Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie | Simply Quinoa

This chocolate peanut butter smoothie is rich and creamy like a milkshake, but it’s packed with protein and nutrients to fuel you through your day!

Some chocolate peanut butter smoothies are glorified desserts, but I wanted to do better and I think this recipe delivers. It has the flavor you want from a chocolate PB smoothie, but it’s also got protein, antioxidants (hello, raw cacao!), greens, electrolytes, and loads of vitamins. This one’s going to become a new favorite!

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

• Spinach – If you’re a veteran smoothie maker, you know spinach is awesome for its ability to add nutrients without affecting flavor. 
• Banana – You can use fresh or frozen for a thicker, frostier consistency.
• Mango – An unexpected addition that works in some extra nutrition.
• Raw cacao – While you can use cocoa powder, raw cacao is less processed. (Bonus: Chocolate adds some caffeine to this smoothie too.)
• Creamy peanut butter – I go for natural peanut butter, which is typically made with just peanuts.
• Vegan protein powder – Or any protein powder you like. 
• Coconut water – Using coconut water as the liquid adds electrolytes to the mix.
• Ice – If needed, this will thicken the smoothie.

How to Make This Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

• Combine. Add all of the ingredients to your blender.
• Blend. Blend on high until the smoothie is rich and creamy; for a thicker consistency, add in the ice cubes and blend again.

Tips for Success

• Add the liquid first. To make blending easier, add the coconut water first, then layer in the rest of the ingredients. This especially helps if you don’t have a high-speed blender.
• Use frozen fruit. Frozen banana and mango will give your smoothie a thicker, creamier consistency.
• Blend well. Make sure to blend until everything is well combined and there are no chunks left. I like to use a wooden spoon to stir the smoothie in the blender to look for chunks before I pour it into glasses.

Variations

• Use plant milk. Instead of coconut water, you can use your favorite plant-based milk for a creamier smoothie.
• Swap out the greens. You can use kale, which will add a “greener” flavor, or skip the spinach entirely if you’re not a fan.
• Add other fruits. Swap the mango for strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for a different spin on this recipe.
• Make it nut-free. If you have a nut allergy, you can substitute the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter.

Meal Prep Tips

I love making smoothie freezer packs for busy mornings! Pre-portion all your ingredients (except the liquid) into individual freezer bags. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, just dump the contents of the bag into your blender, add the coconut water, and blend.

If you don’t drink all of the smoothie in one go, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a day or freeze it in a popsicle mold to turn it into a dessert.

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