Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

This Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie recipe is super creamy, packed with over 25 grams of plant-protein, & is created with healthy ingredients. The end result tastes like a dessert, but it’s post workout approved!

If you love chocolate, coconut, and peanut butter, then you’re going to love this Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie. It’s a drool worthy combination in my opinion.

It’s super thick, rich, and creamy. The coconut taste isn’t too overwhelming either, if you’re worried about that. Instead, it provides a sweetness that pairs perfectly with the creamy peanut butter & rich cacao. Definitely worth a try, even if coconut isn’t your favorite. 

While this was designed, or in this case, blended to be a nutritious chocolate coconut smoothie recipe, it ended up transpiring a dessert like taste. So have it as a post workout treat or a nutritious dessert. It’s guaranteed to make you feel good either way.

Why You’ll Love This Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie

• Loaded with Superfoods: A big scoop of cacao plant protein does the trick to add some superfood nutrients to this smoothie.
• Perfect Protein Smoothie: Whether you’re making it post workout or breakfast, this smoothie will have you fully satisfied, as it is packed with over 25 grams of plant protein.
• Tastes like a Dessert: Although this smoothie is post workout approved, it’s decadent enough to be considered a dessert.

Cacao Protein Health Benefits & Nutrition 

To make this peanut butter smoothie chocolatey, we’ll be adding in a scoop of cacao protein powder. Cacao is full of rich chocolate flavor & is loaded with powerful nutrients. Here are just a few incredible health benefits of cacao protein:

• High-Vibrational Energy
• High in Magnesium
• Relieve Mild Stress & Promote Relaxation
• Reduce Inflammation
• Full of Antioxidants
• Hormonal Balance

Ingredients

• Organic Unsweetened Full-Fat Coconut Milk: I love adding creamy organic coconut milk to my smoothies & shakes, because it transpires a super creamy texture & delicious flavor. I highly recommend chilling it overnight so that your smoothie is cold! My favorite brand is Native Forest, as it is made with simple, organic ingredients, without the guar gums. Just organic coconut milk!
• Organic Coconut Water: To get things blended we’ll be using coconut water. Not only is coconut water super delicious, but is also full of electrolytes – which is great post workout. My favorite brand is Harmless Harvest. It’s just one ingredient, organic coconut water. Oh & it’s pink! So cute.
• Organic Unsalted Peanut Butter: Peanut butter adds some extra creaminess & healthy fats to this chocolate coconut smoothie. Be sure that your peanut butter is organic & unsalted. 
• Organic Chia Seeds: Adds some omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, etc. + it helps thicken this cacao smoothie.
• Organic Unsweetened Coconut: Another essential ingredient to this hot chocolate protein smoothie is coconut. Shredded coconut or coconut flakes, both work!
• Organic Coconut Oil: To add some healthy fats that keep you full, energized, & focused.
• Organic Cacao Powder: It’s the perfect addition to make this protein smoothie even more decadent! To be clear, cacao powder is different from regular dutch cocoa powder. Check out this Cacao Powder 101 postto learn more!
• Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals & beautifully enhances the flavor of this cacao coconut smoothie.
• Organic Frozen Banana: It’s best to use frozen bananas to create that super thick & creamy texture. 

How To Make

• Blend the Liquids & Powders: First, add the liquids, peanut butter, seeds, coconut, coconut oil, cacao plant protein, & sea salt, to a high-speed blender. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
• Blend the Frozen Ingredients. Next, add in the frozen banana. Blend until smooth & creamy. If needed, you can pause the blender, remove the lid, and scrape down the sides so that everything is fully incorporated. You may need to add a little & liquid depending on how thick/thin you like your smoothies.
• Serve. Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy!

Optional Smoothie Add-Ins

Feel free to truly make this smoothie your own! Here are a few suggestions to amp-up this Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie recipe:

• Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Add a tablespoon of organic ground flax seeds to increase the fiber & minerals.
• Organic Hemp Seeds: To increase the amount of healthy fats, protein, omegas & minerals, add a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds.
• Organic Coconut Yogurt: Enhance the creaminess with a scoop of organic plain coconut yogurt. 
• Organic Greens: You can get your greens in too in this chocolate coconut smoothie. They blend easily & you can’t taste them that much. Plus, greens are packed with so many minerals, vitamins, & antioxidants. Spinach, kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, collard greens, or mixed greens all work. 

Tips for Making the Perfect Smoothie 

Interested in how to make the absolute perfect Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie? As someone who makes smoothies daily, here are my TOP tips:

1. Adjust Liquid Amount: If you find that your smoothie is too thick to blend, not to worry! Just add a bit more milk, blend, open the cover, scrape down the sides if needed, and blend again. And when possible, always use a larger high-speed blender instead, as it will blend the ingredients much better.
2. How To Make: Add your liquid first & blend your powders first, before adding your frozen ingredients. This is my personal favorite way of preparing my smoothies. By blending the liquid & powders first, it ensures that your powders blend completely.
3. Smoothie Blending Tip: Start your blender on low to medium speed. If you blend the smoothie too quickly from the beginning, it’s really hard for the blender to properly blend the frozen ingredients – so start lower and then gradually increase the speed.
4. Chill Your Glass: There’s nothing better than a cold smoothie, in this case, a chocolate peanut milkshake. Put your serving glass in the fridge or freezer while you’re making your smoothie to ensure a chilled smoothie with every sip.

Healthy Smoothie FAQ’s

Do I have to use a frozen banana?

The frozen banana in this recipe gives the smoothie a thick & creamy texture, one found in a chocolate milkshake. If using a fresh banana, be sure to add a handful of ice cubes to achieve a cold smoothie. However, if you’re looking to remove the banana altogether, because you’re allergic or simply don’t like them, you can replace it with ½ cup of organic frozen zucchini, ½ cup of organic frozen cauliflower, ½ cup of organic frozen coconut meat, or ½ cup of organic frozen avocado chunks. If you elect to make this a banana-free smoothie, I recommend adding one organic pitted medjool date to maintain its sweetness.

Is it healthy to have a smoothie?

Duh! I wouldn’t post something that was unhealthy. Having a smoothie full of protein, healthy fats, & superfoods for a post workout breakfast is great because you’ll be getting essential vitamins, nutrients, & protein, first thing. However, some smoothies on the market or on the web can be loaded with tons of fruit, added sugar, & nonsense, making them a less healthy option. 

What is the best protein powder to use?

I used an organic cacao plant protein powder for this Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie recipe. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content & most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, as well the recommended daily protein intake.

How can I add protein without using protein powder?

If you don’t have cacao protein powder on hand, no worries! You can add 4 teaspoons of organic cacao powder. To increase the protein content, you can add a tablespoon of organic hemp hearts and/or a tablespoon of organic ground flax seeds, without changing the taste too much.

Can I make this smoothie recipe in advance?

Yes! Feel free to make the healthy chocolate protein smoothie recipe as is or double it for later. Check out this How to Prepare Smoothies in Advance post to achieve the best results.

More Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
• Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Yogurt Smoothie
• Peanut Butter Mushroom Mocha Smoothie
• Cacao Coconut Peanut Smoothie
• Snickers Protein Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie (Protein Powder-Free)
• Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkin Smoothie
• Butterfinger Smoothie

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review & rating below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Lastly, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more deliciousness & wellness tips!

Xoxo.

Christin.

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