This past weekend Sarah of Broma Bakery came to stay with me in Chicago and we treated ourselves to something sweet every single day. It was a bit unusual to me but life is all about balance, well-being and feasting on happy moments; sometimes these special occasions call for frozen yogurt, doughnuts AND chocolate chip pancakes. Ha!
We had the absolute best time together and I can’t wait to share more photos of our baking plus our Chicago adventures! In the meantime, I’m getting back to eating all the veggies and indulging in healthier treats (rather than doughnuts).
Anyone that knows me well can attest to the fact that I am a huge advocate of a treat during the day or even before bed. In fact, Tony always gives me this ridiculous look anytime I ask for frozen yogurt or a bedtime snack because it’s a must have in my world. Even a small treat such as a spoonful of almond butter with a sprinkle of sea salt can usually give me the greatest satisfaction.
It should be noted that I also tend to eat lighter dinners so for an active person like me, it’s only natural to crave something around 9 or 10PM.
MUST HAVE SNACKS.
And of course, there are times when a spoonful of nut butter and a banana just does not cut it. Or when I’m craving something sweet and creamy like frozen yogurt, but I don’t feel like leaving the house just to drive to get it (okay, but sometimes I do… ha).
Lately I’ve been doing my own healthy version of froyo at home. It’s incredibly easy and basically just involves serving a creamy thick protein smoothie in a bowl, covering it with your favorite toppings and eating it with a spoon! I know, super fancy stuff right here but you know you LUVS it. It makes breakfast feel like a real treat.
You’d actually be surprised at how thick and creamy these smoothie bowls can get, especially with a scoop of protein powder in the mix. Best of all, you can make these with your personal favorite protein powder and mix and match what kind of fruit goes into the smoothie. Lately I’ve been into a chocolate banana protein smoothie bowl because chocolate makes me feel like I’ve indulged a bit. I use a chocolate protein powder and Chocolate Almond Breeze almond milk. Other favorite smoothie bowls include strawberry banana, blueberry vanilla, raspberry peach… actually there are just too many to name.
I often enjoy these for breakfast hence why you see an instant coffee packet in the picture above. Mocha smoothie bowls FTW! There are endless possibilities here so if your a frozen yogurt and/or sweet tooth fanatic like me, I’m sure you’ll find this easy base recipe to come in handy.
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Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Mocha Banana Protein Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 large frozen banana
- 1/2 cup Almond Breeze Chocolate Almond Milk, plus more if necessary
- 1 scoop your favorite protein powder (I recommend plain, vanilla or chocolate)
- 1 packet instant coffee, if desired
- 1 cup spinach (if you want a superfood boost)
- A few ice cubes
- Toppings:
- Almond Butter
- Toasted Almonds
- Chia seeds
- Low-fat Granola, gluten free if desired
- Sliced Bananas
- Fresh Strawberries
- Carob chips
- Unsweetened Coconut flakes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except desired toppings to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If necessary, add more almond milk and/or ice to reach the desired consistency. The smoothie should be fairly thick so that you can eat it with a spoon.
- Pour into a bowl and top with desired toppings such as chia and granola. Serves 1.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almond Milk but I love their almond milks and have been using them for a long time. Thanks for continuing to support AK and the brands I work with!
I love this recipe and definitely try it this weekend!
That sounds good, but is there a way to revise this recipe? I am highly allergic to almonds.
Feel free to use any chocolate-flavored milk you’d like!
How is this a mocha if it doesn’t have chooclate? The addition of instant coffee makes it coffee-flavoured, not mocha-flavoured. Thank you.
Hi! The chocolate almond milk is what adds that chocolate flavor. You can boost that flavor, too, but using the chocolate protein powder as I suggest.
I made the recipe with 2 tablespoons of organic peanut butter which added 8 grams of protein and chia seeds about 5 grams. Because I’ll be 68 this month, I’m trying to get at least 30 grams with each meal to see if it helps with my health and weight.
It seems more like a dessert because it’s so good.
Happy almost bday, Angela!! So glad you loved this one 🙂 You might also like these High Protein Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats!
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I love all the ideas of resources of food I can choose from and i am ready to eat more you your amazing food!
Aw thank you, I’m so happy it’s helpful! Enjoy!!
This is great after a workout on a summer day!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
I have to say, I often wonder what the big deal is on acai and smoothie bowls. But after making this, I realize that my appetite is much more satiated to eat from a bowl and enjoy each bite with the different toppings and textures instead of just “drinking” my breakfast and still finding myself “hungry”. . . .Thank you very much for the great recipe!
Totally get that! I love making smoothie bowls, too, so that I can add all of the toppings 🙂 glad you loved this one!
Quick question- can these be made in advance and frozen?
Sure! I would just save the toppings for when you’re ready to eat it. Here is a great post with tips for freezing smoothies!
In the Mocha breakfast you use 1 packet of instant coffee is that the 100g packet gosh thats a bit much here in New Zealand i think i would only use a teaspoon of instant coffee
The packets are only about 2-3g 🙂
Looks nice, but don’t chia seeds need to be soaked? They absorb liquid, that’s why you have to soak them, otherwise, it’s possible for them to absorb the liquid in your throat and choke you
I don’t typically soak them – they expand a bit from the liquid in the smoothie bowl, and they’re very easy to swallow with all of the ingredients in here (so I wouldn’t worry too much about them sticking in your throat). Feel free to soak them if you’d like!
This sounds amazing! Definitely trying very soon. Is there any alternative milks you would recommend other than almond or coconut milk?
You could use any milk you’d like!
Yum! Thank you! Do you have a favorite protein powder?
Sounds good I wanna try it with oatmeal.
Yes, I am all about really thick, creamy smoothie bowls that kind of feel like you are something a little naughty and indulgent, but are secretly packed with awesome good-for-you nutrients. This sounds exactly like something I would love to make!
I’ve never tried a smoothie BOWL before but think I’ll have to now…subbing peanut butter for the almond items!
Healthy AND pretty 🙂
I can imagine how delicious these smoothie bowls must taste.. I am a massive fan of breakfasts like this!
This looks fantastic!
Smoothie bowls are genius! All of the flavors going on here would be simply delicious!
Yuuuuuum!! This smoothie bowl sounds so good!!
This sounds like such a delicious snack. I’ve never had a smoothie bowl or even thought of one, now I like neeed to try this! Fo yo for life over here, so anything that resembles it that can be made at home? I’m game!!
The only thing better than a smoothie is a smoothie loaded with toppings 😀 And I’m totally with you on needing to eat before I head off to sleep — there’s no way I’d be able to fall asleep otherwise!
Yum I love making banana ice cream and mixing in protein powder. The toppings here look amazing!! This is my go to summer dessert. Thanks for sharing!!
I am ALL about a smoothie bowl! I can’t do typical smoothies, because I like to chew my food, which makes a smoothie bowl PERFECT. Especially when there is mocha and protein goodness in there.
P.s I am TOTALLY an eat-before-bedtime girl too! SNACKAGE FTW! Pinned!