During my early middle school years, my mom occasionally drove my younger brother and me to a college about 30 minutes away to watch weekend basketball games. With our ages, we qualified for the cheap kid’s ticket prices, and we sat in the upper bleachers so we could see the whole court.
Since I played basketball in elementary school, we attended the women’s games more than the men’s. (Their team also fared much better that year!) The arena filled with energy as the ladies sprinted up and down the court, led by lots of college kids shouting and even a senior citizen band playing pep songs in the grandstand.
Every once in a while, I invited my best friend along. Although she never played, as a cheerleader, she still understood the game. Shortly before the starting whistle blew, we would run downstairs to the snack stand to buy extra cheesy nachos, our favorite stadium food, to fuel us for the next few hours of cheering.
Back then, my brother was fairly selective about the foods he ate (some might call that “picky”), so Mom always stopped at In-N-Out on our way out of town. He’d order a plain hamburger, ketchup only; my best friend and I would ask for a basket of fries; and if Mom was feeling generous, she would buy a chocolate milkshake to split around the car. As a chocoholic even at that age, I usually tried to sneak an extra sip or two!
When I tasted this Healthy Chocolate Milkshake, those memories began flooding back… It tasted the same! Just like In-N-Out’s, this is thick, creamy and extra chocolaty. But with just 5 ingredients (including ice!) and lots of protein, it’s actually healthy enough for breakfast!
It’s true! Previously, I wasn’t a big smoothie-for-breakfast type of person. Even during the summer, my fingers and toes turn white and lose their circulation while I sip if I’m indoors, leaving me crawling under thick fuzzy blankets and pulling on warm woolen socks. But this one… This one just may have converted me!
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE A HEALTHY CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE
Let’s quickly talk about what you’ll need to make this healthy chocolate milkshake. It’s super easy and uses ingredients you probably store in your pantry and fridge already. No protein powder necessary, so there’s a decent chance you have almost everything that you need!
Greek yogurt. Instead of ice cream, like the traditional ones we ordered from In-N-Out, this healthy chocolate milkshake begins with Greek yogurt. With 20g+ of protein per cup, it provides a big protein boost — and it also makes this smoothie thick and creamy, just like a milkshake!
Protein-packed milkshakes… That almost sounds too good to be true! 😉
Tip: Use Greek yogurt that only contains milk and live and/or active cultures. (It’s fine if the container lists the exact cultures by name in the ingredients!) These tend to be the thickest and creamiest, which yields the best texture. I love FAGE plain nonfat Greek yogurt! I avoid ones that include other ingredients, such as sugar or cornstarch. They’re often looser in consistency, so your milkshake would turn out thinner and more liquidy.
Milk. Almost any kind will work, so feel free to reach for whatever is in your fridge! I love unsweetened cashew milk because it’s thick and creamy, which yields a fantastic milkshake consistency, but I often use unsweetened vanilla almond milk too.
Unsweetened cocoa powder. I use regular unsweetened cocoa powder because it yields the best and most prominent chocolate taste. Skip Dutched and special dark cocoa powders! They taste more muted and bland in this recipe. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder creates the perfect rich chocolate milkshake flavor!
Sweetener. I’ve tried a few different types. My favorites are liquid stevia and Truvia. Both are plant-based, sugar-free, no-calorie sweeteners (aka they’re clean eating friendly with nothing artificial or refined!). Feel free to use whatever you prefer instead! Adjust the amount to suit your tastes too: less for a darker, richer smoothie or more for a sweeter, dessert-like milkshake.
Hint: Many stevia brands and products have different sweetness levels, so they’re not necessarily 1-for-1 substitutes for each other. If you chose to substitute one in place of the liquid stevia that I use, you may need to change the amount. (But if you use the same one that I do, you can also use it to make all of these recipes of mine!)
Ice. The final ingredient! Ice creates the thick, frozen, milkshake-like consistency.
HOW TO MAKE A HEALTHY CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE
Like I promised earlier, this healthy chocolate milkshake is incredibly easy to make. Simply add everything to a blender and pulse until smooth! But I do have three tips for you…
Use a good blender. For the best smooth and creamy consistency, use a high quality blender with really sharp blades. I love my Ninja! It’s really affordable compared to some high-end brands, and it’s very durable too. I’ve owned it for 10+ years, along with some compatible individual smoothie cups, and all of them still work like a charm!
Consider xanthan gum. If you’re a slow smoothie drinker (like I am!), adding a teensy bit of xanthan gum works wonders. It helps prevent the milkshake from separating, so it’ll stay perfectly thick and creamy longer!
Take a test sip. Before pouring your milkshake into a glass, take a quick taste to make sure it’s sweet enough for your liking. If not, add a bit more of your preferred sweetener, pulse again, and take another sample. If it’s too sweet, then sprinkle and blend in a bit more cocoa powder instead. Easy as pie — or maybe it should be easy as milkshakes, in this case??
FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKES
Is this healthy chocolate milkshake high protein, low calorie, low fat, clean eating, or sugar-free?
Yes — to everything! As written, this recipe is naturally high protein, low fat, gluten-free, clean eating, and low calorie (compared to more traditional milkshakes!). It also has no added sugar.
Can I use flavored Greek yogurt?
Sure! I realize some people don’t care for plain nonfat Greek yogurt, so you can easily substitute something like vanilla Greek yogurt instead. (Or even chocolate Greek yogurt!)
If your Greek yogurt has a thinner consistency, then try adding a touch less milk — or a bit more ice — to ensure your chocolate milkshake still turns out deliciously thick and creamy.
What about a different milk?
Sure thing! Just about any type will work.
Can I substitute another sweetener?
You bet! You’ll need the sweetness equivalent of 1-2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (or more, if you prefer really sweet shakes!). If you decide to use a liquid sweetener (like pure maple syrup or honey), then decrease the milk by the same amount that you add to ensure your milkshake has the same beautifully thick consistency.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! That’s so sweet of you to share with a friend. Or… You can keep your double-sized chocolate milkshake all to yourself — I won’t judge!
Milkshakes for breakfast? That’s definitely something I can get behind! 😉 And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your healthy chocolate milkshake!
Healthy Chocolate Milkshake
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (180g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (120mL) unsweetened cashew milk or unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 tbsp (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp liquid stevia (or adjusted to taste – and see Notes!)
- 1 cup (130g) ice cubes
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender in the order listed, and pulse until thick and creamy. Serve immediately.
Notes
View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
You may also like Amy’s other recipes…
♡ Healthier Oreo Milkshake (high protein!)
♡ Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie
♡ Berry Protein Smoothie (Jamba Juice copycat!)
♡ Cran-Raspberry Lemonade Protein Smoothie
♡ Triple Green Protein Smoothie
♡ Healthy Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
♡ Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie
♡ …and the rest of Amy’s healthy drink recipes and healthy chocolate recipes!
My fingers and toes turn white too! Stupid Raynauds! Lifelong annoyance!! Pinning your smoothies though! I’ll just drink it next to a fire, with a giant blanket wrapped around me. ?
Thanks so much Amanda! 🙂 So true about a lifelong annoyance… That’s how I’ve been drinking my smoothies this winter, just sitting underneath a heating vent instead of a fire!
This shake looks really delicious, I made it…. I’m sorry but it was not as good as it looks the bitter taste of the Greek yogurt still overpowered…
I appreciate your interest in my recipe Anita! That sounds disappointing and not at all how the milkshake is supposed to taste. It’s supposed to be chocolaty and sweet! Did you see the bit about adjusting the sweetener to taste in the Ingredients list? It may be that your taste buds aren’t as sensitive to Truvia — or whatever sweetener you substituted! You can also use vanilla Greek yogurt, if you prefer. 🙂
I had the same issue. Thanks for the suggestion, I think I’ll switch to vanilla Greek yogurt! I added a banana to mine along with the Truvia to help sweeten it. (Also threw in some spinach to add some veggies for the day!)
You’re welcome Alyssa! I hope the vanilla Greek yogurt works much better for you, and I absolutely love your idea of adding spinach to sneak in more veggies! 🙂
A little thing I found out with Greek yogurt is that if you mix the yogurt, cocoa, milk, and maple the night before, it lets the flavors merry and doesn’t have that tartness that Greek yogurt is known for. Then you can add the ice and blend when ready! Gook luck
Such a great tip! Thank you SO much for sharing, Ivie!! 🙂
I’ve just come across this recipe and it’s great. I have a tendency to rush through a small breakfast then get hungry again an hour later. This recipe is so quick and filling and satisfies my lust for chocolate all in one go. I added a little coffee powder to get me moving in the morning, it’s perfect.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this milkshake Izzy! I love your idea of adding coffee powder — I definitely need to try that sometime! 🙂
Amy;
Hi,I am going to copy your healthy chocolate milkshake recipe right now and I am going to buy this milkshake in my magic bullet blender,and after I drink your milkshake I will let you know how much I enjoy drinking it.I love drinking smoothies and milkshakes as long as I can put natrel milk,almond milk,coconut milk,cashew milk in them with protein powder in them as well.
Amy,do you think it will be OK and fine to put these items in your milkshakes and smoothies?
Kim
I really appreciate your interest in my recipes Kim! I haven’t tried adding protein powder to my recipes, so I don’t personally know. However, any milk will work in my smoothies! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of this!
Amy;
Hi,I have all of the ingredients to make your healthy chocolate milkshake but I don’t have the vanilla Greek yogurt.can I still make your milkshake without the yogurt?
Would it taste any different without the yogurt in it?I am not sure if I can have the chocolate syrup to drizzle on top of your milkshake because I am a diabetic unless it is low sugar syrup?
I have seen caramel sugar free syrup in the grocery store in the city I live in.
Kim
I am up really late early in the morning because of my painful arthritis symptoms bothering me.
This smoothie does require the Greek yogurt! However, you can easily substitute sugar-free chocolate syrup for your diabetes. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of it Kim!
Amy;
Hi,I just made your chocolate milkshake and I followed your recipe but it was still a bit bitter so I put in a tablespoon of chocate protein powder,and 4 slices of frozen banana and it tasted better,very tasty but it looked like a smoothie and not a thick milkshake like a shake should be,still it was really good.
Kim
I’m glad you were able to modify this recipe to suit your tastes Kim! 🙂
Highly disappointed… Ended up with bitter chocolate water basically ??
That sounds really disappointing Hatice! 🙁 This recipe is supposed to taste sweet and chocolaty, just like a regular milkshake, so I’d love to work with you to solve that issue! Did you make any substitutions to the recipe, including those in the Notes section? What sweetener did you use? Did you use the full amount of ice, and how long did you blend it? We’ll sort this out so your milkshake turns out correctly if you decide to make it again! 🙂
I used coconut milk and honey. Here in turkey they dont sell xanthan gum. I did use the suggested amount of ice, but i think the issue is in the recipe because reading through the comments many have mentioned the bitterness and i think another person also mentioned it being watery as well.
Thanks for the info Hatice! I’ve made this recipe countless times exactly as written, so I know it works! 🙂 If your milkshake was bitter, then you can definitely add more honey. (That’s why it reads “or adjusted to taste” next to the sweetener in the ingredients list! 😉 ) The xanthan gum really helps with the texture and preventing the milkshake from turning watery, so omitting that definitely factors into the watery issue that you saw. Also, some brands of Greek yogurt aren’t as thick as others. If yours was on the runny side, rather than the thick side (aka it slides off a spoon!), then use ¼ cup of coconut milk instead. 🙂
I don’t recommend this recipe. It just does not taste right. The amount of sweetener you have to use to counteract the overpowering flavor of the Greek yogurt makes it not healthy anymore. The consistency is watery. Lastly it was not filling. I didn’t think this was good is of the ingredients.
I really appreciate your interest in my recipe Patricia! That sounds disappointing and not like how this milkshake should turn out at all, so I’d love to work with you to figure out why that happened. 🙂 What sweetener and Greek yogurt did you use? How much of the sweetener did you add?