This Chocolate Chunky Monkey Smoothie Bowl combines rich chocolate flavour, creamy frozen banana and powdered peanut butter for an extra thick smoothie best served with a spoon! Top with crunchy cacao nibs for more chocolate flavour and a hit of antioxidants.

Skinny Chocolate Chunky Monkey Smoothie Bowl - Vegan

I sometimes make this smoothie bowl with peanut butter but I find you need so much to actually taste the peanut butter flavour once it’s all blended up. So, to make a skinny version of the classic combo, I used powdered peanut butter.

What is Powdered Peanut Butter?

Powdered peanut butter is a low-fat alternative to traditional peanut butter. The kind I use is made from organic roasted peanuts, coconut sugar and sea salt and comes in at 50 calories per 2 tbsp serving. I use 4 tbsp in this chocolate chunky monkey shake for plenty of peanut butter flavour without the added fat.

I use powdered peanut butter in a number of different ways. Here are a few of my favourite ways to use it:

  • added to smoothies
  • mixed with vegan protein powder to make protein pudding
  • drizzled over pancakes
  • mixed into oatmeal or drizzled on top
  • used in baking
  • used in a low-fat peanut dressing
  • spread on toast

Basically, you can use it any way you’d use peanut butter! I still use peanut butter often but powdered peanut butter is a good alternative when I want a lot of peanut butter flavour without the extra calories.

Skinny Chocolate Chunky Monkey Smoothie Bowl - Vegan

Cocoa Powder or Raw Cacao Powder?

You may have seen recipes call for either cocoa powder or raw cacao powder, the two can be used interchangeably but vary in their nutritional  profile.

Cocoa powder looks the same as raw cacao but it’s been roasted at high temperates. Unfortunately, roasting cocoa at high temperatures lowers the overall nutritional value of the cocoa bean.The studies that boast over chocolate’s amazing health benefits are referring to chocolate that has properties closer to raw cacao.

Raw cacao powder is is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans. The process keeps the living enzymes in the cocoa and removes the fat, or the cocao butter making it a great ingredient for adding nutrition and flavour without a lot of added fat.

Health Benefits of Raw Cacao

Cacao offers numerous health benefits thanks to its high level of antioxidants and minerals important such as magnesium. Some of the many nutrients you can find in cacao are:

  • Magnesium, and other essential minerals such as calcium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, and manganese
  • Polyphenols, antioxidant-rich flavonoids
  • Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B9, C, E
  • Essential heart-healthy fat, oleic acid
  • Protein
  • Fiber

Thanks to all this goodness, cacao can help lower blood pressure and improve circulation, improve digestion, enhance physical and mental well-being, improve memory, prevent skin cancer and promote healthy skin, hair and nails, reduce heart disease, shed fat, balance mood, boost immunity, and help naturally improve energy and reduce fatigue.

What are Cocao Nibs?

Cacao nibs are simply cacao beans that have been chopped up into edible pieces, much like chocolate chips without the added sugars and fats. Cacao nibs contain all of the fiber, fat, and nutrients that the cacao bean does. I always keep cocao nibs on hand for adding to smoothies, recipes, granola, oatmeal or eating as a quick snack mixed with goji berries and nuts.

They’re a great source of energy and nutrition and although they taste quite bitter they have a strong chocolate flavour and are delicious mixed with something a bit sweeter ie. a skinny chocolate chunky monkey smoothie bowl.

Skinny Chocolate Chunky Monkey Smoothie Bowl - Vegan

This chunky monkey smoothie bowl is ultra-thick and creamy making it perfect for eating with a spoon! The frozen banana adds a wonderful creamy texture and delicious banana flavour.

Vega Performance Protein is added for flavour and 30 grams of plant-based protein. I use raw cacao powder for extra chocolate and plenty of added nutrients. Rounding it out are a few dates for flavour, sweetness and natural energy.

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Chocolate Chunky Monkey Smoothie Bowl

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  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Smoothie
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This delicious smoothie bowl is thick, creamy and full of chocolate and peanut butter flavor!


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and mix for 30-60 seconds until smooth and creamy. Pour into a bowl or glass and eat with a spoon!

Notes

Increase liquid to 1 1/4 cup to make this into a drinkable smoothie.

To reduce the calories and carbs, omit the dates.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 439
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Protein: 40 g