Jumpstart your morning with this incredible Coffee Wake Up Smoothie! It’s the perfect blend of energizing coffee, rich cocoa, creamy frozen banana, and your favorite milk, creating a delicious and nutritious breakfast that’s ready in just 5 minutes. I absolutely rely on smoothies like this Wake Up Smoothie on busy mornings – it’s quick, satisfying, and gives me that much-needed caffeine boost along with some wholesome ingredients. Plus, the combination of coffee, cocoa, and banana is just heavenly! It’s the perfect way to greet a beautiful spring morning like today, April 28th!
Why You’ll Love This Wake Up Smoothie
- Quick & Easy: Literally takes 5 minutes or less to blend together – perfect for busy mornings!
- Energizing: Combines caffeine from coffee with natural energy from banana.
- Delicious Flavor: Tastes like a healthy mocha-banana treat!
- Healthy & Customizable: Uses wholesome ingredients and can be easily adapted with protein powder or nut butter.
- Perfect Breakfast: A complete and satisfying breakfast smoothie to start your day right.
Ingredients for Wake Up Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to blend up this energizing morning smoothie. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Instant espresso powder* (Coffee) (Or strong chilled coffee)
- Frozen banana (Fruit)
- Unsweetened milk (oat, almond, or cow’s milk) (Liquid)
- Ice cubes (Ice)
- Cocoa or cacao powder (Flavoring)
Optional Add-Ins
- Hemp seeds (Seeds/Nutrition Boost)
- Pitted dates (Sweetener) (Adjust to taste)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- Chocolate protein powder (Protein) (Mentioned in source description)
- Nut butter (Nut Butter/Protein/Fat) (Mentioned in source description)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the simple mocha-banana flavor of this Wake Up Smoothie, but feel free to customize:
- Add Protein: Include a scoop of your favorite chocolate or vanilla protein powder for a more filling smoothie.
- Nut Butter Boost: Blend in a tablespoon of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter for extra flavor and healthy fats.
- Make it Spicier: Add a pinch of cinnamon or even a tiny dash of cayenne pepper for warmth.
- Greens: Toss in a handful of baby spinach – you won’t taste it, but it adds extra nutrients!
- Different Milk: Use soy milk, cashew milk, or dairy milk based on your preference.
- Mocha Peppermint: Add a drop of peppermint extract for a holiday-inspired twist.
How to Make a Wake Up Smoothie
Making this energizing Wake Up Smoothie is as easy as pressing a button:
Combine and Blend
- I add all of the ingredients – the instant espresso powder, frozen banana chunks, my choice of milk (I love oat milk here!), ice cubes, cocoa or cacao powder, optional hemp seeds, pitted dates (if using for sweetness), and optional vanilla extract – directly into my blender.
- I blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If it seems too thick, I add a splash more milk; if too thin, I add another ice cube or a few more frozen banana pieces.
- Serve!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Breakfast Smoothie
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Wake Up Smoothie:
- Use Frozen Banana: This is essential for a thick, creamy, cold smoothie without watering it down with too much ice. Peel and freeze ripe bananas ahead of time!
- Instant Espresso Powder: Dissolves easily and provides good coffee flavor. Alternatively, use 1-2 shots of cooled, strong espresso or ½ cup of very strong, chilled brewed coffee (you may need less milk if using brewed coffee).
- Adjust Sweetness: Ripe bananas add natural sweetness. Add pitted dates (a fantastic natural sweetener!) or your preferred sweetener only if needed, tasting first.
- Cocoa vs. Cacao: Cacao powder is less processed and slightly more bitter than cocoa powder, offering more potential antioxidants. Use whichever you prefer!
- Powerful Blender: A good blender makes creating ultra-smooth smoothies much easier.
How to Serve
This Wake Up Smoothie is best served immediately after blending! Enjoy it:
- For Breakfast: A quick, easy, and energizing start to your day.
- As a Pre- or Post-Workout Snack: Provides energy and nutrients.
- Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: A healthier alternative to sugary coffee drinks.
Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy right away!
Make Ahead and Storage
Smoothies are always best enjoyed fresh immediately after blending for optimal texture and nutrient retention. Storing leftover smoothie isn’t ideal as it can separate and lose its frosty texture.
Meal Prep Tip: You can prepare “smoothie packs” by placing all the dry ingredients (espresso powder, cocoa, hemp seeds) and frozen ingredients (banana) into individual freezer bags. In the morning, just dump the contents of one bag into the blender, add milk and any other wet ingredients (like vanilla or dates), and blend!
FAQs about Wake Up Smoothie
- Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of espresso powder?
- Yes, but make sure it’s very strong and completely chilled. Substitute it for some or all of the milk in the recipe (start with ½ cup coffee and adjust milk) to avoid a watery smoothie. Instant espresso powder provides concentrated flavor easily.
- Is this smoothie healthy?
- Yes! It’s packed with nutrients from banana, cocoa/cacao, optional hemp seeds, and uses natural sweetness options. Adding protein powder or nut butter boosts its nutritional profile further, making this Wake Up Smoothie a great healthy choice.
- Can I make this without banana?
- Banana provides significant creaminess and sweetness. You could try substituting with frozen avocado for creaminess (add more sweetener) or frozen mango/pineapple for a different fruity flavor, but it will change the taste and texture considerably.
Enjoy this delicious, energizing, and incredibly easy Coffee Wake Up Smoothie! It’s the perfect way to kickstart your morning.
Print
Wake Up Smoothie (Coffee Banana Cacao)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Drinks, Smoothie
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Wake Up Smoothie is just the right amount of coffee, cocoa, and banana goodness. It’s the perfect way to jumpstart your morning! Plus, breakfast in 5 minutes? Sign me up! Add a scoop of your favourite chocolate protein powder or nut butter to add more protein.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened milk (oat, almond, or cow’s milk)
- 1 large frozen banana, broken into chunks
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder*
- 1 tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder
- 4 ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds (optional)
- 1–2 pitted dates (optional, for sweetness)**
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1–2 tablespoons nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Place the milk, frozen banana chunks, instant espresso powder, cocoa or cacao powder, ice cubes, hemp seeds (if using), pitted dates (if using), and vanilla extract (if using) into a blender. Add optional protein powder or nut butter now, if desired.
- Blend: Secure the lid and blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy. If the smoothie is too thick, add a splash more milk; if too thin, add a few more ice cubes or a little more frozen banana.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the smoothie and add more dates or another sweetener if desired. Blend again briefly.
- Serve: Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Espresso Powder: Instant espresso powder provides concentrated coffee flavor. You can substitute 1/2 cup chilled strong brewed coffee in place of 1/2 cup of the milk if preferred.
- Frozen Banana: Using a frozen banana is key to a thick, creamy, cold smoothie without needing excessive ice. Peel and chop the banana before freezing for easier blending.
- Sweetness: Dates provide natural sweetness. Adjust the number of dates (or use maple syrup, agave, or another sweetener) to your preference, or omit for a less sweet smoothie.
- Milk: Use any unsweetened milk you prefer – oat, almond, soy, dairy, etc.
- Add-ins: Hemp seeds add protein and healthy fats. Protein powder or nut butter increases protein content significantly. Chia or flax seeds can also be added.
- Storage: Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after blending.