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Are you ready to blend my chocolate peanut butter smoothie using four simple ingredients to create a wholesome breakfast, quick snack, or pre-workout boost? This creamy flavor-packed smoothie recipe delivers long-lasting energy—and it might just replace your afternoon coffee!
Why I Love this Recipe
Don’t let the decadent flavor fool you—this chocolate peanut butter smoothie isn’t just a treat, it’ll nourish your body and fuel your day. Let’s take a closer look at the awesome health benefits…
Peanut Butter
Peanuts get a bad rap. Yes: 1% of the United States population has a peanut or tree nut allergy. Yes: peanuts are actually a fungus and not a nut. But hear me out: peanuts also have a whole host of nutrition!
Peanuts contain 7 grams of protein in two tablespoons, along with good amounts of magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin and vitamin B6. Add in a scoop or two to your next smoothie and enjoy the boost! It contributes both protein and healthy fat in the chocolate peanut butter smoothie below. The natural oil in a peanut is about as heart healthy as olive oil. Peanut butter can also help regulate blood sugar and may reduce the risk of breast disease.
Raw Cacao Powder
Raw cacao powder is one of those ingredients that feels like a treat but may actually be doing your body a favor. It’s made by cold-pressing un-roasted cacao beans, which helps it keep more of its natural nutrients compared to cocoa powder. Thanks to its antioxidants (hello, flavonoids!), it may support heart health, help ease inflammation, and even give your brain a little boost.
It’s also a great source of magnesium, which might help with muscle function, relaxation, and energy production—perfect for a busy day. Plus, cacao contains theobromine, which could give you a gentle pick-me-up and even brighten your mood a bit.
Adding raw cacao to your smoothie is such a simple way to elevate the flavor and sneak in some extra goodness. It’s like having dessert for breakfast, but better for you!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s super easy to make a “tasty” chocolate smoothie, but making it “good for you” takes a few simple tweaks that I’m excited to share with you today:
- Bananas (frozen): A frozen banana adds a cold creamy texture to your smoothie. Ripe bananas have natural sweetness, so you don’t need any refined sugars.
- Peanut butter: Delivers rich, nutty flavor and a boost of protein. Look for natural peanut butter with no added sugar or hydrogenated oils. You can swap with any other nut butter you like such as cashew or almond butter.
- Raw cacao powder: Provides a deep chocolate taste with antioxidant benefits. Look for raw cacao powder in the baking aisle or health food section of most grocery stores. I like picking mine up at Trader Joe’s or Thrive Market to save money.
- Oat milk: A creamy, dairy-free base that ties all the flavors together. Choose unsweetened oat milk to avoid unnecessary added sugars, and check the label for simple, wholesome ingredients. Or, make your own oat milk if you want the cleanest version out there.
- Ground cinnamon (optional): Adds a warm, subtly spicy flavor that enhances the chocolate and peanut butter combination. Plus, it offers anti-inflammatory properties and a touch of sweetness without adding extra sugar.
What’s the healthiest peanut butter?
Look at the ingredient label and make sure it’s just peanuts (no need for extra oils or sweeteners). You can always make your own homemade nut butter in a high-speed blender as well. I don’t recommend using peanut powder, like PB1, since it contains additional sweeteners.
How to Make a Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Place your frozen ripe banana, cacao powder, peanut butter, and oat milk in a blender.
- Combine until smooth and creamy.
- Scrape down the sides of the blender if the peanut butter sticks and add extra oat milk if the smoothie is too thick.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy and garnish with cinnamon if desired.
Recipe Variation
If I’m blending this healthy chocolate peanut butter smoothie for breakfast, I like to add additional protein by throwing in a serving of homemade protein powder, or a plant-based protein powder of your choice.
Storing Tips
You can store this chocolate smoothie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. If freezing, pour into ice cube trays and transfer to a freezer safe bag once frozen. When ready to enjoy, thaw in fridge overnight and re-blend to get the best consistency.
Common Questions
Peanut butter can be a nutritious addition to your smoothie! While peanuts are technically a legume and not a nut, they’re packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B6. If you’re not allergic, peanut butter may help with managing blood sugar, supporting heart health, and keeping you feeling full longer. Just opt for natural peanut butter with no added sugars or oils for the healthiest option!
Chocolate and peanut butter make a smoothie feel like a treat, but they can also be surprisingly healthy! Raw cacao powder adds antioxidants, and natural peanut butter brings protein and healthy fats. Together, they create a delicious, nutrient-packed blend you can feel good about!
Absolutely! Adding raw cacao powder to your smoothie infuses it with rich chocolate flavor and a boost of antioxidants. Typically, 1-2 tablespoons per serving works well. Since ‘cacao’ is less sweet than ‘cocoa’, consider balancing it with natural sweeteners like ripe bananas or dates. Experimenting with cacao can transform your smoothie into a delicious, nutrient-packed treat!
More Chocolate Smoothie Recipes
If you’ve got a craving then I bet I’ve got a chocolate smoothie for you. These are all deliciously healthy and actually taste good. Pick one and get blending!
If you make this chocolate peanut butter smoothie, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 bananas frozen
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp cacao powder
- 1 cup oat milk or another plant milk
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- 1 serving homemade protein powder optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender.
- Blend until creamy.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Peanut Butter allergy? No problem! Swap in almond butter or sunflower butter instead.
- Oat milk gives this peanut butter and chocolate shake extra creaminess, yet you can swap it with cashew, almond, coconut, or another plant milk.
- Use unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder; either works fine!
- Using homemade protein powder will give you 10 extra grams of protein, turning this smoothie into a complete meal.
- Bananas give this smoothie creaminess + sweetness, yet you can swap it out with avocado + maple syrup, avocado + date or cauliflower + maple syrup.
Not a huge banana smoothie fan but this was pretty good. Everyday my boys (16 & 11) now ask are you making extra for us too. They love Smoothies and are excited to try something new. They requested protein powder in today’s otherwise we pretty much followed the recipe except used cows milk. This has been requested to be a regular by my 11 yr. old.
I’m not a huge chocolate shake person but I do love the chocolate peanut butter combination. I’m glad I tried it! It was delicious just a little too much chocolate for me.
YUM! Who doesn’t like chocolate goodness! Pure, smooth chocolate.This smoothie is so so good.
Oh my goodness…the best (and I prefer vanilla to chocolate anyday)! I literally wanted to scrape every last drop from the blender so I didn’t waste any. I made a double although my hubby had to get in on this one as he is a chocolate/ peanut butter lover!
This smoothie is like having dessert for breakfast! Yum!
What’s not to love about this one chocolate & peanut butter …yes please!
Tastes like a healthier Frosty! Unfortunately, toddler didn’t like this one (wanted fruit) ♀️
Sorry, that emoji was a shrugging shoulders, not sure what happened
Delicious! Felt like I was drinking pudding.
So rich and yummy!
I would like to try this recipe again with frozen bananas. I didn’t have any frozen and used fresh and it tasted heavy banana. So hopefully it will have move peanut butter. Chocolate taste.
Definitely gulped this one! It’s one of my usual smoothies for a reason! 🙂 So good!
I’m a peanut butter and chocolate fan.This time I used almond butter and will try the cinnamon and Protein Boost next time. I’m added this to my afternoon smoothie list as it tastes like dessert. That will help me with my afternoon sugar cravings I’m working on curbing.
I laugh when you say “sip or gulp” your smoothie! This one is a “gulper” it’s sooooo good!
Not my favorite recipe as I don’t love bananas and I like a more fruit forward smoothie better but the texture is awesome. Tried this with 1 banana and avocado and that was better…less banana-ee and still great texture!
Great filling smoothie, but very thick. Absolutely love this smoothie! Great for a dessert too. I added a little bit of honey so the cocoa wouldn’t over power it with bitterness. Would differently make again to help with chocolate cravings.
Another smoothie win! I added cauliflower, spinach and protein powder and I halved the cocoa and the banana. It was still creamy and full of chocolate goodness.