Last Updated on November 26, 2025 by Michelle

Make a Delicious Cacao Smoothie

I switched to cacao powder for my smoothies, baking, and well everything chocolate, and I haven’t bought cocoa powder since.

Today I’m explaining why I made the switch and sharing my all-time favorite cacao smoothie recipe. Because you need cacao in your life.

Oh, AND you need the bonus recipes I want you to have too… make sure you scroll to the bottom

cacao nibs are delicious in a cacao smoothie

What is a replacement for cocoa powder?

If you want to avoid those undisclosed GRAS ingredients–aka preservatives and addictive flavorings–that could potentially be in cocoa powder, I highly recommend you grab some delicious cacao powder.

Another great unrefined option is carob powder. While carob tastes a lot like chocolate, it’s actually a nutrient-rich, slightly sweeter option for a chocolate substitute. Carob is a member of the legume family, but has a similar texture to cocoa and a huge bonus to carob? It’s caffeine-free.

Is cacao high in caffeine?

While cacao does contain caffeine, so I always point folks to carob powder if caffeine is a problem for them, it’s not a lot. It’s significantly less than what you’ll find in coffee. Bonus: the primary stimulant you’ll find in cacao is called theobromine, which provides a gentler, more sustained energy boost. (source)

How to add espresso without caffeine

I love an alternative to this smoothie, with espresso OR a caffeine-free espresso replacement. It tastes so similar to coffee, but it’s just a medicinal tea that tastes like coffee. In fact, it’s my all-time favorite hot tea. I drink it every day.

To use this medicinal chicory tea as an espresso replacement, simply steep 4 TB of the tea blend in 1 quart of hot water. (Minimum 10 minutes, but I like to steep it overnight when I have the time.) Once you have that ready, you’re ready to make your smoothie. See notes below.

cacao smoothie recipe made with cacao powder and protein powder and all natural sugars

Does cacao heal the gut?

Another huge bonus to cacao is the fact that it’s loaded with fiber, which is so important for feeding out gut properly. (source) So yeah, pour me up a daily glass of kombucha and one of these amazing cacao smoothies often please. My gut says “thank you” every time.

Want to know more about gut-friendly drinks I love to make at home?

Here are some of our favorite kombucha flavors, complete with recipes for making them yourself.

And these are the best summer flavors for kombucha you’re making at home.

protein shake made with cacao powder and cacao nibs and natural sugars

Cacao Smoothie Recipe

yield: this generous recipe makes 3 smoothies, because there are always a lot of folks in our house who want some whenever they hear my blender whipping up some of this amazing cacao smoothie.

CACAO SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS

3 frozen bananas

2 scoops of chocolate protein powder

3 TB cacao powder

2 TB maple syrup or date syrup

1/2 cup spinach

3 cups milk

1/2 cup peanut butter

pinch of salt per serving

CACAO SMOOTHIE DIRECTIONS

Toss all ingredients in blender and mix.

Pour into 3 glasses and enjoy!

CACAO SMOOTHIES NOTES

Feel free to substitute 6 extra TB of cacao powder in place of the chocolate protein powder if you don’t have any on hand.
You can definitely substitute caffeine-free carob powder 1:1 for both the cacao powder and the chocolate protein powder.
I haven’t bought peanut butter in years, since i figured out how to make my own peanut butter. It’s amazing in this cacao smoothie.
Don’t settle for any old protein powder. Two ingredients you will find in almost every brand of protein powder but never in the only protein powder I use? Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols. The first are chemicals added to make your drink sweet. And most brands add sugar alcohols because they aren’t completely absorbed in your intestines (which means there will be less calories in your drink), but if you eat too many you’ll get gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Check out 17 delicious ways I use protein powders. But try to use ones made with real food, and no junk.
Other great things to add when I want to switch things up a little? Try tossing in some dates for added natural sweetness, or a double shot of espresso or espresso alternative–see below (and a 1/2 cup less of milk).
Feel free to use milk substitutes in place of the milk, and almond butter in place of the peanut butter.
Use Redmond Real Salt in this recipe and add more than 64 trace minerals to your recipe! Use code SOULYRESTED to save & stock up on some of this amazing salt today. I buy it in the bulk size because it stores so easily and keeps forever.

Print Recipe

Cacao smoothie

Servings: 3 smoothies

Ingredients

3 frozen bananas
2 scoops of chocolate protein powder
3 TB cacao powder
2 TB maple syrup or date syrup
1/2 cup spinach
3 cups milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
pinch of salt per serving

Instructions

Toss all ingredients in blender and mix.
Pour into 3 glasses and enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to substitute 6 extra TB of cacao powder in place of the chocolate protein powder if you don't have any on hand.
You can definitely substitute caffeine-free carob powder 1:1 for both the cacao powder and the chocolate protein powder.
I haven't bought peanut butter in years, since i figured out how to make my own peanut butter. It's amazing in this cacao smoothie.
Don't settle for any old protein powder. Two ingredients you will find in almost every brand of protein powder but never in the only protein powder I use? Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols. The first are chemicals added to make your drink sweet. And most brands add sugar alcohols because they aren't completely absorbed in your intestines (which means there will be less calories in your drink), but if you eat too many you’ll get gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Just ingredients protein powders are only real food, and no junk.
Other great things to add when I want to switch things up a little? Try tossing in some dates for added natural sweetness, or a double shot of espresso (and a 1/2 cup less of milk).
Feel free to use milk substitutes in place of the milk and almond butter in place of the peanut butter.

Ingredients in my Cacao Smoothie