This creamy and delicious chocolate smoothie is made with sunflower seeds. It’s loaded with nutrients and perfect for a nut-free breakfast on the go. Give this recipe a try if you’re looking for drinkable breakfast ideas, like this chocolate walnut smoothie recipe, which is another great option.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Sunflower seeds are rich in nutrients such as vitamin E, magnesium, and copper. I like to use roasted sunflower seeds when making this smoothie because they’re a little more flavorful, but raw sunflower seeds work too.
I like to add a date to this smoothie for a little extra sweetness. You can omit the date if you prefer to keep this smoothie a bit lower in sugar.
Banana adds creaminess and sweetness to this smoothie. If you’re not a fan of bananas or don’t have any, you can substitute a second date. Use a riper banana if you prefer this smoothie on the sweeter side, and go for a less ripe banana if you want a lower sugar option.
You can use any type of unsweetened milk you like in this smoothie. I went with soy milk this time. Oat milk or almond milk are my other go-to options.
Cocoa powder adds a chocolaty flavor to this smoothie. You can use natural cocoa powder or Dutch-process cocoa powder. Or substitute raw cacao powder if you prefer.
How to Make This Sunflower Seed Smoothie
Start by adding the shelled, unsalted sunflower seeds to a high-powered blender. Next you’ll peel the banana, break it into pieces, then add it to the blender.
Remove the pit from the date, then add it to the blender (optional for added sweetness). Add the unsweetened milk and cocoa powder to the blender.
Blend until smooth.
Is a High-Powered Blender Really Necessary?
For the smoothest results, a high-powered blender works best at grinding up the sunflower seeds to give this smoothie a creamy texture. A regular blender is fine if you don’t mind a slightly grittier texture. Either way the flavor will be delicious.
Another option if you don’t have a high-powered blender is to soak the sunflower seeds in water for a couple of hours, then discard the soaking liquid before adding the soaked sunflower seeds to the blender. Or you can substitute sunflower seed butter instead of sunflower seeds to ensure you get a smooth and creamy result without a high-powered blender.
Sunflower Seed Smoothie Recipe
Equipment
- High-powered blender
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons shelled, unsalted sunflower seeds (either roasted or raw)
- 1 medium banana
- 1 date (optional — for added sweetness)
- 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice (I used soy milk)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Instructions
- Add 3 tablespoons shelled, unsalted sunflower seeds to a high-powered blender.
- Peel 1 medium banana, break it into pieces, then add it to the blender.
- Remove the pit from 1 date, then add it to the blender (optional — for added sweetness).
- Add 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Notes
- Store this smoothie in the fridge for up to three days. Stir immediately before serving.
Nutrition
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