Dark Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie
Deep chocolate flavor. Frozen banana creaminess. Serious protein.
A thick and creamy protein smoothie made with TEMPL Chocolate Protein, frozen banana, Fairlife 2% milk, dark cocoa, and warm cinnamon. Simple enough for a quick breakfast and satisfying enough to feel more like a chocolate shake than a protein drink.
Chocolate and banana just work.
Some combinations don't need much convincing.
Chocolate and banana have always belonged together, and this smoothie keeps things simple enough to let both flavors shine.
TEMPL Chocolate Protein provides the protein foundation and chocolate flavor, while unsweetened cocoa takes the chocolate another step darker. A ripe frozen banana adds natural sweetness and gives the smoothie a thick, creamy texture without needing a blender full of ice.
Fairlife 2% milk adds even more protein and keeps everything smooth, while a little cinnamon adds warmth in the background.
The result is a high-protein smoothie that's quick, filling, and tastes like something you'd actually look forward to drinking.
Recipe at a Glance
Yield: 1 smoothie
Serving Size: 1 smoothie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: None
Ingredients
2 scoops TEMPL Chocolate Protein
1 medium ripe banana (about 118 g), frozen
1 cup Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup ice, optional for additional thickness
Instructions
1. Start With the Milk
Pour the Fairlife 2% milk into the blender first.
Adding the liquid before the other ingredients helps everything blend more easily.
2. Add the Rest
Add:
TEMPL Chocolate Protein
Frozen banana
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Ground cinnamon
If you want an especially thick or colder smoothie, add up to ½ cup ice.
3. Blend
Blend on high for approximately 30–45 seconds, or until completely smooth and creamy.
If the smoothie is thicker than you'd like, add a small splash of Fairlife milk and blend again.
4. Serve
Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Performance Notes
🍌 Freeze the Banana
Frozen banana is one of the keys to the texture of this smoothie.
It creates a thick, creamy consistency without requiring a large amount of ice, which can dilute the chocolate and banana flavors.
For easy smoothie prep, peel ripe bananas, cut them into chunks, and freeze them in individual portions.
🍫 Double Down on Chocolate
TEMPL Chocolate Protein creates the chocolate foundation, while unsweetened cocoa provides a deeper, darker chocolate flavor.
The extra cocoa makes this taste considerably more like a chocolate smoothie and less like a standard protein shake.
🥛 Why Fairlife 2%?
Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk provides a creamy dairy base while contributing additional protein.
The 2% milk also brings enough richness to complement the chocolate without making the smoothie unnecessarily heavy.
🌿 Don't Skip the Cinnamon
Half a teaspoon of cinnamon adds warmth behind the chocolate and banana.
It shouldn't overpower either flavor. Instead, it helps bring the two together.
🍯 Let the Banana Handle the Sweetness
There's no added sweetener in the base recipe.
A ripe banana provides plenty of natural sweetness, especially when allowed to develop brown spots before freezing.
The riper the banana going into the freezer, the sweeter the finished smoothie will be.
Make It Your Own
Extra Thick: Use a fully frozen banana and add the optional ice.
Thinner: Skip the ice and add a splash of additional Fairlife milk.
More Chocolate: Add another tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Sweeter: Start with a very ripe banana before freezing.
Mocha: Add a small amount of cold brew coffee for a chocolate-coffee variation.
Less Chocolate: Reduce the cocoa to 1 tablespoon while keeping the TEMPL Chocolate Protein.
Fuel Profile — Estimated Per Serving
Calories: ~475 kcal | Protein: ~69 g | Carbohydrates: ~42 g | Net Carbs: ~34 g | Fiber: ~8 g | Fat: ~8 g
Based on one smoothie made with 2 scoops TEMPL Chocolate Protein, one medium banana, 1 cup Fairlife 2% Ultra-Filtered Milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and cinnamon. Ice does not affect the nutrition. Nutrition is estimated and will vary depending on the banana size and specific ingredient brands used.
Prep Ahead
Peel ripe bananas and cut them into chunks before freezing.
Portion approximately 118 g per freezer bag or container.
When you're ready for a smoothie, grab one portion from the freezer and add it directly to the blender.
No thawing necessary.
Performance Tip
“A good protein shake shouldn't taste like a compromise. Build it like something you'd actually want to drink.”