Healthy, hormone-balancing, & honestly the best protein breakfast, this Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie recipe will surely be a hit at first sip. This superfood smoothie will level up your day in a delicious way!

Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie in a glass with a straw in it sitting on a white marble counter with almonds in the background.

Start your day off in a creamy way with this nutrient-dense breakfast.

The end result of this blend is super dreamy. It’s rich, a tad nutty, & has a caramel-like essence to it from the maca.

Who can deny a superfood smoothie that is jam-packed with healthy ingredients while tasting like a decadent drink?!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Maca Smoothie Recipe

Loaded with Superfoods: For added health benefits without compromising the taste!
Perfect Protein Smoothie: Whether you’re making it post-workout or for breakfast, this hormone-balancing smoothie will have you fully satisfied, as it’s packed with over 30 grams of plant protein.
Fully Customizable: Feel free to change it up, or in this case, blend things up. I’ve listed some options further down in the post. to make this superfood smoothie your own!

Maca Powder Health Benefits & Nutrition

One of the main ingredients to make this chocolate almond protein smoothie recipe different from the rest is the organic gelatinized maca powder. If you’re new to the superfood, let me fill you in!

Maca is a Peruvian root vegetable that has a malty caramel flavor while also having so many health benefits. It’s rich in essential minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, & iron. Maca has also been known to boost libido, treat menopause symptoms, & promote hormonal balance for both men & women.

When looking for maca powder, there are two kinds: raw & gelatinized. Raw maca has not been heated, and its enzymes & nutrients are at peak levels. Raw maca powder is prone to microbial contamination, and it’s harder to digest. Therefore, I suggest purchasing organic gelatinized maca powder. Gelatinized maca is heated to separate the root’s starch. Even though that process alters some nutrients, it makes the powder easier to digest and assimilate.

Maca is the perfect addition to this recipe, for both flavor & health benefits. Note to self, when adding organic gelatinized maca to your smoothies, a little goes a long way.

Chocolate Almond Maca Protein Smoothie in a glass with a straw in it sitting on a white marble counter with almonds in the background.

Ingredients

Organic Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk: Any non-dairy milk works in this recipe; just be sure to use homemade or trusted brands—I like MALK Organics, Three Trees, or Native Forest.
Organic Raw Almonds: A handful of raw almonds blends right up with the other ingredients for flavor & added creaminess. Plus, they’re high in healthy fats, vitamins, & minerals. If you don’t have organic raw almonds on hand, swap with 1 tablespoon of organic raw almond butter.
Organic Chia Seeds: Organic chia seeds add omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, & so much more.
Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Organic ground flax seeds add a great little boost of fiber & minerals.
Organic Gelatinized Maca Powder: This superfood addition provides a subtle caramel-like flavor. Plus, it has also been known to boost libido, treat menopause symptoms, & promote hormonal balance for both men & women.
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 post to learn more!
Organic Vanilla Plant Protein: Adding a scoop of protein powder helps to keep you full & satisfied longer. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and, most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, & recommended daily protein intake.
Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals & beautifully enhances the flavor.
Organic Medjool Date: Including one date adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
Organic Frozen Banana: It’s best to use a frozen banana to make this blend super thick & creamy.

How to Make

Blend the Liquids & Powders: First, add the non-dairy milk, nuts, seeds, maca, cacao, plant protein, & sea salt to a high-speed blender. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
Blend the Medjool Date. Add the soft Medjool date & blend 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, & scrape down the sides so that everything is fully incorporated. You may need to add a little more liquid depending on how thick/thin you like your smoothies.
Serve. Transfer to a chilled glass & enjoy!

Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie in a Vitamix on a white marble counter.

Smoothie Add-Ins

Feel free to truly make this hormone-balancing smoothie your own! Here are a few suggestions to amp up this Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie recipe:

Organic Coconut Yogurt: Enhance the creaminess with a scoop of organic plain coconut yogurt.
Organic Hemp Seeds: Include a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds to provide this blend with even more healthy fats, protein, omegas, & minerals.
Organic Cacao Nibs: Add 1 tablespoon of organic cacao nibs at the last minute to your smoothie, then blend once more to provide lots of texture at every sip!
Organic Cold Brew: Need a boost? Check out this Mocha Maca Protein Smoothie recipe!
Organic Greens: Greens are packed with so many minerals, vitamins, & antioxidants. I recommend baby spinach if you’re new to green smoothies, but 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 Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie recipe? As someone who makes smoothies daily, here are my TOP tips:

Use Frozen Fruit: The ice from the frozen banana adds thickness to the smoothie.
Soak Medjool Date: If your date isn’t soft, I suggest soaking it in very warm water for 5 minutes so that it can blend nicely.
Adjust Liquid Amount: If you find that your smoothie is too thick to blend, don’t worry! Just add a bit more liquid, blend, open the cover, scrape down the sides if needed, & blend again. When possible, always use a larger high-speed blender instead, as it will blend the ingredients much better.
How to Make: Add your liquid first & blend your powders first, then the Medjool date, before adding your frozen ingredients. This is my favorite way of preparing my smoothies. By blending the liquid & powders first, it ensures that your powders blend completely.
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.
Chill Your Glass: There’s nothing better than a cold smoothie, in this case, a chocolate maca milkshake! Put your serving glass in the fridge or freezer while you’re making your blend to ensure a chilled smoothie at every sip.

Smoothie FAQs

Do I have to use a frozen banana?

The frozen banana in this recipe gives the smoothie a thick & creamy texture. 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 keeping the organic pitted Medjool date to maintain its sweetness.

Is it healthy to have a smoothie?

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 vanilla plant protein powder for this hormone-balancing maca smoothie recipe. When selecting a protein powder brand, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and, most importantly, the ingredients. Check out this Cleanest Plant-Based & Vegan Protein Powders post to learn what to look for, the best brands, & recommended daily protein intake.

How can I add protein without using protein powder?

If you don’t have vanilla protein powder on hand, no worries! To increase the protein content, you can add a tablespoon or two of organic hemp seeds without changing the taste too much.

Is it okay to have maca powder every day?

Yes! Consuming organic maca powder daily is acceptable, but the dosage varies based on your lifestyle.

Can I make this smoothie recipe in advance?

Totally! Feel free to make this Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie recipe as is or double it for later. To achieve the best results, check out this “How to Prepare Smoothies in Advance” post.

Chocolate Almond Maca Smoothie Recipe in a glass with a straw in it sitting on a white marble counter with almonds in the background.

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Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this hormone-balancing protein smoothie recipe, please leave a review & rating below. I love hearing from you, & it helps others learn more about the blog as well. Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more healthy content!

Xoxo.

CMG.