This zucchini smoothie tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but shhh! It's made with healthy ingredients like almond butter, dates, and zucchini.
This zucchini smoothie tastes like a chocolate milkshake. It’s creamy, rich, and sweet. Even though it’s healthy enough to drink for breakfast or a snack, it could totally pass for dessert. It’s that good!
Why add zucchini to a smoothie?
But let’s address the elephant in the room: what’s zucchini doing in a smoothie?
My take: zucchini is actually a hugely underrated smoothie ingredient. Similar to spinach and kale—vegetables that we’re totally used to tossing in the blender—it has many health benefits. Zucchini is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins like vitamin C.
It also gives smoothies an amazing creamy texture. There’s no need for a frozen banana here! Frozen zucchini makes this smoothie thick and frosty on its own.
Zucchini Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
Ready to try this chocolate zucchini smoothie recipe? Here’s what you’ll need:
- Zucchini, of course! You’ll need one medium. Chop and freeze it at least a day before you plan to make the smoothie.
- Medjool dates – For sweetness.
- Almond butter – It adds protein and healthy fats.
- Cocoa powder – It gives the smoothie a rich chocolate taste. Cacao powder works here too.
- Nutmeg and vanilla extract – For warm, dessert-like depth of flavor.
- Ice cubes – To make the smoothie cool and frosty.
- Almond milk – Or any milk you like! My homemade oat milk would be great here, and coconut milk would make this smoothie taste even more decadent and creamy. If you don’t need this smoothie to be dairy-free, regular milk works too.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Zucchini Smoothie
The first step in this zucchini smoothie recipe is freezing the zucchini.
Wash it, chop it, and spread it in a single layer on a small baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 2 hours. Then, transfer the veggies to an airtight container, and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to make the smoothie. Tip: The initial freeze on the baking sheet prevents the zucchini from sticking together, which makes it easier to blend.
Once you have frozen zucchini handy, you can blend up the smoothie. Place the zucchini, almond milk, dates, almond butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, and nutmeg in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed to blend. Add a handful of ice and blend again.
Finally, enjoy! Pour the smoothie into glasses. If you like, top them off with chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and a drizzle of almond butter. Cheers!
Substitutions and Variations
This recipe is fantastic as written, but if you want to change it up, by all means, do! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Change the nut butter. This smoothie is DELICIOUS with tahini. Peanut butter would be fantastic too!
- Amp up the protein. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or a tablespoon of chia seeds.
- Nix the chocolate. For a fruity zucchini smoothie, skip the cocoa powder and dates. Add your favorite fruit to the blender instead! Strawberries, blueberries, and banana would all be great. If necessary, add a drizzle of maple syrup to sweeten the smoothie to taste.
Let me know what variations you try!
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
If you love this chocolate zucchini smoothie, try one of these healthy smoothie recipes next:
- Green Smoothie
- Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- Blueberry Smoothie
- Kale Smoothie
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Creamy Avocado Smoothie
Zucchini Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped and frozen
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, plus more as needed
- 4 soft Medjool dates, pitted*
- 2 tablespoons almond butter, plus more for drizzling
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Handful of ice
- Chocolate chips, optional, for sprinkling
- Coconut flakes, optional, for serving
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender, place the zucchini, almond milk, dates, almond butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, and nutmeg. Blend until smooth, adding more almond milk as needed to blend. Add a handful of ice and blend again.
- Pour into glasses. Drizzle with almond butter, sprinkle with chocolate chips and coconut flakes, if desired, and serve.
Hello! Do I steam the zucchini first or just cut it and freezer
I’m blown away at the taste of this! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!
Hi Jen, I’m so glad you love the smoothie!
I used my NutriBullet to blend – worked great.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious! Will make again. Thank you for a great idea!!
Question, do you remove the seeds before freezing?
Hi Gail, there’s no need to remove the seeds from the zucchini before freezing unless they’re unusually large. Most should blend up no problem!
ha, a great use of zucchini I would never thought of before, great idea, and love this healthy set of ingredients too thank you
Love this idea of using zucchini as a base for smoothies! Was very filling and delicious–will definitely keep frozen zucchini on hand for future shakes! (Esp. given how there are always so many from the garden!) Thanks for the idea!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Do you have nutritional info that you can share
Hi Renee, I’m sorry, we don’t post nutrition facts but you could plug the ingredients into a site like my fitness pal.
I am intrigued! I am also looking at 14 garden squash sitting on my counter. This could be the start of a beautiful smoothie relationship!! 🙂
this recipe is perfect for that! I hope you enjoy.