Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie – easy high protein breakfast

School is out and summer is just around the corner. With two kids out of school in the summer, our schedule is full of summer camps, play dates, and rushed, impromptu childcare. I’m always looking for easy high-protein recipes like this creamy peanut butter and banana smoothie that can serve as a breakfast or a cool afternoon snack.

One thing I’ve learned, however, is that when I get my kids some high-protein snacks on busy days, things just seem to go easier. You are less picky and everyone has more fun.

My smoothies are ideal for children

My kids love smoothies and this one is so easy! Peanut Butter and Banana?! Yes, please. Not only are smoothies super quick to make, but you can add whatever you need to feed your kids.

If your child needs more protein, add some protein powder to the mix. If they need more fiber, add some ground flaxseed. If you want a little less fat or calories, you can make it with their reduced-fat milk, or if you want to give your kids extra points, try their chocolate milk. Wow.

Along with the milk and peanut butter, a small serving of this smoothie packs in a whopping 12 grams of protein. Smoothies are a great way to recharge and cool off during those hot summer months!

What blender do you need for a smoothie?

Any blender will do just fine for a smoothie, especially one like this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, which has ingredients that are really easy to blend.

If you’re adding more difficult-to-blend ingredients, like veggies or frozen fruit, having a high-speed blender like a Vitamix or Ninja blender can help. They mix almost everything!

Frozen bananas or fresh?

If you can plan ahead, it’s a good idea to have some bananas in your freezer for smoothies. That means you need less ice and you get a thicker smoothie, which in this case is almost like a milkshake!

However, I often forget to freeze my bananas and just pop in a fresh one with some ice. It still works great. Don’t let the condition of your bananas stop you from making great smoothies!

Substitutions and Ideas

Here are some wonderful alternatives that you can easily add to those smoothies

• Swap out the milk for almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk to make this smoothie vegan.
• To make a chocolate version of this smoothie, add cocoa powder or use chocolate milk.
• Instead of peanut butter, try another nut butter like almond butter or sunflower butter if you want to avoid using peanuts.
• Enhance the sweetness of the smoothie with a little honey or a pinch of vanilla extract.
• Add some extra veggies, like a handful of spinach. You won’t even be able to taste them in the finished smoothie.

Tips for making a great creamy peanut butter banana smoothie

This recipe is quite simple and pays off a lot. i love it so much!

If you have a good blender, you can use coarse peanut butter. Mix well, but smooth peanut butter is best.

I have a trick and a secret ingredient to make this smoothie extra special.

First add some ice. It’s a really rich smoothie and the ice cools it down but also makes it a bit fluffy.

The secret ingredient is chia seeds! You could omit them without greatly affecting the flavor, but just one tablespoon of chia seeds adds a ton of fiber, in fact more Protein for smoothies. They are SO good for you!

Combine all of that and you’re in business!

My kids absolutely loved this creamy peanut butter banana smoothie and I bet your kids will love it too. It’s become a weekend staple at our house this summer!

Cheers to summer!

My Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Recipe

Here are some more great snack ideas for kids!