me in your recreations over on Instagram using @ginabnutrition or #ginabnutrition – I love to see them!

chocolate smoothie bowl

Are Smoothie Bowls Healthy?

Smoothie bowls can be healthy depending on their ingredients and how they are prepared. Smoothie bowls typically contain a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that are blended together with a liquid such as almond milk or coconut water. These ingredients can provide a range of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and fibre.

However, some smoothie bowls can be high in added sugars, such as honey or agave nectar, which can lead to increased calorie consumption and potentially negative health effects. Additionally, some smoothie bowls may contain high amounts of fat if they are made with large amounts of nut butter or coconut oil.

To ensure that smoothie bowls are healthy, it is important to choose nutrient-dense ingredients and limit added sugars and fats. You can also add protein sources such as Greek yogurt, protein powder, or nut butter to make your smoothie bowl more filling and nutritious. Ultimately, it’s all about balance and moderation, and incorporating smoothie bowls into a well-rounded and varied diet can be a healthy choice. This Chocolate Smoothie Bowl, despite being ‘chocolatey’, could definitely be considered to be healthy; just try not to eat it four times a day!

What Makes a Smoothie Bowl Thick?

The frozen courgette/zucchini, thick probiotic coconut yogurt, and ground flaxseed are all ingredients that contribute to making this chocolate smoothie bowl thick.

When the frozen courgette/zucchini is blended with the other ingredients, it creates a thick and creamy base that can give the smoothie bowl a satisfying texture. Additionally, the thick probiotic coconut yogurt can add creaminess and thickness to the smoothie bowl.

The ground flaxseed can also help thicken the smoothie bowl by absorbing liquid and creating a gel-like consistency. Finally, the amount of dairy-free milk used in the smoothie bowl can also affect its thickness. Using less liquid can result in a thicker smoothie bowl.

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl: The Ingredients

Chopped Frozen Banana: The frozen banana adds sweetness, creaminess, and thickness to the smoothie bowl. Frozen bananas have a creamy texture when blended, and when they’re frozen, they create a thicker and more satisfying smoothie bowl. Bananas are also a good source of fiber, potassium, and other essential vitamins and minerals

Frozen Courgette / Zucchini: The frozen courgette / zucchini adds texture and creaminess to the smoothie bowl without adding a strong flavour. Zucchini is low in calories and high in water content, making it a great ingredient for a smoothie bowl.

Thick Probiotic Coconut Yogurt: The thick probiotic coconut yogurt adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture to the smoothie bowl. Yogurt is a good source of protein, calcium, and probiotics, which can help improve digestion and gut health.

Ground Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed adds a nutty flavour and thickens the smoothie bowl. Flaxseeds are a good source of fibre omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans, which have antioxidant properties.

Cacao Powder or cocoa powder: Cacao powder or cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate flavour to the smoothie bowl. Cacao powder is a good source of antioxidants and contains minerals such as iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Dairy-Free Milk: The dairy-free milk adds a liquid base to the smoothie bowl and helps to blend all the ingredients together. You can use any dairy-free milk you prefer, such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Make sure to choose unsweetened varieties to avoid added sugars.

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl Toppings

Peanut butter: Peanut butter adds a nutty flavour and creamy texture to the smoothie bowl. It’s a good source of protein, healthy fats, and fibre, which can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer.

Chia seeds: Chia seeds add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavour to the smoothie bowl. They are a good source of fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, which can help improve digestion and promote heart health.

Granola: Granola adds a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavour to the smoothie bowl. It’s often made with oats, nuts, and dried fruit, which provide fibre, protein, and healthy fats.

Cacao nibs: Cacao nibs add a crunchy texture and a rich chocolate flavour to the smoothie bowl. They are made from roasted cacao beans and are a good source of antioxidants, fibre, and iron.

Coconut chips: Coconut chips add a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet, nutty flavour to the smoothie bowl. They are made from dried coconut and are a good source of healthy fats, fibre, and minerals such as iron and potassium.

Coconut shreds: Coconut shreds add a slightly sweet, nutty flavour and a chewy texture to the smoothie bowl. They are made from dried coconut and are a good source of healthy fats, fibre, and minerals such as iron and potassium.

chocolate smoothie bowl

The BEST Thick Chocolate Smoothie Bowl (Vegan & Gluten Free)

Georgina Burgess
I thought I'd share one of my favourites with you on here. This is the BEST Thick Chocolate Smoothie Bowl. It's thick, creamy, filling and so delicious!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Course Breakfast, Healthy Snack
Servings 1 bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Chopped Frozen Banana
  • 1/2 Frozen Courgette / Zucchini chopped
  • 1 tbsp Thick Probiotic Coconut Yogurt
  • 1 tbsp Ground Flaxseed
  • 2 tbsp Cacao Powder or cocoa powder
  • 3/4 Cup Dairy Free Milk

Instructions
 

  • In a high speed blender add all the ingredients and blend until creamy
  • If it is struggling to blend, add more milk until it does
  • Spoon into a bowl and top with your favourite additions! (I topped mine with peanut butter, cacao nibs, chia seeds and coconut chips)

Notes

Topping ideas:

  • Peanut butter
  • Chia seeds
  • Granola
  • Cacao nibs
  • Coconut chips
  • Coconut shreds
Keyword vegan breakfast, vegan snacks

Is It OK To Have A Chocolate Smoothie Bowl For Breakfast?

Yes, it’s definitely okay to have a chocolate smoothie bowl for breakfast as long as it is part of a well-rounded and balanced diet. Smoothie bowls can be a healthy breakfast option if they contain a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds (which this one does!).

This chocolate smoothie bowl provides a range of nutrients, including fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, that can help support your overall health and well-being.

Here’s Why You Should Chew Your Smoothie

Chewing your smoothie can have some benefits, even though it may sound strange at first! When we chew our food, we break it down into smaller pieces, which makes it easier to digest and absorb the nutrients. This is because chewing stimulates the production of digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, and small intestine, which helps the body to break down food more effectively.

When you drink a smoothie, you may be missing out on this initial digestive process because the ingredients have already been blended into a smooth consistency. Chewing your smoothie can help to slow down the process of consuming it, which gives your digestive system more time to break down and absorb the nutrients.

Additionally, chewing your smoothie can help to signal to your brain that you are eating, which can help you feel more satisfied and full. This can help to prevent overeating or snacking later on.

Chewing your smoothie doesn’t mean that you have to chew every sip or gulp, but taking a few swallows and then chewing the mixture in your mouth a few times can be beneficial. It’s important to note that if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to chew, such as dental issues or jaw pain, it may not be necessary or feasible to chew your smoothie.

Getting Fruity

Why not try adding some other toppings? Or even nuts? There are NO RULES! It’s all about individual taste. It may sound a little weird, but I know someone who adds lime to theirs! And another who adds grapes (though I don’t feel that is quite as strange).

Why Not Try These?

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