What Mama isn’t looking for a way to get a few more vegetables into her kids?! Even the best eaters can always use a few more… right? In our house, this healthy green peanut butter and banana smoothie is a favorite for all!
The kids love it BECAUSE IT’S DELICIOUS! And I love it because it’s nutritious. Chalk full of vitamins and protein and with no added sugar.
How to Make It
Is there anything more simple than a smoothie? You can just throw the ingredients into your blender and whiz it up. I do have a couple tips to make the process faster and the cleanup easier though.
Ingredients
2 Cups of Almond Milk
2 Cups of Spinach
3 Frozen Bananas
2 Heaping Tbs Peanut Butter (with no added sugar)
The Process
I like to start with milk. Because most blenders have the measurement markings on the carafe, you won’t have to clean a measuring cup later or be guessing how much liquid you’ve put in the mix. We use almond milk for our smoothies, but you can use your milk of choice.
Next I add the spinach. I find that it blends in best when it is layered close to the blades and doesn’t fly up and cling to the sides of the blender when it is weighed down by the frozen bananas.
Third, are the bananas and peanut butter. Heads up, the sweetness in this smoothie comes from your bananas, so the riper they are, the sweeter your smoothie will be. I like to buy huge bunches of bananas and let some get overripe. I peel, halve, and store them in a container in my freezer to use in smoothies, banana bread, or my Popeye Muffins (recipe coming soon).
Now here is my biggest trick, I like to scoop my peanut butter onto the frozen banana and then place the banana, peanut butter side down, into the blender. That way, the peanut butter gets incorporated well and you don’t end up with a big smudge of it, wasted on the walls of your carafe. Is this a trick you use at your house? I thought it was standard procedure for all smoothie makers, but when I explained the maneuver to by husband, he thought I was pretty smart!! “Smoothie savvy,” were his exact words. I will take the compliment, but now I wonder if he just needs more practice with the blender. Haha.
Last, just blend until smooth! You may need to take off the pitcher and give it a shake if your bananas get stuck above the blades, but the thick and creamy result is well worth the tiny bit of extra effort.
Drink up! You can enjoy your yummy, protein rich smoothie as is, in a glass, with or without a straw. You do it your way! It makes a great quick breakfast or a tasty snack. However, if you’re in the mood for something slightly more decadent, I have two mouthwatering variations that I’m sure you’ll love just as much.
Healthy Green Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Variations
Just as you can use the milk of your choice for this recipe, you can also use the nut butter of your choice! We have used almond butter and SunButter in the past with great results. Similarly, if you would like to try a different green, go for it! Kale works well, but if you are using a bitter green you may want to use a little less than the recommended 2 cups so the flavor of the smoothie isn’t altered too much. Peanut butter and spinach remains our favorite combination, but I encourage you to play around with the ingredients and find yours!
Healthy Green Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie Bowl
Make your smoothie just as described above, but use less milk. 1- 1 1/4 C milk is all you need. It will be significantly thicker and may take a little longer to blend. Instead of serving it in a glass, serve the thick smoothie in a bowl and add your favorite toppings to create a full meal.
A few of our favorite toppings are sliced banana, homemade granola (recipe coming soon), hemp hearts, chia seeds, nuts like slivered almonds or chopped peanuts, toasted coconut, cacao nibs, or even mini chocolate chips, and a drizzle of peanut butter. Any combination will be delicious!
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter, Banana, Smoothie with Spinach
Again, make your smoothie as described above, but this time add about 2 Tbs of unsweetened cocoa powder. This will seem more like a shake than a smoothie! YUM! You can also use less milk and make a smoothie bowl. The kids will think its ice cream! Top with your favorites and enjoy.
Print the Recipe Below
Healthy Green Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie
This delicious smoothie is full of all the good things Mom wants her kids to eat. They'll love it as much as you do!
Ingredients
- 2 C Almond milk
- 2 C baby spinach
- 2 heaping Tbs peanut butter (with no sugar added)
- 3 frozen bananas
Instructions
- Throw all of your ingredients into your blender and puree until smooth. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
1. Of course, use the milk of your choice. If almond milk isn't for you, cashew milk, oat milk, goat, or cow milk are all good choices!
2. You can use fresh bananas, but if you do, be sure to add a handful of ice and a little more milk before blending.
3. Spinach is my favorite green to add to this smoothie; however, I have used kale in a pinch. If you are using a more bitter green, you may want to try only 1 -1/2 cups.
Other Recipes Mentioned In This Post
Popeye Muffins
Homemade Granola
I love you! What a great recipe. So easy. I love the tricks like adding the peanut butter to frozen bananas.
Thank you!!1