Iron-Rich Chocolate Cherry Smoothie with Spinach and Flax
Ethan Brown
Energy Smoothie
A vegan, low-sugar smoothie packed with iron and lasting energy from cherries, spinach, and seeds.
Nutrition (per serving)
This smoothie is one of my favorite quick energy boosters — chocolatey, lightly sweet, and intentionally low in added sugar. It's built around iron-rich ingredients like spinach, tahini, silken tofu and a touch of blackstrap molasses, balanced with frozen cherries and cocoa for comforting flavor without overdoing the sweetness.
Whirl everything in a blender and you'll have a creamy, nutrient-dense breakfast or mid-afternoon pick-me-up that keeps you going. It’s vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and perfect for packing on iron and healthy fats — great served chilled in a mason jar with a sprinkle of seeds on top.
Ingredients
- Fresh baby spinach:2 cups
- Frozen cherries, unsweetened:1 cup
- Ripe banana:1/2 pieces
- Unsweetened cocoa powder:2 tbsp
- Tahini (sesame paste):2 tbsp
- Silken tofu:4 oz
- Unsweetened almond milk:1 cup
- Ground flaxseed:1 tbsp
- Chia seeds:1 tbsp
- Blackstrap molasses:1 tbsp
- Vanilla extract:1 tsp
- Ground cinnamon:1/2 tsp
- Sea salt:1/8 tsp
- Ice:1/2 cup
Instructions
-
Add the spinach, frozen cherries, 1/2 banana, silken tofu, tahini, cocoa powder, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, blackstrap molasses, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt to a high-speed blender.
-
Pour in the unsweetened almond milk and add the ice to help chill and thicken the smoothie.
-
Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy, about 45–60 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed, then blend again.
-
Taste and adjust: add a tiny splash more almond milk if too thick, or another 1/2 tsp molasses if you want a touch more iron-forward sweetness (optional).
-
Pour into two glasses or jars and sprinkle a pinch of chia or ground flax on top for garnish.
-
Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Tips & Notes
- Use frozen cherries to keep sugar lower than sweeter fruits; they also give a thick, creamy texture without extra banana.
- Blackstrap molasses is very iron-rich — a little goes a long way. Start with 1 tbsp for the batch and adjust to taste.
- Swap almond milk for oat or soy if you want a thicker or higher-protein option (ensure it's unsweetened to keep sugar low).
- If you have a sensitive blender, chop the spinach roughly and blend with the liquid first to avoid leafy clumps.
