Get ready for a smoothie that tastes incredibly decadent but is actually packed with healthy goodness! This Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie perfectly captures the flavor of mint chocolate chip ice cream, but gets its creamy texture from frozen banana and avocado, and its beautiful green color naturally from spinach – no artificial stuff here! I absolutely adore this Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie; it’s my favorite way to enjoy a refreshing treat that feels indulgent yet is dairy-free and loaded with nutrients. It takes just 5 minutes to blend up, making it perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy snack, especially on a warm spring day like today, April 29th!
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
- Tastes Like Dessert: Seriously satisfies those mint chocolate chip ice cream cravings in a healthier way!
- Healthy & Nutrient-Dense: Packed with spinach, avocado, banana, and optional hemp seeds.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Uses almond milk and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Naturally Green: Gets its vibrant color from spinach, not artificial dyes.
- Quick & Easy: Blends together in just 5 minutes!
Ingredients for Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to blend up this refreshing and decadent-tasting smoothie. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Smoothie Base
- Frozen peeled bananas (Fruit)
- Avocado (Fruit/Fat)
- Unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice) (Liquid)
- Peppermint extract OR packed fresh mint leaves (Flavoring/Herb)
- Fresh spinach (tightly packed) (Greens)
- Ice (Ice)
Mix-Ins & Toppings
- Chocolate chips* or cacao nibs (dairy-free if needed) (Chocolate)
- Coconut whip (optional topping) (Dairy Alternative Topping)
- Extra chocolate chips/cacao nibs (optional garnish)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic mint-chip flavor of this Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie, but here are some fun variations:
- Add Protein: Blend in a scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder (plant-based if needed) for a more filling smoothie.
- Different Milk: Use oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk beverage instead of almond milk.
- Make it Greener: Add more spinach or a teaspoon of spirulina or matcha powder for an extra green boost (flavor may change slightly).
- Add Seeds: Include chia seeds or flax seeds along with or instead of hemp hearts for extra fiber and omega-3s.
- Use Cacao Powder: Add a tablespoon of unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder for a deeper chocolate base flavor, making it more like a mint mocha smoothie.
How to Make a Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
Making this refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie is incredibly easy:
Blend the Base
- In my high-speed blender, I add almost all the ingredients except for the chocolate chips/cacao nibs and optional toppings: the frozen peeled bananas, avocado half, unsweetened almond milk, peppermint extract (OR fresh mint leaves), tightly packed fresh spinach, and ice cubes.
- I blend on high speed for approximately 45 seconds, or until the mixture is thoroughly blended, completely smooth, and beautifully green! If it’s too thick, I add a splash more almond milk.
Add Chips and Serve
- Once the base is smooth, I add the chocolate chips or cacao nibs to the blender.
- I pulse the blender just a few times – maybe 5-10 short pulses – until the chocolate chips are finely chopped and distributed throughout the smoothie, but not completely pulverized. I want those little “chip” bits!
- I immediately pour the Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie into 2 glasses.
- If desired, I top with a dollop of coconut whip and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips or cacao nibs.
- Serve right away!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Smoothie
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie:
- Use Frozen Banana: This is absolutely key for achieving that thick, creamy, ice-cream-like texture without needing tons of ice (which dilutes flavor). Peel ripe bananas, break into chunks, and freeze ahead!
- Peppermint Extract vs. Fresh Mint: Peppermint extract gives a very concentrated, classic mint flavor. Fresh mint provides a lighter, more herbaceous flavor. Use whichever you prefer! Start with less extract, as it’s potent.
- Spinach for Color, Not Taste: Baby spinach has a very mild flavor that is easily hidden by the banana, mint, and chocolate. It primarily adds gorgeous green color and nutrients.
- Don’t Over-Blend the Chips: Pulse the chocolate chips in at the very end just to break them up slightly and distribute them – blending too long will just make the smoothie brown and lose the “chip” effect.
- High-Speed Blender Recommended: Helps create the smoothest texture, especially when using ingredients like spinach and avocado.
How to Serve
This Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie is best enjoyed immediately after blending! Serve it:
- For Breakfast: A refreshing, nutrient-dense, and satisfying start to the day.
- As a Healthy Snack: Perfect for curbing afternoon sweet cravings guilt-free.
- As a Light Dessert: Tastes like mint chip ice cream, but much healthier!
- Post-Workout: A great way to cool down and refuel (add protein powder!).
Serve chilled in tall glasses.
Make Ahead and Storage
Smoothies are always best consumed immediately for the best texture, flavor, and nutrient content. Storing this Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie is not recommended as it will melt, separate, and the avocado may brown.
Prep Tip: Prepare smoothie packs! Place the frozen banana chunks, spinach portion, and optional seeds into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just dump the contents into the blender, add avocado, milk, mint/extract, and blend! Add chocolate chips at the end as usual.
FAQs about Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
- Can I make this without banana?
- Banana provides essential creaminess and sweetness. You could try substituting with more frozen avocado (and maybe add dates or maple syrup for sweetness), or frozen mango/pineapple for a different fruity-mint flavor, but the texture and taste will be significantly different from the intended Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie.
- Will this taste like spinach?
- No! The mint (or peppermint extract), banana, and chocolate mask the spinach flavor very effectively. You get the green color and nutrients without the “green” taste.
- What kind of chocolate chips are best?
- Use your favorite! For dairy-free/vegan, choose certified vegan chocolate chips. Mini chocolate chips work particularly well as they distribute easily when pulsed. Cacao nibs offer a less sweet, more intense chocolate crunch and are also a great healthy option.
Enjoy this incredibly delicious, refreshing, healthy, and easy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie! It’s a perfect guilt-free treat.
Print
Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie (Healthy, Dairy-Free)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Drinks, Smoothie, Healthy, Dairy-Free, Vegan
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie gets its green colour naturally from spinach and is dairy-free – but tastes sooo decadent! It’s a healthy and refreshing breakfast or snack. Be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips if you want to make it vegan.
Ingredients
- 2 large frozen peeled bananas, broken into chunks
- 1/2 ripe avocado, pitted
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or other milk)
- 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract OR 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach (tightly packed)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free chocolate chips* or cacao nibs (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 cup coconut whip (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Combine Base Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, add the frozen banana chunks, avocado half, almond milk, peppermint extract (OR fresh mint leaves), tightly packed spinach, and ice cubes.
- Blend Until Smooth: Secure the lid and blend on high speed for approximately 45 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides if needed.
- Add Chocolate Chips/Nibs: Add the 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips or cacao nibs to the blender. Pulse just a few times (1-3 seconds) until the chips/nibs are finely chopped and distributed throughout the smoothie. Avoid over-blending at this stage, or the smoothie color may become muddy.
- Serve: Pour the smoothie into 2 glasses. Top with a dollop of coconut whip (if using) and sprinkle with extra chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Frozen Banana: Using frozen bananas is key for a thick, creamy, cold smoothie texture.
- Avocado: Adds healthy fats and incredible creaminess without detectable avocado flavor.
- Mint Flavor: Peppermint extract provides a strong, classic mint flavor. Fresh mint leaves offer a lighter, more natural mint taste. Choose based on preference.
- Spinach: Provides the green color naturally! The flavor is easily masked by the mint, chocolate, and banana.
- Chocolate Chips/Nibs: Use dairy-free chocolate chips for a vegan smoothie. Cacao nibs offer a less sweet, more intense chocolate flavor and crunch. Pulse them briefly at the end to keep small pieces throughout.
- Milk: Any dairy or non-dairy milk can be used. Unsweetened is recommended to control the overall sweetness.
- Storage: Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending.