Cookie Dough Smoothie (Paleo, Vegan)

This healthy cookie dough smoothie is paleo, vegan, packed with protein and even contains hidden veggies.  It's an easy smoothie recipe that's not only healthy, but actually tastes good!

My newest obsession...this cookie dough smoothie.

I've been eating one nearly every morning the past few weeks.  (No joke.)

It feels totally indulgent - like I'm eating ice cream.  But really, this cookie dough smoothie bowl is high in protein, low sugar, low carb and made with veggies like cauliflower and sweet potato.

Yep, nothing better!

Why You'll Love This Cookie Dough Smoothie

• paleo and vegan - made with real, whole food ingredients
• gluten free and grain free
• dairy free - made without yogurt and without milk
• packed with protein - cookie dough smoothie made with protein powder
• low in sugar
• tastes like cookie dough
• has a THICK texture (but can be thinned if you prefer)
• contains hidden veggies - you'd never know!

Really, with a list like this I don't see how you couldn't be mildly obsessed.  This cookie dough protein smoothie recipe is the bomb!  (Do people still say that?!  Haha...)

Ingredients

Here's what you need to make this cookie dough smoothie bowl:

• cauliflower
• white sweet potato
• banana
• vanilla protein powder
• almond butter
• vanilla extract
• plant based milk
• dark chocolate chips

Cauliflower

Have you tried cauliflower in a smoothie?  If not, this may seem like an incredibly odd ingredient.  But trust me - it works!

Cauliflower makes the smoothie thick and creamy, while adding nutrients and not changing the flavor.  Well, so long as you don't use too much 😉

For this smoothie, you must steam and freeze the cauliflower prior to use.  Using fresh cauliflower will not work.  I steam a big batch of cauliflower in a steamer pot, cool it, then freeze it for smoothies.

White Sweet Potato

Any white-fleshed sweet potato will work in this smoothie.  They are sweeter than orange sweet potatoes and are perfect for making this smoothie super thick and flavorful.

Just like the cauliflower, the sweet potato must be steamed and frozen prior to use.  After steaming, you may remove the skins, but I did not.

Banana

This recipe uses half a ripe, banana.  Fresh or frozen bananas will work.

Vanilla Protein Powder

I recommend using Nuzest Vanilla Pea Protein.  This is my favorite brand of pea protein; well sourced, gut friendly, smooth and tastes great.  I use it in everything from protein bars to cookies to muffins.

Depending on the protein powder you use, you may want to add a tablespoon or two of sweetener.  I didn't use any in this particular recipe, but if you want a sweeter taste or use an unsweetened protein powder, you will probably want to add something.  I recommend honey, maple syrup, pitted dates or monk fruit.

Almond Butter

Almond butter, or any nut butter, is recommended for added taste and texture.  I like the flavor almond butter brings, but a few other great paleo swaps would be: sunflower seed butter or cashew butter.

Plant Based Milk

I used coconut milk (the liquid portion from a can of full fat coconut milk), but any plant based milk will work.  You may add more or less milk to get the right smoothie consistency.  Personally, I like extra thick smoothies since that makes them more ice cream-like.  But, you may add more liquid for a runnier smoothie.

Dark Chocolate Chips

A cookie dough smoothie wouldn't be a cookie dough smoothie without a few chocolate chips, right?  I used Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips, which are allergy friendly and vegan but not 100% paleo.  My favorite paleo chocolate are from Pascha and Hu.

How to Make a Cookie Dough Smoothie

To make this smoothie, you'll need a food processor or a high powered blender (with a sharp blade) like a Vitamix.  I used my food processor.

First, slightly defrost the cauliflower and sweet potato by warming in the microwave for 15 seconds.  

Next, combine cauliflower, sweet potato and banana in your food processor.  Blend for a few seconds, stop to scrape the sides, then blend a few seconds more.

Then, place the remaining ingredients (except chocolate chips) in your food processor and blend until smooth.  You will need to stop every so often to scrape down the sides of the food processor.  Give it time and be patient 😉 

If the smoothie is too thick, feel free to add more liquid.

Lastly, add in the chocolate chips and pulse the mixture a few times.  Then place the smoothie in a bowl and eat!

How to Store Leftover Smoothie

This smoothie will serve 1-2 people.  If you have any leftovers, then store them in the freezer and slightly defrost before eating.

Another option is to make this smoothie into popsicles.  Place any leftovers in a popsicle mold and enjoy later!

FAQ

More Healthy Smoothie Recipes

Enjoy!

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