Delicious Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
My First Time…
It was a little over 15 years ago the first time I made a strawberry banana peanut butter smoothie. Truth be told, it was the first smoothie I ever made. Weird to even think about that, since I have now made probably well over a thousand smoothies since. More? No idea how to count that.
If you love smoothies like I do and you’re looking for more fun smoothie ideas, check out this spiced banana date smoothie, decadent chocolate smoothie, or mint chocolate chip smoothie (yes, it tastes like ice cream).
And if you love berry smoothies, you’ll love this strawberry peanut butter smoothie.
Way back when, I had just started lifting weights, and a coworker who was into bodybuilding suggested that I needed more protein. So I added vanilla protein powder (which still is a delicious add-in, but not necessary).
I vividly remember standing in the gym parking lot on a dark winter night, drinking down this smoothie after a sweaty workout. Even though it was freezing outside, it was just about the best thing I’d ever tasted. I was hooked!
Almost two decades later, I still turn to this very basic recipe when I want something quick, or even nostalgic (yes, even a smoothie can be nostalgic!)
So quick, so easy, so delicious, the adaptable strawberry banana peanut butter smoothie is a timeless winner.
Sure, it might be a mouthful to say, but through a straw it goes down smooth.
Ingredients
My base is always the same: strawberries, banana, peanut butter and milk of choice (my choice is usually homemade almond milk.)
Add-ons are optional and pretty much any creativity can fly here. It’s good by itself, or good with cinnamon, or protein powder, or some ground flaxseeds or chia seeds. Some plain yogurt adds creaminess, but the smoothie stands by itself.
Optional add-ins:
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Vanilla extract
- Protein powder
- Ground flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Yogurt
- Almond Butter
- Cashew Butter
- Cocoa powder
- Cacao nibs
And the list goes on…
Pretty much anything you can dream up would work, but when you’re in a rush and want something both healthy and yummy, all you need are the 4 main ingredients.
How To Make This Smoothie Whole & Healthy
Smoothies are generally considered a health food, but there are two main things that can turn a good smoothie recipe bad: sugar and pesticides.
Sugar
Yes, smoothies like this one are sweetened naturally with fruit, but even too much fruit alone can send your blood sugar through the roof. Enter fat and fiber.
Eating fat and fiber with high carb foods slow down the slow down the rate that glucose rushes into your blood. In this recipe, the biggest source of sugar is the banana, which contains 15g of sugar and only 3g of fiber.
Strawberries have less sugar and more fiber, so they help. The fat from milk helps, too. But the biggest aid here is peanut butter, providing both fiber and plenty of fat.
Pesticides
While it’s so important to keep fruits and veggies at the forefront of your diet, consider what they might be bringing to the table. Check the dirty dozen list. And as always, buy organic when you can. Everything from produce and dairy to meat and packaged food is better off without harmful pesticides.
Not all small farmers can afford the organic label even when they are doing organic practices, so research small brands and talk to farmers at the markets.
If you can’t find your ingredient organic, soak it in water and baking soda for 30 seconds to 30 minutes before using. Use 1 tsp of baking soda per two cups of water and make sure your produce is covered. The longer you soak, the more pesticides are removed.
Remember: This is just a guide for informational advice, not to make you feel bad about your ingredients. Groceries are wildly expensive these days, so pick what you can afford and do the best you can. No guilt, no shame.
How To Make This Smoothie
Once you have your ingredients, this part is pretty simple. Add everything to your blender! I like to start with the strawberries and banana, then add almond milk, and last comes the peanut butter. I try to drop the peanut butter towards the middle (right in the milk) so it doesn’t stick to the side of the blender.
Blend for 15-30 seconds or until desired consistency.
This Chocolate Smoothie Makes A Yummy Bowl!
Pour your healthy chocolate smoothie into a bowl and top with chocolate chip granola! With hazelnuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips, it’s the perfect match for a beautiful breakfast bowl.
Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup Frozen Strawberries
- 1 Ripe Banana
- 2 tbsp Peanut Butter
- 1-1.5 cup Almond Milk
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender. I like to add the peanut butter last so it drops into the milk instead of sticking to the side of the blender.
- Blend on medium for 15-30 seconds or until desired consistency. Enjoy!
I am a smoothie girl, love it.
Thanks Esme, me too! Have to have at least a couple a week!