Ultra refreshing, thick, creamy and absolutely delicious, this instant paleo and keto chocolate milkshake totally tastes like ice cream! i.e. it’s bound to have you swooning!
Note: this recipe was first published on April 5th 2018, but has since been updated to provide more deets ‘n tricks!
Paleo & Keto Chocolate Milkshake
An Instant Keto Treat!
If you’re in need of a speedy (or even instant!) keto treat (or summer breakfast!), this chocolate shake is it. Much like our much loved keto shamrock shake, this chocolate version is bound to have you swooning.
Using a high-speed blender here (think bullets) will ensure ultra creamy and smooth results. Just be sure to blend all the ingredients very well before you add the ice!
p.s. Dave Asprey gets full credit for introducing us all to the wonderful concoction that is ‘Bulletproof’. Worth checking out his site for more info and solid products (not sponsored in any way).
The Add-Ins
This low carb chocolate milkshake is very adaptable to your tastebuds and needs. Starting with the chocolate, we love to use a great quality cacao powder here for maximum nutritional benefits (think organic and from criollo beans).
Feel free to add anything from chia seeds for extra fiber (I sure do!), collagen peptides, MCT oil, hemp hearts, and pink Himalayan or flakey sea salt (seriously don’t skip, amps up the flavor a bunch!).
What do you guys add to your morning shakes?!
Looking for more keto fresh treats?! Our (no-churn!) keto ice cream master recipe is the place to start!
(Instant!) Paleo & Keto Chocolate Milkshake
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 medium avocado
- 1-2 tablespoons cacao powder to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch pink Himalayan salt or salt of choice
- 2-4 tablespoons erythritol or sweetener of choice, to taste
- 1/2 cup ice as needed
- water as needed
Optional add-ins
- chia seeds ground (you'll need to add more water)
- MCT oil
- hemp hearts
- collagen peptides
- mint extract or extract of choice
Instructions
- Add coconut milk, avocado, cacao powder, vanilla extract, salt, sweetener and add-ins of choice to a blender (bullets work amazing here!). Blend until creamy smooth, using a little water as needed.
- Add in ice and blend until thick and creamy. Do not over-blend, or you'll lose thickness and coldness. Enjoy right away!
swerve says 3 carbs per tsp? how are you using 2 tablespoons without outrageous number of carbs or am i using the wrong swerve
Tracy they’re sugar alcohols not regular carbs, so its common practice to subtract them as you do fiber xo!
Another smash hit by Paola! I had this for dinner last night. Incredibly filling and tasty. I added a little chocolate extract to boost the chocolate factory and just because I had it in my spice cabinet.
Paola for all those questions you get about any avocado flavor, check out this link for a raw chocolate mousse made with avocados. I used to make it back in my vegan days and it was divine. I’m going to test it out on your chocolate milkshake for breakfast this morning to see if I can tell any difference.
https://youtu.be/ghF2-mLIUc8
This was great!
I didn’t follow it completely.
I added in some chocolate protien powder and I used unsweetened almond milk to have more liquid consistency.
It was great! The avocado made it so smooth 😀
Could I use unsweetened almond milk and add a teaspoon of coconut oil?
I wouldn’t add coconut oil Tina as it solidifies in chunks when cold xo!
I have been able to add coconut oil in by slowly drizzling it in while the blender is still going.
But doesn’t it turn into chunks once it’s cold?
I am new to keto, but have become extremely discouraged in finding recipes and planning meals as I am one of rare (or seems like!) people who are extremely allergic to avocado. Just handling it has me reaching for my Epi-pen! Any suggestions or help for me?
I made this without avocado just replacing it with 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream. 🙂
Hi, the calories of a 1/2 cup of heavy cream is 428. How will this recipe add up to 303?
Marienne, the simple reason is that we use coconut milk- heavy cream is an alternative suggestion added as some of you aren’t fans of coconut milk (you can’t taste it here) xo!
This chocolate shake is sooooo goooood! I made it for the first time this morning and my drive to work was incredibly lovely as I sipped my shake! Smooth, creamy, chocolaty and satisfying! I did use more avocado that stated in the recipe and used Puyre (SP?) for the sweetener. It almost made it more luscious and with just the right amount of sweet (2 tsp). I also used unsweetened coconut milk instead of the hwc, was just as creamy with just a few less carbs. Fantastic recipe, such a treat! Thanks for sharing and I absolutely love your website and blog!
Can you use probiotic sugar?
I’ve never heard of it, don’t see why not if you’re into it xo
I loved this recipe but unfortunately for my it knocked me out of ketosis. It caused a small (but enough) of a blood sugar bump. I used a small avocado (we found some that are about half the size of a medium avocado). I didn’t know it until afterwards and did some research. Some of us have to be careful how much avocado we use. Kind of lame because this drink was amazing.
Hi James! I honestly doubt it was the avocado… maybe the sweetener you used? Xo
I have played with different sweeteners (I tried xylitol first and then stevia second) with the same result. I found info on several other keto sites that some people are sensitive to avocado and can only have smaller portions. I am a type 2 diabetic, so maybe that plays into it somehow. I don’t know, I just know that removing the avocado solved the problem (which is a shame).
I make it without the avocado and add egg protein powder. STill yummy! I also sub frozen strawberries for the ice.
I replaced the avocado with Chia seeds and added a bit more heavy cream (I also use a higher fat content heavy cream that I can only find at Costco which is 40% fat). It isn’t as creamy but it is still very good and doesn’t knock me out of ketosis.
Does this have any avocado taste to it? I’m not a fan of avocado…so hoping the cocoa powder overpowers any taste of avocado?
I love this drink. It is a great healthy replacement for unhealthy drinks. It is refreshing and takes the edge off a hot day. It is so easy and quick to make. This will be a keeper.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Angela! So awesome to hear you enjoyed it so much!
Is this one serving?
Yes Carla, number of servings is always in the recipe card xo!
Hi Paola, I made it today and just decided to go with hwc. I also added in mct oil, hemp seeds and ground chia seeds. OMG! It is so dang delicious! I got a little pissed off when I was done. 😂😂 Cant wait for tomorrow! Thank you for this delicious!
Hi Paola,
Quick question. Can I use coconut cream?
Thank you! Love your site.
Thank that’s awesome to hear Christine! And def on the coconut cream, just use a little less and a bit more water xo!
I made this today and it was delicious, thanks for sharing! I have a new breakfast to add to my Keto rotation 😊
Andrea that’s awesome to hear thank you!! xo!
This is amazing! I tried and loved it! Do you think I could prep this ahead of time? I was thinking of taking is more as an afternoon snack versus a breakfast. Just wondering! Thanks for posting such amazing recipes!
Hi Jen! So happy you enjoyed it! In all honesty I’m not sure how it would work as a make-ahead, as the texture will unfortunately likely separate. xo
I make my smoothies ahead all the time. They do separate so I take them in a shaker bottle ( the ones that have the springy metal ball inside). Just give them a good shake and they are well mixed again.
Paola, I make your Shamrock Shake all the time, using my Bullet to mix all of the ingredients. I divide it into two glasses with lids, drink one right away and save the second serving for the next day. I’ve had no problem with separation. I’m trying the same thing now with your chocolate version which, by the way, is scrumptious, and hoping it doesn’t separate.
This is sooo good and has become a staple for me. It keeps me full for a really long time and helps especially on days when I’m fasting. Your recipes are top notch!
Thank you Michelle that’s awesome to hear! xo!
Hi Paola – I just made this and it was great. I don’t have cacao powder, so I substituted Ghiradelli Cocoa Powder (unsweetened). I upped the coconut milk to 3/4 C. to make it creamier and used 20 drops (4 servings) of a liquid stevia product called Sweet Drops. This was awesome and a great substitute for chocolate ice cream, if you put it in the freezer for about a half hour before eating. Thanks so much!
This was awesome! I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk in lieu of coconut milk. So creamy and filling. Limited ingredients make this a morning saver. Ready to tackle the day. Thank you.
Not sure why you guys add ICE to everything in the US.
Sure, perhaps in the middle of summer, that could work, but otherwise…
I am hypothyroid and always cold,
so I’d rather have a hot (or at least somewhat warm) breakfast…
Can I modify this recipe to get it to work at all?
Hi Cis! I mean I’m not in the US and this is a milkshake so it’s meant to be COLD lol! You can always just skip the ice and call it a smoothie? 😉 xo!
This looks amazing! Cant wait to have it tomorrow morning. Can I use cocoa powder instead of cacao? If so, do I use the same amount? I couldn’t find any in the grocery store and my Amazon order of it won’t be in until next week.
This is AMAZING!!! I did end up using cocoa powder and it was AMAZING!! The second time I made it, I added chilled coffee for an extra jolt in the morning.
So happy you loved it Kim! And thanks for reporting back in detail- that chilled coffee sounds like an awesome addition! xo!
Hi Kim! Apologies for missing your comment earlier, cocoa works fine in place of cacao (it’ll just be a bit darker in hue). xo!
I love my morning shake! If I’m going to bea little short on fat, I will throw in a tablespoon of sugar-free peanut butter. Not much beats chocolate and peanut butter!
Ooooh peanut butter does sound like an awesome addition Gaye!
Thanks for the recipe. I like every ingredient alone, so I’m sure I’ll like it together. Yum!
I have a question- In one teaspoon alone for swerve there is 5g of total carbs. If I were to add 2 tablespoons of swerve to this it would equal 20g total carbs. The nutrition label posted on this only has 7g total carbs. I am new to this, what am I missing?
Hi Heather! Keep in mind that Swerve is a sugar alcohol and not a regular carb, so it’s common practice to simply subtract them as you do fiber. But I would suggest you read more up on it 😉 xo!
I just made this double the recipe and a package of cream cheese instead of the avocado since I was really craving cheesecake. It is fabulous! I’ll try the avocado another time as I’m sure it’s delicious that way as well. Thank you!
So happy you enjoyed it Eva! Cheesecake milkshake lol! 😉
Isnt cream cheese fattening?
Hi Carla! Depends? Some people find dairy stalls them, others consume it quite liberally. I personally leave dairy (aside from grass-fed butter) for special occasions. Note that the original recipe doesn’t contain cream cheese 😉 xo!
Read up on the keto lifestyle. The idea is to get most of your calories from fat so that your body uses fat for fuel!😊
How many oz in that package of cream cheese?
Does liquid MCT oil blend into these cold ingredients?
Hi Marcella! Yes, MCT oil is the only oil that doesn’t solidify when cold xo!
I did not ask that question about MCT oil! I know that answer–someone else’s question must have gotten my name on it.
That’s crazy! Also because it’s not a common name! There were some hiccups with a couple plugins on the site, so I’m not sure if that messed things up? I’m not very techie tbh :-S
Hi Paola! I am really confused about coconut milk. I have it in both can and box type. When I refrigerate it it is as hard as a rock. Is that how it is supposed to be? I thought I would be able to scoop it out sort of like scooping whipped cream. How can I measure a 1/2 cup? Also, is there a difference between coconut milk and coconut cream? I am so confused. Please help! I want to make your Bulletproof Chocolate Milkshake! 🙁
Hi LaWanda! I get you on the coconut milk, takes a couple times to get the hang of it. And yes, it does solidify when you put it in the fridge. Remember that it’s essentially coconut oil, which is solid even at room temp (unless you live in a warm climate of course). You can actually just use it solid straight from the fridge for this one, particularly if you have a bullet or high speed blender. So just sort of scoop out roughly equal parts of the thick cream and the liquid part that sits at the bottom.
And for other recipes, you may want to heat it up briefly and it will become silky-smooth once again 😉
Hope this helps! xo
Hi again, Paola! Thank you for the quick reply, and, yes, it helped tremendously. As is the usual case, I was over analyzing. I tend to make things more complicated than they really are. I cannot wait to try the Bulletproof Chocolate Milkshake! I just need to pick up a few ingredients, and I will be good to go. Thanks for all you do, and keep up the good work. This low carber counts on you. 🙂
It’s my absolute pleasure LaWanda! xo and good weekend!
Hi again, Paola! I finally got around to making your Bulletproof Chocolate Milkshake. It was good, really, but it looked so gritty. While it did not taste as gritty as it looked, it certainly did not look as creamy as yours. Could it have been the coconut milk that I used? It came out of the box in chunks, chips and liquid. I thought it was a bit on the thick side, too; however, I forgot that I could add water as needed. I am glad that I didn’t because I think it would have diluted the chocolate taste, and I actually wanted more of the chocolate taste. Maybe my mind was trying to trick me into believing it would taste like the real thing… LOL! I may try it with canned coconut milk that has not been refrigerated. Thanks, again, for all that you do. You are my inspiration. 🙂
I have coconut oil, I live in the Northeast and the coconut oil is not solid–it is liquid just like avocado oil. So, now I am confused!
Well, coconut oil has a melting point of about 24°C (76°F), so given that it’s summer it probably accounts for it being liquid. Over here in Mexico City summers are cold and rainy so mine is rock solid lol 😉
Would you consider a hass avocado medium size?
I mean, there are different sized hass avocados too (I’ve been getting tiny ones here in Mexico!). Don’t worry too much about the size, just add it to taste 😉
Do you have to put the avocado in it?
Hi Sabrina! You don’t have to, but it does make it creamier! xo!
Is there something you could use in place of the avocado?
I haven’t found anything keto that works great :-S
I’ve been adding cocoa powder to your shamrock shake! SO GOOD! I like the idea of adding chia seeds, but can you taste it?
Great minds think alike! 😜 Regarding the chia seeds, they’re tasteless but you’ll have to add more water as they’re a pretty strong thickener. I love them, keep me full for longer also! xo!