Pounding after a workout? This peanut butter protein shake is sure to satisfy. It tastes great, is packed with muscle-building nutrients, and perfect to refuel after your last set. I love smoothies because they’re quick, easy, and you can get a lot of nutrition in one glass. I’ve experimented with many combinations over the years and come up with one of my favorites.
PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN SHAKE
Flavor-packed, thick, and creamy Peanut Butter Protein Shake is made with peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, a frozen banana, and milk. This nutritious drink is good enough to pass for a healthy peanut butter cup milkshake.
Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Peanut butter and chocolate are such a great flavor combination! And it doesn’t get much better than the two combined into a drink delicious enough to pass for a healthy milkshake. Peanut Butter Protein Shake is thick with bold flavors and filled with healthful ingredients.
Peanut Butter Protein Shake FAQs
Can You Put Peanut Butter In A Protein Shake?
Yes! Peanut butter is a great addition to a protein shake. On average, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter contains 8 grams of protein– which helps build muscle. This protein shake calls for 2 tablespoons of peanut butter as well as protein powder, making it a great protein-packed shake.
Is Peanut Butter Powder Good For You?
Yes again! Powdered peanut butter is made from real peanuts. They’re pressed to remove most of the oil and then ground to a powder.
With most of the oil (fat) gone, you’re left with a powder that’s packed with protein and fiber and not as much fat. Two tablespoons have 7-8 grams of protein with only 2 grams of fat (50 calories for 2 tablespoons). It’s a great ingredient to use in place of regular peanut butter (which contains around 180 calories for 2 tablespoons) if you’re watching calorie intake.
QUICK TIP
To use powdered peanut butter in this shake, use 2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter and 1/2 tablespoon real peanut butter.
What Is The Best Peanut Butter Powder?
PB2® is my favorite powdered peanut butter and the one I’ve used in testing.
Making Delicious Peanut Butter Protein Shakes
It really comes down to the ingredients you use. My number one tip? Use a delicious chocolate protein powder.
- Good chocolate protein powder: I’ve tried my fair share of protein powders and I recommend a whey, stevia-sweetened protein powder for this shake. The protein powder can make or break the shake — leaving you with a great taste or a strange, powdery aftertaste. Here’s a list of the top-rated protein powders. My personal favorite: Optimum Nutrition® Gold Standard 100% whey protein powder (double rich chocolate).
- Banana: We want the banana flavor to be mild and in the background, adding nutrition and a creamy texture. Make sure to freeze a fully ripe banana before adding it to this shake. Don’t use more than 1/2 cup or it will contain too much banana flavor.
- Peanut butter: I recommend real peanut butter, but powdered peanut butter works. Read above for how to substitute powdered peanut butter for real.
- Unsweetened vanilla almond milk: Any milk works, but almond milk is the type I recommend. I particularly like the vanilla flavor.
- Ice: Ice gives us a thick milkshake consistency without all the calories! I use eight regular ice cubes or about 1 cup of ice.
- Cocoa powder: The cocoa balances the protein and really amps up the chocolate flavor. I recommend a Dutch-process cocoa powder. Special Dark® cocoa powder (made by Hershey’s) is great in this shake.
Quick Tips
- I like to freeze bananas right after my grocery store trip so I don’t forget. Remove the peel, slice the banana into coins, place in freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze overnight before using in this shake.
- Use a high-powered blender: This protein shake is very thick. You may need to blend it a couple of times or be patient as it blends; it’s worth it for how thick and creamy this shake ends up!
PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN SHAKE
Thick and creamy, flavor-packed Peanut Butter Protein Shake is full of peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, cocoa powder, banana, and milk. This protein shake is good enough to pass for a healthy peanut butter cup milkshake.
prep time5 minutes
blending time2 minutes
total time7 minutes
servings1 protein shake
calories393kcal
cost$2.14
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup frozen banana coined and then frozen
- 3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or use chocolate almond milk for a more chocolate-y shake!)
- 1 tablespoon Special Dark (or Dutch-process) cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter Note 1
- 1 scoop (1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (32g) chocolate protein powder Note 2
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 8 ice cubes
INSTRUCTIONS
- NIGHT BEFORE: Remove the peel from the banana, slice into large coins, and place in a plastic bag in the freezer.
- DAY OF: When the banana is completely frozen, measure out 1/2 cup and add it to a blender, along with the following ingredients in this order: the milk, cocoa powder, peanut butter, protein powder, honey, and then ice.
- BLEND: Blend until smooth. Pour into a large glass and drizzle with extra peanut butter if desired. Enjoy immediately.
RECIPE NOTES
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Note 1: To use powdered peanut butter in this shake: Use 2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter and 1/2 tablespoon real peanut butter.
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Note 2: The protein powder you use makes a huge difference in the taste of the shake. I recommend a whey protein powder that has some kind of sweetener added, such as stevia. If the protein doesn’t have stevia, I recommend adding a few drops of vanilla stevia to this shake.
Peanut Butter Protein Shake
This peanut butter protein shake is made with just five simple ingredients. It’s filling, flavorful and packs in a whopping 30 grams of protein.
Not only does it add the best flavor but it also adds a bit of protein too!
Here’s What You Need
This peanut butter protein shake is made with just four simple ingredients. You likely have all of the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator right now!
- frozen banana – I recommend using a frozen banana because it will give you that thick and creamy shake texture, however you don’t have to use banana. See my suggestions below for making a banana-free version.
- vanilla protein powder – I like using vanilla protein powder for added vanilla flavor. That said, you can use a natural (unflavored) or chocolate protein powder if that’s what you have on hand! In terms of which protein powder to use, I love use Nuzest protein powder. It’s plant-based, has a short ingredient list and great nutrition facts! Use my code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order.
- milk – I like using an unsweetened vanilla almond milk for my protein shakes, but any milk will work. Feel free to make your own almond milk if you’d like.
- peanut butter – you can also use peanut butter powder! And any other nut butter works if you have an allergy or just want to use another nut butter.
tip! Add even more protein by adding Greek yogurt and chia seeds or flaxseed.
What About Peanut Butter Powder?
If you want to make this protein shake a bit lighter, but still get that peanut butter flavor you can use peanut butter powder! Compared to traditional creamy peanut butter, peanut butter powder is lower in fat and calories. I like the PB2 brand but there are many different brands out there. Just look for minimal ingredients.
How to Make a Protein Shake Without Banana
Frozen bananas give shakes and smoothies that thick and creamy texture – similar to a shake you’d get from a smoothie shop. They also add a bit of sweetness, without being too overpowering, as well as, extra nutrients like potassium. That said, I know that some people simply don’t like bananas, need a low-sugar option and/or are allergic so I have some options for you to make this shake banana free:
- ice – replace the frozen banana with additional ice (about 1 cup). It will give the shake volume and add a nice, frozen slushy texture.
- frozen milk ice cubes – this is the same concept, but instead of using regular ice cubes, make frozen cubes using your favorite non-dairy milk (like almond milk or coconut) and use about 1 cup of these cubes instead of the frozen banana.
- frozen cauliflower rice – I use frozen cauliflower rice in my shakes all the time and it works as a low-sugar replacement for frozen banana. I do find that it adds a different texture to shakes, especially if you use a large amount. I’d start with 1/4 cup, give the shake a taste and then add more if needed.
There are some other frozen fruit and veggie substitutes for banana in protein shakes, like frozen berries, frozen mango or even avocado, but I’m not recommending these because they will likely overpower the peanut butter we’re going for with this protein shake. That said, if you don’t mind the extra flavor, feel free to try these!
Can I Use Almond Butter?
Yes! Any other nut or seed butter works great in this protein shake. I love using almond butter or even sunflower seed butter to switch it up. Peanut butter does have the most protein, but since you’re adding protein powder too, any nut works.
Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake
Want a nourishing protein shake that is delicious and satisfying all at the same time? This Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake is the absolute best you’ll ever taste!
Protein (and its benefits) is one of my fave topics. Because y’all know that protein is super important. It’s a muscle-building, body-repairing nutrient that we can’t do without.
Sometimes we don’t get enough protein and I am always looking for ways to remedy that. This chocolate banana peanut butter shake is one of them!
So we’re going to take a look at how delicious this shake is and how good it is for you. But first, if you want to know a little about protein, I’ll give you the scoop.
- Protein is the best source for energy
- Protein is called a building block because of amino acids
- Protein helps us make and burn energy
- Protein helps our metabolism work the way it should
You can get protein from a lot of sources. Nut butters, protein powders, and chicken are just 3 ways. Seeds and full-fat dairy are 2 more.
But a creamy and smooth protein shake is a fun, grab n’ go way to get needed protein, too.
How To Make A Protein Shake
Delicious shakes are made this way:
- Base: Add ice or fruit like a banana to thicken (note: chia seeds can thicken a shake also)
- Protein source: In this case, peanut butter, almond milk and protein powder
- Sweetener: If required (you can add a natural sugar like raw honey or pure maple syrup)
- Liquid: I like milk such as almond, cashew or coconut
- Blend it: If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more milk until you reach the desired consistency
Benefits Of Protein Shakes
Protein shakes satisfy hunger. That’s a big benefit in my mind because, after a workout, I’m ravenous. And maybe I’m heading off to work or to take the kids on an outing and need energy fast. That’s when I reach for a chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake!
More benefits:
- Protein shakes are great for muscle recovery
- Protein shakes can replace a meal
- Protein shakes can help increase muscle mass when you exercise
Is It Bad To Put Peanut Butter In Your Protein Shake?
It’s definitely okay – and smart – to put peanut butter in your protein shake. Peanut butter is a healthy ingredient! Peanut butter has all 3 of the macronutrients we need daily, those being fat, protein, and carbs.
So yes, go ahead and add peanut butter to your shake as I did in this recipe. It tastes great, too!
Is A Chocolate Banana Protein Shake Good For Weight Loss?
I think chocolate banana protein shakes are good for weight loss. Why? Because you are filling up with nutrients after exercise instead of reaching for that processed, empty of nutrition, calorie-laden protein bar.
Enjoying a shake made with power-packed protein powder can help you lose weight:
- The decrease in hunger keeps you away from junk food
- Protein helps you lose weight slowly (instead like a crash diet), maintaining lean muscle mass
- Protein helps beat belly fat (see my post on blasting belly bloat)
Types Of Protein Powder
I’ve written several posts on protein powders. I have lots of recipes on the site, too, like pancakes that taste fabulous alongside bacon – done in the oven, folks!
Some of the types of protein powder on the market are:
- Hemp protein
- Pea protein
- Rice protein
- Whey protein
- Casein protein
What Can I Add To My Protein Shake To Gain Weight?
To gain weight by drinking protein shakes, add ingredients like avocado, nut butter, healthy oils like coconut oil, and extra protein sources like oats. Make sure you have a full-fat milk in there such as dairy milk or coconut milk.
Almond and cashew milk are good for adding in calories, too.
Have 2-3 small protein shakes a day and be sure to focus on healthy foods like whole grains and lean proteins for extra muscle-building power.
What’s In This Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake?
This chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake has so much goodness in it. It’s so easy to throw the ingredients in a blender and have a nutritional snack in less than 5 minutes!
- Almond milk
- Peanut butter
- Ripe banana
- Cinnamon
- Chocolate whey powder
- Ice cubes
- Honey is optional
When Should You Drink Protein Shakes?
I prefer to drink my protein shake after I exercise. That’s because I want that source of protein to help my body build and maintain muscle mass. I’m typically hungry also, so a quick-to-make shake is the best thing to curb my hunger pains fast.
But if you like to drink your protein shake before you head to the gym or out for a walk, that’s okay as well because you get the energy you need to complete your exercise goal.
You want to spread out your protein intake throughout the day for optimum results, so as long as you are getting what you need, when you drink the shake is up to you.
How Often Should You Drink Protein Shakes?
How often you drink protein shakes depends on your goals. If you want to gain weight, you can have a protein-filled shake every time you do resistance training to help build muscle. For weight loss, you can reduce your calorie intake and ensure that you are still getting enough protein by maybe drinking two shakes a day.