The combination of spinach and peanut butter may sound unusual, but the creamy nuttiness of the peanut butter perfectly complements the earthy flavor of the fresh spinach. Plus, adding a frozen banana and almond milk makes this spinach banana smoothie a naturally sweet and healthy drink that is worthy of your weekly smoothie rotation.
If you enjoy smoothies like this Peanut Butter Spinach Smoothie, you might also like our Turmeric Green Smoothie and Vegan Banana Smoothie, which are both packed with a variety of nutrients for a satisfying breakfast. And if you need more smoothie recipe inspiration, be sure to browse our collection of superfood smoothies.
Ingredients
The ingredient list of this peanut butter banana spinach smoothie is short and sweet, with plenty of substitutions and optional add-ins to make it even more nutritious. Below is everything you need to know to make this healthy green smoothie your own:
- Frozen banana: I usually freeze ripe bananas when they start changing their colors. If all you have is a fresh banana (and want your smoothie to be super cold), then just add in a cup of ice cubes.
- Natural Peanut Butter: I prefer unsalted and unsweetened creamy peanut butter to avoid added sugars and excessive sodium. However, you can also use other nut butter options like almond butter or cashew butter. And if you have nut allergies, you can substitute peanut butter with a seed butter of your choice.
- Non-Dairy Milk: I prefer dairy free unsweetened almond milk (or vanilla almond milk), but any kind of milk would work here. Soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk would all work.
- Fresh Spinach Leaves: I recommend using prewashed and rinsed baby spinach for ease of use. While I prefer fresh spinach for its milder flavor, you can make it with frozen spinach as well.
Substitutions and Optional Add-Ins:
- Yogurt: I sometimes add in a few tablespoons of whole milk yogurt for probiotics. Both plain Greek yogurt and vanilla yogurt would work here.
- Superfoods: If you stock your pantry with superfoods such as chia seeds, ground flax seeds (aka flaxseed meal), and hemp seeds, you can add them in. Additionally, you can add in a few tablespoons of your favorite protein powder and powdered collagen for an extra boost.
- Other leafy greens: Use other leafy greens like kale (or blanched kale) and spring mix instead of raw spinach. Kale peanut butter smoothie is just as delicious but tastes rather earthy. You can also use swiss chard and collard greens, but I would recommend blanching them first to get rid of some of their bitterness.
- Sweeteners: If you like your smoothie more on the sweeter side, adding a few tablespoons of maple syrup, a few pitted dates or some honey (non-vegan option) gives is a nice sweetness.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg is an easy way to give in a nice kick of flavor.
How To Make Peanut Butter Banana Spinach Smoothie?
The best part of this spinach breakfast smoothie recipe is that it takes just a few minutes to make. Simply:
- Blend: Put spinach leaves, peanut butter, milk of your choice, and frozen banana (and all the optional add-ins) into a blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
- Serve: Pour into a few glasses (or mason jars) and serve right away.
How To Make Ahead and Store Spinach Banana Smoothie?
Whether you make green smoothies like this for breakfast or enjoy them as a post-workout snack, with just a few minutes of advance prep, you can have them in minutes. Here is how I do it:
- Make Ahead: Portion out all the ingredients (except peanut butter) and place them into a Ziplock bag. Store in the fridge (or freezer). When ready to serve, dump everything in your blender along with peanut butter and blend until smooth.
- Storing leftovers: I think this peanut butter spinach banana smoothie recipe is best on the day that it is made. However, you can place the leftovers into a mason jar, put the lid on and store it in the fridge for up to 1 day. Just be sure to give it a good shake before serving.
Expert Tips:
- Adjust the consistency: If you prefer your spinach banana peanut butter smoothie to have a thicker consistency add more frozen bananas along with a handful of ice cubes. And if you want it to have a thinner consistency, simply add more milk to the blender.
- Use a high powered blender: If you make green monster smoothies like this one on the regular, I highly recommend investing in a high-speed blender. While you can make a good smoothie in any blender, a high-powered one makes it so much easier, especially when blending frozen fruit and leafy greens.
- Chill your glass: I love serving this in the warmer summer months by the pool as an afternoon snack in a cold glass as an alternative to ice cream. I pour it into chilled glasses and serve it with a few slices of bananas and then let everyone know that I have a delicious green spinach milkshake! It disappears in minutes!
FAQs:
Adding a handful of spinach into your smoothie is a great idea because spinach is a low calorie, nutrient dense food that is packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It also has a mild taste that does not take over the whole smoothie and blends well with the rest of the ingredients.
They can be as long as they are consumed in smaller portions and without extra added sugars.
Yes, because peanut butter is a great source of plant-based protein, with 8 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons (source.) Adding a few tablespoons of peanut butter is an easy way to get a portion of your daily protein in.
Other Smoothie Recipes You Might Like:
It is no secret that green smoothies like this Spinach Banana Smoothie have a long list of benefits and incorporating them in your daily diet (especially as a substitute for your sweet cravings), will help you feel energized and full. If you agree, here are a few other smoothie recipes you might like:
- Turmeric Mango Smoothie
- Mango Peach Smoothie
- Kale and Pineapple Smoothie
- And if you have some leftover peanut butter, be sure to try this Keto Peanut Butter Mousse recipe to treat yourself.
If you try this healthy peanut butter green smoothie recipe, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It is a great help to others who are thinking of making the recipe. And if you took some pictures, be sure to share them on Instagram using #foolproofeats so I can share them on my stories.
Spinach Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, or any other regular or plant based milk
- 1 large banana, frozen*
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter, creamy and unsalted natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds, optional – plus more as garnish
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients into a blender. Blend in high speed until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and sprinkle with ground flaxseeds (and/or chia seeds.) Serve right away.
Notes
- Banana: If you do not have a frozen banana, you can use a ripe one and add 1 cup of ice cubes into the blender.
- Optional sweeteners: If you want your peanut butter smoothie to be sweeter, you can add in a few tablespoons of maple syrup, honey or a few pitted dates and blend until smooth.
- Consistency: For a thicker smoothie, use an additional half a banana and for a thinner one, use more almond milk.
- To Make Ahead: Portion all the ingredients (except peanut butter) and place them into a plastic bag. Store in the fridge (or freezer). When ready to serve, dump everything in your blender along with peanut butter and blend until smooth.
- Storing leftovers: I think this peanut butter spinach banana smoothie recipe is best on the day that it is made. However, you can place the leftovers into a mason jar, put the lid on and store it in the fridge for up to 1 day. Just be sure to give it a good shake before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is a delicious recipe! My 9 year old eagerly drank it up and so did I. Thanks for sharing another winner!
YAY! So happy to hear Amy. Thank you for letting me know.
This video is so fun and I love the music!
I LOVE the video! It is so much fun and you are so beautiful! I usually keep my green smoothies to fruit and veggies, but peanut butter sounds so good!
Thank you my friend. Making a video is so much work, but the end product is truly rewarding. Yes, next time you make it add in some peanut or almond butter. It is truly a game changer. 🙂
I love a good smoothie recipe you can customize to what you have around. I don’t YouTube much, but I will be sure to get on so I can follow you!
Love the video, great post! 🙂
Love the video!! Saw it first on Instagram and this smoothie looks delicious!! Going into the kitchen to see if I can throw something together with what I have. Happy Sunday!! xo