Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large frozen banana (previously peeled and sliced)
- 2 tablespoons natural almond butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 1 cup milk of choice (almond, oat, dairy, etc.)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
- ½ cup ice cubes (only if using fresh banana)
- Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Frozen Banana: If you haven’t already, make sure you have a very ripe banana (with brown spots) that’s been peeled, sliced into coins, and frozen for at least 2-3 hours or overnight. Frozen banana is absolutely essential for achieving that thick, creamy, milkshake-like texture that makes this smoothie irresistible. If you’re caught without frozen banana, you can use a fresh one, but you’ll need to add ice cubes and the texture won’t be quite as luxurious.
- Measure Your Almond Butter: Scoop out 2 tablespoons of almond butter. If your almond butter has separated with oil on top, stir it well first to reincorporate. Natural almond butter can be quite thick and sticky, so using a rubber spatula helps get an accurate measurement and prevents waste. If your almond butter is very stiff from the refrigerator, you can microwave it for 10-15 seconds to soften slightly, making it easier to blend.
- Layer Ingredients Strategically: Add ingredients to your blender in this specific order for optimal blending results: milk first (creates the liquid base), then Greek yogurt, almond butter, vanilla extract, any optional sweetener or add-ins like cinnamon or protein powder, and finally the frozen banana pieces on top. This strategic layering is crucial – liquid on bottom creates the vortex that pulls ingredients down, while frozen items on top get pushed toward the blades by their own weight.
- Start Blending on Low Speed: Begin your blender on the lowest speed setting for about 10-15 seconds. This initial low-speed blending breaks down the larger frozen banana chunks and helps incorporate the sticky almond butter without overwhelming your blender motor. You’ll hear the sound change as ingredients start breaking down and the mixture begins to come together. If you have a blender with a tamper tool, use it to push ingredients toward the blades.
- Increase to High Speed: Gradually increase your blender speed to high and blend for 45-60 seconds until the smoothie is completely smooth, creamy, and velvety with no visible chunks or streaks of almond butter remaining. The mixture should be a beautiful pale beige to light tan color and have a thick, luxurious consistency. If your blender is struggling or you see ingredients bouncing around, stop and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula, then continue blending.
- Check Consistency and Adjust: Stop the blender and check the thickness by tilting it slightly – the smoothie should slowly slide down the side. If it’s too thick to blend properly or too thick to drink comfortably through a straw, add milk 2 tablespoons at a time and pulse briefly. If it’s thinner than you’d like, add a few more ice cubes or another frozen banana chunk and blend again. Remember that smoothies thicken slightly as they sit, so err on the side of slightly thinner.
- Taste and Perfect: This is the most important step! Taste your smoothie and adjust flavors as needed. If it’s not sweet enough, add honey, maple syrup, or another small piece of banana and blend briefly. If the almond flavor isn’t prominent enough, add another ½ tablespoon of almond butter. If you want more vanilla warmth, add another ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Blend for just 10-15 seconds after any additions to incorporate.
- Serve Immediately: Pour into glasses and enjoy right away while perfectly chilled and at peak creamy texture. If desired, garnish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon, a drizzle of almond butter, sliced banana, crushed almonds, or a few banana chips for pretty presentation. Serve with a thick reusable straw or even a spoon if you made it extra thick!
Notes
- Frozen banana is the secret to perfect texture – it’s non-negotiable for the creamiest results
- The riper your banana before freezing, the sweeter and more flavorful your smoothie will be
- Natural almond butter (just almonds) tastes better and is healthier than versions with added oils and sugars
- Start with less liquid and add more as needed – it’s easier to thin than thicken
- For higher protein content, add Greek yogurt AND protein powder (20g+ protein per serving)
- If smoothie separates after sitting (normal!), just stir or shake before drinking
- Different blenders have different power levels – blend longer if needed for smooth consistency
- For meal replacement, make sure to include protein powder or Greek yogurt for satiety
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie (approximately 16 oz)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 8mg