Salty, nutty, and sweet. This peanut butter banana smoothie is such a pleasure, it could almost be dessert.
Vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free.
A peanut butter banana smoothie is flawless in its simplicity.
A perfect combination with nothing to stand in its way.
When you don’t want anything to distract from the joy that is PB & banana coming together, this is the smoothie you need.
The salty nuttiness of the peanut butter mellows the gentle sweetness of the banana.
Flaxseed increases the whippy viscosity while adding omega 3’s.
Frozen bananas are a must
When it comes to smoothies, frozen bananas are essential.
You could just throw a banana into the blender right after peeling.
But giving the banana time to freeze solid means that the smoothie will have a wonderfully creamy texture that it wouldn’t get otherwise.
It pushes the smoothie almost into shake category.
To freeze bananas, peel them first. Break them into chunks. Then freeze in a freezer safe resealable bag or glass container.
When you’re ready to use the frozen banana, just pull out as many pieces as you need.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe.
Non-dairy milk: I usually use cashew milk. However, you can use any non-dairy milk you enjoy like almond milk or soy milk.
Bananas: For the best flavor & texture, use ripe bananas that have been peeled & frozen in chunks.
Peanut butter: You can use crunchy or smooth peanut butter.
I recommend peanut butter that doesn’t contain added oils or sweeteners. Look for brands that only contain the ingredients of peanuts & maybe salt.
Peanut butter can be replaced with any nut or seed butter that you enjoy.
Flaxseed: You can use whole or ground seeds.
However, ground flaxseed is the most convenient if you don’t have a high-speed blender (that can easily grind them).
Flaxseed can be replaced with chia seeds or omitted.
Step by step instructions
Here’s how to make this recipe at a glance. For complete ingredient amounts & instructions, keep scrolling to the recipe card below.
Blend the following in a high-speed blender until smooth:
- Non-dairy milk
- Frozen banana chunks
- Peanut butter
- Ground or whole flaxseed
If you’re not using a high-speed blender, you’ll need to grind the whole flaxseeds first in a clean coffee grinder, or use ground flaxseed.
(Remember to store opened bags of ground flaxseed in the refrigerator.)
This peanut butter banana smoothie recipe makes enough for two small drinks.
Even though they’re on the diminutive side, they’re quite filling with the PB & flaxseed inside.
Or you can enjoy it in one tall glass.
Make it your own
Make this smoothie your own by varying the ingredients:
- Use any non-dairy milk you prefer in plain or vanilla – cashew, soy, oat, or almond milk
- Try it with a different nut butter like cashew, almond, walnut, or pistachio butter
- Replace flaxseed with chia seeds or omit it altogether
More smoothie recipes
Here are more smoothie recipes I know you’ll love:
📖 Recipe
Peanut butter banana smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk I use plain cashew milk
- 2 bananas peeled & frozen in chunks
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons flaxseed whole or ground
Instructions
- Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
- Pour into 2 small glasses or one tall glass & serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Content, recipe, and photos updated May 8, 2021. Originally posted March 28, 2017.
F
This has converted me to drinking smoothies after years of resistance. So delicious and healthy, can’t wait to share this recipe!
Cadry Nelson
That’s wonderful to hear. Thanks for letting me know!
imsen
This is a delicious and easy to make smoothie. I will definitely make it again. It’s filling and satisfying.
David
So delicious and healthy too!
Cadry
I’m glad to hear you’re a fan!
Sarah
The smoothie of course looks delicious—great idea to add the flax for texture and consistency! Plus healthy! My boys would love this, and we have a great nut free peanut butter sub that would be perfect!
Cadry
Thanks, Sarah! When it comes to smoothies, I always add chia or flax. I love that whippy viscosity that they give. That’s a great idea to do a peanut butter sub for your boys. You’ll have to let me know if you try it!
Bianca Phillips
Bananas in smoothies are MUST for me. A smoothie just isn’t a smoothie without one. And a PB & Banana Smoothie is basically perfection in a glass. You’re making me crave one right now.
Cadry
I totally agree about bananas being essential to a smoothie. Plus, it seems like the other option is avocado for creaminess and body. Avocados are way too pricey & delicious to be hiding in a smoothie. Last week when I was creating/photographing this recipe, I had a PB & banana smoothie 3 days in a row. No complaints! 😀
simon
Thanks for another few innovative recipes.
Love peanut butter and banana, so if this smoothie is as delicous as it looks, then am going to be real happy!. Can’t wait to try the PB cookies, yum, yum!.
Cadry
Thanks, Simon! I hope you love this smoothie as much as I do. Since you are a fan of peanut butter & bananas, I bet you’ll be into it! And yes, those peanut butter cookies are delicious. I need to make another batch!
Shell
I will second your thoughts on frozen bananas for smoothies. This is one of the many tricks you’ve taught me over the years for which I’m very grateful!
Cadry
I’m glad I was able to convert you to the frozen banana side. Whenever I hear that people are still using room temperature bananas for smoothies, I feel a little sad for what they’re missing! 😀