Banana Bread Protein Smoothie

All the warming flavors that you love in the traditional loaf, but in a healthy protein smoothie. This Banana Bread Protein Smoothie recipe is created with raw walnuts, plant protein, frozen banana, cozy spices, cacao nibs, and non-dairy milk. It’s packed with wholesome ingredients, to make it the perfect choice for a nutritious post workout breakfast!

If you’re in the mood for a slice of banana bread, but desire something more nutritious, I’ve got you covered. This Banana Bread Protein Smoothie recipe is the perfect replacement. Minus the flour and baking process, this healthy protein smoothie actually tastes like the real deal. A bonus is that it’s way better for you.

As a matter of fact, I feel like banana bread is one of those items that just about everyone loves and if you’re a smoothie fanatic, like myself, you’re going to be sprinting to your kitchen to make this one.

The combination is truly addictive, similar to the traditional loaf, but thankfully it’s packed with plant protein, healthy fats, and just good-for-you ingredients.

Since this banana bread recipe is blended, not baked, there’s no need to spend an hour to prepare. All is required is a few nutritious ingredients and a high-speed blender, to have a delicious post workout to maintain high-vibrational energy. 

Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread Protein Smoothie

• Nutrient Packed: Thanks to the addition of walnuts, this healthy protein smoothie has an abundant amount of benefits for optimal health. 
• Perfect Protein Smoothie: Whether you’re making it post workout or breakfast, this banana smoothie will have you fully satisfied, as it is packed with over 25 grams of plant protein.
• Fully Customizable: I have listed options further down in the post to add even more wholesome ingredients to elevate your protein smoothie.

Walnuts Health Benefits

Walnuts are not only the star of this Banana Bread Protein Smoothie recipe, but they’re also an exceptionally nutritious nut. In fact, the nut itself looks like the human brain! Due to the high levels of omega-3s, research has proven that consuming walnuts regularly improves brain function. To say the least, this superfood of a nut is chalk full of benefits. Here are just a few of the health benefits of consuming walnuts:

• Promoted Brain Health & Memory
• Improved Skin Elasticity & Appearance
• Decreased Inflammation
• Boost in Energy & Mood
• Disease Prevention

Ingredients

• Organic Unsweetened Oat Milk: Any non-dairy milk works in this recipe, but I love oat milk! Just be sure to use trusted brands – I like MALK Organics or Three Trees.
• Organic Walnuts: Unsalted please! Walnuts blend right in with the other ingredients for flavor & added creaminess. 
• Organic Unflavored Plant Protein: Adding a scoop of protein powder helps to keep you full and satisfied longer. I love Sprout Living’s Epic Original Plant Protein for this recipe. It’s clean & is made with absolutely NO gums, “flavorings,” fillers or additives. Nevertheless, if you have yet to try Sprout Living’s Plant Protein, add your favorite unflavored plant protein.
• Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Organic ground flax seeds adds a great little boost of fiber & minerals to this smoothie.
• Manuka Honey: Manuka honey provides this protein smoothie with a hint of sweetness.
• Organic Spices: A combination of ceylon cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt, are essential to embody the beloved banana bread essence.
• Organic Frozen Banana: It’s best to use a frozen banana to create that super thick & creamy texture.
• Organic Cacao Nibs: Cacao nibs give the shake lots of texture, with a little crunch with every sip. Obsessed. 

How To Make

• Blend the Liquids & Powders. First, add the non-dairy milk, walnuts, plant protein, seeds, manuka honey, and spices, to a high-speed blender. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
• Blend the Frozen Ingredients. Next, add in the frozen banana. Blend until smooth and creamy. If needed, you can pause the blender, remove the lid, and scrape down the sides so that everything is fully incorporated. You may need to add a little more non-dairy milk depending on how thick/thin you like your smoothies
• Blend the Cacao Nibs. Add the cacao nibs & blend for 20 seconds on medium.
• Serve. Pour into a chilled glass and enjoy immediately.

Optional Smoothie Add-Ins

Feel free to truly make this smoothie your own! Here are a few suggestions to amp-up this Banana Bread Protein Smoothie recipe:

• Organic Chia Seeds: Add a scoop of organic chia seeds for some omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, etc. + it helps thicken this protein smoothie.
• Organic Hemp Seeds: Add in a tablespoon of organic hemp seeds for a boost of healthy fats, protein, omegas & minerals.
• Organic Coconut Yogurt: Add some creaminess to this smoothie with a scoop of coconut yogurt. You may have to reduce the almond milk to ¾ cup in this smoothie when adding yogurt.
• Organic Greens: You can get your greens in too in this smoothie. They blend easily & you can’t taste them. Plus, greens are packed with so many minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Spinach, kale, swiss chard, mustard greens, collard greens, or mixed greens all work. WARNING: it will change the color of the smoothie.

Tips for Making the Perfect Smoothie

Interested in how to make the absolute perfect smoothie? As someone who makes smoothies daily, here are my TOP tips:

1. Use Frozen Fruit: Adding a frozen to this smoothie is the only way to go! The ice from the frozen fruits adds thickness to the smoothie.
2. Adjust Liquid Amount: If you find that your smoothie is too thick to blend, not to worry! Just add a bit more milk, blend, open the cover, scrape down the sides if needed, and blend again. And when possible, always use a larger high-speed blender instead, as it will blend the ingredients much better.
3. How To Make: Add your liquid first & blend your powders first, before adding your frozen ingredients. This is my personal favorite way of preparing my smoothies. By blending the liquid & powders first, it ensures that your powders blend completely.
4. Blend Cacao Nibs Last: The reason for adding the cacao nibs last, is because you don’t want them to get as creamy like the smoothie – you want them to retain their structure, for texture. That makes this smoothie a bit crunchy, which I love!
5. Smoothie Blending Tip: Start your blender on low to medium speed. If you blend the smoothie too quickly from the beginning, it’s really hard for the blender to properly blend the frozen ingredients – so start lower and then gradually increase the speed.
6. Chill Your Glass: There’s nothing better than a cold smoothie, in this case, a banana bread milkshake. Put your serving glass in the fridge or freezer while you’re making your smoothie to ensure a chilled smoothie with every sip.

Smoothie FAQ’s

Do I have to use a frozen banana?

The frozen banana in this recipe gives the smoothie a thick & creamy texture. If using a fresh banana, be to add a handful of ice cubes to achieve a cold, thick smoothie. However, if you’re looking to remove the banana altogether, because you’re allergic or simply don’t like them, you can replace it with ½ cup of frozen zucchini, frozen cauliflower, or frozen avocado chunks. If you elect to make this a banana free smoothie, I recommend keeping the manuka honey to maintain its sweetness.

Is it healthy to have a smoothie?

Duh! I wouldn’t post something that was unhealthy. Having a smoothie full of protein, healthy fats, & superfoods for a post workout breakfast is great because you’ll be getting essential vitamins, nutrients, & protein, first thing. However, some smoothies on the market or on the web can be loaded with tons of fruit, added sugar, & nonsense, making them a less healthy option. 

What is the best protein powder to use?

For this particular protein smoothie recipe, I love Sprout Living’s Epic Original Plant Protein for this recipe. It’s clean & is made with absolutely NO gums, “flavorings,” fillers or additives. Nevertheless, if you have yet to try Sprout Living’s Plant Protein, add your favorite unflavored plant protein.When selecting a plant protein, it’s crucial to look at the protein content and most importantly, the ingredients. 

How can I add protein without using protein powder?

If you don’t have unflavored protein powder on hand, no worries! To increase the protein content, you can add a tablespoon of organic chia seeds and/or organic hemp seeds, without changing the taste too much.

Can I make this smoothie recipe in advance?

Yes! Feel free to make the smoothie as is or double it for later. Check out this “How to Prepare Smoothies in Advance” post to achieve the best results.

More Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

• Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Smoothie
• Chocolate Walnut Date Shake
• Almond Butter Bomb Smoothie
• Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
• Pistachio Almond Smoothie
• Chocolate Walnut Smoothie

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review & rating below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Lastly, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more deliciousness & wellness tips!

Xoxo.

Christin.

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