A thick and creamy fiber-filled smoothie featuring frozen bananas, raw greens, plant milk, protein powder, peanut butter, oats, flaxseed, cacao nibs. Full of plant protein and fiber to start your day off right!
Thanks to Ben and Jerry’s, most people are familiar with the tasty combination of chocolate, banana, nuts. This healthy twist combines the delicious flavors we love in a super simple smoothie.
Though, instead of chunks of fudge chunks & walnuts, everything is blended until ultra smooth and creamy. So it’s kinda like melted ice cream, but much more simple and far more healthy. After all, I am touting it as a breakfast smoothie.
This Chunky Monkey Breakfast Smoothie uses frozen bananas, nutrient-dense greens, along with a bit of peanut butter, rolled oats, flax or seeds, cacao nibs and chocolate-flavored protein powder. These ingredients work synergistically to increase the nutrition profile and satiety.
The end result is a rich and creamy smoothie boasting all the flavorful notes of Chunky Monkey Ice Cream – and an absolutely perfect way to start your morning!
Let’s cover some of the basics for this smoothie.
First, you’ll need to freeze your bananas. If you’re like me, you’ll buy a bunch of slightly green bananas. Then, as soon as they are in their prime enjoyment case, they overly ripen in a hurry. I know there are tricks to slow this process down, but I just usually take the opportunity to freeze them in their prime. Why not? This way, I always have frozen bananas at the ready.
Next, you’re going to need a high-speed blender or food processor to get an ultra smooth and creamy milkshake texture. A regular blender normally doesn’t possess the necessary horsepower to pulverize the frozen fruit, oats, seeds, and cacao nibs. I use a Vitamix, but others have found success with their high-speed blenders and food processors.
If you have a powerful blender, you can get away with splitting your bananas in half or quarter chunks. I have found that it’s much easier for me to measure out a banana if I know my frozen banana is in halves or quarters. If your blender needs assistance, it is much better to slice and freeze your bananas in smaller pieces or chunks.
That is, unless you don’t mind having a real chunky smoothie. And while chunky is in the name and all, it is not the goal here. Your smoothie should be smooth. It should go with out saying, but I figured it’s better to be upfront. I’m simply trying to manage your expectations…
Unsweetened plant milk is up next. You can use any unsweetened non-dairy plant milk you have in your refrigerator. I typically buy unsweetened almond milk or make my own. If you’re interested in making your own, try my Oat + Nut Milk or my Creamy Coco+Nut Milk. Both can be made in a blender or Almond Cow (nut milk maker). Both recipes include a quick and easy tutorial for either method.
Next up are the greens. I am a huge advocate for including all types of fresh greens to smoothies. I love adding kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, rainbow chard, and so on. Leafy greens are so healthy and full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Antioxidant foods are rich in Nitric Oxide (nitrate or NO). These can be fresh or frozen.
Next up is peanut butter or peanuts. If you can’t have peanuts or prefer not to consume them, no problem. You can use any other kind of nut, including walnuts, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and more. It’s up to you. I just love the flavor combo of peanuts, banana, and chocolate.
Which brings me to the next crucial ingredient – chocolate!! I use two different chocolate ingredients in this smoothie. The first is chocolate protein powder. I like using and recommend using a wholesome plant-based protein powder blend like Earth Chimp. You can read all about it in my post here.
You can substitute the chocolate protein powder with two tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder. If you prefer a more chocolatey flavor, add one or two teaspoons cacao powder, cocoa powder, or chocolate protein powder to the bender, depending on how chocolatey you want your Chunky Monkey Smoothie. If you’re using an unsweetened protein powder or cacao or cocoa powder, you may want to add some pitted dates or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
But I also include some cacao nibs. When blended, they become little dark chocolate bits like stracciatella gelato. I think it adds so much character. If you don’t have cacao nibs, you can substitute with chocolate chips or omit them.
Lastly are the powerful whole grain oats and flaxseed or hemp hearts. Each provide a myriad of nutrients, healthy fats, dietary fiber, and minerals that contribute to the nutrition profile of this delicious heart-healthy smoothie.
Moreover, flaxseeds are proven to be extremely effective at combatting high blood pressure. In fact, Dr. Gregor explains that eating a few tablespoons a day may work two to three times better than pharmaceutical drugs. (pg 133) Additionally, a diet containing three portions of whole grains also helps reduce blood pressure.
On the other hand, chia seeds means strength in Mayan and were important for the Aztecs and Mayans. Considered a powerful super food, just one ounce of chia seeds contain 11 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fat. They are also an excellent source of antioxidants, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and phosphorus. (Healthline) And flax seeds are among the oldest crops in the world. They contain many nutrients, including lignans, fiber, and omega-3 fats such as ALA. (Healthline)
So, no matter which one you choose, know that you’re fueling your heart with potent nutrient-dense powerhouses.
Now all you have to do is combine your ingredients in a high-speed blender and give it a whirl. Then pour it into one or two glasses and enjoy a simple yet wholesome breakfast treat filled with loads of fiber, protein, and vitamins.
I hope you enjoy this Chunky Monkey Breakfast Smoothie as as much as I do.
I would love to see your results! Please leave a comment and rate it down below, tag a picture @pebblesandtoast and #pebblesandtoast on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook! Enjoy!!
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Ingredients
- 1½ bananas, sliced and frozen*
- 1 cup raw greens (kale, baby spinach, blend)
- 1½ cup unsweetened plant milk
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter (or ¼ cup peanuts)
- 2 scoops (35 mg) chocolate protein powder** (like Earth Chimp)
- 1 Tbsp rolled oats
- 1 Tbsp flax seeds or chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp cacao nibs
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high-powdered blender (Vitamix).
- Put lid on top and turn the power on.
- Quickly increase the speed from low to high, using the tamper, if needed, to incorporate all of the ingredients.
- When smooth and creamy, turn the power switch to off.
- Pour into a serving jar, glass, or bottle, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
* I normally halve my bananas since it’s easier to measure and my Vitamix has no probably blending. If your blender needs assistance, it is much better to slice and freeze your bananas in smaller pieces or chunks. Unless you don’t mind having a real chunky smoothie…
** You can substitute the protein powder with 1-2 Tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder, depending on how chocolatey you like it and the type of powder you are using. You may want to add some pitted dates or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
Makes 20-24 ounces.
Chunky Monkey Breakfast Smoothie (vegan; gluten-free)
Equipment
- high speed blender
Ingredients
- 1½ bananas sliced and frozen*
- 1 cup raw greens kale, baby spinach, blend
- 1½ cup unsweetened plant milk
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter or ¼ cup peanuts
- 2 scoops (35 mg) chocolate protein powder** (like Earth Chimp)
- 1 Tbsp rolled oats
- 1 Tbsp flax seeds or chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp cacao nibs
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a high-powdered blender (Vitamix).
- Put the lid on top and turn the power on.
- Quickly increase the speed from low to high, using the tamper, if needed, to incorporate all of the ingredients.
- When smooth and creamy, turn the power switch to off.
- Pour into a serving jar, glass, or bottle, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
** You can substitute the protein powder with 1-2 Tbsp cacao powder or cocoa powder, depending on how chocolatey you like it and the type of powder you are using. You may want to add some pitted dates or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Makes 20-24 ounces.