Hidden Veggie Chocolate Coffee Shake, because mama needs her veggies and a caffeine kick too.
I’ll often do this smoothie in the afternoon for a little pick me up or in the morning when I don’t have time for coffee. Who am I kidding? The hot coffee struggle is real so hidden veggie chocolate coffee shake has been winning my morning lately.
This smoothie is packed with a full cup of veggies (spinach and cauliflower), healthy fats from walnuts, and sweetened only with dates… no added sugar here.
The boys are really starting to interact and “play” together. While Brooks isn’t 4 months yet, he is giggling and interacting with is big brother and it’s so neat to watch. I can tell it’s going to be fun watching these our two boys grow up together.
Right now, I’m typing from the bathroom. The two boys are in the tub and it gives this mama a little “break”. True life, bath time often gets moved to early afternoon because it’s one tried and true method to help our toddler shift gears when he’s in an epic meltdown.
Gah– toddler life.
I know this is a coffee recipe but what I’ll do sometimes is make a “kid friendly” version by just using 100% almond milk instead of 1/2 almond milk 1/2 coffee. So if you’re not a coffee drinker but still love chocolate and want some hidden veggies, give this recipe a try!
Promise, you cannot taste the cauliflower in this recipe.
I always opt for frozen (unsalted) cauliflower rice for smoothie making to up the veg factor. Frozen “riced” veggies are life changing for smoothies making and great way to sneak in more veggies…
because if you’re anything like me you can probably stand to get a few more vegetables especially at breakfast time.
- ⅓ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ⅔ cup iced coffee
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 2-3 pitted medjool dates (or 1 banana)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (or 1 scoop chocolate protein powder)
- ½ cup spinach
- ½ cup frozen cauliflower rice
- 1½-2 cups ice
- In a blender, add almond milk, coffee, walnuts, dates, cocoa powder, spinach, and cauliflower rice; blend until smooth.
- Add ice, in ½ cup increments and blend until ice is crushed and creamy in consistency.
More Veggie Smoothie Recipes
Summer Superfood Smoothie Bowl
Immune Boost Citrus Beet Smoothie
I love veggies, but I’m all about finding more ways to add them to my diet and this coffee shake looks great!
Love when delicious treats have hidden serving of healthy. One of my favorite way to serve picky eaters. This coffee shake looks so good, I can have one now! Yumm!
I literally lol’ed about typing your blog post in the bathroom during the boys bath-time. Been there!!! Ha ha. Love the idea of this smoothie, and I don’t think I would have had the guts to try adding cauliflower, but I trust you.
I love how healthy this is and how veggies are hidden. My favorite is chocolate and getting to eat more things healthy that taste great like this is a big bonus!
Would never have thought about putting cauliflower rice in it! Genius!
I love your incorporation of cauliflower rice. This shake sounds so delicious and full of goodness. It has my dad’s name written all over it, as he would love it, as long as he didn’t know about the veggies. This is perfect for those picky eaters :)
The hidden veggies are awesome, but you really intrigued me with the walnuts actually! That sounds delicious for smoothies.
We usually think cashews or peanut butter for smoothies but walnuts are totally yum too!
I just started adding cauliflower to smoothies – I decided to try it so I could keep adding veggies but it would turn them that ugly green color that’s not appealing in photos. Also love the addition of walnuts to this – I hate them on their own but they add a great flavor to smoothies!
haha so true! I too like adding cauliflower because you can’t “see” it.
Such a cool way to incorporate cauliflower rice into a drink! Plus it’s chocolate… Love me anything chocolate.!!
I just tried this recipe and I’m currently drinking my smoothie. It came out perfect. I doubted about adding the cauliflower at first but it doesn’t taste a bit and it made it super thick! Wow! Congrats on the recipe! Definitely doing it again soon.
OH I’m so glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed the smoothie! Winning :) Love finding fun ways to get more veggies in.
I don’t have cauliflower rice but I do have cauliflower. Could I use that instead?
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For sure! I like using frozen cauliflower rice because it helps to thicken the shake a little bit and it’s frozen at peak of ripeness so there’s no off taste, like fresh cauliflower may give off if it’s past its prime, but if your smoothie is too thin with the fresh cauliflower just add a little ice :)
I am allergic to nuts- do you have a suggestion for a substitute for the walnuts?
You could just leave them out… other options could be chickpeas or flaxseed… if using flax I’d probably only use 2 tablespoons.
Wow…I’ve pulled off some hidden veggie capers in my day, but THIS may be the ultimate hidden veggie showdown!!! Can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow!!!😎
haha- glad you like it! Keep me posted how it goes.
I love this shake; it’s now my go-to morning breakfast. Would you have the nutrition information? I’m attempting to add to my fitness tracker but have to do so itemized.
Hey Debs– I’ve updated the post with nutrition info :) Glad you are enjoying it!