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!
This post contains some affiliate links, which means that we make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.
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.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
- Small Blender
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!Video
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?
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 – 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 – I love curried cauliflower but it was NOT meant to be rice, lol.
Frosty for sure! I didn’t 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!
I’ve subbed zucchini every time and it’s been great. Can’t taste it at all. I cut it into cubes and it’s worked just fine, for anyone who doesn’t want to shredded.
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 don’t use cocoa a lot – What do you think about like some Swiss miss powder 😅
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!