This Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake is high in protein, refined sugar-free and packed with nutrients and healthy fats. There's no banana included yet it's super creamy, sweet and filling. It makes the perfect healthy breakfast or snack. The best part is that it's ready within 5 minutes.
Shakes and smoothies are such a great way to get in some extra nutrients. This delicious protein shake gets its protein from whole food sources like creamy peanut butter and chia seeds as well as some protein powder blend. Besides protein, chia seeds also contain a high amount of polyunsaturated fat as well as fiber which will help make you feel full even longer.
For more peanut butter recipes check out Peanut Butter Coffee, 2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies, Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies or Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
For more drink recipes without banana check out Peanut Butter Smoothie Without Banana.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This creamy peanut butter protein shake consists of a couple of simple, healthy ingredients.
- It is naturally sweetened with dates and doesn't include any added sugar.
- It's naturally gluten-free.
- By choosing a non-dairy milk it can easily be made dairy-free and vegan.
- In contrast to many other shake and smoothie recipes, this protein shake is made without frozen bananas!
Ingredients & Substitution Notes
- Natural Peanut Butter: ...adds a fantastic peanut butter flavor but also a super creamy texture to this delicious protein shake. You could both use runny or crunchy peanut butter. I also highly recommend choosing one that consists 100% of peanuts and no additives like oil or sugar. Could be replaced with almond butter or cashew butter (but this will result in a different taste).
- Cocoa Powder: We recommend unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Milk of Choice: Any kind of milk would work int his recipe. I prefer using a non-sweetened plant milk such as unsweetened almond milk, soy-, coconut-, or cashew milk. Oat milk or regular cow's milk would work just as good. Using soy milk will ensure that you're getting all of the essential amino acids as soy is a complete plant protein. Almond or oat milk will provide much less protein as would coconut milk.
- Medjool Dates: Instead of a ripe banana, this recipe calls for Medjool dates because of their specific caramel-like flavor and texture. Bigger grocery stores usually stock them. Alternatively, you could also simply use "normal" small ones. It's really important to use soft dates. If they aren't, soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes before using them otherwise they might give your blender a very hard time. Also when you're using regular small dates, you might need about double the amount since they are much smaller.
- Chia Seeds: Could be replaced with flax seeds. Hemp seeds would also work but they do add a stronger, distinct taste to it.
- Protein Powder: You can use any protein powder of your choice such as regular whey protein powder or a plant based option. If you are using a vegan protein powder, protein blends that consist of different plant proteins (pea protein + hemp protein + brown rice protein for example) are usually better in terms of providing adequate amounts of all essential amino acids than using one plant protein only.
- Ice Cubes: Help with a thicker texture add a refreshing element.
Step by Step Instructions
This creamy chocolate peanut butter smoothie is the easiest thing to prepare! It consists of only 7 simple ingredients! It's a great breakfast option when you're trying to up your protein intake! But tastes just as good as a healthy treat or afternoon snack!
Step 1: Soak dates (optional)
Before starting, make sure your dates are soft enough, otherwise, soak them in very hot water for about 10 minutes.
Step 2: Blend
Then simply throw everything into a (high speed) blender and blend until creamy. Taste and adjust sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add 1-2 more dates or a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey.
If you prefer a thinner consistency, gradually add more milk.
Add-In Ideas
- Yogurt: A scoop of unsweetened yogurt such as Greek yogurt, cashew or coconut yogurt (when vegan) adds some great additional taste, texture AND protein!
- Vanilla extract: Adds some additional flavor, make sure to only add a tiny bit- a little goes a long way here.
- Different types of protein powders: Feel free to play around with flavored protein powders such as vanilla or chocolate protein powder for some extra chocolate flavors. Try to go for unsweetend versions.
- Ice Cream: This chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie can easily turned into a decadent milkshake by adding a scoop of your favorite ice cream. You will need to add a little bit more milk though to achieve the same texture.
Top Tip
- Meal prep: For some quick and easy grab-and-go breakfast, put all of the ingredients into the blender and store it in the fridge over night. Then all you need to do the next morning is blend and transfer it to a smoothie or glass jar.
Storage
This shake keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days but tastes best when enjoyed right away. Give it a good stir before drinking as the layers might separate in the fridge.
FAQs
You can use any protein powder of your choice such as regular whey protein powder or a plant based option when vegan. If you are using a vegan protein powder, protein blends that consist of different plant proteins (pea protein + hemp protein + brown rice protein for example) are usually better in terms of providing adequate amounts of all essential amino acids than using one plant protein only.
Both chunky and runny peanut butter work fine. I would however recommend using unsweetened natural peanut butter that consists 100% of peanuts.
Peanut Butter is packed with protein and a great source of Vitamin E, B3, B6 and Magnesium. While the majority of fat in peanut butter is relatively healthy, it also contains som saturated fat. It's also recommended to read the label as sometimes peanut butter can contain additives like transfats, palm oil or added sugar.
For some quick and easy grab-and-go breakfast, put all of the ingredients into the blender and store it in the fridge overnight. Then all you need to do the next morning is blend and transfer it to a smoothie or glass jar.
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📖 Recipe
No Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup plant milk
- 2 tablespoon natural peanut butter *see notes
- 3 Medjool dates, pitted *see notes
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 scoop protein powder of choice *see notes
- 1 teaspoon cacao powder
- 5-7 regular ice cubes
Instructions
- If your dates aren't soft, soak them in very hot water for about 10 minutes, then drain.
- Place all the ingredients into a (high speed) blender and blend until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more dates, maple syrup or honey.
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, gradually add more milk. For a creamier texture, add an additional tablespoon peanut butter or ice cubes.
Video
Notes
- Milk of choice: Any type of milk would work such as soy, almond, oat or cow's milk. Using soy milk as a non-dairy milk will ensure that you're getting all of the essential amino acids as soy is a complete plant protein.
- Protein Powder: You can use any unsweetened protein powder of your choice such as regular whey powder or a vegan protein powder.
- Texture: This shake is thick and creamy like a smoothie. If you prefer a thinner consistency, simply add more milk until desired consistency.
- Medjool Dates: This recipe calls for Medjool dates because of their caramel-like flavour. If you can't find any, simply use "normal" small ones but you might need to use more.
- Meal prep: For some quick and easy grab-and-go breakfast, put all of the ingredients into the blender and store it in the fridge overnight. Then all you need to do the next morning is blend and transfer it to a smoothie or glass jar.
Sunni says
Wow! Delicious my go to now!! Thank you
Katie says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Jen says
I am so glad I found this recipe. I had to substitute almond butter for the PB, I added a splash of vanilla extract, and only had 2 dates left in the pantry. It is now my go to chocolate smoothie after workouts.
Renee Moulder says
I am a chocolate addict, no exaggeration. I tried this and was in love with it! I highly recommend this!
Katie says
Haha who isn't? 🙂 thanks a lot for your feedback, happy to hear that you liked it!
Renee says
Loved it and I even used extra crunchy peanut butter!
Katie says
Hi Renee, that's great to hear, thanks for the feedback! 😊
Julie says
This came out so yummy! Will definitely be in my regular rotation of shakes. I substituted almond butter for the peanut butter this time, but will try with peanut butter when I have some. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Katie says
Hi Julie, thanks for sharing, very happy to hear that you liked this pb smoothie!
Christin says
YUM! Just made this shake & it was super delicious. Thank you Renae! Xoxo.
Katie says
Happy to hear that! Thanks for the feedback! 🙂
Anonymous says
This was actually very good, great recipe 👌
Katie says
Glad you liked it! 🙂
Renae says
This is a really delicious recipe I made for myself for breakfast !! I didn’t have chia seeds so replaced with flax seed and made to be delicious 😋. Thanks for sharing the recipe I will definitely save to make more in the future💖
Katie says
Hi Renae,
Very happy to hear that! Thanks a lot for taking the time to tell us, really appreciate it 🙂