Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten FreeThis Almond Joy smoothie recipe is vegan, gluten free, and tastes just like an Almond Joy candy bar, only it’s better for you. An ice cream smoothie with vegan chocolate almond ice cream, strawberries, and coconut. The perfect healthy substitute for a milkshake, too!
You know what happens when an endurance athlete goes from training 35-40 hrs a week for Ironman to only swimming and light conditioning or short runs? Well, I’ll tell you. Major sugar withdrawals! Oh man, the body definitely still has it’s need to restore glycogen, but when you go from tons of training to “normal person” training, the mind doesn’t get the memo to reduce the cravings. Come on, I know you Boston Marathoners are thinking the same thing right now, right? Haha.
I guess you could say I helped feed this little craving though. I was the wife that used to put almond joy candy bars or snickers bars in the freezer for when the Kiwi came home from a long run or ride. Hey, calories are calories at that point, and those bars aren’t too shabby compared to other natural energy bars. Really! I also used to make a big “recovery” smoothie for him and add in some candy bar toppings. I know I know, but like I mentioned before, some of these candy bars have better ingredients that supplemental bars, just sayin.
Okay, were was I going with this? Oh ya, sugar intake.. um, withdrawals.
We obviously scaled back on the sugar and chocolate. But I felt like we could still get away with eating frozen candy in some form of another. You know me, I like to “healthify” things or try to out smart unhealthy cravings. I mean, life’s too short to not eat chocolate and sugar, however, life’s too short not to take care of you nutritional needs too. Ya know?
That being said, I think I found our sugar fix solution. It’s vegan, gluten free, soy free but still oh so tasty! And it pretty much tastes like an almond joy candy bar dipped in strawberry jam. I have your attention now, don’t I?
GOOD!
Let me introduce you to our new obsession. This ALMOND JOY SMOOTHIE!
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Dairy Free Strawberry Almond Joy Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup coconut milk ice cream (we use chocolate almond flavor)
- 1 tbsp of enjoy life non dairy chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips if you are not vegan
- 1/2 tbsp almond butter
- 1 cup coconut or almond milk
- optional – coconut extract
- optional – vanilla or chocolate protein
Instructions
- Blend banana, ice cream, berries, and milk first. Then add in your almond butter and chocolate chips last and blend on low to create a layered look. Top with extra strawberries, chocolate chips, etc. I added in a scoop of My Mix Vegan Protein as well.
Notes
feel free to use any form of ice cream, yogurt, milk, or chocolate if you are not vegan. Tasty either way!
Most of you can make this Almond Joy smoothie right now with the ingredients in your fridge/freezer. But I’ve also given you substitutes for those who are not vegan or don’t have coconut milk on hand. Just in case!
I won’t lie, Nadamoo is what makes this smoothie taste amazing! And we LOVE our LOCAL coconut milk ice cream. No they didn’t pay me to say that, it’s all my own gushing! There are tons of new and improved non dairy ice creams out there these days, but I’m all about the gluten free and organic ingredients in Nadamoo; and I’m all about sharing the AUSTIN owned love.
Either way, add this Almond Joy smoothie and Nadamoo coconut milk ice creams to your must try list.
I promise you’ll get that candy bar craving fix and feel GOOD about it.
This post is also dedicated to my friend JEN who 6 years ago nicknamed me ALMOND JOY. The name remains today! <3
What’s your favorite candy bar? Have you tried to make a healthier/less sugar version? Do tell!
p.s.
Big congrats to Tina and Katie for their races this weekend!
p.p.s
blending chocolate, almond butter, and berries will never make a pretty color. But I did my best. And it’s damn delicious!
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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I love almond joy candy bars! This smoothie sounds fabulous and I love the added stawberries! Oh and I think I need Nadamoo in my life…yummy!!
wish i could bring these to you now and see those cute babies!
I always had a frozen chocolate stash in my freezer! Ugh so good!
This strikes me as a banana split + coconut shake. You need to try Yummy Health coconut bars–taste just like a giant mounds bar. So minus the almond, but still. I was a sucker for Milky ways, but let’s be honest….
okay i need! like now!
Love strawberry smoothies! They always taste like dessert to me!!!
Yummmo!! Mostly I just want to try that ice-cream . . . Maybe it will eventually come to Canada:)
I must try this Nada Moo!!! Looks to die for friend!
Haha! You’re definitely right about the candy bars being basically as good as certain energy bars. Plus they taste better soooo…. 🙂 These pictures are gorg! Pinning.
that’s what i thought about your smoothie today! gah, we are so twins!
Chocolate and coconut are second best only to Chocolate and PB! Although throwing in the strawberry definitely makes the competition closer!
What a great special treat! I love this.
I NEED to get my hands on this Nada Moo! The hubby would go crazy for it! Plus, Almond Joys are his favorite, so this needs to happen in our house. Pinning!
pretty sure we can get you some! let’s email!
Almond joy is my favorite, totally drooling over this! Love the ingredients too. I haven’t had coconut ice cream in so long.
I have never heard of Nada Moo in my life, and that MUST change! Looks delicious, my friend!
OMG – YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not had candy bars in such a long time! I used to as a kid – nestle crunch bars & mounds & 3 musketeers! 🙂
This sounds AMAZING!! And that ice cream… I NEED it!
I’ve got to find some of that ice cream! We LOVE coconut milk ice cream around here! Also love anything almond joys and strawberries 🙂 Perfection!
Your creativity has no ends! This sounds fantastic and I would be mom of the year around here for making it!
When I was in high school – I ate Almond joy bars after every swim practice – I hated swimming so I needed to end the session with something I loved! Speaking of love – lady, this smoothie is what my dreams are made off! Yay for dairy free coconut ice cream and milk!
Love the ‘PS’ notes. Yo, these look delish and NOT ugly whatsoever. Ha! I was just admiring your amazing food styling skills. YOWZ. Better than many-a-cookbook I have seen. Mmmkay, that ice cream blos my mind, and thanks for sharing it BECAUSE I have been wanting to opt out of dairy for awhile, but need my creamy fix. PERFECT. And, LOVE your nickname. : ) Cheers to a great week!
haha thanks friend. You can call me AJ for short. LOL!
Ok, I know I’m supposed to be looking at the smoothie, but girl, I LOVE your wooden board/surface!! (#foodbloggerproblems!!!) I had to get rid of some of my blog props when I moved and am slowly replenishing my supply… I have blog prop envy right now! Anyways, fave candy bar: Reese PB cups. I know there’s like a million healthified PB cup recipes out there but I’m worried that if I start making them, I won’t be able to stop!
haha james made it for me. see, if you were my neighbor, we could share everything! and sizzlefish!
Now, I’m craving an almond joy! Hah! Haven’t eaten one in forever. I’ve never tried the Nada Moo ice cream, so that is going on my list! Can’t wait to try this one!
That’s ridiculous! I mean, ridiculously good! I will have to make this…I’ve been making smoothies with frozen banana and kiwi 😉 lately so this will be a nice variation. Plus, I love Almond Joy!
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So jealous of your Nada Moo!!! Honestly I saw the container in the link up and knew! I had some last year and I am so bummed it hasn’t made it to stores here yet. This smoothie looks amazing!!
Favorite candy bar… not sure I could pick just one. Right now if I had to pick just one probably peanut butter cups, not a bar though.
Last week was crazy with the carbs my husband was consuming and then all of the food over the weekend. I’m not sure who is going to handle it worse this week him or the girls. I’m probably the only one to get back to a balance over here. I can’t imagine how your husband is handling it going from the training he did!?! I know I feel it going from what I was eating to being injured and after a couple of weeks realizing I had, still trying to, adjust things so I really can’t imagine if I thought that was hard.
sherpa wife needs her balance first! haha, right?
Give give give! Almond joy love x10000! (And o, I’ve always wanted to try Nada Moo! Jealous!)
Yes please!!! I need to get my hand on some Nada Moo. I couldn’t find it in GA, but I bet they have it in CA!
Wow look at all those yummy flavors! This sounds so yummy! I have tried their ice cream and love it!
Do dark chocolate reeses cups count as a bar since they are circles? lol!
If I see a locally made form of whatever I am buying on the shelf next to the name brand, I will give the local one a try 90% of the time.
you’d love this lauren! come visit
Love this! And love what you said about it not being a pretty color. Sometimes the best things look like sludge but your pics more than make up for that.
I’ve never had coconut milk ice cream but how can that be bad? Thanks for linking up with us for MM.
So what you’re saying is that it’s perfectly healthy to snack on candy bars… 😉 In all seriousness, though, I’ve noticed that about some of those protein/energy bars. Heck, even a lot of the granola bars are nothing but glorified candy bars. And to be honest, I’d much rather have something like this, especially since I’m looooooving the smoothies right now!
funny how you posted bites and i posted smoothie today! we switched brains! but i think we should have a bite/smoothie meet up, yes?
Switched brains, yes, except I wasn’t using mine because I totally forgot to include your bites! Biggest.brain fart.ever. So I had to go fix that 😉
I just bought strawberries today, can’t imagine a better use! Thanks for sharing it with us 😀
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yay! drink up Lily!
ohmygoodness this is me! I am still eating like I’m working out 5 days a week when really, I maybe take a walk. Gah! And absolutely that so many of those bars and granola bars are just packed with sugar. This looks delicious! I do need to dust off my blender.
Love this smoothie. I am an endurance runner and I hear you LOUD :)) You’re damn right, I need to fuel my body afterwards. On my MUST-TRY Smoothies List already. Thanks, Cris xx P.S. I love your blog!
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ahh yes! so glad you can relate and glad we could connect! xxoo
Those ice cream flavors sound legit! The maple pecan sounds right up my alley!
Oh yum, I love the though of icecream in my smoothie! Way to take the day from boring to awesome in just a few minutes! I need to check out some coconut icecream – see what flavors there are! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing this awesome smoothie recipe! I can’t believe how many granola bars I used to eat in college. While I try to avoid processed food as much as I can, I LOVE Quest bars because their ingredients aren’t as bad as some, but the Double Chocolate Chunk tastes better than a Cadbury bar to me!!
I know! same here
Yummy I love Almond Joys.
My favorite candy bar was Butterfingers! I also loved when my Mom would give us frozen Snickers to take with us skiing, when we were little. So GOOD cold! 🙂
Yum! This looks so tasty. My favorite candy is Reese’s, and I tried making a “healthier” version before. It was pretty good, but not as good as the original 😉
I have been getting better at cutting sugar and these would be GREAT to help me curb the cravings. My vices are Reeses, 3 Musketeers and Kitkat
YES. I was just looking at the aussie protein bars and they made tim tams look like kale.
1. your photos are gorgeous.
2. Your photos are gorgeous.
3. You are not almond joy. You are corn bread cotter.
haha okay find. how about AJ cornbread cotter? 😉
Your smoothie photographs look so good Lindsay. Smoothie photographs are a real challenge to me. I’ve done some more recently, but I’m still not convinced! Oh, and your recipe is fabulous too! 😀
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haha it took A LOT OF PICS and the right lighting. LOL! so many ugly ones too.
Ohmygosh, drooling! And you nailed the post Boston marathon syndrome!
Yum!!! I am definitely making this – the kiddos will be on cloud 100! 🙂
I love being in the US currently and just be able to go to the supermarket and buy almond milk – not possible in Switzerland!
Now you should come over to see me and Meghan and Laura and maybe Gigi and we all make a huge Almond Joy Shake Feast.
This sounds sooo good! And like a great treat to satisfy a craving!
YUM!! I’m so happy it’s smoothie season, I mean spring, again!
for sure! we love spring here.. summer, not so much. HOT!
Haha! Yeah…we lived in Texas for two years and summer quickly lost it’s place as my favorite season. 😛