Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

This easy peasy, 5-minute peanut butter banana smoothie recipe makes the thickest, most decadent smoothie you’ll ever have.

Peanut butter and banana smoothie – these words are music to my ears. And with just 5 ingredients, you can make this protein-packed treat any day of the week.

A Healthy Smoothie

Sweet bananas and nutty peanut butter blended into one rich and creamy drink? Now that’s what I call brilliance in a glass. 

And while I’m sure you have a favorite store that sells the best tasting PBB smoothie, who says you can’t make one at home?

This recipe makes a thick, creamy, irresistible smoothie that you can make for the whole family at a fraction of the price.

And with ingredients like protein-rich peanut butter, potassium-heavy bananas, and bone-building milk, it’s a pretty healthy choice!

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Ingredients

Here are the five ingredients you’ll need for this smoothie:

• Bananas – The star of the drink. Since bananas are packed with fiber (among other amazing nutrients), your smoothie will be filling, without being too high in calories. Remember, the riper the bananas, the sweeter the smoothie. Also, you’ll want to use frozen bananas to give the smoothie an ice cream-like consistency – almost like a milkshake!

• Peanut Butter – Star number two!  Peanut butter is 25% protein and is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients, making it a wonderful ingredient to add to any healthy breakfast drink. Doesn’t matter what brand you use, but I prefer Smuckers and 365.

• Milk – Your smoothie will need liquid. Otherwise, you will get a super thick mixture. Milk is the perfect candidate because it adds creaminess to the drink.

• Honey – This is totally optional, especially if you’re using super ripe bananas. It’ll add a bit of extra sweetness.

• Ice Cubes – These are also optional. If your bananas are already frozen, they may not be necessary.

How to Make a Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

Like most smoothies, there’s really nothing to making this one.

1. Gather the ingredients. Measure out the ones that need measuring. Break the bananas into chunks. Then, place everything in the blender.

2. Blend. Process the ingredients until you have a smoothie. In most blenders, it shouldn’t take much longer than 30 seconds.

3. Enjoy! Add any toppings or garnishes, and enjoy your delicious smoothie.

Variations & Add-Ins

Tweak the flavor of your smoothie in one of the following ways:

• Add seeds! Add a teaspoon of chia seeds for an energy boost! Chia seeds are packed with proteins, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, so you know they’re good for you. You can’t go wrong with a spoonful of ground flax seeds either. Not only do they contain omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, but they also thicken the smoothie.

• Add grains for more texture. Other grains such as oatmeal and cooked quinoa will further thicken your smoothie. Plus, they’ll give you a nice energy boost.

• Add a little spice. Half an inch of fresh ginger will enhance its flavor. Ginger also helps fight infection and inflammation.

• Mix in some greens. Add a handful of spinach for more nutrition. Relax! It won’t alter the taste of your smoothie at all!

• Make it creamier. Apart from the added nutrition, Greek yogurt also adds a delightful creaminess to the smoothie. It’ll also give it a hint of tanginess. Vanilla or plain Greek yogurt works well here.

• Make it non-dairy. Simply substitute almond milk, or any non-dairy milk for regular milk. It is more nutritious and hey, it’s vegan! Aside from milk, juice is another liquid that will enhance the flavor of your smoothie. Try some fresh apple, grape, or orange juice for a more interesting flavor!

• Try other ‘butters.’ Not a fan of peanut butter? Any nut butter will do! I love to experiment with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, and cashew butter.

• No bananas? No problem! Frozen berries make tasty smoothies too! They won’t be as sweet, though, so you’ll need to add more sweeteners to your smoothie. Aside from sugar, honey, dates, and maple syrup are all excellent options.

• Enhance the flavor with vanilla. Just a teaspoon of this simple extract can make a big difference. Have you ever wondered what vanilla extract actually does? It’s similar to salt, it enhances all the other flavors in the recipe. So, in the case of this smoothie, it further enhances the yummy goodness of the peanut butter and banana flavors.

Tips For Making a Thicker Smoothie

Want a thicker smoothie? Here are some helpful tricks:

• Ditch the ice! Sure, ice will make your smoothie cold, but it will also turn it into a slushy after a few minutes. That’s why it’s crucial to use frozen bananas. Doing so will make your smoothie cold without needing ice. 

• Add xanthan gum. Add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum to the blender with the other ingredients and pulse away. Wait for several minutes, and you’ll start to see the smoothie thicken.

How to Freeze Bananas

Some people think freezing bananas is as simple as tossing them – peel and all – into the freezer. And technically, you CAN freeze bananas that way.

However, there’s a better way that’ll make using the frozen bananas much simpler. Here’s how to do it:

1. Wait for the bananas to get fully ripe or overripe.
2. Peel the bananas and discard the peels.
3. Slice the bananas into approximately 1-inch thick slices.
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Place the banana slices in a single layer on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Freeze the banana slices, uncovered, for about an hour to 90 minutes.
7. Transfer the frozen slices to a freezer-safe bag or container.
8. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Then, you can simply grab as many slices as needed and toss them in the blender!