Is there a more nostalgic flavor combination than peanut butter and jelly? Crunchy peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches (cut into triangles, please!) were a common feature in my elementary school Care Bears lunchbox.
Even today, when I’m in the mood for comfort food, a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich is my go-to meal. So I was definitely intrigued when I first saw this recipe for a peanut butter and jelly smoothie. Could a smoothie really satisfy my PB&J cravings?
How to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
The recipe below makes one smoothie. Enjoy!
- 1 medium frozen banana
- 1/2 cup 1% milk (or your preferred milk or non-dairy milk alternative)
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, plus more for drizzling
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup ice cubes, if necessary
Initial Thoughts
This recipe is very adaptable to your preferences. I tend to use 1% milk when making smoothies, but you can use whatever type of dairy (e.g., skim, whole, etc.) or non-dairy (e.g., coconut, almond, soy, etc.) milk that you like. Additionally, you can play around with the berries, substituting raspberries or using a mix of strawberries and other berries.
You can use fresh fruit in this recipe, but the result may be a bit more watery, so you might need to add more ice cubes at the end to thicken the smoothie. While creamy peanut butter works best, you can definitely sub in crunchy peanut butter if that’s all you have on hand. (Psst…have you ever tried to make your own peanut butter from scratch? It’s easier than you might think.)
Making the Smoothie
Yay, no chopping! The only equipment required for this smoothie is a blender. (In the market for a new blender? We found the best one for making smoothies.) Add all of the ingredients except the ice cubes to the blender and puree until smooth. Add ice cubes if necessary to thicken the smoothie. Or, if it’s too thick, add more milk.
Pour into a glass and top with a drizzle of peanut butter. (Pro Tip: If your peanut butter is too thick, microwave it in 15-second increments until it’s easy to pour.) Here are dozens more smoothie recipes to try.
The Outcome
This smoothie, with sweetness from the strawberries and salty flavor from the peanut butter, is so, so delicious. With only a few (wholesome!) ingredients, this smoothie is easy to make and is a perfect way to satiate my PB&J cravings anytime, anywhere.
Love peanut butter and jelly as much as I do? Try more of our favorite peanut butter and jelly recipes.
Find More Smoothies to Try—and Shakes, Too
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I love to treat overnight guests to this creamy orange frappe. Just blitz a few basic ingredients in your blender and enjoy. —Joyce Mummau, Mount Airy, Maryland
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You'll need thick drinking straws to enjoy this refreshing shake, which combines two favorite fruits for a healthy, thirst-quenching treat.—Karen Edwards, Sanford, Maine
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I try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
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This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is tasty. Layering cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that sings with Fourth of July pride. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
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Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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When the big meal is over, I make a smoothie using leftover cranberry sauce. Don’t have a frozen banana? Use a regular banana and add more ice. —Gina Fensler, Cincinnati, Ohio
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In this Horchata recipe, the mixture of ground rice and almonds is accented with a hint of lime. Depending on your preference, you can use more or less water for a thinner or creamier beverage. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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We love the perfect blend of sweet and citrus in this refreshing smoothie. It's so easy to throw together, I often find myself making one for breakfast or a midday snack. — Jamie King, Duluth, Minnesota
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My children resist veggies, but they love smoothies. This smoothie packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies, but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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This tastes like a milkshake, but it doesn't have all the guilt or fat. My husband and I look forward to it every day for breakfast. It's so good for you, and will keep you energized for hours. -Jessica Gerschitz of Jericho, New York
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It's been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I want to make it count, so I created this fruity and refreshing smoothie packed with good-for-you cherries and vanilla yogurt. —Sherry Mote, Marietta, Georgia
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Peak-of-freshness strawberries make this thinner, easy drink a summer staple. —Elizabeth Johnson, Greenville, South Carolina
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I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut
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I’m not a big sweets person, but I’ll slurp down a milk shake from Steak ‘n Shake any day! —Sarah Cowley, Houston, Texas
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This delightfully sweet-tart beverage showcases fresh raspberries and blueberries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Strawberry or blueberry yogurt also work with the flavors in this smoothie. —Julie Puderbaugh, Berwick, Pennsylvania
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Several different recipes inspired the combination of ingredients I use in these shakes, and I'm glad they did! They're so refreshing. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
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This is my toddler son's favorite breakfast—he'll take one of these over pancakes any day! Get creative when mixing fruits and fruit-flavored yogurts; we love peach yogurt with mango, strawberry yogurt with blueberries or pina colada yogurt with mango and banana. —Dana Herra, DeKalb, Illinois
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You need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. —Macy Plummer, Avon, Indiana
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When we go camping in our trailer, we like to serve this vitamin-packed, refreshing drink when company pops in. —John Slivon, Milton, Florida
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The post How to Make a PB&J Smoothie appeared first on Taste of Home.
Susan Bronson
