Gluten Free Chocolate Superfood Smoothie (Vegan, Healthy)

We've all probably dreamed of it: a gluten free and vegan breakfast that's good for you but tastes like dessert. Thanks to this Chocolate Superfood Smoothie Bowl, though, that dream can actually become a reality. 

Just imagine: a rich, thick and creamy chocolate smoothie, paired with crunchy gluten free granola, juicy berries, creamy nut butter and a healthy chocolate magic shell for good measure. I won't say this tastes exactly like ice cream...but this vegan smoothie bowl is pretty darn close! And, even better? It's packed with hidden veggies and superfoods so you really can eat it for breakfast every day. (Like I actually have been doing, on-and-off, for over a year). 

Ready to dive into this celiac's favorite chocolate breakfast? Start by gathering the ingredients for one serving: 

Ingredients:

1 ripe banana, chopped and frozen

Handful of strawberries, frozen

1 small zucchini, chopped (and optionally frozen)

Handful of spinach or other leafy greens

1 TBSP chia seeds 

1 spoonful of cacao powder (adjust to taste; I like about 1 tsp) 

1/2 tsp maca powder

Liberal shake of turmeric, cinnamon and vanilla extract 

Enough liquid to blend (use a vanilla Superfood tea like Numi Organic's Amber Sun  for a flavor and nutritional boost) 

As I mentioned in my mixed berry smoothie bowl recipe, one easy way to take your smoothie to the next level is putting the bowl you'll eat out of in the freezer during prep. This way, when your smoothie is done, the chilled bowl will keep it from melting as quickly! 

Making this chocolate smoothie bowl is as easy as layering the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blending! For best results, I add the liquid, spices, chia seeds and fresh fruit (if any) before adding the frozen portions into my blender. I also keep my liquid to a minimal for the thickest smoothie bowl possible. For a more drinkable consistency, simply add more liquid! 

One last tip: if you don't have a powerful blender to make this vegan smoothie bowl, you can also blend the ingredients fresh (versus frozen) and chill your smoothie bowl in the freezer until solidified. 

Once you've gotten your creamy chocolate smoothie bowl made and waiting for you in the freezer, you can work on the smoothie bowl toppings. Personally, I'm addicted to different textures in my smoothies. So, I top my Superfood Chocolate Smoothie Bowl with juicy berries, crunchy homemade vegan granola (like this one or this one), and creamy sunflower butter.

Want to take your vegan smoothie bowl to chocoholic levels? Add a healthy magic shell on top! All you have to do is mix some melted coconut oil with your choice of superfood powder, like cacao or maca. Pour the mix over your chocolate smoothie bowl, store your breakfast in the freezer for a few moments, and wala! A hard and crunchy magic shell! 

So why should you make this chocolate smoothie bowl over the hundreds of others online? 

• You can get a serving of veggies, not to mention the antioxidants, Vitamin C and B and potassium from the zucchini. The best part? The zucchini doesn't have any flavor. It just makes your smoothie bowl extra thick and creamy! 
• This chocolate smoothie bowl is packed with plant-based protein, fiber and healthy fats, thanks to chia seeds. Did you know chia seeds are respectively packed with more more omega-3, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, protein and fiber than salmon, blueberries, milk, bananas, soy beans and flax seeds? They really are the superfood version of sprinkles! 
• You're loading up on superfood powders. While I don't believe superfoods are necessary for a healthy diet, their nutritional benefits certainly can't hurt. Maca powder helps balance hormones and boost energy levels; turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory; and cacao is the healthy cousin to processed cocoa powder. 
• This gluten free chocolate smoothie is easy to digest thanks to the ripe banana and simple ingredient list. As long as you limit the toppings (or give yourself more time to digest), this chocolate smoothie is the perfect pre-workout motivator or post-workout treat!

Of course, you can also personalize this Chocolate Superfood Smoothie Bowl to your taste buds' delight. Add avocado for an even creamier texture and more healthy fats. Play with different fruits (like frozen orange slices, mixed berries or cantaloupe) for a berry or tropical base. You can even add more of my favorite vegetables for smoothies, like squash, frozen spinach, parsnip and sweet potato. 

And, of course, the more superfoods the merrier! To take your superfood dose to the next level, cut up a Health Warrior chia seed bar (a delicious company I'm now an ambassador for, by the way!) or an Aloha vegan protein bar to use as your smoothie bowl toppings. Homemade trail mix, goji berries, rainbow bliss balls or even my new addiction (dye-free rainbow coconut cookies) are also all fair game.

Love this post? Then tweet me some love by clicking here: "You won't believe this #glutenfree & #vegan chocolate #superfood #smoothiebowl is #healthy! via @collegeceliackc http://bit.ly/2rqDaXp"

Sometimes, it's not easy to balance healthy eating with a love for gluten free chocolate or chocolate smoothie bowls. However, as this recipe shows, healthy food can be just as decadent as unhealthy treats. You just have to find the right mix of tasty superfoods, fruits and veggies. 

And if you start eating this Superfood Chocolate Smoothie Bowl every day like I have done before? Well, I'll just say this: you're welcome and bon appetite! 

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Gluten Free Chocolate Superfood Smoothie (Vegan, Healthy)

by Casey Cromwell / Casey the College Celiac June-5-2017

Just imagine: a rich, thick and creamy chocolate smoothie, paired with crunchy gluten free granola, juicy berries, creamy nut butter and a healthy chocolate magic shell for good measure. I won't say this tastes exactly like ice cream...but this vegan smoothie bowl is pretty darn close! And, even better? It's packed with hidden veggies and superfoods so you really can eat it for breakfast every day. (Like I actually have been doing, on-and-off, for over a year).

Ingredients

• 1 medium ripe banana, chopped and frozen
• Handful strawberries, frozen
• 1 medium zucchini, chopped and frozen
• Large handful spinach or other leafy greens
• 1 TBSP chia seeds
• 1 spoonful cacao powder
• 1/2 tsp maca powder
• Liberal shake turmeric, cinnamon and vanilla extract
• Enough to blend liquid of choice (milk, tea, water, etc)

Instructions

1. One easy way to take your smoothie to the next level is putting the bowl you'll eat out of in the freezer during prep. This way, when your smoothie is done, the chilled bowl will keep it from melting as quickly! 2. Layer the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend! For best results, I add the liquid, spices, chia seeds and fresh fruit (if any) before adding the frozen portions into my blender. I also keep my liquid to a minimal for the thickest smoothie bowl possible. For a more drinkable consistency, simply add more liquid! *NOTE* If you don't have a powerful blender to make this vegan smoothie bowl, you can also blend the ingredients fresh (versus frozen) and chill your smoothie bowl in the freezer until solidified. 3. Once you've gotten your creamy chocolate smoothie bowl made and waiting for you in the freezer, you can work on the smoothie bowl toppings. Personally, I'm addicted to different textures in my smoothies. So, I top my Superfood Chocolate Smoothie Bowl with juicy berries, crunchy homemade vegan granola (like this one or this one), and creamy sunflower butter.4. Want to take your vegan smoothie bowl to chocoholic levels? Add a healthy magic shell on top! All you have to do is mix some melted coconut oil with your choice of superfood powder, like cacao or maca. Pour the mix over your chocolate smoothie bowl, store your breakfast in the freezer for a few moments, and wala! A hard and crunchy magic shell! 5. Enjoy!

Details

Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: Total time: 30 mins Yield: 1 smoothie

*Also found at Made By You, Melt in Your Mouth, What'd You Do, Dishing It, and Inspire Me Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Terrific Tuesday, Create Link Inspire, Vegan Potluck, Pretty Pintastic, Foodie Friday, Snickerdoodle Sunday*

What's your favorite healthy breakfast that tastes like dessert? What would you top this gluten free chocolate smoothie bowl with? Tell me in the comments!