These healthy chocolate shamrock shakes are made with just a few natural ingredients, no food dyes, artificial flavors, or high fructose corn syrup in the recipe!
Vegan chocolate shamrock shakes
McDonalds has upped their Shamrock Shake game.
In recent past years, the fast food chain has introduced multiple shamrock themed drinks, including a McCafé Shamrock Chocolate Chip Frappé, Shamrock Mocha, Shamrock Hot Chocolate, OREO Shamrock McFlurry, and Chocolate Shamrock Shake.
The new McDonalds shamrock shakes might sound enticing.
However, hiding under the picture perfect cherry and mountain of whipped cream lurk unhealthy and sometimes potentially dangerous ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 Lake.
Trending Now: Vegan Cheesecake – No Cashews
Homemade chocolate shamrock shakes vs. McDonalds
Ingredients in a McDonalds Chocolate Shamrock Shake:
Milk, Sugar, Cream, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Natural Flavor, Mono and Diglycerides, Cellulose Gum, Guar Gum, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Caramel Color, Salt, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Artificial Flavor (Vanillin), Red 40, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Yellow 5, Blue 1, Cherries, Malic Acid, Sulfur Dioxide as Preservative (Contains Sulfites), Yellow 5 Lake, Confectioners Glaze, Blue 1 Lake, Carnauba Wax
And just a small chocolate shamrock shake from McDonalds somehow also manages to pack in a shocking 70 grams of sugar.
Not to mention over 500 calories and 66 grams of fat.
Do your health a favor by trying this “clean eating” version instead!
Ingredients in healthy chocolate shamrock shakes
Milk of choice – This can be almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or any dairy or nondairy milk you want to use.
Cocoa powder – You need two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder. Powdered hot chocolate works as well.
Or for a brownie like taste, swap two teaspoons of the cocoa for Dutch cocoa powder.
Coconut milk – Full fat canned coconut milk adds richness and creaminess to the healthy milkshake. Dairy free creamer can be substituted in an equal amount.
You can replace the coconut milk with a low fat option like unsweetened almond milk for a low calorie recipe that tastes like a chocolate banana smoothie.
Peppermint extract – Make sure to buy pure peppermint extract at the grocery store, not imitation, spearmint, or mint extract. This ingredient is what gives the drink its classic mint chocolate chip flavor.
Salt – Just a small pinch of salt adds flavor depth and balances the bitterness of the cocoa powder. Those following a low sodium lifestyle may omit the added salt.
Bananas – Ripe frozen bananas naturally sweeten the healthy chocolate shamrock shakes. Peeling and freezing them days or weeks in advance gives you an almost instant snack or breakfast option whenever a craving hits.
Sweetener – The amount of added sugar will depend on the sweetness of your bananas and milk. Pure maple syrup, unrefined coconut sugar, honey, or stevia for a sugar free shamrock shake are all great options.
Tips for substituting banana
The peppermint extract does an incredible job of masking any banana flavor in this healthy beverage recipe.
However, if you are allergic to bananas or dislike the fruit, you may use one of the following substitutions.
My favorite banana substitution here is two cups of pitted frozen cherries. You still get all the natural sweetness, vitamins, and nutrition. And the cherry flavor pairs perfectly with the chocolate.
Or you can add just over one cup of Homemade Frozen Yogurt.
One generous cup of vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream is another alternative, although of course this one is not quite as healthy.
Two final options: whip up my Avocado Smoothie with a fourth teaspoon of pure peppermint extract and a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Or add peppermint extract to this banana free Chocolate Smoothie.
How to make chocolate shamrock milkshakes
Peel and freeze the ripe bananas in advance.
When ready to make the recipe, add the milks, cocoa powder, peppermint extract, bananas, salt, sweetener, and optional protein powder to a blender.
Blend until thick and smooth like a chocolate milkshake.
Pour the mixture into two glasses, and enjoy.
Or if you wish to be fancy and add a mint chocolate layer to the top, freeze the glasses with the chocolate version while you prepare a new non chocolate shamrock shake.
Pour the mint green version over the chocolate one. Mine swirled on their own, with the mint reaching all the way down to the bottoms of the glasses.
If desired, top with a cherry and whipped cream or Coconut Whipped Cream.
Healthy chocolate shamrock shake recipe video
Healthy chocolate shamrock shake flavors
Shamrock Chocolate Chip Frappe: Add one teaspoon of instant coffee granules and a small handful of mini chocolate chips before blending.
Serve chilled, or heat it up for a homemade Shamrock Mocha.
Protein Chocolate Shamrock Shakes: Add a scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder before blending. Choose a high protein milk, such as soy milk.
Shamrock Hot Chocolate: Follow the recipe below, using a non frozen banana. Then heat up the mixture on the stove top or in the microwave.
For a banana free version, add an eighth of a teaspoon (or more to taste) of pure peppermint extract to this Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe.
Healthy Copycat OREO Shamrock McFlurry: Follow the recipe below, and throw in two chocolate sandwich cookies before blending. Top with crushed OREOs.
Shamrock Shake Swirl: Make up a serving of the chocolate shamrock shake recipe below and divide it between two glasses.
Carefully place them in the freezer while you whip up a serving of my regular healthy shamrock shakes without chocolate.
Take the glasses from the freezer, and pour the green milkshake over the chocolate one for a swirled chocolate shamrock shake.
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*The amount of additional sweetener will depend on your personal taste preference, the sweetness of the bananas you use, and whether or not you use unsweetened milk and optional protein powder.To make the recipe, simply blend all ingredients until completely smooth. Pour into two glasses, and enjoy! Use coconut milk or creamer for a richer milkshake taste and texture, or go with a low calorie milk of choice for more of a smoothie. Both are good!View Nutrition Facts
More St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars
