Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

Who doesn’t love a creamy (or crunchy), finger lickin’ good PB&J? Since many are loyal fans of the classic PB&J, I decided to create a smooth, creamy, sweet, and slightly nutty smoothie.

Natural peanut butter, a banana, a red apple and frozen mixed berries blend with coconut or almond milk in under a minute. Promise me. You won’t miss your PB&J once you have this!

The Best PB&J Smoothie (Creamy, Fruity and a Little Nutty)

This smoothie takes everything people love about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and puts it in a glass. The peanut butter just gives a subtle creaminess. It’s pretty yummy. I’m completely obsessed with peanut butter, and it’s so yummy in this smoothie.

The “jelly” part comes from real fruit instead of a jar. Frozen mixed berries bring the jammy, sweet and tart flavor, plus that deep purple color. A ripe banana makes it thick and creamy, and a small red apple adds a crisp sweetness that rounds out the berries. Together they taste a lot like strawberry or grape jelly, without any added sugar.

It even passes the toddler test. I tried it out on my 2 year old, and it was a hit! One reader’s four year old said he would only ever drink a strawberry smoothie, but he was willing to try this PB&J version.

Because it has protein and healthy fat from the peanut butter, plus fiber from the fruit, this smoothie works as a quick breakfast, an after school snack or a treat when you are craving something sweet. It is also a smart way to use up a banana that is getting spotty and the last of a bag of frozen berries.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

• Tastes like a PB&J. Nutty peanut butter and jammy berries in every sip.
• Only five ingredients. Milk, peanut butter, banana, apple and frozen berries.
• No added sugar. The banana, apple and berries supply all the sweetness.
• Kid approved. It was a hit with a 2 year old, and it is ready in under a minute.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Coconut or almond milk: The liquid base that gets everything moving in the blender. Both keep the smoothie dairy free. Coconut milk adds a hint of tropical flavor, while almond milk is more neutral and lets the peanut butter shine. Use the drinkable carton kind, not thick canned coconut milk. Unsweetened is best, since the fruit brings plenty of sweetness. Vanilla flavored milk works too and makes the smoothie taste a little more like dessert.
• Natural peanut butter: Look for one made with just peanuts, or peanuts and salt, with no added sugar or hydrogenated oils. Creamy blends the smoothest, but crunchy works too if you like tiny bits of peanut. Stir natural peanut butter well before measuring, since the oil separates. Almond butter works in place of peanut butter, and sunflower seed butter makes a good swap for a nut free version. Two tablespoons is enough for a clear peanut butter flavor without making the smoothie heavy.
• Banana: Adds body, creaminess and natural sweetness. A ripe banana with brown spots is the sweetest. For an even thicker, colder smoothie, use a frozen banana that you peeled and sliced before freezing.
• Small red apple: Adds a crisp, fresh sweetness and fiber. A sweet variety like Gala, Fuji or Red Delicious works best. Leave the skin on for color and nutrients, but cut out the core and seeds before blending.
• Frozen mixed berries: This is the “jelly.” A blend of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries gives a jammy, sweet tart flavor and a gorgeous purple color. Because they are frozen, the berries also chill and thicken the smoothie without watering it down the way ice can. Organic berries are a great choice if they fit your budget. Buying a big bag of frozen berries is the easiest way to always have smoothie fruit on hand.

How to Make a PB&J Smoothie

1. Prep the fruit. Peel the banana. Wash the apple, cut it into quarters and remove the core and seeds. Measure out the frozen berries so they are ready to go. If your peanut butter has separated in the jar, stir the oil back in before you scoop it.
2. Add the milk first. Pour the coconut or almond milk into the blender. Liquid on the bottom helps the blades spin freely and keeps the frozen fruit from getting stuck.
3. Layer the rest in order. Add the peanut butter, banana, apple and frozen berries in the order listed. The heavy frozen berries on top push everything down toward the blades.
4. Blend. Blend on high for 30 to 45 seconds until smooth. In a high speed blender like a Vitamix, the apple skin and berry seeds disappear completely. Stop when the smoothie looks thick, glossy and evenly purple with no flecks of apple. With a regular blender, blend a little longer and scrape down the sides once if the peanut butter sticks.
5. Adjust the thickness. For a thicker consistency, add more frozen mixed berries or a handful of ice and blend again. If it is too thick to pour, add a splash more milk.
6. Serve. Pour into glasses and enjoy right away while it is cold and creamy.

Ways to Customize This Smoothie

• Pick your jelly. Use all strawberries, all raspberries or frozen grapes to match your favorite jelly flavor.
• Add protein. A scoop of vanilla protein powder turns it into a post workout drink.
• Go nut free. Swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter.
• Sneak in greens. A handful of spinach hides easily behind the purple berries.

PB&J Smoothie FAQs

• Can I use crunchy peanut butter? Yes. A high speed blender will smooth it out, though a regular blender may leave tiny peanut bits.
• Do I have to use frozen berries? Frozen berries make it thick and cold. If you only have fresh berries, add a cup of ice.
• Can I use regular milk? Yes. Dairy milk, soy milk or oat milk all work in place of coconut or almond milk.
• Is this smoothie good for kids? It was a hit with a 2 year old. Skip the peanut butter or swap in sunflower seed butter if a child has a peanut allergy.
• Should I remove the apple seeds? Yes. Cut out the core and seeds before blending. The skin can stay on.
• Can I make it ahead? It is best fresh. Leftovers can be frozen in ice cube trays and blended into your next smoothie.
• Can I make it without banana? Yes. Use extra frozen berries and a spoonful of yogurt for creaminess. The smoothie will be a little more tart.
• Will I taste the peanut butter? Yes, but it is subtle. The peanut butter gives a gentle nutty creaminess, and the berries are still the star. Add another spoonful if you want it more peanut buttery.

Peanut Butter Berry Smoothie

PB&J smoothie made with natural peanut butter, banana, a red apple and frozen mixed berries blended with coconut or almond milk. It tastes like the classic sandwich with no added sugar.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup coconut or almond milk
• 2 Tbs natural peanut butter
• 1 banana peeled
• 1 small red apple with seeds and core
• 1 cup frozen organic mixed berries

Instructions

 

• In a Vitamix blender, add ingredients in order listed. Blend on high for 30 to 45 second until smooth.
• For thicker consistency, add more frozen mixed berries or ice.

Made this smoothie? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing which berries you used.

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