Peanut butter banana protein shake without protein powder

Want a nourishing protein shake that is delicious and satisfying all at the same time? This Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake is the absolute best you’ll ever taste!

Protein (and its benefits) is one of my fave topics. Because y’all know that protein is super important. It’s a muscle-building, body-repairing nutrient that we can’t do without.

Sometimes we don’t get enough protein and I am always looking for ways to remedy that. This chocolate banana peanut butter shake is one of them!

So we’re going to take a look at how delicious this shake is and how good it is for you. But first, if you want to know a little about protein, I’ll give you the scoop.

• Protein is the best source for energy
• Protein is called a building block because of amino acids
• Protein helps us make and burn energy
• Protein helps our metabolism work the way it should

You can get protein from a lot of sources. Nut butters, protein powders, and chicken are just 3 ways. Seeds and full-fat dairy are 2 more.

But a creamy and smooth protein shake is a fun, grab n’ go way to get needed protein, too.

So grab your blender or Vitamix and let’s get started!

How To Make A Protein Shake

Delicious shakes are made this way:

• Base: Add ice or fruit like a banana to thicken (note: chia seeds can thicken a shake also)
• Protein source: In this case, peanut butter, almond milk and protein powder
• Sweetener: If required (you can add a natural sugar like raw honey or pure maple syrup)
• Liquid: I like milk such as almond, cashew or coconut
• Blend it: If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more milk until you reach the desired consistency

Benefits Of Protein Shakes

Protein shakes satisfy hunger. That’s a big benefit in my mind because, after a workout, I’m ravenous. And maybe I’m heading off to work or to take the kids on an outing and need energy fast. That’s when I reach for a chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake!

More benefits:

• Protein shakes are great for muscle recovery
• Protein shakes can replace a meal
• Protein shakes can help increase muscle mass when you exercise

Is It Bad To Put Peanut Butter In Your Protein Shake?

It’s definitely okay – and smart – to put peanut butter in your protein shake. Peanut butter is a healthy ingredient! Peanut butter has all 3 of the macronutrients we need daily, those being fat, protein, and carbs.

So yes, go ahead and add peanut butter to your shake as I did in this recipe. It tastes great, too!

Is A Chocolate Banana Protein Shake Good For Weight Loss?

I think chocolate banana protein shakes are good for weight loss. Why? Because you are filling up with nutrients after exercise instead of reaching for that processed, empty of nutrition, calorie-laden protein bar.

BTW, looking for a healthy protein bar? See what makes a healthy protein bar and see my top 7 here.

Enjoying a shake made with power-packed protein powder can help you lose weight:

• The decrease in hunger keeps you away from junk food
• Protein helps you lose weight slowly (instead like a crash diet), maintaining lean muscle mass
• Protein helps beat belly fat (see my post on blasting belly bloat)

Types Of Protein Powder

I’ve written several posts on protein powders. I have lots of recipes on the site, too, like pancakes that taste fabulous alongside bacon – done in the oven, folks! 

Some of the types of protein powder on the market are:

• Hemp protein
• Pea protein
• Rice protein
• Whey protein
• Casein protein

What Can I Add To My Protein Shake To Gain Weight?

To gain weight by drinking protein shakes, add ingredients like avocado, nut butter, healthy oils like coconut oil, and extra protein sources like oats. Make sure you have a full-fat milk in there such as dairy milk or coconut milk.

Almond and cashew milk are good for adding in calories, too.

Have 2-3 small protein shakes a day and be sure to focus on healthy foods like whole grains and lean proteins for extra muscle-building power.

Stay away from processed foods – they will not help you gain weight in a healthy way. Instead, they can lead to inflammation.

This chocolate banana peanut butter protein shake has so much goodness in it. It’s so easy to throw the ingredients in a blender and have a nutritional snack in less than 5 minutes!

• Almond milk
• Peanut butter
• Ripe banana
• Cinnamon
• Chocolate whey powder
• Ice cubes
• Honey is optional

When Should You Drink Protein Shakes?

I prefer to drink my protein shake after I exercise. That’s because I want that source of protein to help my body build and maintain muscle mass. I’m typically hungry also, so a quick-to-make shake is the best thing to curb my hunger pains fast.

But if you like to drink your protein shake before you head to the gym or out for a walk, that’s okay as well because you get the energy you need to complete your exercise goal. 

You want to spread out your protein intake throughout the day for optimum results, so as long as you are getting what you need, when you drink the shake is up to you.

How Often Should You Drink Protein Shakes?

How often you drink protein shakes depends on your goals. If you want to gain weight, you can have a protein-filled shake every time you do resistance training to help build muscle. For weight loss, you can reduce your calorie intake and ensure that you are still getting enough protein by maybe drinking two shakes a day.

But remember, the important thing is that the protein shake is not a protein replacement. You still need to get your requirements from other sources, too.

More Healthy Protein Shakes

Over the years, since I created this delicious Chocolate, Banana, Peanut Butter Protein Shake, I’ve come up with some new faves as well.  If you’d like more protein shakes and smoothie recipes, check out the following:

• Green Protein Smoothie
• Almond Butter, Coffee, And Chocolate Shake
• Orange Protein Shake
• Strawberry Protein Shake
• Banana Protein Shake
• Blueberry Shake
• Peach Protein Shake

What’s your favorite shake recipe?

Are you looking for a nourishing protein shake that is delicious and satisfying all at the same time? This Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake is the absolute best you’ll ever taste!

Categories: Breakfast, Drinks

Difficulty: Easy

Keyword: chocolate protein shake, chocolate protein shake recipes, peanut butter protein shake

Servings: 1 shake

Calories: 450 kcal

• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp creamy peanut butter
• 1 ripe banana can be frozen, broken into large chunks
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
• 5-10 ice cubes depending on how thick you like it
• optional: 1 tsp. honey

1. Add all ingredients in blender, starting with the almond milk.

2. Blend until smooth.

3. If too thick, add more milk. If too thin, add some more ice.

This protein shake is by far the #1 shake we have in our home.  It’s sweet, creamy, chocolatey, and full of satisfying goodness.  Plus it’s so simple to make.  We often have it as a quick pre-workout meal or even as a sweet treat to end the day.

If you like it even sweeter, you can opt to freeze your bananas instead of using fresh bananas.  That way, you can opt to not add any ice into the shake, which will make the flavor more intense and less watered down. 

I also like to add a sprinkle of dehydrated espresso powder for a little flavor boost to the chocolate.  And don’t forget that cinnamon – it’s seriously life changing. 

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Protein Shake

Amount Per Serving (1 shake)

Calories 450 Calories from Fat 177

% Daily Value*

Fat 19.7g30%

Saturated Fat 1.8g9%

Sodium 49.9mg2%

Carbohydrates 39.9g13%

Fiber 7.4g30%

Sugar 19.3g21%

Protein 39.7g79%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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