My favourite healthy chocolate and chia smoothie, made with dairy-free milk and no added sugar. Full of protein and fibre, this smoothie is a nutritious start to your day!
I always choose organic and high-quality ingredients when making my chocolate and chia smoothie, because I think it’s a wise choice for my health, the smoothie flavor, and also for environmental reasons. You can buy organic ingredients online from local producers such as Green Soul Organics which are grown without harmful pesticides and fertilizers and they are full of vitamins and minerals essential for our health. The quality of produce is always great and taste amazing too.
Why make this recipe?
- Great way to start the day with an easy smoothie recipe
- Healthy smoothie, which is substantial enough to replace your breakfast
- No refined sugar or carbohydrates (unless you want to add some in!)
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Ingredients you will need to make your smoothie
Chocolate
To make this Chocolate & Chia Smoothie Recipe, I use pretty much any chocolate I have at hand. The darker the chocolate the deeper the flavour, but you can easily use milk chocolate bar if that’s all you have. Plain chocolate is naturally high in protein and fibre and low in sugar, which of course is better than sweet milk or white chocolate.
You can also use cocoa powder instead of chocolate.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are great source of protein and vitamins, but you need to prepare them to use them in this recipe. Chia seeds can absorb a lot of water, so it’s best to soak them up before you use them, instead of using them dry.
You can use any kind of chia seeds for this recipe, including white, black or ground chia seeds.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a great source of protein and vitamins and perfect for adding to your morning smoothie. It adds creaminess and prevents your smoothie from separating.
You can also use silken miso, yoghurt or greek yoghurt instead.
Milk
You can use any kind of milk you have available. I often use plant based milks, but any milk with work with this recipe.
How to prepare the chia seeds
To prepare chia seeds for making smoothies, soaking them in advance is a common method. Soaking can help to create a gel-like consistency and make the seeds easier to blend.
Mix the milk with the chia seeds and leave for about 10-15 minimum to let the seeds soak up the liquid. If you remember, do this well in advance, even the night before and leave the milk with the seeds covered in the fridge. The longer you leave the chia seeds, the softer they are going to be and the easier it will be to digest them.
I also find that by soaking the seeds, they won’t absorb additional liquid from your smoothie, which can help maintain the desired consistency of your drink.
- In a small bowl, combine chia seeds with water or your choice of liquid (such as milk, almond milk, or juice). A good ratio is about 1 part chia seeds to 4 parts liquid.
- Stir the mixture well to ensure the chia seeds are fully immersed in the liquid and begin to absorb it.
- Cover the bowl and let it set in the refrigerator. Soaking time can vary, but typically, it takes about 10 minutes to a few hours for the seeds to gel. Overnight soaking is also an option if you’re preparing for the next day.
How to make Chocolate & Chia Smoothie recipe
STEP 1
Place the milk and the chia seeds into a blender and add the avocado, cream cheese (or equivalent), chocolate (or cocoa powder), salt, spice and agave syrup (if using).
STEP 2
Blend in a mixer or using a handheld blender stick for 2-3 minutes until the smoothie thickens a little. Taste and adjust the flavour to your liking.
Additional ingredients that work well with this Chocolate & Chia Smoothie
- Banana – swap one banana for the avocado in the recipe
- Peanut Butter
- Coffee – add 1/2 teaspoon of granulated instant coffee to the milk or use real coffee instead of some of the milk
- Butterscotch – if you fancy slightly sweeter version of this smoothie – just add a teaspoon in to dissolve
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Chocolate & Chia Seeds Smoothie shelf-life and storage
I find that, freshly made chocolate chia seed smoothie should be consumed soon after preparation for best taste and nutritional value. However, if you need to store it, it will generally keep well in the refrigerator for about 1-2 days.
Be sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain freshness. If your smoothie contains ingredients that spoil quickly, such as dairy milk, it’s important to consume it within this time frame.
Chocolate & Chia Seeds Smoothie
Equipment
- Food processor or hand held stick blender
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds pre-soaked or 2 tablespoon of soaked seeds if you are making them separate
- 1/2 cup plant based milk or milk of your choice
- 1/4 avocado
- 1/4 cup plant based cream cheese or yoghurt or silken miso
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder or about 1/3 of a dark chocolate bar
- pinch mixed spice or spice of your choice
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup optional
- tiny pinch fine salt
Instructions
- Mix the milk with the chia seeds and leave for about 10-15 minimum to let the seeds soak up the liquid. If you remember, do this well in advance, even the night before and leave the milk with the seeds covered in the fridge.
- Place the milk and the chia seeds into a blender and add the avocado, cream cheese (or equivalent), chocolate (or cocoa powder), salt, spice and agave syrup (if using).
- Blend in a mixer or using a hand held blender stick for 2-3 minutes until the smoothie thickens a little.
- Taste, adjust the flavour and enjoy!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally created on 17 June 2021 and last tested and updated on 8 February 2024
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