Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie

If you think paleo recipes have to be boring, and thus hampering your will to get up in the morning, try this Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie. Sweet meets salty. Caramel meets almond butter. The rich, creamy, decadent flavor will have you believing in gluten-free and dairy-free and all things free.

First things first. The Chicago Cubs. Have you been watching? I can’t even. Actually, I am afraid to write anything for fear I’ll jinx them. So let’s get to the second major point. This smoothie. It was actually while watching the Cubs that I photographed this decadent, absolutely ridiculously delicious example of a breakfast. Wait, I wasn’t going to talk anymore about that team from the Midwest. No jinxing. And then they won. Oops, I did it again. I almost missed the win, though, what with the commentators discussing which tattoos they wanted to get and where. But, I managed to snap a few shots of this AND see that particular team win a victory (as opposed to winning a loss).

But this Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie? Let’s be real here. It’s also a dessert. A rich, creamy, indulgent dessert. If you are worried the paleo life will leave you bored and hungry and hangry and tired and bland, then just make this and run wild, my friend. Because it is next-level breakfast. The whole reason breakfast and smoothies were invented, I’m just sure of it. After photographing it, K-Hubs and I devoured our halves. So in addition to being a dessert and a breakfast, Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie is also the perfect late-night snack.

A word of caution, however. I often write about recipes on this blog as being “taste as you go.” Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie is NOT one of those recipes. It really doesn’t taste like the guilty pleasure that it is until everything is thrown in and it’s all ready to go. I tried it midway through and nearly fell on the floor. What in the actual what did I think it was going to be? Not what it tasted like halfway through the blending process. You really do need the ice to chill it, and you really do need the salt to balance out the sweet goodness.

And then fireworks will explode in your kitchen. Sweet will meet salty. Paleo caramel (which is a delight in and of itself) will meet almond butter, and your tastebuds will die and go to Heaven. All will be right with the world.

Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie has become a regular in our repertoire of foods, especially at breakfast. Definitely if you like healthy fats and protein in the morning like I do. For some reason, starting out with those makes my day go that much better. And it is so freaking sweet.

This particular recipe doesn’t yield a large output. You’ll get about a 1/2 cup, or slightly more. Let me just say, before you start multiplying the recipe, try it. Because you may feel full from just a half cup. It contains almond butter and cashew cream. So it’s rich and full of healthy fats, which often leave people feeling fuller sooner.

Let’s also talk bananas. I like bananas by themselves but NEVER in things. Ever. Something is seriously wrong with me. But apparently this is a normal thing normal people do, putting bananas in their recipes. Well, there is no banana here, people. Instead, the almond butter and cashew cream provide the smooth richness while the chia seeds provide additional bulk. And I am not sad about that. Oh, wait. I lied. There is one smoothie recipe in which I happily include a portion of a banana. Okay, but that’s it, I swear.

What should you know about this recipe? It:

• Is gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and paleo
• Boasts healthy fats, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Is easy to make (I like to soak the cashews overnight so they are ready for blending in the morning)
• Takes just a few minutes to mix everything together (for added punch, I’ll chill it a little longer in the fridge or freezer while I finish getting ready in the morning)
• Can be modified with as many toppings or mix-ins as you would like

Seriously, this sweet treat makes getting up in the morning totally worth it. Grab a Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie and go, dear friends because the world awaits you!

Salted Caramel Breakfast Smoothie

Print Recipe

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• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 mins
• Yield: 1/2 cup 1x

Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup cashew cream (see Notes for cashew cream recipe)
• 1/4 cup almond butter (I like Kirkland brand from Costco)
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 2 pitted Medjool dates, quartered
• 1/8 cup maple syrup
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• handful of ice cubes
• dash of vanilla extract, optional

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Instructions

1. Combine cashew cream, almond butter, and chia seeds in blender and mix on high speed until blended.
2. Add dates and maple syrup. Continue blending on high speed until dates are broken down into tiny pieces.
3. Add sea salt and blend until well mixed.
4. Drop handful of ice cubes into blender while it is on and blend until smooth.
5. Add vanilla extract, if desired.
6. Top with coconut milk, dates, or sliced almonds, optional

Notes

I soaked one cup cashews in warm water for about two hours. If you are thinking ahead, soaking overnight will soften the cashews even more, making them easier to blend. After soaking, I blend the one cup of cashews with approximately 1/2 cup water on low speed until well blended. I add more water as necessary, but only in small amounts so as to encourage blending without making the cream too watery. This process usually takes about 5-6 minutes. If you are planning to DOUBLE this recipe, you can leave the entire cashew cream mixture in your blender and double all remaining ingredients, pouring them right into the same blender as per the instructions.

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