Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Smoothie

A peanut butter protein smoothie recipe that is a delicious way to begin your day. This Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Smoothie is loaded with superfoods, packed with plant protein, naturally sweetened with fruit, and has the perfect crunch to it, thanks to the cacao nibs. It’s the ultimate combination to keep you full, nourished, & energized.

This Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Smoothie was inspired by my Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie recipe, which is super delicious. However, this smoothie is probably one of my favorites & that’s saying a lot. 

What makes this smoothie different from the rest is the cacao nibs. Cacao nibs are just tiny pieces of crushed cacao beans that have a bitter, yet chocolatey flavor. These rich, yet chocolatey nibs are loaded with nutrients + powerful plant compounds that have been proven to have so many health benefits & are the perfect addition to this peanut butter protein smoothie.

Not only does this smoothie taste like a peanut butter milkshake, but it’s post workout approved, since it’s packed with over 25 grams of plant protein.

So whether you’re on the hunt for a new protein smoothie or just looking to jazz up your day, this Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Smoothie will deliver!

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Cacao Nib Smoothie

• Loaded with Superfoods: For added nutrition, without compromising the taste!
• Creamy & Crunchy: This smoothie is super creamy & has a bit of a crunch at each sip, thanks to the cacao nibs.
• Perfect Protein Smoothie: Whether you’re making it post workout or breakfast, this smoothie will have you fully satisfied, as it’s packed with over 25 grams of plant protein.
• Tastes like a Dessert: The flavor & texture in this smoothie is that of a treat, but in a healthy peanut butter protein smoothie form.

Peanut Butter Health Benefits & Nutrition 

The star of this smoothie is the peanut butter. Some may be scared of peanut butter because of its high caloric content, but there shouldn’t be anything to be afraid of – except for the many brands that add harmful ingredients like cane sugar, vegetable oil, and trans fats. My biggest suggestion is to buy an organic peanut butter made with 1 ingredient – organic peanuts! This way you can receive all of the peanut butter benefits without the negative side effects. In moderation, peanut butter offers the following health benefits:

• Protein Packed to Help You Stay Full Longer
• Boosts Energy Levels
• Helps Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
• Rich in Antioxidant Properties That May Prevent Several Diseases
• Full of Healthy Fats for Overall Health

Ingredients

• Organic Non-Dairy Milk: Any non-dairy milk works in this recipe, but I love unsweetend almond milk!  Just be sure to use trusted brands – I like MALK Organics or Three Trees.
• Organic Unsalted Peanut Butter: Obviously! It wouldn’t be a peanut butter smoothie recipe without it. I used creamy organic peanut butter, but crunchy would also be phenomenal in my opinion. You can also substitute organic peanut butter for any other nut or seed butter, if needed. 
• Organic Hemp Seeds: Organic hemp seeds adds a boost of healthy fats, protein, omegas & minerals.
• Organic Ground Flax Seeds: Organic ground flax seeds adds a great little boost of fiber & minerals to this smoothie.
• Organic Vanilla Plant Protein: Adding a scoop of protein powder helps to keep you full and satisfied longer. I love Four Sigmatic’s Sweet Vanilla Plant Protein for this recipe. It’s ​​made with real organic vanilla with no grains, gums or fillers. Oh & it’s super delicious. Nevertheless, if you have yet to try Four Sigmatic’s Sweet Vanilla Plant Protein, add your favorite vanilla plant protein.
• Manuka Honey: Manuka honey provides this protein smoothie with a hint of sweetness.
• Organic Ceylon Cinnamon: Adding some cinnamon to this smoothie, takes it to the next level. Trust me!
• Sea Salt: A healthy pinch of sea salt is rich in a ton of minerals and beautifully enhances the flavor of this peanut butter smoothie.
• Organic Frozen Banana: To make the smoothie extra thick & creamy, it’s best to use a frozen banana.
• Organic Cacao Nibs: Adding some cacao nibs last minute to this smoothie, gives the smoothie lots of texture, with a little crunch at every sip. LOVE. 

How To Make

• Blend the Liquids & Powders. First, add the non-dairy milk, peanut butter, seeds, plant protein, 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 speed.
• 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 peanut butter smoothie recipe:

• Organic Chia Seeds: Add a scoop of organic chia seeds for some omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, etc.
• Organic Coconut Yogurt: Add some creaminess to this smoothie with a scoop of coconut yogurt. You may have to reduce the non-dairy milk to ½ cup in this smoothie when adding yogurt.
• Organic Medjool Date: If you’re wanting to sweeten your superfood smoothie even more, start by adding one organic pitted medjool date.
• Organic Greens: You can get your greens in too in this peanut butter 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!

Tips for Making the Perfect Smoothie

Interested in how to make the absolute perfect Peanut Butter Cacao Nib 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. 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.
5. 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!
6. Chill Your Glass: There’s nothing better than a cold smoothie, in this case, an peanut butter 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 peanut butter smoothie recipe, I love using Four Sigmatic’s Sweet Vanilla Plant Protein. It’s ​​made with real organic ingredients with no grains, gums, or fillers. If you don’t have Four Sigmatic’s Sweet Vanilla Plant Protein on hand, you can use your favorite vanilla protein powder. 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 protein powder on hand, no worries! To increase the protein content, you can add another tablespoon organic hemp seeds, without changing the taste too much.

Do I have to add organic peanut butter?

Even though peanut butter is one of the main components of this cacao nib smoothie recipe, it is not mandatory. If you elect to not include it, I highly recommend swapping it for your preferred nut or seed butter. I think organic raw almond butter or organic sunflower seed butter would compliment this protein smoothie nicely.

Can I make this protein smoothie 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 Peanut Butter Smoothie Recipes You’ll Love

• Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
• PB & Greens Smoothie
• Snickers Protein Smoothie
• Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie 
• Peanut Butter Mushroom Mocha Smoothie
• Peanut Butter Pumpkin Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie (Protein Powder-Free)
• Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Smoothie
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkin Smoothie
• Butterfinger 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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