Vegan PB&J Smoothie
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.I love making this Vegan PB&J Smoothie with frozen berries, banana, and creamy peanut butter. It tastes just like my kids’ favorite sandwich, only blended up into a cold slurpable treat. It takes just minutes in the blender and is always a favorite in my house.
I came up with this smoothie one morning when my kids asked for their usual PB&J, but we were out of bread. So I tossed the ingredients into the blender with a handful of spinach and hoped for the best. Now they ask for it almost as much as their favorite vegan butter cup milkshake.
Since I always seem to have towers of peanut butter jars in the pantry, I’m constantly whipping up something new with it: cookies, microwave peanut butter fudge, you name it. Finding fun ways to turn their favorite flavors into healthier treats keeps this momma very happy!
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
I love it when I can sneak extra nutrients and greens into my kid’s meals. This deliciously thick smoothie allows me to do exactly that with frozen berries, bananas, coconut milk, peanut butter, and spinach. It’s got proteins, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins all in one glass. They think they are drinking dessert, but I know it’s healthy, and I am only spending 5 minutes making it, which is brilliant for busy moms like me – getting them ready on time for school.
The trick to making this 5-minute peanut butter and jelly smoothie extra delicious is freezing fresh berries (use packaged frozen berries if you don’t have fresh) and bananas the night before. This helps to create a thick texture when blended with the other ingredients. It’s not just a drink! It’s a fuel-powdered meal that provides enough nutrition and energy to keep those little legs going till lunch! I used coconut milk for extra indulgence here, though other plant-based milk such as cashew or oat work just as well.
My new PB&J smoothie invention has solved so many spontaneous hunger strikes! The rushed mornings, the post-soccer practice fuel, even those weekend family nature trips when I store some in a cold flask. And since it’s incredibly easy to prepare, my oldest son now makes it on weekends, carefully measuring the peanut butter like a scientist. Ha! If your little ones are hooked on PB&J sandwiches like mine, you’ve got to give this irresistible smoothie a try. You’ll be amazed how the flavors come to life in drinkable form.
🥘 Ingredients
To make this super tasty vegan peanut butter and jelly smoothie, here’s what you’ll need from the kitchen!
Frozen berries: I like using mixed berries for that classic jelly flavor. They make the smoothie sweet and a little tart, just like jam.
Frozen banana: I always keep a stash in the freezer. It makes the smoothie creamy and naturally sweet.
Peanut butter: A spoonful of creamy peanut butter gives it that nostalgic PB&J vibe. It also adds protein and richness.
Dates or Maple syrup: Sometimes the fruit is sweet enough, but some pitted dates or a little maple syrup brings everything together.
Dairy-free milk: I use whatever we have; almond, oat, or soy milk all work great. Just pour enough to get your blender moving.
Spinach: You can’t taste it, I promise. I sneak in a handful for some extra greens and feel-good points.
🔪 How To Make
Making this PB&J smoothie is a blast for me, because most of the time I’m not even the one making it, my kids are! It’s that easy, yes!
Blend everything up: I toss the frozen berries, banana, peanut butter, maple syrup, dairy-free milk, and spinach into the blender and let it whirl until it’s nice and smooth.
Pour and enjoy: I grab our favorite glasses and pour the smoothie right in. My kids always race to the table for the first sip!
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for making this peanut butter and jelly smoothie is to always use frozen bananas and berries. It makes the smoothie thick and creamy like soft-serve, and my kids love that texture! If I only have fresh fruit, I just throw in a handful of ice cubes to keep it cold and frosty.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Adjust the sweetness: Depending on the ripeness of your fruit, you might not need much maple syrup. I always taste before adding any sweetener.
- Add chia or flaxseeds: For an extra boost of fiber and healthy fats, I sometimes blend in a teaspoon of chia or ground flaxseed.
- Sneak in more greens: Spinach blends in easily without changing the flavor. If you’re feeling bold, kale can work too, just remove the tough stems first.
📖 Variations
Here are my favorite variations of this smoothie that I’ve made over and over again. They all work great, and my kids happily drink every version!
Chocolate PB&J: I add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the blender for a chocolatey twist. It tastes like dessert and still has all the fruity goodness.
Protein power: I mix in 1 scoop of vanilla or unflavored plant-based protein powder. This one keeps me full after workouts and works great as a breakfast too.
Almond Butter & Berry: I swap the peanut butter for 2 tablespoons of almond butter. It gives a slightly different flavor, but it’s just as creamy and delicious.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Apart from serving this nostalgic smoothie for breakfast to help fuel my little ones for the day, I sometimes make special weekend brunches and lunches to pair with it.
Weekends are when I get to be more creative with recipes that take a wee bit more time, like healthy French toast smothered in maple syrup and fresh berries. Another family favorite is this Nutella waffles recipe, perfect for a tasty brunch and combines well with a thick peanut butter smoothie like this one.
Another of my kid’s favorite peanut butter recipes is this creamy Greek yogurt bowl with peanut butter. It’s packed with crunchy granola, fresh berries, and naturally sweetened yogurt, similar to these vegan breakfast parfaits I make for a quick grab-n-go snack throughout the day.
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigeration: I like to drink this smoothie fresh, but if I have leftovers, I pour it into a jar with a lid and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just give it a good shake or stir before drinking since it might separate a bit.
Freezing: You can pour the smoothie into ice cube trays or popsicle molds and freeze it. It makes a great frozen treat for later or a fun way to reuse leftovers in future smoothies.
❓Recipe FAQs
Can I use fresh fruit instead of frozen?
Yes, I’ve done that on mornings when I forgot to restock the freezer. Just keep in mind the smoothie won’t be as thick. When I use fresh fruit, I throw in a handful of ice cubes to make it cold and slushy, which my kids love. It’s still yummy either way, just a little different in texture.
Is it sweet enough without maple syrup?
Sometimes! If your bananas are super ripe and your berries are sweet, you might not need anything extra. I always taste it first and decide. If it’s a little tart, I’ll drizzle in just a little maple syrup, not much, and it does the trick every time.
What’s the best peanut butter to use?
I usually grab our usual jar of creamy natural peanut butter. We like the kind that’s made with just peanuts and maybe a little salt. I’ve also used crunchy before, and it gave it a fun texture. If your peanut butter is unsalted, adding just a pinch of salt really brings out the flavor.
🥣 More Healthy Smoothie Recipes!
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📋 Recipe Card
Vegan PB&J Smoothie
I love making this Vegan PB&J Smoothie with frozen berries, banana, and creamy peanut butter. It tastes just like my kids’ favorite sandwich, only blended up into a cold slurpable treat. It takes just minutes in the blender and is always a favorite in my house.
Servings: 2
Calories: 178kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen berries , I like to do a mix
- ½ a ripe frozen banana
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup , or 3-4 pitted dates
- 1 cup dairy-free milk , use coconut milk for extra creamy
- ½ cup spinach , packed (optional for added greens)
Equipment
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a high speed blender and mix until well blended. Add more milk to get preferred thickness.
- Serve!
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for making this peanut butter and jelly smoothie is to always use frozen bananas and berries. It makes the smoothie thick and creamy like soft-serve, and my kids love that texture! If I only have fresh fruit, I just throw in a handful of ice cubes to keep it cold and frosty.
- Adjust the sweetness: Depending on the ripeness of your fruit, you might not need much maple syrup. I always taste before adding any sweetener.
- Add chia or flaxseeds: For an extra boost of fiber and healthy fats, I sometimes blend in a teaspoon of chia or ground flaxseed.
- Sneak in more greens: Spinach blends in easily without changing the flavor. If you’re feeling bold, kale can work too—just remove the tough stems first.
Nutrition
Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 329mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 703IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 1mg
