Getting your protein in just got A LOT more delicious, friends! This chocolate cherry protein shake is thick, creamy, chocolaty, perfectly sweet, SO delicious, and packs in 20+ grams of protein per serving.
Bonus? It comes together fast with just 4 ing…
Getting your protein in just got A LOT more delicious, friends! This chocolate cherry protein shake is thick, creamy, chocolaty, perfectly sweet, SO delicious, and packs in 20+ grams of protein per serving.
Bonus? It comes together fast with just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes required! Let us show you how it’s done!
This EASY chocolate cherry protein shake requires just 4 ingredients: frozen sweet cherries, your choice of milk, protein powder, and cocoa powder.
Want to sneak more greens into your diet? Here’s how to make a refreshing kale smoothie! We’ll show how to…
Want to sneak more greens into your diet? Here’s how to make a refreshing kale smoothie! We’ll show how to balance the flavor of kale with fruits and add-ins for a creamy and satisfying green drink you’ll actually crave.
Here’s a smoothie so good, you’ll want to make it every day. Meet our favorite kale smoothie! Yes, we know. “Kale smoothie” sounds like it would be intensely bitter. This one is anything but!
This kale smoothie is full of fruity flavor from green apple, pineapple and banana. It tastes heavenly, yet at the same time you’re getting a big dose of nutrients from leafy greens. True story: this is one of the only ways we get our son to eat kale—and he begs us for more kale smoothie. Here’s how to make it!
Why we love thiskale smoothie recipe
This kale smoothie is lusciously creamy, a satisfying drink you’ll actually crave. This is saying something, because we’ve made lots of kale smoothies that are too bitter, too thick, or too icy. This one has all the right ingredients to make an irresistibly tasty green puree. Here’s why to make it:
It’s has a pure, sweet tart flavor and a silky smooth, frosty texture. It’s irresistibly tasty and just the right thickness for sipping!
It’s full of healthy ingredients. There are no added sugary juices to make it taste good.
It’s plant-based. There’s no need to use milk or yogurt here, it’s all fruit and leafy greens.
Ingredients for this kale smoothie
This short ingredient list of a kale smoothie is all you need to make this beautiful, bright green puree! Here’s what you need:
Kale: Use either baby kale or Tuscan kale. We prefer baby kale since the flavor is sweeter and milder, but you can use Tuscan kale roughly chopped and loosely packed. Curly kale has a spicier flavor, so we’d recommend starting with less than the specified amount in the recipe.
Green apple: Apple is the key to a great kale smoothie; it brings in a bright, sweet tart flavor.
Banana: Banana features in many of our smoothie recipes to make a creamy texture and add natural sweetness.
Frozen pineapple or mango: Frozen pineapple seals the deal with its icy texture and beautiful fruity flavor.
Lemon juice, water and ice: Lemon juice accentuates the fruity flavors, and ice helps add texture and body. A little water is all you need to get it to blend.
Types of kale
There are several types of kale that you can use in this smoothie. Here’s a breakdown of each type:
Baby kale: Baby kale works well in a smoothie because it has a sweeter, mild flavor. It’s a young version of kale, harvested before it matures. You can find it sold in boxes at the grocery or bags at your local farmers market.
Tuscan kale: Tuscan kale is the next best option: it’s got a mild flavor and flat, dark green leaves. It’s also labeled as dinosaur kale or Lacinato kale.
Curly kale: Curly kale works, but it has a spicy flavor that’s more bitter than the other two. If you use this variety, you may want to start with less and add it to taste.
The trick to blending
Here’s a trick to blending this kale smoothie. First, blend the softer room temperature fruits and liquid. In this case, it’s the banana, apple, kale and water. Then add in the frozen ingredients: the frozen pineapple and ice. This helps it to blend easier: so you won’t need to endlessly stop, scrape, and start again!
Add-ins & variations
This kale smoothie is delicious as is, but you can always mix it up with tasty additions! Here are a few options:
Ginger: Add ½ teaspoon grated ginger to the mix for a spicy finish.
Mint or basil. Add a few fresh mint or basil leaves for an herbaceous spin.
Chia seeds.Chia seeds add fiber and some protein; add 1 to 2 tablespoons to your taste.
Coconut. A handful of shredded coconut adds a tropical flair.
Smoothie storage
Smoothies are best eaten immediately. But this kale smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up and you’re good to go!
A few favorite smoothies
We’ve got lots more where this came from! Here more smoothie recipes to try:
This kale smoothie recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently asked questions
Won’t my kale smoothie taste bitter?
Not necessarily! This post offers tips on choosing the right kale variety (baby kale is less bitter) and using masking ingredients like bananas, mangoes, or pineapples to balance the flavor.
What kind of milk is best for a kale smoothie?
This kale smoothie recipe uses water, but you can also use milk. Any milk you enjoy works! Popular choices include dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Consider dietary restrictions and the desired texture when choosing your milk.
Do I need a fancy blender for a kale smoothie?
A high-powered blender is ideal for achieving a smooth and creamy consistency. However, many regular blenders can handle kale smoothies with the addition of some extra liquid.
Can I make kale smoothies ahead of time?
Yes, but be aware that the color may darken slightly, and the texture might thicken a bit and separate over time. This smoothie is best eaten within 1 day, but it does store up to 2 days.
How can I make my kale smoothie more filling?
Adding protein powder, nut butters, chia seeds, or even rolled oats can make your smoothie more filling and keep you satisfied for longer.
Want to sneak more greens into your diet? Here’s how to make a refreshing kale smoothie, a creamy and satisfying green drink you’ll actually crave.
Ingredients
1 large green apple
1 banana
2 cups baby kale leaves, loosely packed (or Tuscan or curly kale*, roughly chopped)
½ cup water (or milk of choice)
10 ice cubes
2 cups frozen pineapple or mango
1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Chop the apple, leaving the skin on. Break the banana into pieces and place them both in the blender. Add the water and baby kale leaves. Blend until smooth.
Add the ice, frozen pineapple or mango, and lemon juice. Blend again until smooth.
Notes
*Our preference for the type of kale to use in a smoothie is baby kale. Tuscan kale is a second choice. Curly kale can work, but it has a spicy flavor and is more bitter than the other two. If you use this variety, you may want to start with less and add it to taste.
Pick from the best healthy and easy smoothie recipes! Each one blends into a flavorful homemade breakfast or snack. Looking…
Pick from the best healthy and easy smoothie recipes! Each one blends into a flavorful homemade breakfast or snack.
Looking for smoothie recipes? You’ve come to the right place. As cookbook authors and recipe experts, we’ve mastered the art of the healthy smoothie so you don’t have to. No more throw-together smoothies that are too thick or too bitter: these recipes work every time!
Here’s a rainbow of our very best smoothie recipes of every fruit and vegetable flavor. Each one features easy and healthy ingredients with the option to make it vegan, too.
Here's the very best strawberry smoothie to highlight that sweet berry flavor! It's got the perfect creamy texture and the perfect just sweet enough fruit flavor. This one's a family favorite, and you'll find us slurping it often.
Here's another favorite: this peanut butter banana smoothie! It tastes like a milkshake but it’s made of wholesome ingredients like banana, peanut butter and oats. Whiz it up with frozen bananas and it makes a thick and creamy puree!
This green puree is 100% fruits and vegetables, featuring apple, banana, and spinach. It’s perfect for when you want to infuse your body with good-for-you ingredients. The burst of tangy, sweet tart flavor will make you an instant fan.
This mango smoothie tastes more like mango ice cream than a healthy smoothie! The bright yellow puree has the best sweet flavor and the creamiest icy texture. It’s become a bit of a legend at our house.
This raspberry smoothie has it all: the best sweet tart flavor, creamy frosty texture, and stunning brilliant color. It’s one of the most refreshing smoothies you’ll find.
This blueberry smoothie has the ideal creamy texture, tastes like pure blueberry, has no added sugar, and is full of real, whole food ingredients. It’s got a hint of cinnamon that makes it taste irresistible.
Here’s a fun way to get your whole grains: the perfect oatmeal smoothie! Blend up oats with banana and peanut butter and it tastes like a bowl of oatmeal! The puree is scented with cinnamon and ultra creamy.
This spinach smoothie recipe tastes sweet tart and fruity: nothing at all like spinach! This healthy and easysmoothie isso tasty, you’ll forget that you’re eating your greens. It’s plant-based and packed with nutrients.
What’s more fun than chocolate covered strawberries, in drinkable form? This recipe features strawberries, banana, almond butter and cocoa powder, blended up into a lusciously creamy puree. Its rich, fruity flavor makes it an instant hit.
Here’s a smoothie that’s full of cozy spiced, naturally sweet flavor: the perfect apple smoothie! Cinnamon and vanilla are just the right compliment to the sweet tart fruit. It’s loaded with protein from Greek yogurt, and tastes like an apple pie milkshake!
This green kiwi smoothie makes the most of the sweet tart flavor of this tropical fruit, combining it with mango and pineapple for pure fruity flavor! It requires just a few ingredients for big, bold flavor.
Looking for a protein drink to sip? This vanilla protein smoothie recipe is full of creamy, lightly fruity flavor and 25% of your daily protein! There’s no protein powder: just all natural, delicious ingredients! It tastes more like a vanilla milkshake than a protein drink.
Here's a surprisingly delicious puree: a grape smoothie! Who knew frozen grapes were the key to the tastiest of all smoothies? This one stands out as a simple, easy and healthy way to feel like you’re eating a treat.
Here’s a smoothie that’s so full of irresistible flavor, you’ll forget that it’s good for you. Meet the perfect celery smoothie! It’s packed with sweet flavor from green apple and banana! The way the celery melds with fresh ginger gives it an intriguing brightness.
Here’s a crave-able smoothie recipe: the perfect pineapple smoothie! Just a handful of ingredients transform it into a beautifully creamy yellow puree with the best fruity, tropical flavor. Also try this Mango Pineapple Smoothie.
If you’re going to drink coffee, why not add bananas, oats and almond butter to the mix? Try this Coffee Smoothie! This puree has just the right bittersweet flavor without lots of added sugar, and smooth, creamy texture. Drink it as a tasty breakfast or snack (it tastes like a healthy frosty!).
Here’s a bright and beautiful smoothie: try this tropical smoothie! This bright yellow puree tastes like a bit of sunshine, starring the juicy flavors of mango, pineapple, banana and coconut. The flavor is just what you need on a gray day or on the patio.
This frosty, pale yellow puree holds a secret: a super citrusy, sweet tart flavor owed to a load of lemon zest and juice. Whiz it up with frozen fruit and milk in a blender, and it’s one of the tastiest, most satisfying smoothies around!
Here’s a way to get your chocolate fix and eat something healthy at the same time. This chocolate peanut butter smoothie is full of good for you ingredients, but tastes like a healthy chocolate milkshake. Bananas, cocoa powder, and oats make magic in the blender.
Here’s a refreshing veggie smoothie with an unexpected ingredient: a cucumber smoothie! This vegetable adds an intriguing, spa-like flavor to the puree. It’s perfectly creamy and a great way to load up on nutrients as a healthy snack or breakfast.
Do you love a good acai bowl? Here's the next best thing: this acai berry smoothie! It’s everything that’s great about the smoothie bowl, but it’s in easy portable form. Just pop it in a glass and slurp with a straw!
Try the peach smoothie of your dreams! The creamy texture and bright peach flavor, accented with vanilla and cinnamon, tastes like a milkshake! But it’s made with healthy ingredients like peaches, banana and Greek yogurt.
This kale smoothie is full of fruity flavor from green apple, pineapple and banana. It tastes great while giving you a big dose of nutrients from leafy greens, and a simple way to get kids (and adults) to eat their greens!
Tired of the same old ways to eat a banana? Enter: this banana smoothie recipe! It’s got just the right creamy texture and beautifully banana-forward flavor. Also try a tropical Mango Banana Smoothie.
Here’s a frosty puree that’s all about flavor: this Almond Butter Smoothie! This one goes big on almond flavor, pairing it with banana, pineapple and chai spices for an irresistibly sip-able drink.
Oat milk is one of our favorite vegan milk options for smoothies. It’s seriously creamy and has a flavor similar to dairy milk. This smoothie recipe is our favorite template and works using any type of frozen fruit.
Here’s a tasty way to get a healthy dose of carrots: a carrot smoothie! This vibrant puree is full of irresistible fruity flavor: it pairs this orange veggie with orange, apple, and mango. Make your daily dose of fruits and veggies sippable!
Dates are ideal in smoothies, a natural sweetener with a caramelly flavor. They add a great source of fiber and enhance the creamy texture of a smoothie. This naturally-sweet smoothie comes out creamy and fruity, with a rich vanilla finish.
This frosty cherry smoothie is fruity and sweet, with big cherry flavor contrasting with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Snap up a bag of frozen cherries for this tasty puree!
This refreshing cantaloupe smoothie is lightly sweet and delicately fruity, balancing the melon with frozen pineapple and creamy Greek yogurt. It’s bursting with flavor, and takes just minutes to blend up.
This healthy drink will take you by surprise with its light, refreshing flavor: a grapefruit smoothie! This lusciously fruity puree tastes a like a combination of sorbet and ice cream: bright and zingy from the grapefruit, tropical from the pineapple, and creamy from the banana.
You’ve heard, eat the rainbow, and this dragon fruit smoothie delivers the best pink puree around! Frozen dragon fruit puree has become a popular ingredient for smoothies and smoothie bowls. Pair this tropical fruit with banana, mango and pineapple for a vibrant puree that’s sweet tart and pure.
Peaches and mangos are two of our favorite fruits to use in smoothie recipes: their sweet tart flavor is ideal for sipping. So put them together, and it’s fireworks. This peach mango smoothie tastes like sunshine, with a beautifully bright flavor and creamy, thick texture. Also try a Banana Peach Smoothie.
This avocado smoothie is sweet and tropical: banana and pineapple bring sweet, nuanced flavor to compliment the avocado perfectly. The texture is light and creamy from the avocado: a beautifully bright green, plant-based smoothie! Also try ourAvocado Banana Smoothie.
Almond milk is perfect for vegan smoothies: it’s lightly creamy and brings fruity purees together into the ideal texture. Here we’ve created a strawberry banana spin on our strawberry smoothie that's fully plant-based!
This magic broccoli smoothie makes nutritious vegetable taste sweet and creamy. There are lots of delicious ways to eat broccoli, but if you want to throw it into a beautifully green smoothie as a healthy breakfast or snack: here’s your best bet!
When it's the season, why not enjoy all the cozy flavors in a healthy and delicious way? This pumpkin smoothie is creamy and full of pumpkin-spiced flavor: and made with Greek yogurt and fruit!
If you love a matcha latte or iced matcha latte, you’ll love this Matcha Smoothie! Blend up this green tea powder with banana and pineapple, and it’s lightly sweet with a delicate bitter matcha undertone.
Here's a protein drink that’s full of fruity, creamy flavor: a yogurt smoothie! Greek yogurt is the key, packing this smoothie with a whopping 20% of your daily protein needs. It makes this drink a great way to start the day, or perfect for breakfasts or snacks.
Oranges are often overlooked when it comes to smoothie recipes. But they’ve got a beautifully citrusy flavor and loads of Vitamin C. This orange smoothie is creamy and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness: kind of like an Orange Julius!
This coconut milk smoothie is creamy and delicious, full of berry flavor with just a hint of a coconut nuance. We loved it so much, we’ve started to use this creamy liquid in many of our smoothies as a vegan alterative. It’s the perfect way to use up a can of coconut milk.
This 3-ingredient watermelon smoothie recipe is juicy and lightly sweet! Make it with seasonal melon, frozen strawberries and banana for just the right texture. Watermelon is full of vitamins and nutrients, and its naturally sweet flavor adds a delicious, almost tropical flair to a smoothie.
The blueberry banana smoothie is a bright purple puree that's lusciously creamy and packed with beautiful berry flavor. On first sip, we were sold! It’s perfect for breakfast, snack, or an after dinner treat.
This delicious pink drink is bursting with fruity flavor and one of our favorite ways to use pomegranate seeds. It pairs the jewel-toned seeds with frozen pineapple and banana to make a creamy puree that’s full of nutrients and vitamins.
This glowing green smoothie recipe is packed with a sweet tart flavor, starring green apples, spinach, and protein-packed nuts. The tangy is balanced with sweet, and it has a texture that’s easily drinkable with a vivid, glowing green color.
This beet smoothie recipe the perfect way to get beets into your diet with delicious fruity flavor! It’s the perfect way to use beets you’re not sure what to do with. It's not too beet-y, with a sweet flavor offset by banana, apple and pineapple.
Want a sneaky way to add fiber, protein and anti-oxidants to your morning smoothies? Try this tasty chia seed smoothie! Chia seeds in smoothies adds protein and fiber to this healthy breakfast or snack option.
Honeydew melon is an uncommon ingredient when it comes to smoothies, but this recipe will make you an instant fan. It has a beautiful delicately sweet flavor and a frothy texture. It’s hydrating and healthy: and the melon flavor really does shine with honey and vanilla!
Last up is our perfect fruit smoothie recipe! It's all about a variety of fruits to provide lots of vitamins, nutrients and fiber. This frozen treat is the perfect afternoon snack to infuse your body with the benefits of fruit!
How to add protein
Want to add more protein into your homemade smoothies? Here are the best ways to do it without the protein powder:
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt packs a huge punch of protein: it also has live probiotics for a healthy guy.
Chia seeds. You can add plant-based protein and fiber with chia seeds: 2 tablespoons chia seeds adds 4 grams protein and 11 grams fiber.
Smoothie recipe storage
Smoothies are best eaten immediately. But these smoothie recipes actually last 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up and you’re good to go!
Plant based milk for homemade smoothies
Some of the homemade smoothie recipes above use milk as a liquid for blending. Make them vegan smoothies by using your favorite non-dairy milk instead of dairy milk. Here’s a run-down on the options:
Oat milk: With its sweet flavor and lightly creamy texture, it’s ideal for smoothie recipes.
Almond milk: It’s a little closer to water in its texture, but it’s popular and easy to find.
Coconut milk: Coconut milk is very thick and adds a strong coconut flavor.
Soy milk: Soy milk has a nice sweet flavor and thick texture.
Here’s the most perfect strawberry smoothie you’ll find! It’s easy to blend up and has the best creamy texture and fruity flavor.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana (room temperature)
¼ cup Greek yogurt*
1 cup milk (or almond milk or oat milk)
1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup
½ cup ice
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender, breaking the banana into pieces. Blend until creamy and frothy, stopping and scraping down the sides as necessary. If desired, garnish with a frozen strawberry and mint sprig. Serve immediately or store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 2 days.
This recipe unlocks the secret to the perfect strawberry smoothie! It’s deliciously thick, perfectly sweet, and bursting with fresh flavor.
It’s more difficult than you think to make a perfect smoothie without a recipe. Our strawberry smoothie recipe uses just 5 ingredients to make the creamiest texture and a pure, sweet berry flavor. Make it, memorize it, and make a perfect healthy smoothie on repeat!
But when it comes to picking favorites, it all comes back to this strawberry smoothie recipe for both of us! Here’s why it’s perfect, to us:
Light and creamy texture. It’s easy for smoothies to turn out too icy or thick. This one is light and creamy, with just the right icy and airy texture.
Subtly sweet, fruity flavor. Often smoothies are too bitter or overly sweet. This strawberry smoothie is lightly sweet, with just the right berry essence.
Ingredients for this strawberry smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to make this strawberry smoothie! Strawberries have a lot of nutritional punch for very few calories (per Cleveland Clinic), making them one of our favorite ingredients to incorporate in smoothies. We were careful to choose healthy ingredients for this smoothie: no overly sugary juices or syrups. Here’s what we selected:
Frozen strawberries: It’s easy to find and store frozen berries, and they add a great icy texture to this smoothie. If you prefer using fresh berries, use a frozen banana instead of one at room temperature.
Fresh banana: Many smoothie recipes call for frozen bananas, but we don’t often have them on hand or have the time to wait for freezing. So we customized this recipe to use a fresh banana!
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt gives this recipe a protein boost and helpful probiotics. (If you love yogurt, you could add a touch more.) It also makes for a perfect creamy texture.
Ice: Here’s the most important part — ice is essential to a perfect strawberry smoothie! It makes just the right frothy texture. We’ve tried it without and it really makes a difference. Do not omit it!
Milk: You need just the right amount of liquid in a smoothie to get it to blend. Not enough and the blender gets stuck (the worst!), and too much it tastes milky. You can also use non-dairy milk.
Maple syrup: Adding a hint of maple brings out the sweetness in the berries. If you eat a low sugar diet you could omit, but it doesn’t quite taste sweet enough with no sweetener.
Add-ins and options
Of course, you can mix in whatever you’d like to customize your healthy strawberry smoothie! But if you want it to be perfect, you’ve got to use flavors that work. Here are some ideas:
Almond butter. Almond goes well with strawberry. Use about 1 tablespoon, 2 for a stronger almond flavor (it will also dull the color a bit).
Vanilla. Use ¼ to ½ teaspoon vanilla to heighten the flavors.
Mint or basil. Add a few fresh mint or basil leaves for an herbaceous spin.
Things not to add? Handfuls of spinach leaves! They turn this smoothie into an unappealing shade of brown. If you want a green smoothie, go to our Green Smoothie.
Strawberry smoothie variations
Craving a flavor twist? Don’t stop at strawberries! This versatile smoothie base can be transformed into a tropical paradise with a handful of mango or pineapple. Mix in blueberries for a tart and tangy upgrade, or add even more banana for extra sweetness. We’ve created separate recipes for each variation:
You can make this strawberry smoothie plant-based or vegan by doing the following:
Make our strawberry banana smoothie. Try our Strawberry Banana Smoothie: it’s vegan and uses only 2 ingredients!
Omit the yogurt and use non-dairy milk for the milk. We like using oat milk or almond milk. Oat milk is usually a little sweeter and creamier, so it’s our default for smoothies. You could also try coconut milk, which adds a nice coconut essence, or soy milk. To compensate for the yogurt, add a splash more milk as necessary to get it to blend.
Storing leftovers
Smoothies are best eaten immediately. But this strawberry smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up and you’re good to go!
This 2-minute recipe unlocks the secret to the perfect strawberry smoothie! It’s deliciously thick, perfectly sweet, and bursting with fresh flavor.
Ingredients
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana (room temperature)
¼ cup Greek yogurt*
1 cup milk (or almond milk or oat milk)
1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup
½ cup ice
Optional add-ins: 1 tablespoon almond butter, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, fresh mint leaves or basil leaves
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender, breaking the banana into pieces. Blend until creamy and frothy, stopping and scraping down the sides as necessary. Serve immediately or store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Notes
*For vegan, make a Strawberry Banana Smoothie! Blend 2 cups frozen strawberries, 2 bananas (room temperature), ½ cup water and 8 ice cubes. Or, omit the Greek yogurt and add additional oat milk to get the smoothie to blend.
This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe tastes like a milkshake but is made with wholesome ingredients! A total favorite.
As authors of over 50 smoothie recipes, we’ve slurped up just about every type. But here’s a recipe that stands out as one of our top favorite ever: this peanut butter banana smoothie! This one tastes like a milkshake but it’s made of wholesome ingredients like banana, peanut butter and oats. Whiz it up with frozen bananas and it makes a thick and creamy, just sweet enough puree that will have you professing your undying love! Our family is head over heels about this one (I think I could eat it every day, really!).
Ingredients in this peanut butter banana smoothie
It’s tricky to get a peanut butter banana smoothie recipe with just the right creamy, thick texture and bold peanut butter banana flavor. In fact, if you just try blending up room temperature bananas with some peanut butter, it can come out very runny and thin. The trick? Frozen bananas add texture, along with Old Fashioned oats which bring an even creamier body. (We tried this trick in our oatmeal smoothie and have been using it ever since!) Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Frozen bananas
Old Fashioned oats
Peanut butter
Milk of choice (dairy, oat milk or almond milk), plus more to taste
Vanilla extract
Maple syrup (or honey)
Ice
We like using creamy unsweetened peanut butter here. We’ve made this smoothie with both oat milk and dairy milk and it is delicious either way! Using dairy milk adds to the protein content and it tastes a little richer.
Tips for freezing bananas
It’s simple to freeze bananas for smoothies: you’ll just need to remember to freeze them 1 ½ hours before you want to enjoy your drink! Here are a few notes about freezing bananas:
Use ripe bananas. Only use ripe bananas for smoothies, because this enhances the fruity banana flavor. Unripe bananas can add a bitter aftertaste to smoothies.
Slice the bananas, then flash freeze. Slice the fruit into 1/2-inch slices, then place them on a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Once solid, place in a freezer safe container until ready to use.
Make it non-dairy and vegan
This peanut butter banana smoothie is easy to make as dairy-free or vegan smoothie. Simply use your favorite non-dairy milk! We love it with oat milk, since it adds a nice creamy body. Using dairy milk does add more protein, so for a vegan smoothie it can be helpful to add additional plant-based protein to make it more filling.
Protein adders for a peanut butter banana smoothie
This peanut butter banana smoothie does have some plant-based protein from the peanut butter: 12 grams total or 6 grams per serving. But if you’d like, you can add even more protein! This is especially helpful if you’re planning to use this smoothie as a meal replacement. Here are a few ideas:
Chia seeds. Add protein and fiber with chia seeds! 2 tablespoons chia seeds adds 4 grams protein and 11 grams fiber.
Vanilla protein powder: This vanilla protein powder is the one we use; it has a good flavor that’s not too artificial.
Smoothie storage
Smoothies are best eaten immediately. However, this peanut butter banana smoothie actually lasts 1 to 2 days refrigerated, stored in a sealed container or a mason jar with the lid on. It may separate, which is perfectly natural. Just shake it up before serving!
More top smoothie recipes
This peanut butter banana smoothie is a favorite in our smoothie lineup! Here are a few more top recipes you’ll love:
This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe tastes like a milkshake but is made with wholesome ingredients! A total favorite.
Ingredients
2 medium ripe frozen bananas (sliced and frozen at least 1 1/2 hours)
¼ cup Old Fashioned oats
3 tablespoons peanut butter (creamy and unsweetened)
3/4 to 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, oat milk or almond milk), plus more to taste
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or honey), plus more to taste
1 cup ice
Protein adder: 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional*
Instructions
If you haven’t already, slice the bananas and freeze them for at least 1 ½ hours until solid.
Blend all ingredients in a blender, starting on the low end of the milk and adding small amounts more until it blends together. Taste and add additional maple or honey if desired.
Notes
*If using protein powder, add that first, then add sweetener to taste.
I love starting my day with a refreshing smoothie that is packed with good for you ingredients. A few of my favorites include my strawberry banana smoothie, peanut butter banana smoothie, and detox smoothie. I also LOVE this easy Blueberry Smoothie rec…
I love starting my day with a refreshing smoothie that is packed with good for you ingredients. A few of my favorites include my strawberry banana smoothie, peanut butter banana smoothie, and detox smoothie. I also LOVE this easy Blueberry Smoothie recipe. We always have blueberries in the freezer so we make this one often.…
“Delightful, fresh, and an undeniable SNACK” is our usual morning mantra. We start by saying these descriptors in the mirror, then we grab our blenders and whip up this (delightful, fresh, snack-able) raspberry smoothie. Coincidence? Nah. You are what …
“Delightful, fresh, and an undeniable SNACK” is our usual morning mantra. We start by saying these descriptors in the mirror, then we grab our blenders and whip up this (delightful, fresh, snack-able) raspberry smoothie. Coincidence? Nah. You are what you eat, after all!
Just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes required for this creamy, sweet treat! It’s also the perfect base for a scoop of protein powder or some salty chocolate granola.