Cheers to a smooooooother new year! (No, giving up bad puns was not my resolution. #sorrynotsorry) This thick, creamy, naturally-sweetened Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is guaranteed to brighten your morning.
This month I’m sharing a new, go-get-‘em smoothie recipe each week.
It kicked it off with this refreshing Green Smoothie. Like many of you, I too begin each year rejuvenated to (at least try to) build back in some healthy eating habits.
All those fruits and veggies we haven’t seen in a few weeks? Time to get reacquainted! And a smoothie is a super-efficient way to do just that.
I have a few smoothie rules.
The first and most important one is that my smoothies must taste legitimately delicious.
This peanut butter banana yogurt smoothie, like all others in my collection of healthy smoothie recipes, is a treat you’ll look forward to sipping, not some bad version of medicine you force yourself to knock back for the sake of being “healthy.”
Wow, does this recipe deliver!
As much as I love a good green smoothie like this Kale Smoothie that’s not shy about bringing its nutritional “A-game”, sometimes we all want a type of healthy that likes to flirt with a little decadence.
Thick, creamy, and naturally sweet, this easy banana smoothie reminds me of a milkshake, it’s that yummy.
To say peanut butter and banana are a good combination is the understatement of the year (this Oatmeal Smoothie is another thick and creamy favorite).
If you’re new to the smoothie game and looking for a smoothie that’s good for you but that doesn’t taste overtly “healthy,” if you need smoothies for kids that will pass picky eater inspection, or if you are simply craving a tasty change of smoothie pace…this healthy breakfast smoothie recipe is ideal for you.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Benefits
I often rely on Healthy Breakfast Smoothies (<—see that post for my fave smoothie recipes and tips) to kick-start my day.
I bet you’ll also find it comforting knowing that you’ve made major progress with your requisite servings of fruits and veggies first thing in the A.M.
Or, if you are looking for a post-workout smoothie, this peanut butter banana version is one of my favorites.
It’s a perfect option because banana smoothies like this recipe are good for you.
- Bananas are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C.
- Peanut butter has protein and healthy fats too (I recommend using a brand of natural peanut butter with less added sugar).
Generally speaking, with the right ingredients a peanut butter smoothie can be good for weight loss. Smoothies with healthier foods like fruits, Greek yogurt, and peanut butter can be sufficiently filling with better nutrients than other breakfast options.
How to Make This Recipe
This is a great smoothie recipe for beginners thanks to its appealing taste and short ingredient list. Just add to a blender – it doesn’t get much easier than that.
Kids will love it too. They’ll feel like it’s a special treat, yet you’ll know the healthy truth.
The Ingredients
- Banana. As we discussed above, bananas are a smoothie favorite for a reason. They pair wonderfully with other ingredients, add nutritional value, and help create that desirable thick, creamy texture.
- Peanut Butter. The other half of our classic pairing. The beloved flavor of peanut butter helps give this smoothie universal appeal, while also helping make it rich and satisfying.
- Almond Milk. The liquid for our healthy breakfast smoothie. I like to use unsweetened almond milk to keep the smoothie from being too sweet.
- Greek Yogurt. To up the creamy factor and give this smoothie a protein boost.
- Cinnamon. Adds a warm and cozy element that you don’t want to miss.
The Directions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. ENJOY!
Variations for a Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Not only is a smoothie a fantastic vehicle for nutritious food during the day, but is also very adaptable to your liking. Here are easy variations for this recipe:
- Chocolate. Thinking of having a chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie to stave off the temptation of a less healthy dessert? Add a few teaspoons of cocoa powder (a little goes a long way!) or a scoop of chocolate protein powder, and this very well may replace your favorite milkshake.
- Protein Powder. This peanut butter banana smoothie has protein because of the peanut butter and Greek yogurt. But if you need an extra boost in your banana smoothie after a workout, add a ½ to 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate).
- Bowl Style. For a new twist, try a peanut butter banana smoothie bowl. Add extra banana or ice to thicken it further, then serve it in a bowl with toppings, such as granola, banana slices, or blueberries, and a drizzle of additional peanut butter.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftover smoothies in airtight storage containers or jars for up to 1 day.
- To Freeze. Freeze smoothies in freezer-safe jars or ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Let the jars thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. If using an ice cube tray, toss the frozen cubes into the blender for a smoothie on demand.
What to Serve with a Smoothie
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Blender. This more economical one would also work well.
- Stainless Steel Straws. Perfect for sipping cold drinks at home or on the go.
High-Powered Blender
A high-powered, heavy-duty blender like this one will help create the perfect smoothies, sauces, soups, and more!
Sluuuurpppp. That’s me, polishing off every last drop. I know you’ll love this smoothie too!
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 large banana cut into chunks and frozen
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Ice optional
- Optional mix-ins: 1/2 scoop protein powder (vanilla or chocolate) 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal, 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender in the order listed: almond milk, banana, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, cinnamon, and any extra mix-ins.
- Blend until smooth. If you'd like the smoothie thicker, add a few ice cubes and blend again. Pour and enjoy!
Notes
- If you are not using a high-powered blender, you may need to thin the smoothie with more almond milk to get it to blend properly. A good approach is to add the frozen banana in stages, blending between each.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover smoothies in airtight storage containers or jars for up to 1 day.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze smoothies in freezer-safe jars or ice cube trays for up to 3 months. Let the jars thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving. If using an ice cube tray, toss the frozen cubes into the blender for a smoothie on demand.
Nutrition
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Absolutely delicious! I used vanilla Greek yogurt in mine because that’s what I happened to have. And probably 3 tbsp of Honey PB. Yummmmmm. Tastes just like ice cream! Thanks for sharing!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Amberly! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I just made it. It’s a little thick and think I’m going to add more peanut butter next time otherwise it’s awesome and my pugs know I have 2 of there favorite things and they want it! 😀
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Kellie! Thank you for reporting back!
I don’t like PB much – most are high sugar – Which peanut butter did you use ?
Hi Fareha! I recommend using a natural peanut butter that has peanuts as the only ingredient.
This is the perfect peanut butter smoothie. I doubled the peanut butter (since you can never have too much) and used a dairy free yogurt. Delicious
Hi Erin! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I used vanilla Greek yogurt because that’s what I had and regular milk because I ran out of almond milk. I did use a few ice cubes. My daughter did enjoy it, but it came out very thin. She prefers thicker smoothies. What can I do to make it thicker? More peanut butter maybe? I’m used to making her smoothies with berries in them, too and they always turns out thick.
Hi Leigh, to make a smoothie thicker, use frozen bananas. Glad you enjoy it!
I had to make some substitutions because I didn’t have almond milk or smooth peanut butter, but this smoothie was a big hit anyway. I used regular milk, crunchy peanut butter and added a tablespoon of honey. By the time it went through the blender you couldn’t tell the peanut butter had been crunchy. Delicious. Anxious to make it again.
Hi Bernadette! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I was not impressed by this recipe at all. The Greek yogurt completely overpowers (yea I used unflavored Greek yogurt) the entire smoothie and you can barely taste the peanut butter. I added 3x more peanut butter and still it was over powered by Greek yogurt. I even went back and thought I must have used too much yogurt but it was dead on. My wife and both kids did not care for it.
I’m sorry this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Tom. I (and many other readers) have truly enjoyed it, so I wish you would’ve too!