This chocolate cherry smoothie is extra filling thanks to the addition of oats, flaxseed, and avocado. Everything blends right up to form this dairy-free smoothie with great staying power. Great for breakfasts, snacks, or even as a healthy chocolate-flavored dessert.
One of the things that I love about smoothies is that there's huge variety of flavor combinations and add-ins available so that you don't get bored of the same old, same old.
That's key, because after blowing myself out on a daily breakfast for years of vanilla Greek yogurt, frozen strawberries, and multi-grain cereal, I still haven't been able to stomach the thought of those flavors together. Five years later!
While I'm all-in on this particular filling green smoothie, this chocolate cherry smoothie is a fun flavor switch-up. It's dairy-free and features rich chocolate flavor with a burst of dark sweet cherries. I used frozen cherries so as to make this smoothie accessible year-round, because it's too good to only keep for a short window of time.
Of course it's not like eating a piece of candy, but in my opinion this smoothie can totally pass as a healthier chocolate dessert-like treat.
Why is this smoothie extra filling?
As evident from the title, this chocolate cherry smoothie doesn't play around. I'll find myself reaching for a mid-morning snack if I don't incorporate ingredients with staying power in my breakfast smoothie, which isn't exactly helpful if you're trying to stay on-track with any healthy eating goals.
There are three ingredients in particular here that help carry you through to your next meal: oats, flaxseed, and avocado. Bet you couldn't tell by looking at it that this smoothie was hiding a green vegetable, errr fruit (had to Google that).
Old-fashioned oats bring whole-grain goodness and fiber - perfect for staying power. Then ground flaxseed is something I add to all different kinds of smoothies (including two favorites, this green kefir smoothie with granola and this pineapple matcha vanilla smoothie).
It also adds a bit of fiber, as well as omega-3s. I keep my container in the freezer to help extend its storage time.
Then there's that sneaky avocado. It adds extra creaminess and more heart healthy fats, all while flying fairly under the radar flavor-wise. It might seem strange to add avocado in a chocolate smoothie, but just one-quarter of a ripe avocado adds enough heft without taking over. This isn't a green smoothie, after all. 🙂
More smoothie recipes
Speaking of green smoothies, this kefir smoothie feature granola blended right in for another hearty option. Plus avocado makes an appearance there, too.
For an orange smoothie, this peach mango smoothie features bright and sunny flavors. The little bit of lime rounds out the flavors nicely.
And for blue? A blueberry banana smoothie fits the bill, spiced up just right with the addition of ground cinnamon.
Recipe notes
- The oats cause this chocolate cherry smoothie to have a very thick, not super smooth texture. Just a heads up in case you're texture-sensitive in that way. I suggest blending the oats by themselves before adding the rest of the ingredients, but also recommend grinding them in a coffee or spice grinder if you'd like them to be extra fine.
- Be sure you're using a ripe avocado! Unripe avocado is next to impossible to blend into a smoothie, and has a more bitter flavor. Ripe is the way to go.
- I used vanilla almond milk, but use your preferred milk here: soy, dairy, rice, oat, etc.
Extra Filling Chocolate Cherry Smoothie
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup dark sweet cherries pitted, fresh or frozen
- ¾ cup vanilla almond milk or your preferred milk
- ¼ ripe avocado
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 heaping tbsp ground flaxseed
Instructions
- Add oats to the blender and pulse to grind them a bit finer. If you'd like a finer grind, you can do this step in a coffee or spice grinder until to your liking.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender with the oats and process until smooth.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition DisclaimerPictures updated in February 2017.
Kt says
I really like this smoothie, it tastes like a less sweeter brownie batter. I was afraid the cocoa powder would taste too bitter without a sweetener so I only used a tablespoon. Thanks!
Alyssa says
So glad you like it!
WhatJessicaBakedNext... says
This sounds and looks delicious! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks, Jessica! 🙂
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
I like the idea of smoothies for breakfast but just the thought of having to clean the blender or have my mum shouting at me because I won't clean it, prevents me from actually making them,
This one looks great though! So delish that I think it might be worth the shouting mmmm yes ; )
Alyssa says
I'm so with you, Consuelo! I don't mind doing the dishes, but for some reason cleaning the blender just seems SO much worse. This smoothie is worth it, though. 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks, Pamela! Truthfully I took my first sip and said aloud, "OH". It definitely got my morning off to a good start. 🙂
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
LOVE the Lagunitas glass! (Their IPA is one of my faves). This is practically like having a milkshake for breakfast. Naturally, I'm in 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks! I love their IPA, too. And this glass is totally my "first-glass-used-out-of-the-clean-dishwasher" for water, beer, chocolate cherry smoothies, etc. 🙂
Deb says
Breakfast smoothies often leave me hungry before lunch. The addition oatmeal and chocolate might be just what I need to keep me satisfied!
Alyssa says
I was the same way, Deb! I've recently started experimenting with oats in smoothies but I've found it does make a difference for me. Let me know if you try it out!