Creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
A thick and velvety breakfast smoothie that tastes like a milkshake but is packed with protein and nutrients. Perfect for busy mornings or post-workout recovery.
Equipment
- High-Speed Blender
- Chilled glass
Ingredients
- 2 medium overripe frozen bananas
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1/4 cup natural salted peanut butter
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (optional)
- handful spinach (optional)
Instructions
Layer the Blender
- Pour the unsweetened vanilla almond milk into the blender container first. This ensures the blades catch the frozen ingredients effectively.
- Add the frozen bananas, cacao powder, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. At this stage, add 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate profile and add the optional spinach or protein powder if using.
Blend to the Right Texture
- Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy. If the consistency is too thick for your blender to process, add more almond milk a tablespoon at a time until it moves freely.
- For an extra cold and frosty finish, add two ice cubes and blend for another 10 to 15 seconds.
Finish and Serve
- Add a tablespoon of cacao nibs to the blender and pulse only 3 or 4 times. This incorporates the nibs while keeping their crunchy texture intact.
- Pour the smoothie into a chilled glass and serve immediately while thick and frosty.
Notes
Banana Ripeness: Always use bananas with plenty of brown spots before freezing. They provide natural sweetness and a creamy, custard-like texture that underripe bananas lack.
Liquid-First Technique: Placing the liquid at the bottom of the blender prevents cavitation and helps the motor process the frozen fruit without getting stuck.
Temperature Tip: Using a pre-chilled glass prevents the smoothie from melting too quickly, ensuring every sip stays thick and frosty.
Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.