Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Delicious, Healthy Chocolate Date Smoothie Bowl Recipe (vegan, gluten-free)

 Vegan and gluten-free chocolate date smoothie bowl with fruit toppings

It's a smoothie. In a bowl. But you already knew that. The smoothie bowl is your morning-time friend - a quick blend of healthy, filling, nourishing whole foods that will help energize you and take you through to lunchtime. Plus, if you do it right, the smoothie bowl is super tasty too. Let's do it that way!

Ingredients for vegan and gluten-free chocolate date smoothie bowl

This Chocolate Date Smoothie Bowl calls for some very simple ingredients - frozen bananas, frozen pitted cherries (for sweetness), unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or your favourite non-dairy milk), plump, sweet medjool dates, cocoa powder (or cacao if you prefer), chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla extract. You can also add a vegan protein powder of your choice if you like the flavour. (Remember we're trying to make a tasty breakfast!)

Chocolate Date Smoothie Bowl mixture in food processor

All that the smoothie bowl requires for preparation is tossing all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth (and thick and creamy) and your smoothie bowl is ready for serving. This recipe is vegan and naturally gluten-free.

Vegan and gluten-free chocolate date smoothie bowl with fruit toppings in bowl

Spoon the thick, delicious, rich chocolate smoothie bowl base into your serving dish and move onto the fun part - toppings.

Vegan and gluten-free chocolate date smoothie bowl with fruit toppings closeup

Go nuts with your favourite toppings! (Including nuts if you want - walnuts are great, as are pecans, peanuts and almonds.) Fruit is a natural choice - sliced banana, fresh pitted and sliced cherries, blueberries (so pretty and full of antioxidants), strawberries - whatever fruit you have available.

Vegan and gluten-free chocolate date smoothie bowl with fruit toppings in bowl

Add more chia seeds on top if you like. Coconut looks pretty and adds a great taste and texture. Chocolate chips never hurt. Granola is a fun and filling addition. A dollop of peanut butter or other nut butter tastes delicious and ups your protein intake. Take a couple of those mint leaves from your garden and pop them on top for a lovely garnish. (You don't have to be posting your smoothie bowl to Instagram to make it beautiful - do it for you!)

What about you? Are you a fan of the smoothie bowl? What are your favourite toppings? Do you include protein powder in the mix?

Pin it for later:


Vegan and gluten-free Chocolate Date Smoothie Bowl with toppings with text overlay

Yum

Chocolate Date Smoothie Bowl



by Joann MacDonald
Ingredients (1 large or 2 small servings)
  • 2 frozen sliced bananas
  • 3/4 cup frozen pitted cherries
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
  • 3 medjool dates, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or cacao
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • ½ tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon vegan protein powder (optional)
For The Toppings

fresh sliced cherries, chocolate chips, chia seeds, granola, sliced banana, blueberries, strawberry slices, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, walnuts, nut butter, fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

Blend all ingredients (except toppings) in a blender or food processor, using a spatula to scrape down the sides as needed, until thick and creamy. Don’t overblend. Scrape into 1 large bowl or 2 small bowls and add toppings. Serve immediately.

31 comments:

  1. Yum! Love the idea of adding dates for sweetness. Looks absolutely divine! Pinning to come back to later.

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  2. Joanne: that’s amazing. These pictures are beautiful. I’m
    Pinning for later. I think my teens would be all over this smoothie bowl. Mine never look this great.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Paula! Smoothie bowls are great for teens - you can pack in lots of nutrition. I'm sure yours look just as good - it's all in the toppings, haha. :)

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  3. Your smoothie bowl looks so yummy! I would enjoy it either during the morning for breakfast, or on my deck in my backyard. It wold be savoured for sure!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Lian! Enjoying a little morning smoothie bowl on the deck sounds nice to me!

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  4. I'm not a vegan but this amazing!!! I will be sure to share this recipe with my vegan friends or better yet maybe I will make it for them when they visit!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind comment Laurie! I think this recipe is great for non-vegans too. :)

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  5. Looks delicious! I have a smoothie everyday to get some of my daily vegetable for the day but never had a smoothie bowl.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it's great if you can get some veggies in!

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  6. I have never had a smoothie bowl but would love to try one. Yours looks so appetizing!

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  7. I'd add chia and flax seed to make it even more of a nutritional punch. I like this colourful recipe

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Calvin! Yeah, I'm trying to get in some flax seed when I can too. :)

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  8. Chocolate for breakfast? Count me in! Looks delicious! :)

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  9. I have never tried a smoothie bowl and not quite sure what I think about them, I like to drink my smoothies

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  10. This looks incredible! I haven't jumped on the smoothie bowltrend yet but you're tempting me...

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  11. I do not understand why I have not yet tried a smoothie bowl. This looks so delish.
    jan

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  12. Presentation is beautiful love the tip of adding dates for some extra sweetness!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Kathy! Yes, I really enjoy dates for some healthy sweetness. :)

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  13. I've never had a smoothie bowl before, this would be a great start!

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