Let me tell you about this amazing Banana Mocha Smoothie. I came up with this recipe one morning when I had a ripe banana and needed my coffee fix. Instead of having them separately, I thought, “Why not mix them together?” And it was the best decision ever!
It’s super simple to make. Just throw everything in a blender, and you’re done. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and gives you just the right amount of energy to start your day.
The best thing about this smoothie? You can’t mess it up! If your banana is extra ripe, great – it’ll be sweeter. Any kind of milk works fine. Want more chocolate? Go ahead and add it! Every time I make it, it turns out delicious.
Want to make your morning better? Give this smoothie a try!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect balance of coffee, chocolate, and banana flavors
- Customizable sweetness level
- Can be made ahead for busy mornings
- Rich in potassium and antioxidants
- Natural energy boost from coffee
- Creamy texture without heavy cream
- Kid-friendly version available
- Ready in minutes with simple ingredients
Quick Facts
Banana Mocha Smoothie is a creamy, refreshing drink that combines the rich flavors of coffee and chocolate with sweet, ripe banana. It’s a perfect blend of your morning coffee and breakfast smoothie all in one glass – imagine a coffee shop mocha mixed with a banana milkshake, but healthier.
Made with simple ingredients like banana, coffee, milk, and cocoa powder, this smoothie gives you both the energy boost of coffee and the nutritional benefits of fruit. It’s super easy to make at home – just throw everything in a blender, and in minutes you’ve got a delicious drink that can work as breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or even a healthier dessert option. You can make it exactly how you like it: extra chocolatey, more coffee-flavored, or even coffee-free for kids. It’s like having a coffee shop treat that’s actually good for you!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes (including coffee cooling)
- Servings: 1 large or 2 small smoothies
- Calories: 245 per serving
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Dietary: Can be made vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free
Equipment Needed
- High-Speed Blender: Essential for creating a smooth, creamy texture without chunks
- Measuring Cups: For accurate ingredient portions
- Measuring Spoons: To precisely measure smaller ingredients
- Coffee Maker: Any type works – drip, French press, or instant coffee
- Sharp Knife: For slicing bananas (if freezing ahead)
- Ice Cube Tray: If preparing coffee ice cubes
- Storage Container: If making components ahead
- Tall Glass: For serving (16-20 oz recommended)
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana (approximately 120g)
- 1/2 cup brewed coffee, cooled (120ml)
- 1/2 cup milk of choice (120ml)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (14g)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Cocoa powder for dusting
- Chocolate shavings
- Crushed nuts
- Cinnamon
How To Make
1. First, brew your coffee and let it cool down completely. If you’re in a hurry, you can put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or use coffee you made earlier.
2. While the coffee is cooling, peel your banana and gather all your other ingredients. This is also a good time to measure out your milk, cocoa powder, and honey if you’re using it.
3. Once your coffee is cool, add a splash of milk and the cocoa powder to your blender. Blend these together first – this helps prevent cocoa powder clumps in your smoothie.
4. Now add the rest of your ingredients to the blender: the banana, cooled coffee, remaining milk, vanilla extract, and ice cubes. If you’re using honey for extra sweetness, add it now.
5. Blend everything together until it’s smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 60 seconds. If you see any chunks, keep blending. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender if you need to.
6. Pour your smoothie into a tall glass. You can drink it just like this, or make it extra special by adding some toppings.
If you want to add toppings, add a swirl of whipped cream on top, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and sprinkle a little cocoa powder. A metal straw makes it look nice and helps the environment too!
Drink your smoothie right away while it’s fresh and cold. If you have any leftover, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours – just give it a good stir before drinking.
Pro Tips
- Use overripe bananas for natural sweetness
- Freeze banana chunks for an extra thick smoothie
- Make coffee ice cubes to prevent dilution
- Layer ingredients in blender: liquids first, then powders, finally frozen items
- Start blender on low speed, gradually increasing to high
- If mixture is too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time
- For meal prep, portion and freeze smoothie ingredients in bags
Serving Suggestions
- Breakfast: Pair with whole grain toast or overnight oats
- Snack: Serve with a handful of almonds
- Dessert: Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings
- Post-Workout: Add protein powder and serve immediately
- Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Enjoy with a small dark chocolate square
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Smoothie Too Thick
- Add liquid 1 tablespoon at a time
- Ensure banana isn’t frozen solid
- Check blender blade is moving freely
Smoothie Too Thin
- Add more ice
- Use frozen banana
- Add a tablespoon of chia seeds
Cocoa Powder Clumps
- Mix cocoa with warm liquid first
- Use a fine-mesh strainer
- Blend longer on high speed
Ingredient Alternatives
Coffee Options
- Cold brew concentrate
- Instant coffee
- Decaf coffee
- Coffee-flavored syrup
- Dandelion root tea (coffee-free)
Milk Alternatives
- Almond milk
- Oat milk
- Coconut milk
- Soy milk
- Cashew milk
Sweetener Options
- Dates
- Stevia
- Agave nectar
- Monk fruit sweetener
- No sweetener (if using very ripe banana)
Storage Instructions
- Immediate Storage: Keep in sealed container up to 24 hours
- Freezer Storage: Freeze in ice cube trays up to 3 months
- Prep Ahead: Store components separately:
- Sliced frozen bananas (3 months)
- Cooled coffee (1 week refrigerated)
- Pre-measured dry ingredients (1 month)
Variations
Protein Power-Up
- Add 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- Include 1 tablespoon nut butter
- Mix in Greek yogurt
Mocha Mint
- Add 2-3 drops peppermint extract
- Top with crushed candy cane
Spiced Mocha
- Include 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Add pinch of cayenne
- Mix in 1/8 tsp nutmeg
Triple Chocolate
- Use chocolate milk
- Add chocolate protein powder
- Include chocolate chips
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this without coffee?
Yes! Replace coffee with additional milk or try chocolate milk for a kid-friendly version.
How can I make this higher in protein?
Add a scoop of protein powder, Greek yogurt, or nut butter.
Can I prepare this the night before?
Yes, but texture is best fresh. Store components separately and blend in the morning.
Is this smoothie healthy?
Yes! It contains potassium, fiber, and antioxidants from cocoa and coffee.
Can I use frozen coffee cubes?
Absolutely! This prevents dilution and creates a thicker texture.
And there you have it, your very own coffee shop-worthy Banana Mocha Smoothie made right in your kitchen.
Remember, don’t worry if your first try isn’t perfect. Play around with the ingredients until you find your perfect blend. Maybe you’ll like it a bit more chocolatey, or maybe you’ll discover it’s amazing with a dash of cinnamon. That’s the fun part about making it at home.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see how it turned out! Share a photo and tag me on Instagram, or leave a comment below with your favorite way to customize it. And if you loved it as much as my family does, don’t forget to save it for later.
Recipe Card
Banana Mocha Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana approximately 120g
- 1/2 cup brewed coffee cooled (120ml)
- 1/2 cup milk of choice 120ml
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder 14g
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup optional
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate syrup
- Cocoa powder for dusting
- Chocolate shavings
- Crushed nuts
- Cinnamon
Instructions
- First, brew your coffee and let it cool down completely. If you’re in a hurry, you can put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or use coffee you made earlier.
- While the coffee is cooling, peel your banana and gather all your other ingredients. This is also a good time to measure out your milk, cocoa powder, and honey if you’re using it.
- Once your coffee is cool, add a splash of milk and the cocoa powder to your blender. Blend these together first – this helps prevent cocoa powder clumps in your smoothie.
- Now add the rest of your ingredients to the blender: the banana, cooled coffee, remaining milk, vanilla extract, and ice cubes. If you’re using honey for extra sweetness, add it now.
- Blend everything together until it’s smooth and creamy. This usually takes about 60 seconds. If you see any chunks, keep blending. Stop and scrape down the sides of the blender if you need to.
- Pour your smoothie into a tall glass. You can drink it just like this, or make it extra special by adding some toppings.
- If you want to add toppings, add a swirl of whipped cream on top, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and sprinkle a little cocoa powder. A metal straw makes it look nice and helps the environment too!
- Drink your smoothie right away while it’s fresh and cold. If you have any leftover, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours – just give it a good stir before drinking.