Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

As both a smoothie lover and recipe developer, I’ve tried more smoothie combinations than I can count. But isn’t that the great thing about smoothie recipes? You can mix and match liquids, fruits, nuts, yogurt and even veggies to make a smoothie for every taste and occasion. I love their versatility, but my go-to smoothie ingredients are berries, bananas and peanut butter.

This strawberry banana peanut butter smoothie combines all three of my favorite smoothie ingredients with milk and a touch of vanilla extract for an easy and classic fruit smoothie. It takes just five minutes to prepare and tastes indulgent, but is still 100% wholesome.

Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie Ingredients

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

• Frozen strawberries: The freezer makes the flavor of fresh strawberries accessible year-round. For easier blending, partially thaw frozen strawberries by rinsing them in a colander with warm water or letting them sit at room temperature for at least ten minutes. If you want your smoothie to have a thicker and icier consistency, skip thawing and blend them from frozen.
• Milk: Blending the fruit and peanut butter with milk brings everything together, making this beverage smooth and drinkable. We’re using a cup of fat-free milk, which contains the same amount of protein as higher-fat milk but creates a lighter smoothie. For a richer and creamier smoothie, use 2% or whole milk.
• Banana: Bananas are a secret weapon in smoothie recipes; they add natural sweetness and creaminess. For an extra-creamy smoothie, peel, slice and freeze the banana ahead of time. Freezing bananas is a great alternative to baking banana bread when bananas turn brown.
• Peanut butter: When paired with the strawberries, peanut butter gives this smoothie serious PB&J vibes. For the best texture, use creamy peanut butter.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract complements the sweetness of the fruit and makes this smoothie taste more like a milkshake.
• Optional garnishes: If you’re serving these smoothies at brunch or just want to make someone (or yourself!) feel extra special, garnish the smoothie with a drizzle of peanut butter and add a fresh strawberry to the rim of the glass.

Directions

Step 1: Blend the ingredients

Combine the strawberries, milk, banana, peanut butter and vanilla extract in a blender. Cover the blender with the lid and blend the ingredients on high for 30 seconds or until they’re smooth.

Editor’s Tip: The best blenders for smoothies are equipped with powerful motors, which can make the difference between lumpy and silky-smooth drinks.

Step 2: Serve the smoothies

Pour the smoothies into two chilled glasses. Garnish each smoothie with additional peanut butter and fresh strawberries, if desired.

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie Variations

• Dairy-free smoothie: Prepare the smoothie with your favorite type of nondairy milk.
• Nut-free smoothie: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for a nut-free smoothie.
• Try other berries: This smoothie would be just as delicious made with blueberries, blackberries or raspberries as it is with strawberries.
• Add a nutrition boost: Add a handful of leafy greens like baby spinach, or two tablespoons of chia or flax seeds for additional fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• Increase the protein: As-is, this strawberry banana peanut butter smoothie packs 8 grams of protein per serving. Add protein to your smoothie with plain Greek yogurt, hemp seeds or a scoop of vanilla-flavored protein powder.

How to Store Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

For the best flavor and texture, enjoy your smoothie right after blending it. If you have a leftover smoothie, refrigerate it in an airtight container, such as a mason jar with a lid.

How long do strawberry banana peanut butter smoothies last?

This smoothie should last for up to four days when stored in the fridge. Smoothies often separate in the fridge, so give it a shake or a stir before drinking it.

Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie Tips

Jonathan Melendez for Taste of Home

Can you use a frozen banana instead of a fresh one?

Definitely! A frozen banana will make the smoothie thicker and creamier, and is a good swap if you want to turn this recipe into a spoonable smoothie breakfast bowl.

Can you make strawberry banana peanut butter smoothies without milk?

Substitute the milk with any nondairy milk alternative to make this a dairy-free smoothie. Unsweetened almond milk is a good swap for fat-free milk. Soy milk will give your smoothie a thicker texture. Coconut milk will add tropical flavor notes to the mix.

How can you add more protein to this smoothie?

For more protein, add a scoop of vanilla-flavored protein powder and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese or plain Greek yogurt to the blender. Chia, flax and hemp seeds are popular smoothie add-ins that will also add more protein.

What can you do if your smoothie is too thick?

If your smoothie is too thick, add more milk to the blender and process until it reaches your desired consistency. To avoid adding too much liquid and ending up with the opposite problem—a smoothie that’s too thin—add one or two tablespoons of milk at a time.