Neapolitan is one of the more popular ice cream flavors out there, with its deliciously tasty mix of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla all rolled into one fantastic package. Why try to choose between three different great flavors when you can enjoy them all at once? Unfortunately, as we all know, many dairy products (especially ice cream) are generally off limits when it comes to following a paleo diet. That’s no reason you can’t still enjoy the great tasting combination of flavors found in neapolitan ice cream however. You’ll just have to go about it in a different way by making yourself this fast and easy neapolitan paleo smoothie instead.
Chocolate Layer (Bottom)
For the bottom (or chocolate) layer of the smoothie we’ll be using cacao powder, almond butter, honey, half of a sliced and frozen banana, and almond milk. Cacao powder is an excellent way for paleo enthusiasts to still enjoy the great taste of chocolate while still adhering to healthy meal options. It’s loaded with antioxidants (raw cacao contains more than 40 times the antioxidant content as blueberries), iron, magnesium, and calcium. The antioxidants found in raw organic cacao have also been demonstrated to have several positive effects on cognitive functioning, including easing symptoms of anxiety and depression, boosting sleep quality, and improving overall mood. (1)
Vanilla Layer (Middle)
The middle layer of the smoothie is the vanilla layer. For this part, we will use another half of a frozen sliced banana, almond butter, pure vanilla extract, and almond milk. Almond butter is one of my favorite substitutes to use for regular dairy butter thanks to its high protein and healthy fat content. Nuts make for an excellent addition to your diet no matter what form they come in (eaten raw, made into nut milk, or used in spreads), and studies have found that consuming more almonds may be more effective than reducing saturated fat sources in your diet for lowering cholesterol. (2)
Strawberry Layer (Top)
Last but not least we come to the very top layer made with frozen strawberries. We’ll be blending ⅓ of a cup of strawberries with honey and almond milk to finish off our neapolitan smoothie. Using real strawberries in this smoothie is the perfect way to really push it over the edge and make it even more tasty while still being incredibly good for you. We’ve long known that berries are an excellent source of antioxidants, but further studies have actually demonstrated that daily strawberry consumption actually increases overall antioxidant capacity in a healthy population. (3)
What About Toppings?
Feel free to add your own toppings to your neapolitan smoothie. These will add flavor and texture without a hefty serving of calories so feel free to add 1-2 tablespoons.
1. Cacao Nibs – Cacao nibs are the raw form of chocolate. It is a natural superfood loaded with phytochemicals and antioxidants and is commonly used in smoothies, raw foods and baked goods. Texture wise, it can be added as is for some crunch and a mild chocolate-y flavor.
2. Homemade Granola – Oats are not paleo, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up homemade granola. Our homemade recipe calls for paleo-friendly ingredients with similar flavors and textures, so you won’t ever have to miss a thing. As an added bonus, we have different versions for you to try. This one in particular is a crowd favorite.
3. Paleo Nut Butter – Choose among 32 nut butter recipes to vary the taste of your smoothie. Some will pair better than others, so feel free to experiment with what best suits your tastebuds.
Neapolitan Smoothies – The Best of Both Worlds
Unlike neapolitan ice cream, this quick and easy strawberry and banana smoothie is actually incredibly good for you and just as yummy. It’s absolutely loaded with antioxidants and each layer has a distinctly wonderful flavor thanks to the all natural ingredients used. It’s so good that you just might never crave regular neapolitan ice cream ever again.
- 1 ½ tbsp cacao powder
- ½ tbsp almond butter
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ banana, sliced and frozen
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- ½ banana, frozen and sliced
- ½ tbsp almond butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- 1/3 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/3 cup almond milk
- Make the bottom layer: In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Pour in the glass and freeze for 10 minutes.
- Rinse the blender jar.
- Make the middle layer: In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Remove the glass from the freezer and carefully pour the mixture over the bottom layer.
- Return to the freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse the blender jar.
- Make the top layer: In a blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Pour the mixture over the middle layer and serve immediately.
Easy Paleo Strawberry and Banana Neapolitan Breakfast Smoothie
Jess (Paleo Grubs)
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