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When I first moved to Los Angeles, one of my favorite treats was this PB&J smoothie from Jamba Juice. It wasn’t on their regular menu. You had to know how to order it… which felt special at the time, because I learned about it before I even owned an iPhone or had an Instagram account. (I know, I sound old.)
What made the Jamba Juice version so delicious was the addition of frozen yogurt and raspberry sorbet. It really does make the smoothie taste like it’s made with jelly! I wanted to make a version at home without refined sugar, so I spent several weeks making this smoothie every day until it tasted like the one from the smoothie shop.
The resulting recipe has the flavor of a peanut butter and jelly that you love, without the white bread or refined sugar. It also contains 10 grams of fiber per glass! I usually pair it with a couple of hard-boiled eggs from the fridge, so I’ll stay full for hours.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“This smoothie is great and keeps us full for hours. The raspberries really make a difference. We are chocolate lovers here, but this smoothie always is a welcomed change.” – Christine
PB&J Smoothie Ingredients
Milk of Choice. I’ve made this with almond milk and soy milk, but any liquid will do. Even water will work, since peanut butter will add creaminess regardless. Lately, I prefer using soy milk since it’s higher in protein than other plant-based milks.
Frozen Berries. I originally shared this recipe with only frozen strawberries, but it’s even better if you add some frozen raspberries into the mix. I love the tart flavor they add!
Frozen Banana. This adds a creamy and slushy texture to the smoothie, plus a little extra sweetness. You can use a whole banana if you prefer, but lately I like adding just half of one so the berry flavor stays the most prominent.
Medjool Date. A pitted Medjool date helps to boost the sweetness without relying on an added sweetener. Without it, the smoothie tastes a little bland in my opinion.
Note: Feel free to add extras to this smoothie, such as a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or your favorite protein powder. (Make sure you like the flavor of the protein powder, or it could ruin the flavor of the smoothie, though.)
How to make a PB&J Smoothie
Step 1:
In a high-speed blender, add 1 cup of milk and 1 pitted Medjool date. If your blender struggles to break down frozen fruit, go ahead and secure the lid on the blender, then blend until the date is pulverized, about 60 seconds.
Then add 1/2 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1/4 cup frozen raspberries, and 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Secure the lid and blend again.
Note: If your blender has no issues breaking down frozen fruit, you can add everything to the blender and blend it all at once.
Step 2:
Once the smoothie is blended with no visible chunks, you can taste it and make any adjustments you see fit. If it doesn’t have a slushy texture that you were hoping for, you can always add a small handful of ice and blend again.
As soon as you’re happy with the taste and texture, serve it right away in a glass. Smoothies taste best when they’re freshly made and served.
PB&J Smoothie (Jamba Juice Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice
- 1 soft Medjool date , pitted
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
- ½ frozen banana (see notes)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries (about 8 whole strawberries)
- ¼ cup frozen raspberries , or more to taste
Instructions
- In a blender, combine the milk, date, peanut butter, banana, strawberries, and raspberries.
- Secure the lid and blend until very smooth, stopping to scrape the blender if needed. You can add more liquid if your blender struggles to process the mixture, but added liquid will dilute the flavor slightly, so use as little extra as possible. Serve right away and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Smoothie Recipes to Try
- Coffee Smoothie
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
- My Go-To Smoothie For Kids (banana-free)
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- Dragon Fruit Smoothie
- Low Sugar Smoothies
If you try this Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I’d love to hear what you think!
I just made this and holy cow, it’s delicious!! It really does taste like a PB&J!
This is the perfect afternoon snack, has that salty sweet thing going on!
Why is it that everything with PB&J that isn’t the regular PB&J utterly delicious? I cannot stand the regular one, but even plain ol’ grilled PB&J sandwich is delicious.
Hey Megan,
Thanks again for so many wonderful and inspiring posts! I noticed some others commenting about this and since you’re the expert of all things healthy, you may have some ideas we never thought of! I am allergic to bananas and didn’t realized others suffered from this until I noticed some other ladies commenting! Any suggestions as to a good substitute for them in smoothies, or have any smoothies recipes with no banana? It is a terrible allergy to have considering how delicious and nutritious bananas are!
Thank you for all the inspiration!
To Christi and others who ask about no bananas, I LOATHE bananas in smoothies so I hear what you’re saying. I don’t know what Megan suggests but I usually use half a chopped, frozen pear as a substitute. I have seen the idea of steamed then frozen chopped cauliflower but nave never tried it. It gives the smooth extra texture of bananas but without the added sugars from fruit substitutes.
I’m drinking this as we speak and it is YUMMY! I normally don’t like berries when I’m craving a thick shake but this hits the spot in the healthiest way!
Wow, this was really tasty. Sunday is normally our breakfast cheat day (out at a cafe or pancakes and bacon, etc.). We had this instead and it definitely felt like a cheat. It also held us over until an early dinner. Thanks for posting.
This is so good. I have had it several days in a row now. It totally hits the spot, and has the perfect sweetness. I have been adding a tablespoon of jam to mine, just as alittle extra and it’s really tasty. Thanks for another awesome recipe.
I actually love this, especially now that I know my cells can actually assimilate the great nutrition I am giving it, since cleared all heavy metals from my brain and cells… It is as if years of bogged down energy sucking substances have left my body and I can think clear, have a ton of energy and sleep like a baby~ !!
I used to eat a pb & j sandwich after school in High School every. single. day. I think this sounds like a delicious and healthier way to feed my addiction! If only I knew 6 years or so ago!
This looks fun & tasty! I know I’ll enjoy it :0) – thanks! I’ve never been aware of a secret menu at a restaurant! But – maybe this is close – I’ve ordered things when they’ve been taken off one of my favorite restaurant’s seasonal menus, knowing they still technically have the ingredients & want to use them up but don’t want to advertise that fact as they can only make so many till they do so.