Chocolate Banana Recovery Smoothie

Recovery · Recovery

Tastes like a treat, behaves like recovery food. Cocoa and banana do the heavy lifting — no syrup, no ice cream required.

Ingredients

• 4 medium bananas worth frozen banana slices
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
• 1 pinch pinch of kosher salt
• 0.5 cup ice

Instructions

1. Line up every ingredient for Chocolate Banana Recovery Smoothie in the order you will cook — measure spices into ramekins, trim proteins on a dedicated board, and set tongs, thermometers, and hotel pans within arm's reach before any heat goes on.
2. Preheat ovens, griddles, or grills to recipe temp before the crew arrives — cold equipment extends cook time and dries out batch Protein blend. Confirm burners ignite evenly and sheet pans are greased or lined.
3. Blend banana, cocoa, milk, yogurt, nut butter, and salt until the color is uniform chocolate brown. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.
4. Scrape the sides and blend again — cocoa can cling to the jar. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.
5. Texture should be thick and shake-like. Thin with milk 2 tbsp at a time if needed. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.
6. Serve right away for best flavor; salt is small but makes the chocolate taste deeper. Serve cold within 10 minutes — hold blended cups on ice at 38°F if the line runs long. Work in batches if the pan or grill crowding steams food instead of browning — rookies should watch for pale surfaces and adjust heat early.

Substitutions

• Chocolate protein powder (1 scoop) replaces cocoa + some yogurt.
• Dairy-free milk and yogurt alternatives work fine.

On shift

This one works well after workouts or overnight calls because it is higher in protein but still light.

Related recipes

• Peanut Butter Banana Recovery Shake
• Citrus Ginger Smoothie

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