Chocolate Breakfast Shake

By Updated on

This chocolate breakfast shake recipe is made with silken tofu, almond milk, banana, and cocoa powder. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and packed with plant-based protein. Any day that starts with a delicious chocolate shake is bound to be a great one!

261 CAL 45.9g CARBS 4.7g FAT 11.6g PROTEIN
2 Comments

Let me guess. I had you at chocolate shake and then lost you at silken tofu, am I right? Hear me out—the tofu is a must and will not affect the flavor profile of this amazing breakfast shake at all.

So, why is it a must? Tofu adds a ton of plant-based protein that helps to keep us satisfied until lunch, while also giving the shake a smooth and silky texture that makes this chocolate breakfast shake almost pudding-like in nature.

When I’m in need of something quick, easy, and portable, this breakfast shake is an absolute godsend. It tastes like heaven, keeps me full all morning, and is easy to modify based on what I’m in the mood for.

Craving some fruit? Toss in a handful of strawberries. Want to make it creamier? Jazz it up with a dollop of whipped cream.

This is one of those breakfast recipes that taste like dessert, so you’d never guess that it was actually fantastic for you and you won’t even notice the tofu. Come on, have I ever steered you wrong before?

Try out this tasty chocolate breakfast shake and let me know what you think!

Chocolate smoothie lovers won't want to miss this Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie, Chocolate Avocado SmoothieMocha Smoothie.

Chocolate protein shake served in a glass with a metal straw and cocoa powder on the side.

What You’ll Need

This vegan breakfast shake is a breeze to make, largely due to the fact that I almost always have these ingredients at home. Let’s talk about what you’re going to need to whip up this delicious shake.

  • Silken Tofu: For the smoothest, silkiest results, make sure to use silken tofu and not regular tofu. You won’t taste it –I promise– but this goes a long way in helping us achieve the best possible texture for our shake.
  • Almond Milk: This is my plant-based milk of choice, but you can use any type of milk you like. Soy, oat, and coconut milk all work great as well.
  • Banana: The riper the banana, the sweeter it will be! Keep this in mind when choosing the right one for you. Personally, I like to opt for the ripest banana I can find for my shakes.
  • Cocoa Powder: This is where we get the chocolate flavor for our shake. Make sure to opt for unsweetened cocoa powder, as we’ll be sweetening this dish ourselves.
  • Vanilla Extract: It might not seem important, but vanilla extract is essential for enhancing the flavors and making this chocolate shake even more delicious.
  • Maple Syrup: This is my natural sweetener of choice, but you can use Stevia or honey if preferred.

Breakfast Shake Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some of my favorite ideas to try:

  • Add protein powder. For even more protein in your breakfast, try adding a scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder to give you an extra boost.
  • Add healthy fats. Peanut butter, almond butter, chia seeds, and flax seeds are all great choices.
  • Add veggies. Looking for an extra dose of nutrients? Try adding some spinach or steamed cauliflower to the blender—you won’t even taste it!
  • Make it anti-inflammatory. Tossing in some turmeric or ginger root is an easy way to add some extra anti-inflammatory properties to this tasty breakfast shake.
  • Remove the chocolate. Not a fan of chocolate? I can’t relate. However, don’t worry, this shake tastes fantastic without the cocoa powder too. You can simply leave it out or swap it for a scoop of vanilla protein powder for a vanilla shake.
  • Extra creamy: Add in some fresh or frozen avocado for a dose of healthy fats and extra creaminess. 

Protein chocolate shake with almond milk, banana, and tofu blended in a glass with cocoa powder dusted on top.

Best Toppings for Shakes and Smoothies

As delicious as this chocolate breakfast shake tastes by itself, I am a sucker for toppings. You can never go wrong with a classic dollop of whipped cream and some fresh fruit, but there are so many more out there! Here are some of the best shake and smoothie toppings to try:

  • Nut butter (almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter)
  • Whipped cream
  • Fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, sliced bananas, or mango)
  • Chia seeds
  • Homemade granola
  • Hemp seeds
  • Shot of espresso
  • Cacao nibs
  • Crushed graham crackers

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you can find the answers to some of the most common questions about this chocolate breakfast shake recipe:

You can serve this chocolate breakfast shake on its own as a full meal or serve it as part of a larger meal. I typically grab it on my way out the door, so you could pair it with an apple, granola bar, or a handful of nuts. For a sit-down breakfast, try serving your shake alongside scrambled egg whites, turkey sausage, or a bowl of fresh fruit.

If you’re not feeling the silken tofu or have a soy allergy, you can swap it out for avocado, frozen sweet potato chunks, almond butter, or extra banana. Alternatively, if you want to leave out the tofu but don’t want to lose the protein, try adding a scoop of chocolate protein powder.

You’ve probably heard of tofu, but what the heck is silken tofu and how is it different? Silken tofu, like regular tofu, is made from soy milk that has been coagulated and pressed into a block. However, unlike other types of tofu, silken tofu is left unpressed and therefore has the highest water content, resulting in a loose, wobbly texture.

Yes! You can transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or sealed bag and store them in the freezer for up to a month. To thaw, simply pop the container into the fridge for around 30 to 40 minutes and then enjoy.

Glass filled with a chocolate breakfast shake with almond milk and cocoa powder on the side.
The Recipe
Loading Video…

Chocolate Breakfast Shake

261 CAL 45.9g CARBS 4.7g FAT 11.6g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 1 Min
COOK TIME: 3 Min
TOTAL TIME: 4 Min
Leave a comment
  • Print
  • Download
  • Send to your inbox

Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 4 oz. silken tofu (1/2 cup)
  • 1 banana, sliced (very ripe)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (oat, soy, or coconut milk)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (or Stevia)
  • 1/2 cup ice

Like this Recipe? Try our Meal Plans!

Slender Kitchen Meal Plans
  • Weekly Meal Plans
  • Easy Shopping List
  • Healthy, Low Carb, & Vegetarian
  • Nutritional Information

Instructions

(Hide Media)

Switch to prevent your screen from going dark.

1

Add everything to a blender and blend until smooth.

Maple syrup being added to a blender with bananas, tofu, almond milk, and coca powder.
2

Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more fruit or a sweetener of choice.

Chocolate breakfast shake being dusted with unsweetened coca powder.
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1 smoothie
Amount Per Serving
Calories 261
Calories from Fat 42
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4.7g
7%
Saturated Fat 1.5g
7%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
%
Cholesterol 1mg
0%
Sodium 53mg
2%
Total Carbohydrate 45.9g
15%
Dietary Fiber 6.5g
26%
Sugars 29.6g
Protein 11.6g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

user image
About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
2 Comments
On Chocolate Breakfast Shake
user image
user image
Juanita Seguin
September 5, 2023 - 10:21
why do smoothies always have a banana.I can't tolerate bananas. Can I make this without?
user image
September 19, 2023 - 09:07
This can be made without bananas, but you may need to add some extra sweetener. You could also swap in another fruit like strawberries, blueberries, or even pureed sweet potato or butternut squash.
Instagram Icon
Did you make this?

Snap a picture and show us what you made on Instagram or Facebook. Tag us using @SlenderKitchen or #slenderkitchen.