Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Smoothie

Tastes like a peanut butter cup, works like a protein shake. This one is for the days you want dessert for breakfast and still want to hit your protein goal - about 30 grams in the glass.

Why this one earns its spot

• Cocoa plus peanut butter reads as candy, but there is no added junk - just real ingredients.
• Banana sweetens and thickens, so a little honey goes a long way.
• Protein powder or Greek yogurt makes it genuinely filling for hours.

Here's what you'll need

• 1 frozen banana
• 2 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (or 3/4 cup Greek yogurt + 1 tsp honey)
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 4 ice cubes
• Optional: cacao nibs and a peanut butter drizzle on top

Here's how it comes together

1. Add the milk first, then banana, peanut butter, cocoa, and protein.
2. Blend 60 seconds until completely smooth and thick.
3. Add ice and pulse until frosty.
4. Pour, drizzle with warmed peanut butter, and scatter cacao nibs on top.

Things I learned while testing

• Natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt) blends smoother than the sweetened kind.
• Cocoa clumps - sandwich it between wet ingredients, never on top.
• If it is too thick to pour, a splash more milk fixes it in 5 seconds of blending.

Make ahead

• Freeze banana chunks in single portions so a smoothie is always 90 seconds away.

More easy recipes

• Creamy Strawberry Avocado Smoothie
• Creamy Coconut Almond Protein Smoothie
• Creamy Matcha Green Smoothie