Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie

This Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie is thick, creamy, and deeply chocolaty. You may also like our Black Forest Overnight Oats.

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Why You'll Love This Black Bean Smoothie Recipe

• Rich chocolate flavor: Cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt create a deep, dessert-like flavor.
• You cannot taste the beans: Thoroughly rinsed black beans blend into the background while making the smoothie extra creamy.
• Naturally sweetened: Banana, cherries, and Medjool dates provide sweetness without refined sugar.
• Packed with plant-based nutrition: Black beans, soy milk, almond butter, and flaxseed contribute protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
• Quick and easy: Add everything to a blender and blend. Breakfast is ready in about 10 minutes.
• Thick and satisfying: Frozen fruit, black beans, almond butter, and flaxseed give the smoothie a creamy, milkshake-like texture.
• Easy to customize: Make it nut-free, soy-free, extra chocolatey, or higher in protein.
• Diet-friendly: This smoothie is vegan, dairy-free, oil-free, and naturally gluten-free. Check packaged ingredients for gluten-free certification if cross-contact is a concern.

Jump to Recipe

This bean smoothie has the sweet-tart flavor of dark cherries and natural sweetness from banana. Black beans add body, fiber, and plant-based protein without making your breakfast taste like burrito night. Ready in about five minutes, this healthy vegan smoothie is perfect for breakfast, post-workout, or an afternoon chocolate fix.

Health Benefits

• Black beans offer a powerful combination of dietary fiber and plant-based protein. The fiber supports digestive health and helps make this smoothie more satisfying than a fruit-only drink.
• Ground flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Grinding the flaxseed also makes its nutrients easier for the body to access.
• Dark cherries and cocoa powder contain naturally occurring plant compounds called polyphenols. Cherries also add vitamin C, while cocoa brings flavanols and deep chocolate flavor.

Key Ingredients

1. Black beans provide a mild, earthy flavor that disappears behind the chocolate, cherry, and banana. It adds creaminess, body, fiber, and thickness. We used no-salt-added canned beans (drained and rinsed well), but you can cook your own beans from scratch if you prefer.
2. Cacao powder (or cocoa powder) adds a deep, slightly bitter chocolate flavor.

The recipe card below includes a full list of ingredients with exact amounts.

Substitutions and Variations

• Almond butter swap: Swap out the almond butter for peanut butter or cashew butter. For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• Use a different plant-based milk: Replace soy milk with unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or hemp seed milk. Keep in mind that the protein content will vary.
• Banana: It's okay to use a fresh, ripe banana. You'll just need to add ice to chill the smoothie.
• Other fruit: Replace the cherries with frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or a frozen mixed-berry blend. Cherries provide the strongest Black Forest flavor, but other berries still pair beautifully with chocolate.
• Vanilla: We used vanilla bean powder, but vanilla extract will work too.
• Make it compliant with the Daniel Fast: Swap the cacao or cocoa powder with carob powder.
• Give it a protein boost: Add a scoop of chocolate or unflavored plant-based protein powder. You may need another ¼ cup of soy milk or water because protein powder will thicken the smoothie.
• Extra chocolaty: Top with shaved dark chocolate.

How to Make a Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie

Step 1

Put all ingredients plus ice (if using) into a high-speed blender.

Step 2

Blend until smooth and creamy. Enjoy immediately!

Expert Tips

1. Only use fully cooked beans. Canned beans are convenient, but dry or undercooked beans should never be added directly to a smoothie.
2. Rinse the beans thoroughly. This is the most important step for eliminating canned liquid and reducing any noticeable bean flavor.
3. Choose no-salt-added beans when possible. If using regular canned beans, rinse them especially well.
4. Use frozen fruit. Frozen banana and cherries create a creamier texture and reduce the amount of ice needed.
5. Blend longer than you think. A full 60 to 90 seconds helps break down the bean skins, flaxseed, and dates.
6. Soften the dates if necessary. If your blender is not high-powered, soak the dates in hot water for about 10 minutes. Drain them before blending.
7. Serve it right away. The smoothie will thicken as the flaxseed absorbs liquid.

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy it in a chilled glass with a light dusting of cocoa powder or cinnamon.
• Turn it into a smoothie bowl by reducing the soy milk slightly and topping it with fresh cherries, sliced banana, or chopped almonds.
• Serve a smaller portion alongside Blueberry Millet Muffins for a convenient grab-and-go breakfast.
• Pair it with Banana Oatmeal Waffles or Mushroom Avocado Toast for a satisfying weekend brunch.
• Serve small glasses with Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal when feeding a group.
• If you love the chocolate-and-cherry combination, create a Black Forest-inspired brunch with small portions of this smoothie, Black Forest Overnight Oats, and slices of Cherry Oat Pizza topped with shaved dark chocolate.

Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie FAQs

This Chocolate Black Bean Smoothie proves that beans can belong in much more than soups, salads, and tacos. They create an incredibly creamy texture while the cocoa, dark cherries, banana, vanilla, and almond butter deliver rich chocolate flavor. Enjoy it as a quick breakfast, nourishing snack, or post-workout smoothie.

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