Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

Growing up, mint chocolate chip ice cream was always the flavor I fought my sisters over. There was never enough left in the carton by the time it got to me.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Like This Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
• Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie Ingredients
• Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
• How To Make A Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
• Storage And Reheating
• Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie Variations And Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipes You May Like
• A Final Word

So when I started looking for a breakfast that felt like a treat but actually kept us full until lunch, this mint chocolate chip smoothie was the first thing I tried. Honestly? It tastes shockingly close to the ice cream I grew up loving, minus the sugar crash an hour later.

It's cold, creamy, a little sweet, and has that cool mint flavor with real chocolate flecks running through it. Alex asks for it before school more than he asks for cereal now, which tells you everything you need to know.

If you love a good frozen breakfast, you'll probably also want to try my green peanut butter banana smoothie. It's another one that started as an experiment in my kitchen and turned into a weekly habit.

Why You Will Like This Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

• It tastes like dessert, but it's built from real food, spinach included
• Ready in five minutes with almost zero cleanup
• Naturally sweetened by the banana, so there's no added sugar needed
• The protein powder keeps everyone full for hours, not just twenty minutes
• Kid approved, and I mean actually approved, not just tolerated
• Easy to make dairy free since it's all almond milk based

I'll admit I was skeptical about hiding spinach in a chocolate smoothie. The first time I made it, I didn't tell Alex what was in it until after he finished the glass. His face when I told him was priceless.

Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie Ingredients

Here's what goes into this one. Nothing fancy, just things I usually already have in the freezer and pantry.

• 1 medium banana, diced and frozen (this is what makes it creamy instead of icy)
• 1 cup spinach or kale leaves, frozen, loosely packed
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs (regular chocolate chips work in a pinch)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract (use mint extract instead if you want a stronger mint punch)
• 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder
• ½ to ⅔ cup unsweetened almond milk

A quick note on the spinach. I always freeze mine ahead of time in a bag so it's ready to go. Frozen spinach blends completely smooth, so you truly cannot taste it, and it disappears into that green tinted chocolate color anyway.

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How To Make A Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie

This really could not be simpler, which is exactly why it's become our go to before busy mornings.

Prep The Frozen Ingredients

Dice your banana and freeze it, along with the spinach, for at least two hours before blending. I usually do this the night before so it's ready when I need it in the morning.

Freezing the banana is the real trick here. It gives the smoothie that thick, scoopable texture without needing a bunch of ice, which just waters everything down.

Blend Everything Together

Add the frozen banana, frozen spinach, oats, cacao nibs, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, protein powder, and almond milk into a high powered blender.

Blend on high for one to two minutes, stopping once to scrape down the sides if needed. You're looking for a completely smooth, thick consistency with no oat chunks left behind.

Pour it into a glass, maybe toss a few extra cacao nibs on top for looks, and that's it. Sarah likes hers with a straw and a spoon because she says it's "half smoothie, half ice cream."

Storage And Reheating

This one is best fresh, but life happens, so here's what I've learned about keeping leftovers.

Pour any extra smoothie into a mason jar with a tight lid and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. It will separate a little, so just give it a good shake or stir before drinking.

I don't recommend freezing the finished smoothie. It gets an odd icy texture once thawed and loses that creamy quality that makes this recipe worth making in the first place.

Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie Variations And Tips

Here's the thing about smoothies. Once you've got the base down, you can play around with it endlessly depending on what's in your kitchen that day.

• Swap the almond milk for oat milk or regular milk if that's what you have on hand
• No protein powder? A tablespoon of Greek yogurt or nut butter adds protein too
• Want it richer? Add half an avocado for extra creaminess without changing the flavor
• Prefer things sweeter? A drizzle of honey or maple syrup does the trick

Have you ever added too much peppermint extract by accident? I have, and let me tell you, it tastes like toothpaste rather than ice cream. Start with less than you think you need. You can always blend in a touch more.

I also love pairing smoothie mornings with other fruity blends in our house. My creamy strawberry banana smoothie and this one end up on rotation together most weeks, since the kids like having options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make a mint chocolate chip smoothie?

You blend frozen banana, frozen spinach, oats, cacao nibs, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, protein powder, and almond milk together until smooth. The whole thing takes about five minutes from start to finish, no cooking required.

Can you make this smoothie without protein powder?

Yes, you can leave it out completely, or swap it for a spoonful of Greek yogurt or peanut butter instead. It won't be quite as filling, but it will still taste like a mint chocolate treat.

Can you use fresh spinach instead of frozen spinach?

You can, though I'd recommend adding a few extra ice cubes if you do, since fresh spinach won't help thicken the smoothie the way frozen does. The flavor stays the same either way.

How can you make a mint chocolate chip smoothie thicker?

Add an extra half of a frozen banana or a small handful of ice. You can also cut back slightly on the almond milk, just add it back a splash at a time until you like the texture.

Recipes You May Like

• Creamy Mango Banana Smoothie: another quick, fruity blend that's perfect for busy mornings when you need something fast and filling
• Pineapple Green Smoothie: if you liked sneaking greens into this one, you'll love how tropical this pineapple version tastes
• Blueberry Spinach Smoothie: another spinach based smoothie that proves greens really do disappear once they're blended with fruit

A Final Word

This mint chocolate chip smoothie has become one of those recipes I make without even thinking about it anymore. It's quick, it tastes like a treat, and it quietly gets some greens and protein into my kids before they even notice.

I hope it becomes a regular in your house too. Let me know how it turns out for you, and if you make any fun swaps along the way, I'd love to hear about them.