This chocolate peanut butter smoothie tastes like a milkshake but is packed with wholesome ingredients like bananas, oats, and cocoa powder. Blend one up in 5 minutes for a healthy breakfast or treat!
The first time I made this chocolate peanut butter smoothie for Alex, he took one sip, raised his eyebrows, and said, “Wait: what’s in this?” This smoothie is made with good-for-you ingredients but tastes like a milkshake! I personally can’t resist smoothies that taste like dessert, like my Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie and Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie.
This one one is rich and chocolaty, but made with bananas, oats and honey. You can blend it up for busy mornings or afternoons where you need a quick pick-me-up. For me, it even works as a healthy dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tastes like dessert: This smoothie has a rich, chocolatey flavor but also contains protein and fiber
- Simple ingredients you probably have: No specialty foods: just pantry staples like cocoa powder, oats, peanut butter, and frozen bananas.
- Ready in 5 minutes: You can go from freezer to glass in the time it takes to make coffee!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie relies on just a few good-for-you ingredients to make magic in the blender. Make it with milk or the non-dairy milk of your choosing. You can even make it with coffee (more on that below!). Here’s a run-down of the easy ingredients you’ll need:
- Frozen bananas: This is the only step you’ll need to do in advance! Slice and freeze them on a baking sheet for at least 1 ½ hours. Or you can buy frozen bananas!
- Old-Fashioned Oats: These add body and staying power. I typically use regular rolled oats, but quick oats should work.
- Cocoa powder or Dutch process (dark) cocoa powder: I love dark cocoa powder, but either works!
- Milk of choice (dairy, oat, or almond milk) or coffee: Coffee adds a fun variation, much like this Coffee Smoothie. You can also add half milk, half strong coffee or espresso.
- Honey or maple syrup: A touch of sweetener brings out the chocolate flavor.
- Ice: This is what gives the smoothie its frosty, thick consistency. Don’t skip it!
Ingredient Spotlight: Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
Use whatever cocoa powder you have on hand for this chocolate peanut butter smoothie. But I like it best with Dutch process cocoa powder, aka dark cocoa powder! This type has been treated with an alkali to make it pH neutral, which gives it a darker color and milder flavor. It makes the flavor ultra chocolaty: which we love!
- Where to find it? It’s easy to find Dutch process cocoa powder at your local grocery next to the regular cocoa powder. Or buy it online: try Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder or Ghirardelli Dutch Process Cocoa Powder.
- What else can you use it in? Try recipes like Chocolate Banana Muffins, No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies, Ultimate Mug Cake, and Healthy Chocolate Pudding.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
Don’t skip the oats: It might sound unusual, but they add substance and help keep you full without affecting the flavor or making it grainy.
Adjust liquid carefully: Start with the amount listed in the recipe. If your blender struggles, add a tablespoon or two more milk. Try not to add too much liquid, or the smoothie will be too thin.
Top with shaved chocolate: For an extra-special treat, you can top with a hint of chopped dark chocolate at the end. The little chocolate chunks throughout make every sip feel more fun!
Boosting Protein and Nutrition
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie has a decent amount of protein from the peanut butter, but we’ve tried to use just enough to get great flavor without loading on calories. Here are a few other options for adding protein:
- Chia seeds. You can add plant-based protein and fiber with chia seeds: 2 tablespoons chia seeds adds 4 grams protein and 11 grams fiber.
- Vanilla or chocolate protein powder: Protein powder works well too! We use this protein powder that has natural ingredients and a flavor that’s not too artificial. Just remember to dial back the maple syrup or honey, because protein powder adds sweetness.
How to Store This Smoothie
This smoothie tastes best when freshly blended. You can store it in a covered mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The ingredients may separate, but a quick shake brings it right back together!
For meal prep, you can portion out all the ingredients into individual freezer bags, then dump and blend with the liquid.
Dietary Notes
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
This chocolate peanut butter smoothie tastes like a milkshake but is packed with wholesome ingredients like bananas, oats, and cocoa powder. Blend one up in 5 minutes for a healthy breakfast or treat!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 small smoothies 1x
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: Smoothie
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 medium frozen bananas (sliced and frozen on a baking sheet for at least 1 1/2 hours)
- ¼ cup Old Fashioned oats
- ¼ cup cocoa powder or Dutch process (dark) cocoa powder (we prefer dark)
- 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 cup milk of choice (dairy, oat, or almond milk) or coffee*
- 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- ¾ cup ice
- For the garnish: 1 sprinkle chopped dark chocolate (optional), 1 drizzle of peanut butter
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until creamy and frothy, stopping and scraping down the sides as necessary. Resist the urge to over blend: blend until it just comes together. Taste and add the additional ½ tablespoon sweetener depending on the sweetness of the bananas.
- If desired, top with 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate (it makes for a nice mix in but it’s totally optional). Serve immediately or store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Notes
Coffee variation: Substitute coffee or espresso for the milk for a delicious mocha flavor. You can also use half milk, half coffee.
Protein boost: Add 2 tablespoons chia seeds for 4g protein and 11g fiber, or use your favorite vanilla or chocolate protein powder (reduce sweetener if using protein powder).
For thicker texture: Use less milk or add more ice. For thinner consistency, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
Vegan option: Use plant-based milk and maple syrup instead of honey.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Shake well before serving as ingredients may separate.