Filling Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

It’s 70 degrees one time and I’m making thirty seven smoothies…oh no, not me at all! But seriously, my smoothie love runs deep. After opening our first smoothie shop (hi, Alchemy) in 2014 and the next in 2018, I consider myself somewhat of a smoothie pro. And while I adore my Chocolate Peanut Butter Zucchini Banana Smoothie and Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie, is there any better combo in the history of mankind than chocolate and peanut butter?! Absolutely not. She’s creamy, she’s dreamy, and she’s what you’ll want to drink every day from this day forward. I said it!

Ingredients

Banana: Freezing banana makes the smoothie extra thick, cold and creamy. All key for the perfect blend! Peel it, chop it up, and freeze it in a baggie. Like all my healthy banana recipes, the riper the nanner, the sweeter the final product. Peanut butter: Creamy or crunchy peanut butter works great here. I like the natural kind with just peanut and salt as the ingredients. We’re using 2 tbsp per smoothie for lots of peanut butter flavor and plenty of satiating healthy fats. Cacao powder: I love raw cacao for the deep chocolatey flavor and flavanoids, but unsweetened baking cocoa works great too. Greek yogurt: A smidge for a protein boost because smoothies for breakfast are a thing! Plain or vanilla work well. I tested this with ½ cup yogurt and it was too tangy/took away from the sweetness. Milk: I love unsweetened vanilla almond milk here but I’ve tested it with soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and even water in a pinch and it’s great. Vanilla extract: Vanilla takes the flavor of this recipe over the top because it accentuates the cocoa powder. Salt: Just like vanilla, a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and really rounds out the flavor.

Customize it

Lower sugar: Use half banana and half frozen riced cauliflower or zucchini. A scoop of flavored protein powder helps mask the flavor. Higher protein: Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder. I make it this way all the time. Nut free: use tahini or sunflower seed butter and oat or coconut milk. Dairy free: Use non-dairy yogurt or omit it.

What sets this smoothie apart

There are a slew of chocolate peanut butter banana smoothies on the web but this gem stands above the rest because…

the cocoa flavor is perfectly balanced with vanilla extract and salt the Greek yogurt adds a protein punch to keep blood sugar balances and leave you fuller longer it tastes amazing!!

Let’s make it!

The key is not over-blending it for ideal texture and using overripe bananas for sweetness. No thin smoothies allowed!

Can I use fresh bananas?

I really urge you to do frozen here! They add unparalleled creaminess and thick texture. If you find yourself sans frozen, you can try using a cup of ice cubes. It may dilute the flavor a bit, so mess around with add ins!