Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie Recipes You’ll Crave Every Morning

Chocolate and cherries are already a power couple. Add protein and you’ve got a smoothie that feels like dessert, fuels your day, and blends up in under five minutes. These five recipes hit that sweet spot between indulgent and smart—so you can sip something luscious and still crush your goals.

Whether you want creamy and classic, something green but not “green,” or a dairy-free dream that tastes like a milkshake, I’ve got you. Grab your blender, a bag of frozen cherries, and let’s turn breakfast into your favorite part of the day.

1. Black Forest Breakfast Shake That Tastes Like Cake

Meet the weekday treat that feels like a bakery run but behaves like a balanced breakfast. This smoothie layers rich chocolate, sweet-tart cherries, and a hint of vanilla for a true Black Forest vibe—minus the frosting coma. It’s thick, satisfying, and totally spoon-worthy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen dark cherries
• 1 scoop (25–30 g) chocolate whey or plant protein
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt
• 4–5 ice cubes (for extra thickness)

Instructions:

1. Add almond milk, frozen cherries, frozen banana, protein powder, cocoa, vanilla, salt, and sweetener (if using) to your blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, splash in more milk; too thin, add a few ice cubes and blend again.
3. Taste and adjust sweetness or cocoa to your liking.

Serve in a tall glass with shaved dark chocolate on top if you’re feeling extra. For a lower-sugar version, skip the banana and add 1 tablespoon almond butter for creaminess. Pro tip: Let the cherries sit out for 5 minutes before blending for a silkier texture.

2. Cherry Mocha Power-Up for Coffee Lovers

Coffee plus chocolate plus cherries? That’s your morning alarm and your sweet tooth shaking hands. This one gives you a gentle caffeine boost without the crash, thanks to protein and healthy fats that keep things steady.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup chilled brewed coffee (or 1–2 shots espresso + water to 3/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 cup frozen sweet cherries
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup (optional)
• Small pinch cinnamon
• Ice as needed for thickness

Instructions:

1. Pour coffee and almond milk into the blender first, then add cherries, protein powder, cocoa, almond butter, cinnamon, and sweetener.
2. Blend until smooth. Add ice to thicken and blend again until frosty.
3. Sip and enjoy that mocha-cherry magic.

Top with a dusting of cocoa or cinnamon for café vibes. Want it decaf? Use decaf coffee or swap the coffee for cold black tea. If you like it extra creamy, use oat milk and add a few cacao nibs at the end for a crunchy swirl—seriously, so good.

3. Green Velvet Cherry Chocolate Smoothie (You Won’t Taste the Spinach)

This is the stealth health option: all the lush chocolate-cherry flavor with a bonus serving of greens. The cherries totally mask the spinach, giving you color without grassy notes. Perfect for post-workout or a “wow, I just ate spinach for breakfast” flex.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 1 packed cup baby spinach
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 3/4–1 cup unsweetened cashew milk (or milk of choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 teaspoons date syrup or honey (optional)
• Ice cubes as needed

Instructions:

1. Layer cashew milk, spinach, cherries, protein powder, cocoa, chia seeds, vanilla, and sweetener in the blender.
2. Blend until the greens are fully smooth. Add ice for a thicker, colder shake and blend again.
3. Taste and tweak sweetness to your preference.

Pour into a chilled glass and top with a few extra chia seeds. For extra protein, add 1/4 cup Greek yogurt; for vegan, keep it plant-based and consider a pea-protein blend. If your blender struggles with greens, blend the milk and spinach first until silky, then add the rest.

4. Creamy Greek Yogurt Cherry-Choco Smoothie Bowl

Want spoon action? This smoothie bowl is thick like soft-serve and packed with protein. It’s the kind of breakfast that feels luxurious but still takes less than ten minutes. Hello, toppings bar.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 1/2 cup plain 2% Greek yogurt (or dairy-free Greek-style yogurt)
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/2 frozen banana (or 1/4 avocado for less sugar)
• 1/2–3/4 cup milk of choice (start low for a thick bowl)
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1. Add milk, cherries, yogurt, protein powder, oats, cocoa, banana (or avocado), and salt to your blender.
2. Blend on low, then high, using a tamper if you have one, until ultra-thick and smooth. Add a splash more milk only if needed.
3. Spoon into a bowl and smooth the top.

Top with sliced cherries, granola, cacao nibs, coconut flakes, or a drizzle of almond butter. For extra fiber, fold in a teaspoon of ground flax. If you want a frozen-yogurt vibe, chill the bowl in the freezer for 5 minutes before serving—trust me, it’s a game-changer.

5. Dairy-Free Dream: Cherry Coconut Chocolate Shake

Silky, rich, and totally dairy-free, this smoothie feels like a tropical twist on classic chocolate cherry. Coconut milk brings velvety body, while cacao nibs add subtle crunch. It’s indulgent but still refreshingly light.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen cherries
• 1 scoop chocolate plant-based protein (pea or rice blend)
• 3/4 cup light coconut milk (from a carton or shaken can)
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon shredded coconut (plus extra for topping)
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (or 1/2 teaspoon if strong)
• 1–2 teaspoons agave or maple syrup (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs (optional, for texture)
• Ice cubes as needed

Instructions:

1. Combine coconut milk, cherries, protein powder, cocoa, shredded coconut, almond extract, and sweetener in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth; add ice for a thicker shake and blend again. Pulse in cacao nibs at the end if you want crunch.
3. Pour into a glass and sprinkle with extra coconut.

For a “Mounds bar” moment, add a teaspoon of melted dark chocolate as a swirl. Prefer nut-free? Swap almond extract for vanilla. If canned coconut milk makes it too rich, mix half canned with half water for a lighter texture.

How To Build Your Perfect Chocolate Cherry Protein Smoothie

Use these quick rules to nail the texture and flavor every time.

• Base: 3/4–1 cup milk of choice. Almond for light, oat for creamy, coconut for rich.
• Fruit: 1 cup frozen cherries for body and chill. Add 1/2 banana for extra creaminess.
• Protein: 1 scoop (25–30 g). Whey blends silky; plant proteins can need more liquid.
• Flavor: 1 tablespoon cocoa for deep chocolate, plus vanilla or almond extract.
• Boosts: 1 tablespoon chia, flax, or nut butter for staying power.
• Ice: Add only if you want slushy thickness—frozen fruit usually does the job.

Smart Swaps And Troubleshooting

• Too thick? Add milk 1–2 tablespoons at a time and blend again.
• Too thin? Add a few frozen cherries or ice, or 1 tablespoon oats, and reblend.
• Too bitter? Increase cherries or add a splash of sweetener; a pinch of salt also rounds cocoa.
• Too chalky? Blend longer, add 1–2 teaspoons nut butter or yogurt, or switch protein brands.
• No frozen cherries? Use fresh cherries plus 1 cup ice, or swap in frozen mixed berries and keep the cocoa.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Prep packs: Portion cherries, banana, and spinach in freezer bags. In the morning, dump in the blender with milk and protein.
• Overnight thicken: Soak oats or chia in milk overnight for ultra-creamy texture.
• On-the-go: Blend, pour into an insulated bottle, and keep chilled for up to 4 hours.

That’s your chocolate-cherry game plan. Five ways to make your mornings brighter, your workouts happier, and your sweet tooth satisfied. Grab those cherries and blend one up today—you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.