This Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie tastes like a milkshake, but it’s dairy-free and naturally sweetened. All you need is 5 simple ingredients!
Why You’ll Love It
This smoothie recipe is filling and delicious, with 11 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber per serving. It makes a delicious breakfast, or mid-day snack, and it’s easy to customize.
When you use a dairy-free milk, like almond milk or coconut milk, it’s naturally vegan, too!
If you don’t have peanut butter on hand, feel free to swap it for another nut butter, like cashew butter or almond butter. You can add in any other ingredients you love, like greek yogurt, flaxseed, or chia seeds, too.
This shake is totally flexible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s in a chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie?
- Peanut butter
- Frozen bananas
- Cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
- Almond milk (or milk of choice)
- Vanilla extract
You can add a big handful of spinach, if you’d like to sneak some greens in, too. You can’t taste it at all!
See substitution ideas below if you need them.
Want to add extra protein? Try adding in a tablespoon or two of hemp hearts, which have the 9 essential amino acids your body needs, or a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
How to Make It
- Combine. Add the frozen banana, peanut butter, cacao powder, milk, and vanilla to a blender.
- Blend. Blend everything together until it’s smooth and creamy. If you need to make any adjustments, now is the time to make them. You can add a little ice, if you want a thicker texture, or you can add a little extra milk or water, to thin it out, as needed. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly more diluted if you add extra ice and water.
- Enjoy! Serve this smoothie right away for the best taste and texture. You can try serving it as a smoothie bowl with some crunchy granola on top, if you’d like a breakfast you can eat with a spoon!
Note: Smoothies are never quite as delicious after you store them in the fridge, but check out my make-ahead tips below if you want an easier morning.
Make-Ahead Smoothie Bags
Want to make this smoothie ahead of time? Add the frozen banana, sliced into coins, cacao powder, peanut butter, and spinach into a freezer bag or airtight container.
You can store it in the fridge for up to 3 months, so fee free to make as many batches as you’d like to have on hand.
When you’re ready to make a smoothie, dump the contents of the bag into the blender and add the liquid ingredients, like milk and vanilla. When blending a smoothie bag, you’ll sometimes need to add extra liquid, since everything is frozen this time. Feel free to add it a splash at a time, until everything blends.
As a result, smoothie bags can sometimes be slightly less flavorful. Feel free to add a touch of honey or maple syrup, to help boost the flavor, if you need to.
Need a nut-free recipe? Try using sunflower butter, instead.
Tips for Making the Best Smoothie
1. Use frozen bananas. This is the key to creating an ice cream like texture, so make sure you have some bananas stashed in your freeze before you make this recipe.
I’ve covered how to freeze bananas, but it’s important to know that you need to peel your bananas before you freeze them. The peels are nearly impossible to remove after they are frozen.
For the easiest blending, cut the bananas into small pieces (like coins) so they will break down quickly in the blender. I usually freeze banana whole, then cut them later, but you can freeze them as coins first if you prefer.
2. Don’t use too much liquid. If you want a thick and creamy texture, start with less liquid than you might expect to. I typically plan on a 1/2 cup of milk per 1 large frozen banana. You can always add ice later to help thicken up a smoothie, but that will dilute the flavor, so it’s best to start with less liquid, since you can always add more, as needed, to help everything blend.
3. Taste as you go. If you want something sweeter, you can add a squeeze of honey or a splash of maple syrup. If you prefer a darker chocolate flavor, add more cacao powder.
4. Serve right away. Smoothies have the best flavor and texture when you enjoy them straight from the blender. For a make-ahead option, you can freeze the ingredients (minus the liquid) in a storage bag, so they are ready to dump into the blender for a faster morning. Just add liquid and blend!
Prefer a smoothie recipe without banana? Try my favorite chocolate smoothie, which is made with dates instead, for a fruit-sweetened dessert.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana , sliced for easy blending
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the banana, milk, cacao powder, peanut butter, and vanilla to a high-speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust the texture as needed, adding a little more liquid if you need help blending, or a handful of ice if you'd like a thicker texture. Just keep in mind that adding extra ice or liquid will dilute the flavor slightly. Feel free to add a little more cacao powder for a stronger chocolate flavor, or a squeeze of honey or maple syrup, if you want a sweeter taste.
- Serve right away for the best taste and texture. See the tips in the post above for making smoothie bags that you can store in the freezer, for a make-ahead idea.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below so I’ll know how you like it!
Has anybody tried this without the maple syrup? How is it? Is it needed?
It’s definitely not needed!
Excellent recipe! Just tried it for the first time & I’m lovin’ it! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
The best shake I have EVER had in my entire life!
OMG So good!!!
Made a few changes to suit what we had –
1 banana only (not frozen)
some chocolate AND regular almond milk
and used raw honey because I ran out of maple syrup last week lol
It was delicious, sweet but not overpowering. Will be pinning and making again for sure!
I just made this last night for the family…it was a big hit! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I just pinned it too!
I actually made this for my kids and they didn’t like it. However, I had some too and I thought it tasted just like a chocolate milkshake with a hint of banana. I have no idea what is wrong with my kids. :). I used more ice and raw honey instead of syrup but holy bomb. It was good. And I don’t even like peanut butter!
I LOVE your blog & this recipe rocks! I didn’t have almond milk so I used a little water instead & it still turned out great. I also added a handful of kale & substituted almond butter, soooo good! Thank you for all the great recipes & tips.
Cindy,
I have to watch my sugar intake and have now incorporated almond milk and brown rice powdered
meal replacement for my lunches.
So when looking for a variety of recipies that incorporates almond milk I came across your peanut butter cocoa drink.
Tried it tonight WOW!!! That’s all i can say. First of all I love thick malts but no can do anymore.
This is off the charts. I used Rapunzel organic coca. Going to add coconut to my next one THANKS!!!
Way too rich for me. Was it because I didn’t add any ice because we disnt have any. Tasted like i was drinking straight chocolate.
Your recipes never cease to amaze me. Thanks, Megan!
I’m using a ninja, so I blended the ice into a “snowy” texture in the mini processor first. It solved the problem of the rogue ice chunks and made it exactly the consistency of a frosty! Also, I used frozen coconut water for the ice cubes and didn’t add any sweetener. SO GOOD!!!!
Made this tonight. Delicious! I was wondering how many calories are in a serving?
THANK YOU for this recipe! This has become a total staple for me! I love it for breakfast and also for a late night snack when I need something sweet and I don’t feel guilt! I love this!!
My husband suggested going out for ice cream treats at our favorite local dairy and I said no… I wanted to make this instead! I made 1 serving using 3 ice cubes, 1.5 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1.5 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder (for a richer chocolate taste), roughly 3/8 cup of almond milk, few grains of salt, & 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Delightful! I skipped the maple syrup since a) I didn’t want the extra sugar and b) I noticed that you responded to another commenter that the maple syrup was not necessary. I know you’re not into counting calories, but for me this was probably slightly fewer calories than a similar sized ice cream shake and definitely way less sugar, too.
This was absolutely AMAZING! I’m not really a favor of peanut butter, but it looked so yummy in the picture I had to give it a try! Can not believe how delicious! Can’t wait to pass this recipe on to my clients! Thanks for a winner!
OOPS! *not really a “fan” of peanut butter! – Guess I was so excited after trying this I was completely confused! Yummy brain freeze!
made the shake but it was not thick .what did I not do right .tasted good but just like a drink not a shake.
So delicious! My husband toddler and I love this shake, thanks for sharing!
This is just so, so good.
Thanks for this recipe, I pinned it a few weeks ago and decided to try it this week! We have had it twice already and the kiddos LOVE it.. They only thing I did different was use coconut milk instead of almond since that’s what I buy.. Delicious!!!
I just made this but made it with PB, Frozen Bananas, Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk, Kale, Flax seeds and it is to die for! No need for ice since the frozen bananas made it icy cold. 🙂 It tastes more like a dessert or a treat though.
I just made this but made it with PB, Frozen Bananas, Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk, Kale, Flax seeds and it is to die for! No need for ice since the frozen bananas made it icy cold. It tastes more like a dessert or a treat though. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Two words…HAZELNUT BUTTER….
As a sub for the PB….Result? An unctuous Nutella “Frosty” = Sheer nirvana!
Oh man, this was heavenly! I used almond butter, and coconut milk (to get more fat), and tossed in a few blueberries, then topped it with cocoa nibs. It is definitely a treat and not to be consumed daily 😉
Thanks for the yummy recipe!
how many calories per serving?
Just made this after a long run and it completely hit the spot! Like all of the rest of your recipes, it’s easy and crazy tasty. Thanks for this!
Just made this (halved the recipe), used water instead of almond milk, and added a piece of 80% dark chocolate. Fabulous!!! Thank you!
Do you have the nutritional information for this recipe?
Please see my FAQ regarding nutrition information: https://detoxinista.com/frequently-asked-questions/
OMG this is soooooo deelish!!! I just made this for my husband & he loved it. I added an extra scoop of cocoa powder. Definitely 5 stars!!!!
This is SO good and my new go-to snack when I have a craving for something sweet and a green smoothie won’t cut it (I replaced the maple syrup with stevia).
5 stars!
This recipe looks so good! I absolutely HATE bananas..Is there anything can can be substituted in place of the bananas?
Yummers! I just finished having a variation of this for BREAKFAST! My version combined almond milk, frozen banana, frozen spinach, crunchy peanut butter, chia seeds, a stray date that was hanging around needing a purpose, vanilla, and maca powder. No ice, no salt (my peanut butter was already salted), no maple syrup. So, so delicious, and I felt I could rationalize drinking it for breakfast by calling it a green smoothie! 😉
Oh, and of course I also added cocoa powder! (Oops!)
Mmmmmmmm, made another variation of this milkshake this morning for my breakfast and it turned out possibly even better than my first version. Almond milk, goat milk yogurt, frozen banana, frozen spinach, peanut butter, cocoa powder, hemp protein powder, vitamineral green powder, maca powder, chia seeds, and vanilla. Yummy!
I just made it….it is delicious….the thing is this is so fullfilling and sweet that i dont think ill be able to finish my serving!
I hope its ok if i save it in my fridge in order to finish it tomorrow!
OMG! I’ve just this second finished making this milkshake and let me tell you how delicious it tastes. I shall be incorporating this drink into my healthier lifestyle diet.
btw I omitted the maple syrup and opted for some dates instead…it’s lower on the GI index
You are a genius. This milkshake was non- stop sippingly good. How do you know exactly how many ice cubes to use to get it to taste so great? I think I would’ve added too many (which would’ve compromised the flavor ) if I didn’t have a guideline from your recipe. Thanks Detoxinista!
I have tried to kick my awful sugar cravings and within the last 3 weeks I haven’t had any sugar! I attribute that to this recipe! Many MANY thanks 🙂
I made this with chocolate Soymilk, minus the cocoa powder. It’s really delicious!! I will be making this again. Thanks!
I have been trying different smoothie recipes and couldn’t make it “just right”…until I tried your recipe!! I eliminated the cocoa powder and it was still perfect. Thank you for sharing, it was super yummy!!
Seriously amazing! It was a perfect balance of flavors.
Seriously amazing! It was a perfect balance of flavors.
Hi,I want to tell you that your recipes are the best I have ever seen and tried. I was looking so long for good, healthy, cellulite-reducing(it works!!) and most important sooo tasty recipes.Unfortunately I don’t get all the ingredients in Europe but there are more and more health food shops and if I don’t get an ingredient your recipe is a great inspiration. Just tried this shake-it’s fantastic!!Greeetings from Austria!
Hi Isa
Can I ask what recipes you’ve been using to combat (the dreaded) cellulite????
Thanks in advance – N 🙂
do you know what the calorie count is for this recipe?
Hey there, I love your blog, and love trying your recipes. They are awesome! Quick question on this one: is there a reason that the bananas should be frozen? Or can I just use regular bananas? I don’t have much experience with smoothies, so I was wondering! Thanks!
The frozen bananas provide an “ice cream” texture. If they aren’t frozen, it will be more like a smoothie and not as cold and creamy.
That makes sense. Thanks!
Best shake ever!
I subbed the cocoa for a little chocolate whey protein.
I am in love!
Not only did it taste amazing, it kept me full all morning! MUST MAKE THIS
Oh my goodness! I can’t wait to make this! What a great idea!
This sounds so delicious that I ‘m going to hav it for breakfast tomorrow but with almod butter.