Are Smoothies Good For You
The health factor of smoothies is completely dependent on what you put in them. This chocolate peanut butter smoothie sounds indulgent, but its full of ingredients that are healthy.
We stick with simple, whole ingredients in our chunky monkey smoothies:
- Almond milk
- Cocoa powder
- Dates
This short ingredient list means the smoothie is gluten free, dairy free, egg free and soy free. The addition of peanut butter means its a great source of protein that is vegetarian and vegan friendly. If you need to also make it nut free, you can use coconut milk and sun butter instead.
How Do You Sweeten The Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Both the banana and the dates are natural ingredients that sweeten the chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie.
The riper the banana is, the sweeter it will be. Overripe bananas will also blend better. Bananas bring sweetness to your smoothie, but also have lots of potassium, fiber and vitamin C. Its easy to keep a few ripe bananas in the freezer to both sweeten and thicken your smoothie.
When bananas start getting a little too ripe on the counter, just peel them and toss them into a bag in the freezer. Youll have frozen bananas ready to use any time.
Using dates as a natural sweetener is a great way to cut refined sugar from your diet. They are very mild in flavor, so youll still taste the chocolate and peanut butter in the smoothie. Besides being sweet, they have fiber, magnesium and calcium. If you want, you can soak the dates first for an extra smooth finish. One or two dates is plenty to sweeten a chocolate peanut butter smoothie.
Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie
Published: · by Kim Lange · This post may contain affiliate links ·
This smooth and delish Peanut Butter Banana Protein Drink is healthy smoothie fully loaded with peanut butter, banana, Greek yogurt, almond milk, honey and lots of protein! It’s a great way to start the day or after a workout!
For the peanut butter, we used PB2, although you can use peanut butter, it’s just another smoothie option with less calories. So, if you aren’t familiar with PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter, here’s the smack-down. PB2 is made with premium quality peanuts that are slow-roasted and pressed to remove over 90% of the fat and oil, resulting in a peanut powder. All natural with no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Same consistency as full-fat peanut butter with all of the roasted peanut flavor, but with more than 85% less fat calories.
I love to drink this shake for protein for a quick boost of healthy! Did you notice no chocolate here in this smoothie? Just so ya know…I am not giving up chocolate! I eat healthy, but I gotta have my tempting chocolate goodies on the side and that’s my resolution! And I’m sticking to it. My resolution rocks right?
At least I do my chocolate bursts in moderation and balance and that makes me happy!! This smoothie tastes like dessert, so it’s all good!
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Made With Only 6 Clean Real Food Ingredients
I used homemade almond milk and homemade peanut butter, both of which are really easy to do and you have control over the quality of the ingredients.
Here’s the ingredient list for store-bought peanut butter:
S.A.D. Great Value Creamy Peanut Butter Ingredients: Peanuts Roasted, Sugar, Contains Less Than 2% of Molasses, Vegetable Oil Hydrogenated , Salt
If you use store-bought peanut butter, try to get organic peanut butter or make your own since the non-organic store-bought versions can contain GMO ingredients , refined sugar, and refined salt and can contain up to 8 different pesticides.
My healthy plant-based chocolate peanut butter smoothie is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and contains no refined sugar.
What Kind Of Chocolate Powder Is Best
This recipe calls for cacao powder, which you can find in natural food stores and in most grocery stores nowadays. I like to buy it at Trader Joes or Thrive Market to save money. Raw cacao is a powder made from cold-pressing unroasted beans which removes the cacao butter.
Additionally, some grocery stores stock cacao powder in the baking aisle or health food section. If you cant find cacao powder, substitute an equal amount of cocoa powder in the smoothie.
Whether youre looking for a quick and delicious breakfast or a satisfying snack, this chocolate smoothie is the perfect healthy drink. Just make sure whichever cocoa or cacao powder you use doesnt have any sweetener in it. Youll add it to smoothies with natural fruit sweeteners, so no need for anything extra!
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Health Benefits Of Peanut Butter
Sometimes peanuts get a bad rap. Yes, 1% of the United States population has a peanut or tree nut allergy. Yes peanuts are actually a fungus and not a nut. Yet peanuts also have a whole host of nutrition!
Peanuts contain 7 grams of protein per 2 tablespoon serving, along with good amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin and vitamin B6. Add in a scoop or 2 to your next smoothie and enjoy the boost! It contributes both protein and healthy fat in the chocolate peanut butter smoothie below.
Peanuts are about as heart healthy as olive oil and can help the body build muscle. They also help regulate blood sugar and may reduce the risk of breast disease.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie + Video
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Chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas need I say more? This healthy vegan smoothie only requires 5 ingredients and is perfect for breakfast, a mid-day snack, or even as a healthy dessert. Get your blender and whip together this thick and creamy chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie in a snap!
Im typically a team green smoothie kinda gal, but this my friends is a smoothie made for champions.
Its almost wrong to call this recipe a chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie. Its more like a . Its thick, creamy, and has a rich chocolatey peanut butter flavor. But its far from a milkshake because its completely vegan, theres no added sugar, and its loaded with healthy ingredients.
Sound too good to be true? Im here to tell you its very true. And very delicious.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Those busy mornings just dont give us enough time to cook up a big healthy breakfast. I mean, I know I want to feel full and satisfied, but cooking up a feast in the morning just isnt always a possibility! Can you relate?
Shakes like this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake are so quick to make and you can even pour it into a travel cup with a straw to sip on the go! The added bonus is that it tastes so delicious! I mean, come on- chocolate and peanut butter in a thick, cold shake is like dessert for breakfast. Plus, the ingredients are healthy so you can feel good about what youre choosing to put in your body at the start of your busy day!
Why Make This Protein Shake
High protein: this protein shake recipe gets you 13g protein per serving!
Favorite flavors: if you are skeptical about coffee + peanut butter + banana, dont be! Youre going to have to trust us on this one that these flavors are so good.
Easy to make: pop everything into a blender and youre ready to rock!
Recommended Reading: Kefir Smoothies For Weight Loss
An Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
If you need an afternoon pick-me-up or even a lightened-up dessert, this easy peanut butter banana smoothie is absolute gold! With simple ingredients and the best creamy texture thanks to the banana, its sweet, peanut buttery, and filling without being too heavy. The use of Greek yogurt and optional collagen peptides adds a boost of protein, so yep, you could even have this smoothie for breakfast! Chocolate and PB in the morning? Sign me up.
If you have a hard time getting little ones to eat healthy , then this smoothies about to be your new bestie. It is SO good, and with only 5 necessary ingredients , its the easiest thing ever! Anytime I have bananas about to go bad, I like to chop them into about 1-inch pieces and stick them in a bag to freeze. They act as the ice in this smoothie, but wont water it down like ice does. And banana adds an added element of sweetness and creaminess that is incredible. Satisfy that chocolate and peanut butter sweet tooth with this healthy smoothie!
How To Make The Creamiest Chocolate Banana Smoothie
With a few tips & tricks youll have the best creamy chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie every time:
Recommended Reading: The 21 Day Smoothie Diet
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Ingredients:
- Milk: I use low fat dairy milk, because thats what we drink, but I have often used almond, nut or coconut milk and it is also delicious! If you need to make this smoothie recipe dairy free, you can easily swap for whatever milk you have on hand. You can also use water, but it will be less creamy.
- Frozen bananas: Frozen bananas are a must! Using banana slices that have been frozen is the only way to go. It makes this smoothie, rich and creamy with a texture similar to ice cream. If you dont have frozen bananas, you can use a fresh banana but you may want to add some ice cubes to cool and thicken.
- Peanut Butter: I use regular creamy peanut butter because, again, thats what we have on hand! You can use any kind of peanut butter, or another nut butter, or a not free butter if you need to.
- Cocoa powder: Be sure that you are using unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe, and not sweetened chocolate, hot chocolate mix or syrup as those have added sugars that really arent needed. The banana gives us the sweetness we need!
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
To make this smoothie, you only need a blender and your smoothie ingredients. This is how you do it in 7 simple steps:
Step 1: Add all the ingredients to the blender and blend until completely smooth.
Step 2: Pour smoothie into glasses, top with some chocolate shavings or chocolate chips if desired.
Step 3: Enjoy!
**You can find the printable recipe card with detailed instructions on this page. **
Read Also: Best Plant Based Protein Smoothies
How Do We Make This Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
Frozen bananas are the base of the smoothie bowl, and they help make it super creamy, while also adding lots of sweetness. A little dairy-free milk helps it blend up smooth. Of course, we also add peanut butter and cacao powder for flavor .
Now if thats all you have, it will be delicious as is, but I like to load mine up with a few of my favorite superfood powders. First, I add a few scoops of my favorite collagen which is flavorless but adds protein and is super good for you. Its animal-based protein, so if youre vegan, you can absolutely substitute in your favorite vegan protein powder. Right now, this is my favorite vegan protein powder.
I also like to add two teaspoons of maca powder, which is super nutritious and gives an energy boost, and a tablespoon of chia seeds, which are full of fiber. The maca adds a deliciously nutty, sweet, caramelly flavor. Meanwhile, the chia seeds will help thicken it all up a little bit.
Do You Need To Freeze The Bananas
I highly recommend freezing your bananas. Since the banana is the only fruit in this recipe, there isnt any opportunity to use other frozen fruit to chill and thicken the smoothie. The frozen banana makes the smoothie very thick and creamy. Trust me, its worth planning ahead!
If you absolutely cant use frozen bananas, use fresh, but then youll need to add additional ice to compensate. The results will likely be much more watery.
Read Also: What Can You Use To Make Smoothies
How To Make A Coffee Protein Shake
Smoothie making might be the easiest thing youve ever done. It takes less than 5 minutes and you only need one kitchen tool- a blender!
Our Favorite
How To Make The Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Making the Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie is not difficult. You will need to add your chocolate protein powder into a blender with one medium banana, two tablespoons of your favorite peanut butter, almond milk, honey, and ice cubes. Once you have added all the ingredients to the blender, cover with a lid and blend until you reach the desired consistency. Some people like a thicker smoothie, while others prefer it a bit thinner. If you feel like it is too thick, add a tablespoon or two more of milk or water to thin it out with ease.
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Our Favorite Nutritional Boosters
This easy chocolate peanut butter smoothie is great for adding your go-to nutritional boosters. Here are some of our favorites to add:
- Flaxseed meal: this is one of my favorite ingredients to add to smoothies for a little boost of fiber and minerals, and is especially great for nursing mamas as flaxseed can help increase milk supply. Usually, a tablespoon is plenty! Heres a brand I love.
- Hemp seeds: feel free to throw a tablespoon of hemp seeds into your smoothie for a boost of healthy fats, omegas and minerals.
- More veggies: you could also try adding some frozen cauliflower for an extra boost, or adding a handful of spinach or kale. Youll never be able to taste them!
- Protein: Easily add more protein to a smoothie by adding some greek yogurt or 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder. I recommend Vital Protein collagen peptides or Four Sigmatic Plant-Based Protein Powder.
Optional Add Ins For This Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie:
This smoothie already has a good amount of protein and fat, but there are lots of ways to boost the nutritional value even further! Here are a few of our favorites:
- Ground flax: Flax is high in Omega-3s and fibre, plus they offer a ton of other nutrients
- Quick oats: Oats are another great way to add complex carbs that keep you satisfied through the day, and theyre a great source of fibre and protein
- Hemp hearts: hemp hearts or hemp seeds are loaded with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, protein, and tons of other vitamins and minerals. They pack a big punch in a small package!
- Protein powder: If you simply want to boost the protein, a scoop or vanilla or chocolate protein powder will do the trick.
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Protein Shake Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana
Its that time of year again.. The time of year when we begin to feel the effects of cabin fever, the effects of all our holiday indulgences and the fear that in a few months its swimsuit season once again! As all the experts will tell you, exercise and a healthy diet is the key to successful long term weight loss. Not only does a healthy diet and exercise aid you in weight loss, it also eases the symptoms of joint related pain and is a natural mood booster — Essential when you live in an area where sun is brief and fleeting in the winter months!
Protein shakes are an easy and delicious way to feel full. They are also packed with lean protein, fiber and complex carbs, antioxidants, potassium, vitamins B6 & C, and heart-healthy mono/polyunsaturated fats. Chocolate peanut butter banana protein shakes may be good for you, but what about the taste? I have to be honest. There are many products on the market and in the food aisle that are labeled healthy and great tasting, but I have to disagree with many of these claims! But.Chocolate peanut butter protein shakes don’t taste like your typical diet food. They are actually quite delicious! Have you ever had a Reeses peanut butter cup? This shake tastes like a liquified Reese’s peanut butter cup, and as a self-professed candy addict, these shakes take away the craving for sweets and sugar in a natural and healthy way.
Is It Bad To Put Peanut Butter In Your Protein Shake
Its definitely okay and smart to put peanut butter in your protein shake. Peanut butter is a healthy ingredient! Peanut butter has all 3 of the macronutrients we need daily, those being fat, protein, and carbs.
So yes, go ahead and add peanut butter to your shake as I did in this recipe. It tastes great, too!
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