Banana Almond Protein Smoothie Recipe

By What’s Baking

A creamy, nutrient-packed banana smoothie blending sweet fruit with protein-rich almonds for a satisfying breakfast or post-workout refuel.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

0 mins

Serves:

2 smoothies

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 medium ripe bananas, frozen and chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250ml unsweetened almond milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp almond butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30g protein powder (vanilla or unflavored)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp ground cinnamon</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Small handful of ice cubes</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15g sliced almonds, for garnish</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">High-speed blender</li></ul>

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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Place the frozen banana chunks in your blender. Using frozen bananas creates a creamier, thicker smoothie texture without needing to add ice that could water down the flavors.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Add the almond milk, Greek yogurt, and almond butter to the blender. The combination of these ingredients provides a wonderful balance of protein sources while the almond butter adds richness and healthy fats that will help keep you fuller longer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Measure and add your protein powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. If your bananas aren't very ripe or you prefer a sweeter smoothie, this is when you'd add the optional honey or maple syrup.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Add a small handful of ice cubes to the blender. This will help chill the smoothie and add additional thickness without diluting the flavors too much, as most of your creaminess comes from the frozen bananas.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds, or until completely smooth. Start at a lower speed and gradually increase to prevent air pockets from forming around the blades. You're looking for a thick, creamy texture with no visible chunks.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Stop and scrape down the sides if needed, then blend for another 15-30 seconds until velvety smooth. The smoothie should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable – if it's too thick, add a splash more almond milk; if too thin, add more frozen banana or ice.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Pour immediately into two tall glasses and garnish with a sprinkle of sliced almonds for added crunch and visual appeal. Serve right away to enjoy the optimal texture and temperature. The smoothie will separate slightly if left standing, so give it a quick stir before drinking if needed.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 smoothie

🔥 Calories: 295 calories

🥑 Fat: 12 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 2 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 35 g

🍭 Sugar: 20 g

🍗 Protein: 18 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 15 mg

🧂 Sodium: 80 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can I make this protein smoothie ahead of time?

While best enjoyed immediately after blending, you can prepare this smoothie up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and give it a good shake or stir before drinking as separation may occur. The texture might be slightly thinner.

What can I substitute for almond milk if I have a nut allergy?

For nut allergies, easily substitute almond milk with oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk or regular dairy milk. You'll also need to replace the almond butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini, and skip the sliced almond garnish to make this smoothie completely nut-free.

How can I increase the protein content in my smoothie without changing the taste?

Boost protein without altering flavour by adding an extra scoop of unflavoured protein powder, incorporating silken tofu, using higher-protein Greek yogurt, or mixing in unflavoured collagen peptides. These additions maintain the creamy banana-almond taste while enhancing nutritional value.