This Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothie is a dessert-worthy treat and a sneaky way to add an extra dose of vegetables to your day. A scoop of riced cauliflower creates an extra thick and creamy texture in the smoothie without adding any weird flavor. Combine the thick texture with the coffee chocolate flavor and I dare say this smoothie reminds me of a Wendy’s Frosty!
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Cauliflower Options
If you’re not down with the whole cauliflower-in-a-smoothie idea, a basic coffee-chocolate-banana smoothie is also good. The cauliflower does make it a little thicker and more ice-cream-like, though.
If you have a powerful blender, frozen cauliflower florets will work in place of riced cauliflower. Using rice cauliflower just makes it easier to blend until smooth for less powerful blenders.
Coffee Options
I used instant coffee (freeze-dried coffee) for this smoothie because it’s incredibly easy to work with. It’s inexpensive, it blends into the smoothie easily, and, since it’s shelf-stable, you can keep it on hand without it going bad (it’s also really good to add to chocolate cake). If you prefer not to use instant coffee, you can use strongly brewed coffee or espresso that has been chilled. I would substitute ¼ to ½ of the milk listed in the recipe below with coffee.
Sweeten to Your Liking
The banana provides a subtle sweetness to this smoothie on its own, but I do prefer to add a little extra sugar to balance the cocoa powder and coffee, which are both naturally bitter. But this recipe is extremely flexible and you can use any type of sweetener you like and in whatever quantity you like. Just blend up your smoothie and then add your chosen sweetener to taste.
Can I Skip the Banana?
I don’t recommend skipping the banana in this recipe because frozen bananas also contributes quite a bit to that ice-cream-like texture, as well as adding a little natural sweetness. If you’re not a banana lover, don’t worry, you can’t really taste it in the end product.
What Else Can I Add to the Breakfast Smoothie?
Breakfast smoothies are super versatile. Here are a few things that you could add to this chocolate coffee smoothie and still keep the flavor profile on point. Try adding a handful of rolled oats (you may also need to add a bit more liquid), flaxseeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, or maple syrup.
Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothie
Servings 1 16oz.Ingredients
- 1/2 frozen banana ($0.10)
- 1/2 cup frozen riced cauliflower ($0.21)
- 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder ($0.04)
- 1 Tbsp instant coffee ($0.07)
- 1 cup milk* ($0.41)
- 1/2 tsp sugar** ($0.01)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness to your liking. Serve immediately.
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Equipment
- Small Blender
Notes
Nutrition
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How to Make Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothies – Step by Step Photos
All you need for this smoothie is some banana, rice cauliflower, unsweetened cocoa powder, instant coffee, and milk. Oh, and a little sugar or your favorite sweetener (not pictured). You’ll want the banana and riced cauliflower to both be frozen for the most ice-cream-like flavor and texture. Here is a tutorial on how to freeze bananas and how to make riced cauliflower.
Add ½ cup frozen riced cauliflower, ½ of a frozen banana, 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp instant coffee, ½ tsp sugar, and 1 cup milk to a blender (you can wait to add the sugar until after blended if you want to sweeten to taste).
Blend the smoothie until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness, if needed.
Look at how rich and creamy this chocolate coffee breakfast smoothie is!! I’m telling you, major Frosty vibes with this one.
This recipe makes either one large chocolate coffee breakfast smoothie or two smaller smoothies. Dessert or breakfast, what do you think?
Made this AM, can’t taste the cauliflower. Didn’t have milk so I used coconut water instead. Turned out great.
Yum! I’ll be making this again! And again:)
Wildly impressed with how simple yet delish this recipe is. Used cold brew instead of milk and half a packet of hot cocoa mix. Really does give frosty vibes. Can’t taste the Cauliflower even a little bit.
You truly cannot even taste the cauliflower if you don’t have an allergy or digestive issue with cauliflower I would give it a try ๐๐๐
Instead of the cocoa powder and sugar, I used my chocolate protein powder. Since I was using almond milk, this helped boost the calorie count up to where I wasn’t going to be hungry again in an hour. Worked pretty well!
What can I substitute instead the cauliflower
From the post: Cauliflower Options
If you’re not down with the whole cauliflower-in-a-smoothie idea, a basic coffee-chocolate-banana smoothie is also good. The cauliflower does make it a little thicker and more ice-cream-like, though.
Very good and creamy flavor, definitely not as thick as a frosty, though. I made it to the recipe, using agave instead of sugar, but the coffee I used made the flavor too strong. So I added another tablespoon of cocoa powder and more agave and it was amazing. Thinking of adding some cinnamon and collagen if I make again. Husband said cinnamon would give it a Mexican chocolate taste.
I’m drinking this smoothie right now. It’s pretty incredible that it has NO cauliflower taste at all.
The banana is very subtleโ the main flavor is creamy chocolatey goodness. Made it again this morning and added flax, chia, maca, and collagen.
Iโve done spinach in chocolate shakes and you canโt tell itโs there :)
I recommend using a whole banana for sweetness, otherwise youโll taste the cauliflower. And be sure to blend until totally smooth!!
I was really excited to try this after reading all the other comments, but it was very disappointing. It was pretty thin and watery and tasted mostly like raw cauliflower and banana. I did use almond milk though so maybe it’s better with whole milk. My batch went down the drain and I had to eat something else to get the cauliflower aftertaste to go away.
Just add more cocoa and sweetener to your liking. Also, try using a whole banana for one serving. I couldnโt taste the cauliflower at all with a whole banana in mine๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ
The other day I was out of cocoa, so I added a little cinnamon instead.
I tried hard to cook it but it didn’t work out. I plan to try it again next week. Because I have just started a new job.
I love this recipe and have made is quite a few times. The other day I was out of cocoa, so I added a little cinnamon instead. Thank you for all of your easy, delicious ideas!
Do you cook the caulfilower first?
It’s frozen riced cauliflower. :)
We make this all the time and love it! I also make it for my kids but, when I make it for them, I switch out the tablespoon of coffee powder for a tablespoon of powdered peanut butter. They call it the Reeses smoothie!
YUM!! What a great idea!
Can non fat Greek yogurt be used in place of the whole milk?
Trying to cut the fat
That will definitely change the flavor, since yogurt is very tangy compared to milk. And then if you’re using non-fat you’ll be eliminating some of the creaminess. I would probably go for non-fat milk before non-fat yogurt here.
I made this 4 times this weekend. Soooooo verrrrrrrry good!!! ย Used one tsp maple syrup as the sweetener. Then tried one tablespoon hazelnut spread instead. All times it was delicious. Im loading up my freezer with more ripened bananas and riced cauliflower!
A delicious breakfast smoothie! I used home-made cold brew and replaced 1/3 of the milk with it. The banana is very subtle– the main flavor is creamy chocolatey goodness. Made it again this morning and added flax, chia, maca, and collagen. It’s definitely more tasty without those things but was still delicious and made it more filling :)
Do you think the instant coffee could be replaced with espresso powder?
Yep, you can do espresso powder. It will definitely have a stronger flavor than the coffee powder, but it will work. …I’m assuming you mean instant espresso powder and not coffee beans ground to a powder for use in an espresso machine, right?
Very nice smoothie recipe! I’m not a big coffee drinker but after I tried this with a leftover Via packet I went out and bought a jar just so I could make this again.
My first few tries used almond milk and that was okay but whole cow milk made it even better.
I made it with two whole, unfrozen florets at first and my blender was powerful enough that that worked fine. I’ll probably try it without the cauliflower one day but I am pleasantly surprised not to taste that part of it as is. I’ve taken to subbing a date for the sugar, blitzing about a 1/4 cup of oatmeal before adding everything else, and adding a little salt.
For a protein boost, use cottage cheese instead of cauliflower.
Such a wonderful breakfast smoothie! The consistency is fabulous and I’ve had it almost every day for a few weeks now! It is energizing, simple, and not too sweet. Love it!
I made this with way more sugar than the recipe called for and it was still very, very bitter. Should I have brewed the coffee?
Did you use coffee grounds or instant coffee? Instant coffee is just dehydrated coffee, not the actual ground beans. I used instant coffee that had not been reconstituted with water.
I used instant coffee in the amount the recipe called for. IDK why my result with this is so different, but it didn’t turn out for me at all.
It could just be a matter of differing taste buds. :) Some people are much more sensitive to bitter flavors than others.
Same!! I was bummed out, most Budget Bytes recipes are soooo good. This was a flop for me. I think my instant coffee is too strong โ most brands are pretty bland, but I got Trader Joe’s especially for baking and it is INTENSE. I also think I should’ve added half the milk and more banana, since my smoothie isn’t fluffy at all :( (I use a Blendtec, so maybe it’s also too good at pulverizing haha.) I’m betting my riced cauliflower was also too watery from sitting neglected for eons in the freezer โ I love curried cauliflower but it was NOT meant to be rice, lol.
Frosty for sure! I didnโt have frozen banana so I just used half a regular banana off the kitchen counter. I also subbed sugar for maple syrup. YUM!!!
We’re new to vegetable gardening and have recently been playing the game, “how can we eat zucchini today?” as that is basically the only thing we’ve been successful growing so far, haha. I substituted diced fresh zucchini for the cauliflower in this recipe and the taste was great! Its texture was also still satisfying, though probably a bit thinner than pictured in the recipe, but I bet you could also use frozen shredded zucchini and keep it thicker. Also, using dark chocolate cocoa powder vs. the regular stuff is my preference. Thanks for the recipe!
Iโve subbed zucchini every time and itโs been great. Canโt taste it at all. I cut it into cubes and itโs worked just fine, for anyone who doesnโt want to shredded.ย
Love this!!! It’s my go to in the warm mornings for me and my husband. It’s filling and delicious and he loves that it’s healthy, too!!! Thank you for this yummy pick-me-up!
Okay to use non dairy milk?
Also – just since I donโt use cocoa a lot – What do you think about like some Swiss miss powder ๐
I don’t suggest using a hot cocoa mix, like Swiss Miss, because they contain a lot of sugar and creamer and less cocoa.
You could always buy a small amount of Cocoa Powder, From a bulk foods place. Or possibly the bulk bins in your local grocery store if they have them. In Canada, we go to Bulk Barn, as they have great prices and a few types of Cocoa Powder, hope this helps you.
Yes, any non-dairy milk should work fine here. :)
This chocolate coffee breakfast smoothie is a healthy choice. I will definitely try it but without cauliflower. I hope it will go amazing and yummy. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!!!!!
Sounds good I will be back after I try this!
Feels like a splurge, but is actually healthy and satisfying. Love it.
I wanted to update my previous comment, because Beth is absolutely correct! This gives off major frosty vibes! You REALLY don’t taste the cauliflower and the difference it makes along with the banana are amazing. But I do stick with the needed extra sugar/sweetener!! Thank you Beth. God bless.
Its good. Doesn’t taste like a Wendy’s frosty to me. But was the consistency for sure! But you will definitely want MORE SWEETENER, whether that be more sugar or what.
Hey, do you think this recipe could be good if someone threw in something like protein powder? Thanks!
Probably, but it might just come down to personal preference, so I think you’ll just have to try it and see if you like it. :)
I made this smoothie for breakfast today despite some side eye from the spousal unit when I grabbed the cauliflower. LOL. It turned out excellent. Super pleased. I usually have all these ingredients on hand so this will be added to the rotation! It seriously does give major Frosty vibes, but better, because I know exactly what’s in it.
Just had this for lunch, and it was excellent!! Thank you! I’m signing up for your newsletter right this minute!
Looks delicious! I don’t have instant coffee but I do have espresso powder. How much would you recommend using?
It’s hard to say without testing it to see how strong it is, but the first amount I’d test is just using the same amount. I don’t think it’s going to be a massive difference, since it’s such a small amount anyway. :)
This is great! Will be a new staple because I have tons of frozen banana and riced cauliflower. Skipped the sugar and still really enjoyed it.
Happened to have everything I needed except for the riced cauliflower so just used a whole banana and this is delicious! Mine didn’t turn out quite as thick, but still wonderful
This really sounds yummyโฆ. Canโt control my self from heading to the kitchenโฆ. ๐ Mouth wateringโฆ..
I loved this! I didn’t taste the cauliflower at all. No sugar needed for me, though I would have used it if necessary.
I’m keen to try this! If I wanted to remove the coffee and make it child friendly should I increase the cocoa?
I don’t think you’d necessarily need to increase the cocoa, but you can always add it to taste after everything is blended. It’s always best to err on the side of not having enough so you can add some rather than accidentally adding too much in the beginning because once it’s in, you can’t remove it! :)
Great smoothie. I wonder for those of us sensitive to caffeine if this could be made with Cocao tea instead. Thanks in advance.
Hi Bob,
If you are sensitive to caffeine, I would suggest trying carob powder. It does taste different (if you know your chocolate, like I do) but it still gives a wonderful chocolate taste, just not what you are used to from commercial products. I personally use carob powder in my smoothies, and it takes the chocolate level to the next level! Carob bean does not have caffeine, where as cocoa bean does.
I made this yesterday, and I ran into the same problem (if it is a problem) which I frequently encounter with smoothies. I mixed all the ingredients to measure, and when I was done blending them all, the result had a thick, gloppy consistency, sticking to the blades and edges of the blender, which would require some serious work scooping out and would be utterly impossible to drink with a straw; you’d have to use a spoon. I “fixed” this by pouring in a LOT more milk to thin it down some, but I can’t help but think I’m doing something wrong. Perhaps the frozen banana was TOO cold? Or the cauliflower? I run into this problem a lot, and I’m not sure why mine doesn’t come out like yours.ย
I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong, Eric! :) Smoothies are always going to need a little adjusting with their liquid content, much like bread dough. The consistency will vary based on many factors, like how big your banana is, the size of the cauliflower pieces, the power of your blender (a more powerful blender will puree more of the solid pieces making it thicker), and personal preference for how thick you like it. I do like mine pretty thick, like a Wendy’s Frosty, so I think the recipe is already starting from a fairly thick point. As with any recipe, you just kind of have to get to know your equipment, ingredients, and preferences and learn to adjust recipes based on what you’re working with.
I make something similar daily minus the cauliflower due to an allergy. I add a vegan protein powder. I love this
Hi. May I ask what Vegan Protein powder you use? I have been looking for a good one. Thanks in advance.
Hi Jennifer, i know im not the original poster, but I wanted to share with you the vegan protien powders I have used.
____ Vega. (This is my top go to for taste and packed with nutrients, and no funny stuff. I love mixing the chocolate vega one, with chocolate almond milk when out and about. ____iron hammer. They have an amazing vanilla protien powder! ____canadian protien. This brand is canadian, its super simple, just a mix of protien powders and flavour, not super packed like vega, but thr price is good for a tight budget! ____samples. You can often buy samples at the grocery store, or online of protien powders, so you can try them before you commit. Honestly, the vegan powders todsy are pretty good across the board. Especially if you add to smoothies, it blends right in ;) Just go out and try! You’ll find what your tongue and gut like! All the best!
OMG im so excited to see this. It would have never occurred to me to add in cauliflower. Ive just recently been trying to figure out how to add more veggies and everyone i know is drinking green smoothies. I want somethin chocolate and delicious! going to make this as soon as im off work.
Can liquid coffee be used?
Yes, make sure it’s brewed very strong, cooled, and then I’d replace about ยผ to ยฝ of the milk with the coffee.
I wondered if regular coffee grounds would work (I don’t do instant)…never thought of prepared liquid coffee.
NO!! Don’t use regular coffee grounds Tamara as it will NOT blend in and just be grainy and bitter tasting!
Any suggestions for a replacement for the frozen banana? I don’t mind the flavor, love it actually, I am however terribly allergic to the things so including them seems like a bad idea no matter if the flavor persists or not.
That’s tough because it will change the flavor and texture quite a bit if you substitute or leave out the banana. I’d need to do some experimenting with different ingredients to find out what might work best.
I am too! I usually use yogurt (frozen is best) or cottage cheese, depending on the recipe. Itโs not the same, but I havenโt found anything better yet and I just figure you work with what you got.ย
How about some cooked sweet potato or pumpkin puree? They have a flavor of their own, but it goes well with chocolate and coffee
Use frozen avocado instead of banana. There’s no taste and it makes it creamy. Just peel, slice and freeze.
I love these flavors but I’d rather not have cauliflower because of thyroid issues (sadly, I like cauliflower and cabbage). Should I put the whole banana in instead of just half?
Yes, I’d use a whole banana to make up for the lost volume.
Thereโs no reason to avoid cauliflower or any other cruciferous vegetables because of thyroid issues. I have hashimotos.ย
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-hypothyroidism-spinach-and-kale/
https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/nutrition/myths-about-diet-and-thyroid
Posting so others with thyroid issues donโt read this comment and think they need to cut out a very healthy family of vegetables.ย
Is there a good substitute for the cauliflower? I’m allergic but otherwise this smoothie sounds delicious!
I would just use a whole banana to make up for the lost volume. :)
Looks yum! In step by step
Photo description you have mentionedย 1 Tbsp unsweetened cauliflower, I think you meant 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa.ย
I am not a big cauliflower fan, hope itโs just hidden?
Haha, yes, that was a typo! Correct, you can’t taste the cauliflower in the smoothie.