Banana Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
A thick, creamy smoothie that tastes like a peanut butter banana milkshake but packs a serious protein punch. Made with frozen banana, real peanut butter, and milk, it comes together in under 5 minutes for a satisfying breakfast or post-workout refuel.
For 1 serving
- prep
Slice and freeze the banana.
Peel a medium banana, slice into rounds, and freeze for at least 2 hours until solid. This gives the smoothie its thick, creamy texture without needing ice.
TIPKeep a stash of peeled frozen bananas in the freezer so you're always ready for a smoothie. - mix · ~1 min
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
1.Add the frozen banana slices, peanut butter, milk, protein powder, and cinnamon to a blender.2.Blend on high speed until completely smooth and creamy (30-45 seconds).3.Stop and scrape down the sides if needed, then blend again for 10 seconds. - serve
Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
The smoothie is thickest and coldest right after blending. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy straight away.
TIPFor a thinner consistency, add an extra splash of milk and blend briefly.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Freeze the banana in slices rather than whole to blend more easily and avoid chunks.
- 2Use a high-speed blender for the creamiest texture—regular blenders may need more scraping.
- 3Natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oil gives the best flavor and consistency.
- 4If your smoothie is too thick, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired pour.
- 5For a colder, thicker smoothie, chill your milk and blender jar for 10 minutes before blending.
- 6Make ahead the night before: blend and freeze in a glass; thaw slightly in the fridge before drinking.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Swap dairy milk for oat, almond, or soy milk and use a plant-based protein powder. The smoothie stays creamy and protein-rich without any animal products.
low calorieLow-calorie
Replace peanut butter with 1 tablespoon of powdered peanut butter (reconstituted with water) and use unsweetened almond milk to slash calories while keeping the peanut taste.
chocolate peanut butterChocolate peanut butter
Add 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder along with the other ingredients for a chocolate-peanut butter flavor that pairs perfectly with banana.
high proteinHigh-protein
Increase protein powder to 2 tablespoons and replace half the milk with plain Greek yogurt for a smoothie that delivers over 30g of protein.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Natural Energy from Bananas
Bananas provide potassium and natural sugars for quick energy, making this smoothie a great pre- or post-workout choice.
Heart-Healthy Fats
Peanut butter contributes monounsaturated fats, which support heart health and help keep you full longer.
Muscle Recovery Support
The protein powder and milk provide essential amino acids to help repair muscle tissue after exercise.
Blood Sugar Friendly
Cinnamon may help moderate blood sugar response, and the combination of protein, fat, and fiber slows down sugar absorption from the banana.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but the smoothie will be thinner and less creamy. To thicken it, add 3–4 ice cubes and blend until smooth.
