Save My roommate in college used to make these every morning before our 8am lectures. The blender would wake me up, but the smell of peanut butter and bananas made it impossible to be annoyed. After weeks of watching her breeze through mornings with actual energy, I finally asked for the recipe. She laughed and said it was just throwing things in a blender, but there is absolutely a right way to do this.
I made these for my nieces last summer when they were visiting. The youngest one was suspicious of the brown flecks from the peanut butter, but after one sip she declared it was better than ice cream. Now whenever I visit, they ask if I can make the special milkshakes, and I have to admit that breakfast for dinner has become a totally acceptable tradition in their house.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas: Use bananas with plenty of brown spots for natural sweetness and better blending
- 1 cup milk: Any milk works beautifully here, dairy or plantbased
- ½ cup Greek yogurt: This creates that creamy texture and adds protein
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter: Room temperature peanut butter blends much easier
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup: Skip this if your bananas are very ripe
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Makes everything taste more cohesive
- ½ cup ice cubes: Essential for that thick milkshake consistency
Instructions
- Load it all in:
- Toss everything into your blender canister, putting the liquids in first to help the blades move freely
- Blend it up:
- Start on low speed for 10 seconds, then crank it to high for about a minute until completely smooth
- Taste test:
- Give it a quick try and add more honey or vanilla if it needs something extra
- Serve immediately:
- Pour into tall glasses and enjoy while it is still thick and frosty
Save This smoothie got me through finals week senior year. I was living on coffee and stress, but forcing myself to blend actual food every morning meant I at least started the day with something real in my system. My roommate and I would sit on our tiny apartment balcony, drinks in hand, and take ten minutes to breathe before the chaos began.
Make It Your Own
Once you have the basic formula down, this smoothie is incredibly forgiving. I have added handfuls of spinach, a scoop of protein powder, even a tablespoon of cocoa powder when chocolate cravings hit. The banana and peanut butter are bold enough that they can handle quite a few additions without tasting weird.
Texture Secrets
The ice cubes are nonnegotiable for that milkshop consistency. Some people like to freeze their yogurt in an ice cube tray for extra thickness without watering anything down. I have also tried adding a quarter of an avocado, which makes it incredibly velvety, though you can taste it slightly so only do this if you actually like avocado.
Meal Prep Friendly
Smoothies are best fresh, but I have learned a few tricks for busy mornings. You can preportion all the ingredients except the liquid into freezer bags, then just dump one into the blender with milk when you are ready. It saves so much time and cleanup, and you can make a week's worth of portions in about fifteen minutes.
- Label your freezer bags with the date and any addins you included
- Let the frozen ingredients sit on the counter for 5 minutes before blending
- If making ahead, store in a mason jar and shake vigorously before drinking
Save This simple smoothie has become my default when life feels overwhelming. Five minutes of measuring and blending, and suddenly I have taken care of myself for at least one small part of the day. Sometimes the tiniest acts of normalcy matter the most.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I make this shake vegan?
Yes, by substituting dairy milk and yogurt with plant-based alternatives and using maple syrup instead of honey, you can enjoy a vegan-friendly version.
- → Is it possible to adjust the sweetness?
Absolutely. You can add or reduce honey or maple syrup to suit your taste preferences.
- → Can I prepare this shake in advance?
Yes, it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Stir well before serving to maintain texture.
- → What can I add for extra texture?
Toppings like sliced bananas or granola add pleasant crunch and enhance the mouthfeel.
- → How do I achieve a chocolate flavor?
Adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the blend infuses a subtle chocolatey twist.