Sneaky Healthy Mint Chip Milkshake
We don’t get ice cream very often, but when we do the girls always want mint chip. Without fail. Every time. So I thought I would make them a mint chip milkshake with my new Vitamix blender and sneak in some spinach, as I usually do with our smoothies since it really doesn’t taste like anything at all. Baaaahhahah, sneaky Mommy. I promise this doesn’t taste like greens. Just creamy delicious vanilla, mint, and chocolate chips.
It looks so green and minty, right? Well it does taste that way, but the green color really comes from a few handfulls of spinach. If you wanted to make this into ice cream you could just pour it into an ice cream maker!
More after the break!
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, right?!
Update:
Some readers have had success with subbing vanilla yogurt or vanilla soy ice cream for the protein powder!
Sneaky Mint Chip Milkshake
Makes 4 kids sized or 2 adult sized
2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 banana (preferably peeled, sliced, and frozen)
3 cups baby spinach
1/4-1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1 sprig fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish (optional)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (*See note on using protein powder for kids)
3 cups ice cubes
2 tablespoons chocolate covered cocoa nibs or chocolate chips
Blend all ingredients except for cocoa nibs/chocolate chips until smooth. Add more milk if mixture is too thick to turn. Add chocolate and pulse until ground into chunky pieces. Transfer to glasses and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
*Can kids have protein powder?
Vanilla protein powder sweetened with stevia is what makes this taste milkshake-y. I am careful not to use protein powders with added vitamins for my little girls since they already take vitamins and these powders are formulated for adults. I do use powders such as Plant Fusion that are purely plant protein, or organic whey, such as Tera’s Whey, with no additives and sweetened with stevia only. As always check with your doctor before changing your diet or your child’s diet.
Nutrition Facts (as calculated for 1/4 recipe by My Fitness Pal)
Calories: 59 grams
Fat: 1 gram
Carbs: 9 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Sugar: 4 grams
That's positively diabolical, Marina! I never thought I'd say that spinach looks refreshing, but it sure does!
Oh, yum! I love green smoothies, but I can see how this would get my hubby to like 'em too – the peppermint extract is perfect!
You are sneaky! This looks delish!
STOP IT.
Actually, just give me a jar or 40.
Genius, Marina!!! Adore this sneaky recipe! ;} …and so darn pretty!
OH MY! I think I need this now! YUM! 🙂
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This is genius! My kids and I love mint chocolate chip, and I've never thought to add the spinach. Very clever! Thanks for the recipe!
This is genius! My kids and I love mint chocolate chip, and I've never thought to add the spinach. Very clever! Thanks for the recipe!
I love adding spinach to my shakes and with the mint it's especially gorgeous and appropriate! Can't wait to try it for myself!
My daughter and I cannot have nut products…any substitutions you would recommend for the Almond Milk? Looks delicious!
Hi Denise, Great question!
I love coconut milk from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods (the beverage, not the canned variety) or unsweetened vanilla soy milk. Regular milk is fine too, but I do prefer the flavor of the others.
Enjoy!
Thank you! I always wonder what to substitute with! (I am not very bright in these areas! Lol!) Will try coconut milk soon!
Perfect! Even my dairy-loving hubby has been converted to the coconut milk 🙂
This looks so wonderful. Love coconut milk. It is my new favorite.
LOVE IT!
Vanilla almond milk is perhaps the most surprisingly delicious, creamy, and versatile thing ever. It's good in so many contexts. And that spinach is super sneaky and super genius. I need to remedy my broken blender situation and try this!
What a great way to make over a shammrock shake! Love that you snuck in spinach!
The recipe states that it makes 4 adult-sized servings and 2 kid-sized servings — that is a bit confusing. Would you mind clarifying the serving sizes…I'm trying to add a lot more protein to our diet, especially for breakfast and have been making smoothies for my son and I. All fruit-based so far but this one sounds absolutely fantastic and I'd like to make it asap, like maybe tomorrow morning! Thanks for the yumminess!
Sorry about that typo. It's supposed to be 2 adult sized or 4 kids sized smoothies. 🙂
Great – thanks! Just got back from Sprouts with all the ingredients, can't wait to try it tomorrow morning…gotta go put the banana in the freezer!
I HAVE to try this!
Just to let you know: I made this smoothie this morning and it was absolutely amazing — 2 big satisfying servings for my son and I to drink on our way to work this morning. He is not a huge banana fan but had no complaints about it, the banana just added a rich, creamy, sweet element to the smoothie. I was worried it wouldn't be sweet enough but it was perfect! We both loved it and I wanted to thank you for sharing!!
Oh Yay! I'm so glad you liked it. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Have a great weekend!
The tastiness is ridiculously accurate ;)My blender broke recently so maybe a Vitamix is on the list:)
OMG!!!!! This looks sooooo good! And the fact that it is a guilt free treat is so awesome:-)
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Sneaky indeed! I love mint chip ice cream/milkshakes, so the idea of enjoying one with a little less guilt sounds absolutely amazing. Must try!
Thank you so much for posting the information about protein powder; I had no idea. Your helpful note prompted me to look out our “greek” yogurt label only to discover the controversial ingredient – milk protein concentrate – listed, oh no! I'm trying to make healthier meals for my family, but there is so much I don't know. I wish there was a class I could take. Will your new book have tips on how to make healthy meals that are kid & husband friendly?
Hi Rachel! Thanks so much for your feedback!
My book does have a section with tips to get kids eating healthier 🙂 Thanks for asking!
You're doing great just because you're thinking about cooking healthier meals! You'll gradually learn tricks that work for your family and it will become easier and easier.
I just made this and was completely skeptical about adding peppermint extract to a banana based shake…. its great! I made a half recipe and can't wait to enjoy this after dinner for dessert! This is great!
Hi Elizabeth! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂 Thanks for the comment!
Great! I'm going to go pre-order my copy right now. Thank you for your wonderful blog, it's been such an source of inspiration in our kitchen!
My 2, 5, and 6-yr-olds LOVED this!
Can I sub the banana with something else. Allergic to them ):
Hi Laura, Sorry about that 🙁 The banana is what thickens and makes this creamy. One of my girlfriends uses vanilla soy ice cream. You could sub any kind of frozen yogurt/ice cream. Just be careful it doesn't get too sweet if you are also using protein powder. I would probably omit the protein in that case.
Stumbled upon your recipe and I am so glad that I did!! I'm drinking it right now, after my workout, and OMG it is amazing!!! Thank you! 🙂
I love mint chip ice cream! I also love spinach… so I really need to try this! Do you think I could freeze the remaining serving to enjoy at a later date? It would be more like ice cream and less like a milkshake (but I'm okay with that!). 🙂
Hi Alley! I often freeze extra smoothies in glass mason jars (not all the way to the top or it could burst!). I take them out of the freezer a few hours before I want to eat it. The consistency changes a little, but still good!