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Home » Recipes » Smoothie

Chocolate Cherry Almond Smoothie

Feb 2, 2022 by Kaitlin · 6 Comments

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A vegan Chocolate Cherry Smoothie recipe with almond and banana (or avocado or yogurt). Deliciously rich, easy to make, and healthy... but tastes like a decadent dessert! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Vegan chocolate cherry almond smoothie in a small glass

This chocolate cherry smoothie is so rich & flavorful it tastes like a decadent dessert! But it's made with only 6 healthy ingredients.

Chocolate and cherries are such a dreamy combination. Then you can make it with your choice of banana, avocado, or vegan yogurt.

It's a great option for breakfast, a midday snack, or even a healthier dessert!

Banana, milk, frozen cherries, and cacao powder ingredients on a bamboo cutting board

Ingredients for Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

For this recipe, you'll blend in a high-speed blender:

  • Plant milk: Any non-dairy milk will work. I use homemade cashew milk, but almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk are all great.
  • Frozen cherries: I use frozen pitted sweet cherries, organic when possible. I haven't tested this with fresh cherries, but those could work too. Just be sure to remove the pits. (And you will probably want to use a frozen banana so the smoothie stays cold and creamy.)
  • Almond butter: This is optional but recommended. I don't always have almond butter on hand, so feel free to omit if you don't have it. But a tablespoon or two of almond butter thickens the smoothie and creates a creamier texture. Plus it adds more plant-based protein and fiber. (I purchase unsalted & creamy almond butter with no added sugar, salt, or oil.)
  • Cacao powder: Or substitute cocoa powder. We add this to achieve the rich, deep chocolate flavor. Most often I use "Navitas Organics" brand raw cacao powder. It's an unprocessed version of the cacao bean, and contains antioxidants & flavanols, iron, fiber, magnesium, and other minerals. (Be aware that it does contain some caffeine however.)
  • Banana: Be sure to use a ripe/overripe banana (one with lots of brown spots) because it will add tasty natural sweetness to this smoothie. If you have frozen banana, that works great in smoothies to help create a creamier texture. (See below for banana-free options.)
  • Almond extract: This has a strong, sweet flavor that's delightful in this smoothie. A little goes a long way, so start with a quarter teaspoon and add more to taste if desired. (I really enjoy almond extract so I'll often add a half teaspoon to mine.) If you don't have almond extract, then almond flavoring can be used as well. The taste is fairly similar. Pure almond extract is made from natural ingredients, while the flavoring is artificially and synthetically produced.
Ingredients in a blender for cherry smoothie

Customizing

Banana-free: Substitute with half of an avocado or vegan yogurt instead. (Either of these will help create the creamy component of the smoothie.) Or you can simply omit the banana altogether for a thinner smoothie.

Sweeten it: This smoothie isn't overly sweet. So for a sweeter taste, add 1 to 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, a pitted date, a little agave, or simply your own favorite sweetener.

Other additions: Include fresh spinach or greens, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, maca powder, or pure vanilla extract. Or you can also add an extra boost of nutrients with your favorite chocolate protein powder.

Blended vegan smoothie in blender cup

Serving

Toppings: Before serving, you can garnish your glass with a dollop of coconut whipped cream, cacao nibs, fresh cherries, vegan chocolate chips, etc.

Smoothie bowl: Instead of a drink, you can also enjoy this recipe as a smoothie bowl. Slightly decrease the amount of milk when blending to help keep the texture thick. Then top it with coconut flakes, granola, sliced banana, fresh berries, or your own favorites.

Pouring a chocolate cherry almond smoothie into a small glass

For more inspiration, also browse all smoothie recipes or dessert recipes.

Vegan chocolate cherry almond smoothie in a small glass

Chocolate Cherry Almond Smoothie

A healthy cherry smoothie that tastes like a decadent dessert! Naturally sweetened and so rich. Plus it can be made with banana, avocado, or yogurt.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 1 large (or 2 small)

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup plant milk
  • 3/4 cup frozen sweet cherries, pitted
  • 1 small ripe banana (or 1/2 avocado or vegan yogurt)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. cacao powder
  • 1-2 Tbsp. almond butter (optional, but recommended)
  • 1/4 tsp. almond extract (or up to 1/2 tsp.)

Toppings (optional):

  • Coconut whipped cream, cacao nibs, fresh cherries, etc.

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth, about 15-20 seconds.
  • Taste and adjust flavors if desired. (See notes for suggestions.)

Notes

Sweeten it: Add 1-2 tsp. pure maple syrup, a pitted date (diced), or agave.
Other additions: Add spinach/greens, protein powder, vanilla extract, chia seeds, etc.
Banana: Using frozen banana will create a creamier texture.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Cherry Almond Smoothie
Amount per Serving
Calories
315
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
13
g
20
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Potassium
 
888
mg
25
%
Carbohydrates
 
52
g
17
%
Fiber
 
10
g
42
%
Sugar
 
29
g
32
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
142
IU
3
%
Vitamin C
 
18
mg
22
%
Calcium
 
310
mg
31
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Catrin Clarke says

    December 20, 2022 at 1:53 pm

    5 stars
    This is delicious. I make this almost every day.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      December 20, 2022 at 3:04 pm

      Wonderful to hear you're enjoying it so often, Catrin! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know. Wishing you a beautiful week!

      Reply
  2. Marissa Frost says

    February 09, 2022 at 10:15 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!! I wanted a new smoothie in my breakfast rotation and this fit the bill. I added a couple of dates and next time will probably add spinach and chia! Loved it. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      February 10, 2022 at 7:48 am

      Awesome to hear, Marissa! Great call adding dates, spinach, and chia too. Thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your kind feedback!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    February 08, 2022 at 1:32 pm

    5 stars
    This looks so good! Great idea to serve it as a bowl with a few toppings for dessert.

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      February 08, 2022 at 1:50 pm

      Thanks, Michelle!

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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