Start your morning with a Healthy Green Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie that tastes like a creamy milkshake or breakfast ice cream.
This vegan green smoothie with mint leaves, loaded with superfoods like banana, spinach, avocado, and dates is a tasty and energizing boost for weight loss.
Love more green smoothie recipes? Check out our low-calorie smoothie, avocado, and banana smoothie, or detox coconut water smoothie.
Can you put mint leaves in a smoothie?
Yes, absolutely! This nutrient-rich vegan chocolate chip mint smoothie is a flavorful and nutritious way to incorporate greens into your diet, while also putting those fresh garden mint leaves to good use. Also, it's quick, easy, and ready in minutes for a refreshing snack or an after-dinner treat with no sugar added.
The secret to a dessert-like, dairy-free mint shake?
Frozen bananas and avocado add a thick velvety texture while dates and chocolate chips add a natural sweetness with an indulgent hint of richness.
Moreover, this luscious blend not only creates a yummy mint drink that's sweet and satisfying but also offers a delightful way to enjoy a guilt-free treat to help you on your journey to lose weight.
Looking for more fresh mint recipes? You can try out our minty watermelon salad without feta, watermelon slushie, or this apricot fruit salad.
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Ingredients
You'll need a few natural, real food ingredients to make this wholesome mint energy drink:
- Fresh Mint Leaves - infuse a delightful burst of cool, ultra-refreshing flavor and add a gorgeous green color.
- Frozen Banana - provides natural sweetness and creamy texture just like in this pear banana smoothie.
- Spinach Leaves - adds a vibrant green hue and boosts the nutritional value of this smoothie without altering its taste.
- Avocado - creates a rich and luscious creaminess, while providing heart-healthy fats and fiber. Don't worry, you won't taste the avocado here.
- Vegan Dark Chocolate Chips - add a pleasantly sweet and indulgent touch, making the smoothie a delicious treat.
- Dates - beautifully sweetens this mint weight loss smoothie with a delectable caramel-like flavor. (If you love dates, try this banana date shake next).
- Fresh Lemon Juice - enhances the iron absorption from spinach and brings a bright, refreshing twist.
- Almond milk (unsweetened) - I used homemade almond milk for an inexpensive, low-calorie, and no-dairy liquid base. Feel free to use your favorite plant-based milk.
As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.
How To Make
Combine. Add all ingredients except chocolate chips high-speed blender. Blend everything together until smooth and creamy. Add more milk to adjust it to your liking.
Blend. If you're going for the mini chocolate chips (like I do), just give them a good stir right into your smoothie mix. If you've got the regular-sized ones, a quick pulse is all it takes to break them into delicious, bite-sized pieces. Top with more chocolate chips or crispy homemade granola, enjoy!
Hint: Freeze your bananas to make your smoothie super cool! Just peel and slice them, then put them in the freezer until they are nice and firm. Now, your smoothie will be frosty and creamy, like a yummy mint chocolate chip ice cream!
Substitutions
- Fresh Mint - Substitute with ¼ - ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract. Since peppermint extracts can vary in intensity, start with a small amount and adjust according to your taste.
- Frozen Banana - For a mint smoothie without banana you can use ½ cup applesauce, frozen mango, or pineapple chunks for a tropical twist.
- Spinach - Kale, Swiss chard, or a mix of greens are great alternatives.
- Avocado: Use dairy-free Greek yogurt or coconut cream for a smooth consistency.
- Chocolate Chips - Swap with cacao nibs, carob chips, or chopped dark chocolate for a scrumptious chocolate flavor.
- Dates: Replace them with pure maple syrup, agave nectar, or date syrup.
- Lemon: Use lime for a tangy citrus flavor or orange for a sweeter twist.
- Almond Milk: Switch to oat milk coconut milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or even cold water if you want a lighter base.
Variations
- Mint Chocolate Smoothie - Add 1-2 teaspoons of unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder for a scrumptious chocolaty taste. In this case, you may want to add a little more sweetener to taste.
- Add protein - mix in a scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder to make your smoothie more filling. This is especially beneficial if you're using it as a post-workout drink, as it aids in recovery.
- Add Rolled Oats - Adding rolled oats not only thickens your smoothie but also transforms it into a hearty, nutritious meal with high protein and fiber content.
- Add Super Seeds - try incorporating chia seeds, ground flax seeds, or hemp seeds for extra nutrients like plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Add Nut Butter - include your favorite butter (peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter) for a protein boost, healthy fats, and wonderful nutty flavor.
Equipment
A high-powered blender or food processor is crucial for achieving a smooth and well-blended consistency.
Storage
For the best taste and freshness, I recommend to enjoy the smoothie right away. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir before drinking if separation occurs.
Keep in mind that the color may change a bit due to oxidation, but no worries, it's still absolutely delicious and totally safe to enjoy.
Top Tips
- Use fresh ingredients. Use fresh mint leaves for a vibrant flavor. Fresh, crisp spinach and soft, ripe avocado will also enhance the green color.
- Customize the thickness. To make your banana mint smoothie thicker, use less milk; for a thinner texture, add more milk.
- Add ice for a chilled smoothie. If you don't have frozen bananas, toss a handful of ice cubes into the blender.
- Adjust sweetness Tweak the sweetness of your smoothie by tasting it as you go. Add more dates if it needs sweetness or reduce the number of dates if it's too sweet.
- Adding too much mint can make your smoothie bitter. If you love mint, start with ¼ cup and add more to taste.
- Use fresh, soft dates: If your dates are too dry, you may want to soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes before blending to soften them.
Mint in Smoothies Benefits
Here are some potential benefits of adding mint to your smoothies:
- Refreshing Flavor: Mint adds a cooling and refreshing taste to your smoothie, making it a delightful and invigorating drink.
- Improved Digestion: Mint has been traditionally used to aid digestion and soothe an upset stomach. Including mint in your smoothie may offer digestive benefits.
- Natural Breath Freshener: The antibacterial properties of mint can contribute to fresher breath.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Mint contains antioxidants that can help combat oxidative stress and support overall health.
- Calming and Relaxing: Mint has a calming effect and may contribute to stress relief.
- Low in Calories: Mint is a low-calorie herb, making it a healthy addition to your smoothie without significantly impacting the calorie content.
- Soothing cold symptoms: Mint contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, providing relief from symptoms like a sore throat and nasal congestion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Yes, mint is safe to eat for most people when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. In fact, it is a popular aromatic herb used in various dishes and beverages, and as a flavoring agent. Mint leaves are commonly added to salads, desserts, teas, and smoothies.
To freeze mint leaves simply rinse them with cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel or a clean kitchen cloth. Next, remove stems, line leaves on a baking tray, and freeze for a few hours. Transfer frozen leaves to an airtight container or freezer bag, removing excess air.
Optionally, you can freeze mint in ice cubes. Simply place clean mint leaves in an ice cube tray, fill with water, freeze, and transfer the cubes to a labeled bag or container for easy use in recipes.
Yes, you can use mint extract as a substitute for mint leaves in recipes. Just be cautious with the quantity, as mint extracts are concentrated, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste.
To transform this smoothie into a mint chocolate chip smoothie bowl, use less milk or add more bananas, pour it into a bowl, and top it with a variety of toppings like berries, granola, seeds, and nuts. Enjoy with a spoon!
Yes, you can freeze a mint smoothie. Pour the smoothie into an airtight container or ice cube tray, leaving some space for expansion. Thaw as needed before consumption.
This green mint smoothie shares a similarity with the popular Shamrock Shake, but the key difference is that it's packed with nutrients instead of empty calories, excessive sugar, or artificial food dyes.
More Healthy Green Smoothie Recipes
📖 Recipe
Healthy Green Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie (Vegan)
Equipment
- high speed blender
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves rinsed, loosely packed (or use ¼ - ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract)
- 1 large ripe banana peeled, cut into chunks, frozen
- 1 cup fresh spinach loosely packed
- ½ medium-sized avocado pitted, peeled
- 1-2 pitted dates use fresh soft dates if possible. If yours are too dry soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes and drain before using.
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk or any plant-based milk
- 2 tablespoons vegan dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs, chopped dark chocolate
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except chocolate chips high-speed blender. Blend everything together until smooth and creamy. Add more milk to adjust it to your liking.
- If you're going for the mini chocolate chips (like I do), just give them a good stir right into your smoothie mix. If you've got the regular-sized ones, a quick pulse is all it takes to break them into delicious, bite-sized pieces. Top with more chocolate chips or crispy homemade granola, enjoy!
Notes
-
- Use fresh ingredients. Use fresh mint leaves for a vibrant flavor. Fresh, crisp spinach and soft, ripe avocado will also enhance the green color.
-
- Customize the thickness. To make your banana mint smoothie thicker, use less milk; for a thinner texture, add more milk.
-
- Add ice for a chilled smoothie. If you don't have frozen bananas, toss a handful of ice cubes into the blender.
-
- Adjust sweetness Tweak the sweetness of your smoothie by tasting it as you go. Add more dates if it needs sweetness or reduce the number of dates if it's too sweet.
-
- Adding too much mint can make your smoothie bitter. If you love mint, start with ¼ cup and add more to taste.
- Use fresh, soft dates: If your dates are too dry, you may want to soak them in warm water for 10-15 minutes before blending to soften them.
- See the post above for more substitutions and variations ideas.
Nutrition
Did you make this green smoothie with mint?
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