Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by Christin Gillespie

This Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie recipe is packed with plant protein, healthy fats, & has lots of texture, thanks to the cacao nibs. Enjoy this post-workout breakfast blend to nourish your body in a yummy way!

Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie in a glass topped with cacao nibs and has a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter, with walnuts in the background.

If you have yet to include cacao nibs in your protein smoothies, where have you been?! The addition of nature’s chocolate chips, aka cacao nibs, provides this blend with lots of texture at every sip!

Along with the cacao nibs, this post-workout breakfast includes your go-to non-dairy milk, raw walnuts, rich cacao, plant protein, & a frozen banana. The end result tastes like a dreamy chocolate milkshake, but it’s healthy & protein-packed. What’s not to love?!

Let’s get into the details of this Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie, shall we?!

Why You’ll Love This Cacao Nib Smoothie Recipe

Loaded with Superfoods: For added nutrition without compromising the taste!
Tastes Like a Treat: Thanks to the addition of cacao nibs, it gives this smoothie chocolate chip milkshake vibes!
Perfect Protein Smoothie: This Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie recipe will have you fully satisfied, as it is packed with over 30 grams of plant protein.

Cacao Health Benefits & Nutrition

To make this Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie, we’ll be adding 2 forms of cacao: cacao powder & cacao nibs. Not only is cacao full of rich chocolate flavor, but it’s also loaded with powerful nutrients. Here are just a few incredible health benefits of cacao powder.

High-Vibrational Energy
High in Magnesium to Enhance Overall Health
Shown to Relieve Mild Stress & Promote Relaxation
Reduced Inflammation
Promotes Hormonal Balance

Check out this Cacao Powder 101 post to learn more!

Chocolate Walnut Crunch Protein Smoothie in a glass topped with cacao nibs and has a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter, with walnuts 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 Walnuts: It wouldn’t be a Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie recipe without them! Unsalted, please! Walnuts blend right in with the other ingredients for flavor & added creaminess.
Organic Chia Seeds: Organic chia seeds add omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, & so much more.
Organic Hemp Seeds: Adding in organic hemp seeds provides this blend with even more healthy fats, protein, omegas, & minerals.
Organic Unflavored 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.
Organic Vanilla Powder: If using an unflavored plant protein, I highly recommend adding just a smidge to enhance the flavor.
Organic Cacao Powder: It’s the perfect addition to make this protein smoothie extra chocolatey! To be clear, cacao powder is different from regular Dutch cocoa powder. Review this Cacao Powder 101 post to learn more!
Manuka Honey: Adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals & beautifully enhances the flavor.
Organic Frozen Banana: It’s best to use a frozen banana to create that super thick & creamy texture.
Organic Cacao Nibs: Cacao nibs give the smoothie lots of texture, with a little crunch with every sip. Obsessed!

How to Make

Blend the Liquids & Powders. First, add the non-dairy milk, walnuts, seeds, plant protein, vanilla, cacao powder, Manuka honey, & 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, & 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.
Blend the Cacao Nibs. Add the cacao nibs. Blend for 20 seconds on medium speed.
Serve. Pour into a chilled glass & enjoy!

Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie in a blender.

Optional Smoothie Add-Ins

Feel free to truly make this blend your own! Here are a few suggestions to amp up this Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie recipe:

Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Incorporate a tablespoon of organic ground flax seeds for a boost of fiber & minerals.
Organic Coconut Yogurt: Enhance the creaminess with a scoop of organic plain coconut yogurt.
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 best Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie recipe? As someone who makes smoothies daily, here are my TOP tips:

Use Frozen Fruit: Adding a frozen banana to this smoothie is the only way to go! The ice from the frozen fruits 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: 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.
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 & then gradually increase the speed.
Blend Cacao Nibs Last: The reason for adding the cacao nibs last is because you don’t want them to get as creamy as the smoothie—you want them to retain their structure for texture. That makes this smoothie a bit crunchy, which I love!
Chill Your Glass: There’s nothing better than a cold smoothie or, in this case, a chocolate 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 provides a thick & creamy consistency. 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 organic zucchini, ½ cup of frozen organic cauliflower, ½ cup of frozen organic coconut meat, or ½ cup of frozen organic avocado chunks. If you elect to make this a banana-free smoothie, I recommend keeping the Manuka honey 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, unflavored plant protein powder for this Chocolate Walnut Crunch 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 plant protein on hand, no worries! To amp up the protein content, you can add an extra tablespoon of organic hemp seeds without changing the taste too much.

Can I make this protein smoothie recipe in advance?

Yes! Feel free to make this Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie recipe as is or double it for later. Check out this How to Prepare Smoothies in Advance post to achieve the best results.

Chocolate Walnut Crunch Smoothie Recipe in a glass topped with cacao nibs and has a straw in it, sitting on a white marble counter, with walnuts in the background.

More Cacao Nib Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

If you make this Chocolate Walnut Crunch 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.