Healthy Neapolitan Smoothie (vegan, gluten-free, raw)
Mar 22, 2019 • Updated Jun 20, 2023
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You know I’m all about the tastes-like-dessert-but-is-actually-healthy recipes, and I was recently inspired by a beautiful neapolitan buttercream cake I saw at a café in Chicago. Definitely not healthy, definitely not vegan and definitely not something you could have for breakfast without feeling a sugar slump later in the day. But it got my brain going, and took me back to my childhood. Confession: I used to really only eat the vanilla and scoop that out because I was a picky kid.
Enter the healthy Neapolitan Smoothie packed with the nostalgic combo of chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavours, minus the refined sugars. It’s not only vegan and gluten-free, but also raw and made with simple, whole plant ingredients. This Neapolitan Smoothie is sweetened exclusively with fruit, but if you’ve got a real sweet tooth, you can also add a few dates to the recipe. It will really help to have extra ripe bananas on hand (the riper, the sweeter!), so if you’ve got any spotty bananas laying around, this is the perfect way to use them.
Each of the layers could really be a smoothie on their own, but together, they make for a visually beautiful, dessert-like treat. I’m providing this recipe as a framework for you to play around with, so if you’re not into bananas, or another ingredient used, you might try using vegan yogurt, frozen steamed cauliflower, or whatever other sub you like. Consider using protein powder as well, to bulk up the smoothie and add extra flavour.
I topped my smoothies with toasted coconut flakes, which is optional, but as you may remember from my Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Jar recipe, there’s just something about the combination of strawberry and coconut that screams dessert. Honestly, this smoothie is great without any toppings at all, so top if you’d like, or leave it naked. Depending on how thick or thin you usually like to enjoy your smoothies, this will make about 2-3 servings. Please check out the recipe notes because I’ve included some tips regarding how to make your layers look good, and vegan milk suggestions 🙂
Healthy Neapolitan Smoothie (vegan, gluten-free, raw)
Ingredients
- Chocolate Layer
- 1.5 frozen banana
- 1-2 tbsp of cacao powder if you like it richer and more chocolatey, use a heavy hand
- 1/2 cup non-dairy milk
- handful of cacao nibs optional
- 2-3 tbsp coconut cream or non-dairy yogurt optional
- Strawberry Layer
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup fresh strawberries frozen also works
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- Vanilla Layer
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup non-dairy milk
- medjool date optional
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all ingredients until smooth. Begin with the chocolate layer, place in cups, then blend strawberry layer, and so on!
- Add more non-dairy milk if needed to achieve your desired smoothie texture.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love & dessert for breakfast,
Love strawberries? Check out these Matcha Dipped Strawberries, Strawberry Rose Bubble Tea and Strawberry Shortcake Breakfast Jar.
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