This Mocha Almond smoothie bowl is brimming with almond milk and chia seeds, sweetened with dates and a secret ingredient that gives it a kick!
Diving into this Mocha Almond Smoothie Bowl for breakfast is my favourite way to start the day. Well, after my morning coffee, of course.
While I like green smoothies, and fruit smoothies, and especially this Tropical Turmeric Smoothie, having chocolate in the morning just seems so sinfully indulgent.
And . . . I toss in my secret ingredient: just a little of the leftover coffee from the coffee pot!
That mere 1/4 cup of coffee transforms this smoothie bowl from chocolate to mocha in two seconds flat. Of course, if you're not a coffee drinker, you can leave this out . . . and then this will become a Chocolate Almond Smoothie Bowl instead!
Regardless, it has all the necessary components of a smoothie and it's absolutely delicious.
Smoothie Bowl Basics: How to Make a Smoothie Bowl
A smoothie bowl is simply a thicker smoothie served in a bowl. Reduce the amount of liquid you would add to your usual smoothie, and increase the thickener. Add some fruit, nuts or seeds on top to give some crunch, and you get to eat mindfully and enjoy your breakfast with a spoon instead of a straw.
Here's a checklist of the components of a smoothie or a smoothie bowl. Choose your favourites!
- Liquid
Water, your choice of milk (almond, coconut, cashew, rice, cow's milk), juice, or even green tea - Thickener
Banana or yogurt - Fat
Nut butter, avocado - Protein
Hemp seeds, chia seeds - Vegetables and/or fruit
Any fruit or berries, greens such as kale or spinach, or carrots, celery, cucumber, sea vegetables (use sea veggies sparingly as they have strong flavours) - Flavour add-ins
Dates, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla
This Mocha Almond Smoothie Bowl has all these essential components:
- liquid (almond milk)
- thickener (banana)
- fat (almond butter)
- protein (chia seeds)
- flavour add-ins (dates), fruit (raspberries and bananas).
- And a shot of coffee, too, just for extra flavour.
While I often have hemp hearts in my smoothie, I opted for chia seeds because they work their magic and transform this from a beverage to a meal-in-a-bowl in a short time. This smoothie bowl forces me to sit down for breakfast, instead of having it on the run.
Mindful eating, remember?
Mocha Almond Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 ripe banana, fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup almond milk or other milk
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup brewed coffee
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 1 - 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 ice cubes
Garnish
- flaked almonds, sliced banana, fresh or frozen raspberries
Instructions
- Put all ingredients except garnish in a high-speed blender and process until smooth. You may have to scrape the sides once part way through.
- Pour into a bowl. It will thicken within an hour or two, Garnish with almonds, banana slices and raspberries.
Nutrition
Love smoothies for breakfast? Try these too!
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Bethany @ athletic avocado says
This smoothie bowl looks amazing! I love the addition of coffee! It perfect for breakfast because you are killing two birds with one stone 😉
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Bethany,
That's my theory, too! Besides, it makes it taste really good 🙂
Kari Peters says
I love smoothie bowls, but I've never thought to add some coffee in until now - this looks so good!
Flavour & Savour says
Hi Kari,
Waste not, want not, right? 🙂 Thanks for your comment!