Hidden Greens Chocolate Protein Shake
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, no bake/raw, oil-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free
Yield
3 cups (750 mL)
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This smoothie calls for 2 tablespoons of hemp hearts which provide a huge nutritional boost to this smoothie, including more than 6 grams of complete protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and more. Hemp hearts, kale, and dates require a strong blender to blend them smooth (a Vitamix blends them into a super creamy shake). If your blender can't blend the hemp hearts, kale, or dates smooth, I recommend swapping out the hemp for a serving of your favourite protein powder and swapping the dates for pure maple syrup (otherwise, you'll just have a grainy end result). You can also swap the kale for baby spinach as it blends easier.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 (375 mL) cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup frozen organic kale
- 2 to 3 pitted large Medjool dates, to taste*
- 2 tablespoons hulled hemp seed
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 large frozen banana
- Dash of cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon avocado (for thickening)
- Ice, if desired
Directions
- Add all ingredients into a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste, if desired.
Tip:
- * If your dates are dry or stiff, I recommend soaking the pitted dates in boiled water for a half hour and then draining well before use.
Didn’t have hemp seeds – just made the recipe without it. I used fresh kale, and no ice. It was delicious, and the texture was very smooth.
Hey Jessie, I’m so glad you enjoyed this smoothie…and thanks for sharing your tweaks! A fun way to get some greens in, for sure. :)
How much maple syrup do you use instead of the dates?
Hey there, I would just add it to taste, a bit at a time :)
I would say the title of this recipe is the winner, “Hidden Greens Chocolate Protein Smoothie”. I will make this tomorrow and wanna bet that kids will love it. It’s choco green kids! :D
Do you have some advice on how to hull hemp seeds? I can’t find hemp hearts to buy.
Hi Jelena, Oh that’s so funny you asked because I was just thinking about this the other day (how DO they hull hemp seeds?!) haha…I honestly have no clue. I wonder if there is any info online to try out?
I love the green protein shake although hemp seeds are very rare where I live. Anyone knows another alternative? I always want to enjoy the unique taste that come with hemp.
Hey Susan, Hmm what about adding a bit of peanut or almond butter as a swap? it would add a bit of protein and might compliment the chocolate flavour nicely :)
Looks delicious! I hope I’m splitting this with two other friends, however, as this recipe is 600 calories!
Definitely want to make this smoothie.. I am a massive fan of chocolate and mint together – and the fact that it contains chocolate flavoured protein powder makes it all the more better!
Such a good smoothie! I had nothing in the fridge today for lunch so I decided to open my *filled to the brim* freezer and make a smoothie!
I altered the recipe slightly – I used Welleco’s vegan chocolate protein, a pinch of cacao powder and omitted the dates and hemp seeds. For my smoothies I love using frozen avocado. I use the President’s Choice Avocado Chunks – I’m a fellow Canadian! :)
Thanks Angela! Looking forward to OSG3!
I enjoyed this smoothie. I used fresh kale and added a scoop of pb.
I followed the directions exactly and it was delicious! I will be making this again. Thank you!
SO GOOD! I add chia seeds & peanut butter. Thick and rich like a milkshake. Has been my go to breakfast. Can usually get away with 2 big handfuls of spinach too!