Peanut Butter Smoothie
This cool and creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is rich and satisfying. Frozen banana makes it thick, almost like a milkshake, adding mini chocolate chips is a fun twist, and a few simple swaps or additions can make it either light or decadent. Enjoy it for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert!
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
I am all about banana smoothies. A frozen banana blended with a few other simple ingredients creates an ultra-creamy consistency that hits all the right notes for someone like me who loves ice cream, but sometimes needs a lighter option.
And this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is the ultimate treat, especially if you go the extra mile and add some chocolate chips. The little bits give it just texture contrast compared to your basic creamy smoothie. But it’s the peanut butter (or peanut butter powder if you want to lighten it up a bit more) that adds a little extra richness to make it feel like an indulgent treat.
Why You’ll Love this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
You are definitely going to add this to your regular smoothie rotation. Here’s why…
- Seriously the creamiest. The perfect balance of banana and ice with milk and something creamy (many people like Greek yogurt, but I actually use cottage cheese) turns it into a frothy, rich mixture that’s almost like sipping on slightly melty ice cream.
- Incredibly versatile. Smoothies are customizable to your needs, whether that’s adding leafy greens, protein powder, or even choosing dairy-free ingredients.
- Easy to make indulgent. If you want something that feels like dessert but isn’t as heavy, definitely add the mini chips, and then give it a garnish with more bananas or chips, or even whipped cream for those milkshake vibes.
Recipe Ingredients
Here is the list of what you need to make the banana peanut butter smoothie recipe. Keep reading for more details on the ingredients and the different substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with amounts.
- Spinach, kale, or other leafy greens. Optional, but a great way to add extra fiber and vitamins. Your smoothie won’t be the same color as the one in the photos, though. These were taken without any greens added.
- Plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. For creaminess and protein, many people like to use Greek yogurt in their smoothies. I actually prefer to use cottage cheese. This peanut butter smoothie has been tested with both, and even a combination. Feel free to use nondairy yogurt, too.
- Dairy or non-dairy milk. To save some calories, I usually use unsweetened vanilla almondmilk. Silk is my favorite brand. But you can use any dairy or non-dairy milk you like.
- Peanut butter or powdered peanut butter. A tablespoon of peanut butter adds a good burst of peanut flavor, healthy fats, and protein. For fewer calories, try powdered peanut butter or peanut flour.
- Frozen banana. The more ripe your banana, the sweeter your smoothie without the need to add additional sweetener.
- Ice cubes. I usually start with two or three standard size ice cubes. You can always add more if needed if you prefer a thicker or frostier smoothie.
- Honey or another sweetener. Optional depending on how sweet your banana is. You can use honey or maple syrup, or a sweetener like Stevia or erythritol. You can always taste the smoothie first before deciding to add it.
- Salt. You just need a pinch, but it really enhances the peanut flavor and balances the sweetness. If you use cottage cheese, which usually has salt, you may not need it.
- Mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Optional, but a fun addition. They add a little texture and chocolaty flavor.
- Garnishes. Optional, but you can use more peanut butter, chocolate chips, or cacao nibs, banana slices, whipped cream, etc.
Tips for the Best Smoothies
- Choose your greens. When I do add greens, I like to use baby spinach because I find it has the mildest taste and breaks down completely when you blend it. But other greens, such as kale, are more nutrient-dense. But they can be tougher and not blend as thoroughly. I like to add greens to the blender first, so they are fully submerged and break down completely when blending.
- Add in the right order. After the greens, if you use them, add the yogurt, milk, and peanut butter, as well as the sweetener or salt, if needed. Finally, add the frozen banana and ice cubes. This helps everything blend completely but stay nice and thick.
- Try cottage cheese. If you think sometimes Greek yogurt is a bit too tart, you won’t believe the whipped creaminess that comes from using cottage cheese in your smoothies. You don’t even have to like cottage cheese because it blends totally smooth and the salt enhances the sweetness and peanut butter flavor. Trust me!
- Choose your peanutty option. I try to stick with a natural peanut butter where the only ingredient is peanuts for the strongest flavor in my peanut butter smoothie. Powdered peanut butter, such as PBFit, are great to add to smoothies because they add the peanutty flavor with fewer calories. However, they do have added salt and sugar that can actually mute some of the strong PB flavor. So if you want to avoid that, try peanut flour, which is made solely from roasted peanuts, giving you an intense peanut butter flavor with fewer calories like the powdered peanut butter, but you can control the sweet and salt.
- Freezing bananas. Peel your banana before freezing it. You can either cut it into chunks before or after it is frozen. Personally, I prefer to freeze whole bananas so that I don’t have to worry about portioning them out. You can see more in my post about how to freeze bananas for smoothies.
- Up the protein. You can always add protein powder or collagen powder for additional protein. Or try other mix-ins to meet your needs.
- Use the right straw. If you choose to add the chips or cacao nibs, enjoy with a wide straw! If you use a narrow one, the chips may get stuck.
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a cool and creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie. Frozen banana makes it thick and rich, and you can enjoy it for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert!
Servings: 1 smoothie
Ingredients
- spinach, kale, or other dark, leafy greens, optional
- 1 very ripe frozen banana , cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almondmilk or regular dairy milk
- 2 Tablespoons powdered peanut butter (such as PB Fit or PB2), or 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- a tiny pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup , if needed, depending on how sweet your banana is
- a few ice cubes (start with two or three, and add more if needed)
- 1 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs (optional)
- additional peanut butter, banana slices, mini chips, cacao nibs, or whipped cream for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Combine spinach, kale, or other dark, leafy greens, 1 very ripe frozen banana (cut into chunks), 1/2 cup cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup unsweetened almondmilk, 2 Tablespoons powdered peanut butter (or 1 Tablespoon peanut butter), a tiny pinch of salt, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrupa few ice cubes in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Add additional ice cubes and blend if needed to achieve your desired texture.
- Add 1 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips, if using, and pulse once or twice to slightly break them up.
- Pour into a glass, garnish withadditional peanut butter, banana slices, mini chips, cacao nibs, or whipped cream if desired, and serve with a wide straw.
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Amount Per Serving (1 smoothie)
Calories 345
Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 7mg2%
Sodium 727mg30%
Potassium 520mg15%
Carbohydrates 52g17%
Fiber 6g24%
Sugar 34g38%
Protein 22g44%
Vitamin A 76IU2%
Vitamin C 10mg12%
Calcium 236mg24%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Can’t wait to try this! Yum!
It’s so good!
I relate so much to allll the things you said in this post!! and I also would love love love to drink up this whole smoothie!
It’s tough balancing food blogger, budget, health, recipe testing, isn’t it?!
This sounds amazing! I just know my son would love it.
Definitely a kid-friendly snack!
Ooh la laaaa…. I’m totally loving this smoothie recipe, especially when “skinny” is involved. Definitely need this as we’re marching to the holiday galore. And with almond milk, too? Sold!
I know, isn’t almond milk the best. So creamy with so few calories!
Giant smoothies are totally my jam. Especially ones that taste indulgent, but aren’t.
Yes, they’re the best!
What a beautiful smoothie, Brianne, perfect for breakfast or as a snack. I’ve used almond flour in baking but had never heard of peanut flour. Sounds like a wonderful ingredient!
Almond flour is great but this has a more powdery texture. I think it will be interesting to bake with.
Wait, hold the phone! Peanut flour??? Where has that been all my life??? I see a whole new batch of baking fun with it.
I know! I’ve only hesitated baking with it because it’s not a common ingredient. But so many possibilities!!