This vegan extra-thick mint chip superfood smoothie tastes like a healthy shamrock shake and packs a secret kick of green goodness. Does it get much better than that? Frozen bananas, a splash of hemp milk, hemp seeds, spirulina, and peppermint oil are whirled in a food processor to a thick and creamy consistency. A sprinkling of cocoa nibs or chocolate chips are tossed in and pulsed into the smoothie. Then, the deliciousness is scooped into a glass and topped with just a little bit more chocolate. The result is an energizing, detoxifying, minty, cooling, refreshing, dreamy glass of wonderful.
First of all, I'm so sorry for the wacky posting schedule this week!
Between the holiday weekend, the start of the school year, a nasty case of fall allergies, and some major building-repair planning for our condo association (note: the repairs will affect our kitchen. wah.), this week has been a bit of a whirlwind. That being said, I already have next week's M-W-F posts lined up, so we'll be back to business as usual.
Until then, my plan is to chill out with this thick, creamy, minty, and chocolaty smoothie in my hands forever and for always.
Similar to the Chocolate Malt Superfood Smoothie I posted a few months back, this smoothie garners its thick consistency from the use of a food processor with a minimal amount of liquid. While an incredibly high-powered blender can also do the trick, your Average Joe blender will require too much liquid, and you'll end up with a thinner smoothie.
This mint chip smoothie gets its emerald hue from the amazing spirulina. Spirulina is a blue-green algae that forms in warm, fresh water bodies. It's also a super food. But why?
1| It's about 65% protein and a complete protein at that.
2| It has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
3| It contains Omega-3, 6 + 9, but is especially high in Omega-3s.
4| Its high levels of chlorophyll aid in detoxification and boost immunity.
5| It's packed with calcium (26 times the calcium found in milk, to be exact).
6| It's. So. Green.
So, back to this minty, chocolaty delight.
Frozen bananas, a splash of hemp milk, hemp seeds, spirulina, and peppermint oil are whirled in a food processor to a thick and creamy consistency. A sprinkling of cocoa nibs or chocolate chips are tossed in and pulsed into the smoothie. Then, the deliciousness is scooped into a glass and topped with just a little bit more chocolate. The result is an energizing, detoxifying, minty, cooling, refreshing, dreamy glass of wonderful.
Mint Chip Superfood Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2-3 frozen bananas
- 1-2 tablespoons hemp milk, almond milk, or other non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- ½ to 1 teaspoon spirulina powder
- 2 drops peppermint oil*
- 1 ½ tablespoons dark chocolate chips or cocoa nibs, divided
Instructions
- Add the frozen bananas, hemp seeds, and hemp milk to a food processor. Process until smooth.
- Add in the spirulina and peppermint oil and process another 15 seconds.
- Add in 1 tbsp chocolate chips or cocoa nibs and pulse to chop.
- Scoop the smoothie into a glass and top with the additional chocolate chips or cocoa nibs.
Notes
Sounds delicious, I have a bunch of mint growing in my herb garden, do you think fresh mint would work in place of the oil?
Hi Melissa! Do you have peppermint or spearmint? As long as it's peppermint, I think fresh mint would work great in this recipe!
oh yum! I think I'll have to sneak this in to our meal plan this week without the boyfriend knowing. I don't know if he is very keen on mint but we'll find out!
Haha, I like your thinking, Melanie! I hope you (and your boyfriend) enjoy the recipe!
I think this is the prettiest green I've ever seen!! What an emerald beauty :) My husband and I were just talking about hemp milk today - where do you get yours from? Beyond gorgeous photos as always Ashley!!
Aww, thanks so much Kaitlin! You always have such sweet words to share. I've been getting hemp milk from Whole Foods, but I really want to try making some myself. I realized the brand I've been using has a lot of unnecessary additives, and I've heard hemp milk is one of the easiest non-dairy milks to make!
Looks super yummy!
Thank you! :)
Oh my goodness, this looks so wild that it's happening tomorrow morning (albeit with some mods because I already prepared some raw buckwheat to chuck in). So much tasty in one place! :D I've got fresh peppermint *and* peppermint extract, so this is going to be powerful stuff!
Hi Marfigs! Adding raw buckwheat sounds like a wonderful idea; extra superfood boost for sure. I hope you enjoyed the recipe. I bet the fresh peppermint and peppermint extract combination created something extra special (and minty)!
This smoothie looks amazing, LOVE THE GREEN! ;) A big Hello from a new follower, I'm loving your recipes!!! :)
Thanks so much, Karen! I'm so glad you're loving the recipes -- puts a smile on my face! :)
Hi- I've heard great things about spirulina but I'm wondering does it have a strong taste? I'm thinking ocean flavor? ha!
Hi, Ruthie! Haha, you're right in thinking that spirulina has an ocean flavor to it -- it does! However, the peppermint oil in this covers it up completely (at least to my tastebuds). When I first tried spirulina, I thought it was pretty nasty; however, the taste does grow on you. My tip: start with small amounts (1/4-1/2 tsp) and build up from there. The nutritional benefits of it are pretty fantastic, and it's an amazing source of plant-based protein... once you get past that ocean flavor :)