Last Updated on August 24, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

A healthy & protein-packed recipe that is expected to be a go-to, this Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie is a delightful creation of pure deliciousness. Rich cacao, nutty pistachios, creamy coconut yogurt, vanilla plant protein, nutritious seeds, & a frozen banana get blended into the most divine post-workout breakfast smoothie!

Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt with a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter with pistachios in the background.

Passionate about the beloved chocolate & pistachio combo?! If so, you’re in the right protein smoothie spot. This Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie is without question a standout choice for a post-workout breakfast!

The combination of rich cacao, distinct pistachios, & non-dairy yogurt, along with a few other ingredients, transpires a balanced blend of delectability.

“Impressed” is an understatement of how to describe this creation!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Pistachio Smoothie Recipe

Power-Packed: The combination of healthy fats, plant protein, probiotics, & organic ingredients found in this post-workout smoothie will provide your body with energy.
Quintessential Breakfast: This Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie recipe contains over 30 grams of plant-based protein to ensure you feel nourished to flourish.
Tailored to You: I have listed options further down in the post to include more add-ins to your chocolate pistachio protein smoothie.

Coconut Yogurt Health Benefits

What takes this chocolate pistachio protein smoothie to the next level is the yogurt. I love coconut yogurt, as it’s a tasty, thick, & creamy alternative to Greek yogurt, but without the dairy effects, if you know what I mean. When selecting a coconut yogurt brand, as always, quality is essential! Yes, they’re on the higher price end, but there’s nothing funky in them. This way, you can receive all of the coconut yogurt benefits without the negative side effects. Coconut yogurt offers:

Improved Digestion from the Diverse Strands of Probiotics
Healthy Skin
Boosted Energy Levels
Reduced Inflammation
Enhanced Immunity

Check out this Coconut Yogurt 101 post for tips, brands, & everything you need to know about the dairy-free alternative.

Healthy Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt with a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter with pistachios 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 Coconut Yogurt: Thick & tangy coconut yogurt adds some extra creaminess to this chocolate protein smoothie. Just be sure to use a plain flavor, because the extra sugar isn’t needed in this blend. Check out this Coconut Yogurt 101 post for tips, brands, & everything you need to know about the dairy-free alternative.
Organic Pistachios: It wouldn’t be a pistachio smoothie without them. Unsalted & hopefully pre-shelled for the sake of your fingers! Pistachios blend right in with the other ingredients for color, extra creaminess, & most importantly, flavor.
Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Organic ground flax seeds add a great little boost of fiber & minerals.
Organic Cacao Powder: It’s the perfect addition to make this healthy protein smoothie chocolatey! To be clear, cacao powder is different from regular Dutch cocoa powder. Review 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, & the recommended daily protein intake.
Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals & beautifully enhances the flavor.
Organic Frozen Banana: To create that ultra-thick & creamy consistency that we all love in a smoothie, we’ll be adding in a frozen banana.

How to Make

Blend the Liquids & Powders. First, add the non-dairy milk, yogurt, pistachios, seeds, cacao powder, vanilla plant protein, & sea salt to a high-speed blender. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
Blend the Frozen Banana. 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. Pour into a chilled glass & enjoy!

Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie in a Vitamix on a white marble counter.

Optional Smoothie Add-Ins

Personalize this blend to meet your standards! Here are a few suggestions to level up this healthy Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie recipe:

Organic Hemp Seeds: Include a tablespoon of 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, then blend once more to give this smoothie lots of texture at every sip!
Organic Cold Brew: Need a boost? Check out this Mocha Yogurt 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

As someone who makes smoothies daily, here are my key insights to blending the best healthy Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie:

Use a Frozen Banana: The ice from the frozen banana adds thickness to the smoothie.
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: Blend your liquid first & powders first, before adding the frozen banana. This trick helps the powders fully dissolve & avoids clumps. It’s my go-to method!
Smoothie Blending Tip: Start your blender on low to medium speed. Going straight to high can make it challenging for your blender to properly blend the ingredients smoothly. Thus, gradually increase the speed.
Chill Your Glass: Desire a milkshake-like experience?! 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 provides 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 frozen zucchini, ½ cup of frozen cauliflower, ½ cup of frozen coconut meat, or ½ cup of frozen avocado chunks. If you elect to make this a banana-free smoothie, I recommend adding 1 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 vanilla plant protein powder for this Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt 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 of organic hemp seeds without changing the taste that much.

Can I make this smoothie recipe in advance?

Yes! Feel free to make this Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt 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 Pistachio Yogurt Smoothie Recipe in a glass decorated with coconut yogurt with a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter with pistachios in the background.

More Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this Chocolate Pistachio Yogurt 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.