Strawberry Banana Spinach Protein Smoothie
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Give your day a sweet and nutritious start with this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie. I blend frozen strawberries, banana, spinach, and pea protein into a creamy smoothie that is naturally sweet, packed with plant-based nutrition, and ready in just 5 minutes.
The last thing I need on a busy morning is precious minutes spent making breakfast, which is why this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie makes a frequent appearance in my kitchen. The fruit makes it naturally sweet, the spinach blends in almost unnoticed, and the protein keeps me and my family satisfied until lunch. And if you cannot start your day without coffee, cut out the middle man and try my healthy protein coffee smoothie too.
In the summer, my kids love a strawberry smoothie bowl for breakfast, and while it does not take very long to make, there are those days when we have to take our breakfast to go. And this strawberry banana protein smoothie has all the flavors and nutrients of the bowl, but in a purely drinkable form. My boys actually prefer it since they can drink it while they walk around the house looking for missing socks and homework items. Ha!
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
From the perspective of a health coach, I love how much nutrition this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie fits into a single glass. And as a mom, I love how genuinely delicious it is, which saves me from picky eaters first thing in the morning. The strawberries and banana provide natural sweetness and plenty of vitamins, spinach adds an easy serving of greens and iron, chia seeds contribute fiber and healthy fats, and the pea protein powder gives the smoothie enough staying power to keep everyone going all morning.
And if you have not realized by now, I love making smoothies because they are just so easy. I simply add everything to my blender and blend until smooth and creamy. I always keep frozen fruit on hand, which means there is almost no prep involved, and I can easily portion everything into freezer bags ahead of time.
Have you ever experienced one of those unbelievably hot days where even the thought of eating seemed ridiculous? We had one such day not too long ago, and we were all sitting outside trying to figure out what the lightest meal option was. My youngest suddenly said, “I wish we could have smoothies for dinner.” And that is exactly what we had. I was not too worried about the boys losing out on nutrition thanks to the protein, and the icy drinks went down a real treat that night. Be sure to try this recipe and make this smoothie for a light but nutrient-dense breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
🥘 Ingredients
I only need a handful of wholesome ingredients to make my vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie. This is what I use to create a creamy texture while adding flavor and nutrition:
Non-dairy milk: I use my favorite unsweetened non-dairy milk to create a smooth, creamy base. Almond, soy, oat, or cashew milk all work very well.
Fresh spinach: Spinach adds an easy serving of greens without overpowering the fruit.
Frozen banana: This gives my smoothie its thick, creamy texture while adding to the sweetness.
Frozen strawberries: I add these for their distinct flavor and bright color.
Unflavored pea protein: I use unflavored pea protein powder to boost the protein content without masking the fresh fruit flavors.
Chia seeds: A small amount of chia seeds naturally thickens the smoothies while adding fiber and healthy fats.
Sea salt: Just a pinch enhances the sweetness of the fruit and rounds out all the flavors.
Medjool date (optional): If my fruit is not very sweet, I blend in one Medjool date for natural sweetness instead of refined sugar.
🔪 How To Make
This is the very simple process I follow when I make my vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie:
Add the ingredients: I pour the plant milk into a high-speed blender, then add the spinach, frozen banana, frozen strawberries, pea protein powder, chia seeds, sea salt, and the Medjool date if using.
Blend: Then I blend on high speed until the smoothie is completely creamy and there are no pieces of spinach or fruit remaining. I pour the smoothie and drink it immediately.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie recipe is to use fully frozen fruit instead of adding ice. Frozen bananas and strawberries create a naturally thick and creamy consistency without watering down the flavors like ice would.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Add the liquid first: I pour the milk into the blender before the frozen ingredients to help everything blend more smoothly and put less strain on the blender.
- Blend in stages: If I am using a blender that is not very powerful, I blend the spinach with the milk first. This helps break down the leaves completely before adding the frozen fruit, ensuring a silky texture.
- Scrape down sides: I stop to scrape down the blender to make sure that there are no lingering chunks of fruit in the smoothie.
- Freeze fruit flat: When I freeze my fruit, I slice it up and freeze it in a single layer. This makes it easier to blend and is very helpful if your blender is not too powerful.
- Taste before adding the date: If my strawberries and banana are ripe enough, there is not always a need for the Medjool date, so I taste the smoothie before adding it.
📖 Variations
A vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie is easy to customize depending on what I am craving or what I have in the freezer. These are 3 combinations I recommend trying:
Tropical version: I replace half the strawberries with frozen mango or pineapple for a brighter tropical flavor. This works really well with coconut milk and tastes like a virgin cocktail.
More healthy fats: When I want an even more filling breakfast, I blend in either a spoonful of almond butter or half an avocado. It makes the smoothie extra creamy and decadent without overpowering the fruit. I make this for a quick lunch when I am very busy and need extra sustenance.
Very berry smoothie: I add 1/4 cup of frozen blueberries for a more complex berry flavor and a deeper color. My kids love this version with its slightly sweeter and tart taste.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Since this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie makes for a quick and easy breakfast, I recommend serving it with other breakfast foods that can be prepared ahead and eaten on the go, like vegan breakfast cookies or pumpkin protein balls.
Even when I have all the time in the morning, I still make this smoothie and spend my time preparing some of my kids’ favorite foods. They love this smoothie with a serving of pancake tacos or a vegan omelette. If it is a busy morning, I make sure I have a batch of homemade healthy vegan pop tarts or vegan chocolate chip muffins ready for the next morning.
🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Refrigeration: This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately after blending, but if I have leftovers, I store them in a sealed jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Freezing: I freeze leftover smoothie mixture in ice trays and transfer it to a freezer-safe bag once solid. I blend the frozen smoothie with a bit of extra milk and fruit when I am next making a smoothie.
Reheating: This is best served cold, so there is no need to reheat.
❓Recipe FAQs
What can I use instead of pea protein?
If pea protein is not your favorite, you can substitute it with another plant-based protein powder that you enjoy. I recommend an unflavored or lightly sweetened plant-based protein powder so the fruit flavors still shine through. Soy, hemp, brown rice, or blended plant protein powder all work well, although each one changes the texture slightly. If you want to skip the protein powder altogether, you can blend in a few tablespoons of hemp hearts or a spoonful of almond butter.
Why is my smoothie too thick or too thin?
The consistency usually comes down to the ratio of frozen fruit to liquid. If your smoothie is too thick, I suggest adding the milk a tablespoon at a time until it blends easily without becoming runny. If it is too thin, blend in more frozen fruit, or let the smoothie sit for 3-5 minutes so the chia seeds have time to absorb the liquid and thicken it naturally.
Why does my smoothie taste bitter?
A bitter smoothie is usually caused by spinach that is past its prime or a protein powder with a strong aftertaste. I always use fresh, bright green baby spinach and recommend tasting your protein powder on its own before adding it to smoothies. If needed, blending in the optional medjool date can counteract the bitterness without making the smoothies overly sweet.
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Strawberry Banana Spinach Protein Smoothie
Give your day a sweet and nutritious start with this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie. I blend frozen strawberries, banana, spinach, and pea protein into a creamy smoothie that is naturally sweet, packed with plant-based nutrition, and ready in just 5 minutes.
Servings: 2 smoothie
Calories: 205kcal
Ingredients
Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie:
- 1 1/2 cups non dairy milk of choice
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1-2 tablespoons unflavored Pea Protein , I use NOW Foods brand
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- pinch sea salt
- 1 Medjool date , optional (if needed for extra sweetness)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this vegan strawberry banana protein smoothie recipe is to use fully frozen fruit instead of adding ice. Frozen bananas and strawberries create a naturally thick and creamy consistency without watering down the flavors like ice would.
- Add the liquid first: I pour the milk into the blender before the frozen ingredients to help everything blend more smoothly and put less strain on the blender.
- Blend in stages: If I am using a blender that is not very powerful, I blend the spinach with the milk first. This helps break down the leaves completely before adding the frozen fruit, ensuring a silky texture.
- Scrape down sides: I stop to scrape down the blender to make sure that there are no lingering chunks of fruit in the smoothie.
- Freeze fruit flat: When I freeze my fruit, I slice it up and freeze it in a single layer. This makes it easier to blend and is very helpful if your blender is not too powerful.
- Taste before adding the date: If my strawberries and banana are ripe enough, there is not always a need for the Medjool date, so I taste the smoothie before adding it.
Nutrition
Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 546mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 1455IU | Vitamin C: 53mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1.3mg
