This delicious, creamy, vegan peanut butter protein shake is perfectly sweet and salty, just like a peanut butter cup! Enjoy post-workout or for a quick snack or treat anytime of day.

Peanut butter protein shake in a jar with a straw. Spoon rests beside jar.

Features

  • dietary needs: vegan, can be peanut-free or nut-free
  • high in protein: use your favourite protein powder for a boost in protein
  • made with frozen banana for an extra thick and creamy treat!
  • customizable: easy to adjust to your nutritional needs with various swaps and add-ins

Ingredient Notes

Visual of list of ingredients needed for making a peanut butter protein shake.
  • frozen banana – don’t skip the frozen banana, it’s the key to a silky smooth shakes! See below for making it without banana.
  • nutritional yeast – nutritional yeast is the secret ingredient in this shake, it adds the perfect salty, nutty flavour plus extra protein and B12 (if it’s fortified)!
  • peanut butter – use your favourite natural peanut butter, for a peanut-free smoothie, swap it for almond butter or for a nut-free smoothie, swap it for sunflower seed butter
  • milk – any milk works here! Use your favourite nut, seed, soy or oat milk to keep it vegan.
  • protein powder – I like Vega, North Coast Naturals, PVL, Outcast Mission and Iron Vegan but any works, you can use vanilla or chocolate protein powder. See below for making it without protein powder.
  • turmeric – totally optional but adds a little boost of colour and mild spiced flavour

Read more about nutritional yeast here if you’re unsure of what it is.

How to Make this Shake

  1. Add the milk to a high-speed blender.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and slowly start blending. Increase speed and blend briefly until completely smooth and creamy.
  • Protein powder, milk and nutritional yeast in a blender.
  • Creamy blended peanut butter protein shake in a blender container.

Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Pouring a peanut butter smoothie from a blender into a jar.

Recipe Notes

  • To reduce the calories and fat in this smoothie, use peanut butter powder (up to 4 tbsp) instead of peanut butter.
  • To increase calories for a weight gain shake, add an additional 1-2 tbsp of peanut butter, half a frozen banana and additional milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  • For a thick ice cream-like smoothie bowl, reduce almond milk to 1/2 cup and blend slowly, using a tamper as needed until smooth and creamy.

Add-Ins

  • ground flax or chia seeds – add up to 1 tbsp for thickening, fibre and fats
  • hemp seeds – add up to 2 tbsp for healthy fats and extra protein
  • cocoa powder – add up to 2 tbsp for chocolate flavour
  • cacao nibs or chocolate chips – blend in up to 2 tbsp or sprinkle on top for chocolate chip smoothie
  • cauliflower or zucchini – add up to 1 cup steamed and frozen chopped cauliflower or zucchini for additional volume and nutrition (see here for best vegetables to add to smoothies)
  • coconut yogurt – add up to 3/4 cup for extra creaminess and volume
  • kale or spinach – for a boost in nutrition, add a handful of fresh or frozen greens
Creamy peanut butter smoothie in a jar with a straw.

FAQs

Can you make this in advance?

Sure! There are two ways to prep this smoothie in advance.

1. Add sliced banana, peanut butter, protein powder and nutritional yeast to a bag or container and freeze. When you’re ready to make the smoothie, dump into a blender, add milk and blend.

2. Make in advance and store overnight in the fridge. It won’t be as thick as drinking it fresh but it will still be delicious!

Can I make this without protein powder?

Sure! I really love the flavour and creaminess protein powder adds but here are some ways to replace it if needed:

1. Swap for 1/4 cup chickpeas or white beans.
2. Omit and add 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder and an extra half a banana.
3. Omit and add 3-4 pitted dates for sweetness.
4. Omit and add 2 tbsp chia seeds to help thicken.

If you make it without protein powder and it’s not sweet enough for your, sweeten to taste with dates (or date paste), a touch of maple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener such as stevia or monk fruit.

Can you make this without banana?

You can! This shake is definitely best with frozen banana but if you have an allergy or dislike it, here’s how you can make the shake without banana:

1. Use steamed and frozen cauliflower or zucchini and an additional sweetener such as dates or stevia.
2. Use frozen peach slices (this is my favourite no banana option).
3. Freeze dairy-free vanilla yogurt in an ice cube tray and use 4-5 of them to replace the banana.

Spoonful of peanut butter smoothie resting on top of jar of smoothie.

More Shake Recipes

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Overhead view of a peanut butter shake in a jar with a straw.

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x
  • Category: Smoothie
  • Method: Blender
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

This peanut butter protein shake tastes like a chocolate peanut butter cup! Try it with your favourite vanilla or chocolate protein powder for a delicious, creamy treat that’s perfect after a workout or any time of day.

★★★★★

4.9 from 7 reviews
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup plant-based milk of choice (250 mL)
  • 1 serving vegan chocolate or vanilla protein powder (30 g) 
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (14 g) 
  • 2 tbsp natural peanut butter (30 g) 
  • 1 large frozen banana (160 g, or 1.5 small to medium banana)
  • 1/4–1/2 tsp ground turmeric, optional

Instructions

  1. Add the milk to a high-speed blender.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and slowly start blending. Increase speed, blending until completely smooth and creamy.
  3. Pour into a glass and enjoy.

Notes

  • To reduce the calories and fat in this smoothie, use peanut butter powder (up to 4 tbsp) instead of peanut butter.
  • To increase calories for weight gain, add an additional 1-2 tbsp of peanut butter, half a frozen banana and additional milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
  • For a thick ice cream-like smoothie bowl, use just 1/2 cup of almond milk. Blend on low, using a tamper as needed until you have a thick, creamy consistency. Scoop into a bowl, add toppings and enjoy!
  • Review post above for various substitutions, add-ins and options for making it without protein powder or banana.
  • The turmeric adds colour and a very mild spiced flavour. It’s totally optional but was included in the original recipe. Some people love it but it’s not for everyone! If you want to try it, start with 1/4 tsp and increase if desired.

Keywords: peanut butter protein shake, vegan peanut butter smoothie

Originally published March 4, 2014.