It tastes like a chocolate milkshake, but this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is packed full of real fruit, leafy greens and natural sweetness. It is completely acceptable for breakfast, but it tastes like dessert, and it takes less time to make than convincing a toddler to get dressed.
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Recipe At A Glance
- These chocolate banana smoothies taste like dessert but are packed with whole, wholesome ingredients!
- Chocolate peanut butter banana smoothies are sweetened with dates for a fresh, natural sweetness without added sugars.
- They are a great option for a quick breakfast or snack, taking less than 10 minutes to whip up, and they are totally kid-approved (the spinach is undetectable)!
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Frozen Bananas - Frozen bananas help give this smoothie a milkshake-like texture by adding the signature thickness we look for in smoothies. If you do not have frozen bananas, use fresh ones.
- Frozen Strawberries - Much like the bananas, frozen strawberries add to the texture and sweetness of the smoothie without watering it down.
- Dates - This is what makes the smoothie taste like a chocolate milkshake. You can substitute 2-4 Tablespoons of maple syrup or honey if you do not have dates.
- Whole Milk - Any percentage of milk or plant milk, like homemade cashew milk, can be used for these chocolate banana smoothies.
- Peanut Butter - Use all-natural peanut butter to avoid the added sugars in processed peanut butter.
- Cocoa Powder - Be sure to use Dutch-processed cocoa powder, as it has been alkalized and is richer tasting, whereas natural cocoa powder is bitter and tastes slightly acidic.
- Spinach - Can be substituted for fresh kale.
A full list of ingredients with exact quantities can be found on the recipe card below.
Make It Your Own
- Mocha Flavor - Add instant espresso powder for a mocha-flavoured banana chocolate smoothie.
- Peanut Butter - Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower butter.
- Make It Dairy-Free - Use almond milk, oat milk or cashew milk.
- Different Berries - Any type of frozen berries, like blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, can be used instead of or with the frozen strawberries.
- Natural Sweeteners - Other natural sweeteners, like maple syrup or honey, can be used if preferred.
We have a ton of delicious beverage and drink recipes on our website. Be sure to check them out and keep an eye out for our new smoothie recipes (coming soon)!
How To Freeze Bananas For Smoothies
Freeze fresh, ripe, peeled bananas on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper for 24 hours. After the bananas are frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag, label with the date and use them within 3 months.
Bananas can be frozen in slices, halves or whole, depending on the size of your blender or what recipes you plan to use them for.
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How To Make a Chocolate Banana Smoothie
A couple of short notes if you do not have a high-powered blender:
- If you do not have a high-powered blender, soak the dates in hot water for 15 minutes to soften them.
- Blend the milk with the spinach first for an ultra-smooth texture and to help break the spinach down completely before adding the other ingredients.
Step 2
Pour the smoothie into travel smoothie mugs or a glass and enjoy!
Optional: Top with a sprinkle of cocoa powder and freshly sliced bananas.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- To make this chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie thicker, add 3-4 Tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt or 1 whole peeled and pitted avocado.
- Add protein powder if desired, vanilla or chocolate flavors work well in this banana chocolate smoothie.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add more milk as needed to thin it to your desired consistency.
How To Store Leftover Smoothie
We keep leftover smoothies in airtight containers (like mason jars) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. All you have to do is stir the smoothie before serving because the liquids and fibre tend to separate.
Freezing the leftovers is also a good option, freeze leftover smoothies in plastic food storage containers or ice cube trays for up to 1 month.
Frequently Asked Questions
No! The cocoa powder and peanut butter mask the flavor of the spinach completely. The spinach blends in seamlessly and adds a nice boost of nutrition to the smoothie.
Yes! You can substitute almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter. Or just leave the peanut butter out completely.
Dates add fibre and a natural sweetness while helping thicken the smoothie. They're also less processed than many liquid sweeteners.
Yes, but ultimately it is best made fresh. If making ahead of time, store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours and shake or stir before serving.
To make the smoothies thicker, use less liquid (milk), more frozen fruit or add ingredients like plain Greek yogurt, chia seeds or oats.
More Easy Wholesome Recipes
Looking for more whole food recipes that are simple and easy? Try these:
If you made this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
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Ingredients
- 3 large Bananas Frozen
- 1 cup Strawberries Frozen
- 10 (80 grams) Dates
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- ¼ cup Natural Peanut Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder
- 1 large handful Spinach
Instructions
- In the container of a high-powered blender, add frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, dates, milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder and spinach. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth. Serve immediately.
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Notes
- Using frozen fruit is important, and how this smoothie gets it's milkshake like texture.
- Dates can be substituted for other natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.
- Whole milk can be substituted for plant-based milks like cashew milk, or any percentage of milk you like to use.
- Freeze fresh, ripe, peeled bananas in slices, halves or whole for up to 3 months stored in an airtight container or freezer bag.
- To thicken the smoothie even further, use less milk, more frozen fruit or add plain Greek yogurt.
- Store leftover chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir before serving.
- Soak the dates in hot water for 15 minutes to help soften them.
- Blend the milk with the spinach first to ensure the spinach fully breaks down and incorporates into the smoothie.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
This is one of our go-to smoothies that I've been making for years. It was about time that I shared it on my website so everyone can enjoy it!