Super Spinach Banana Smoothie (High-Protein)
- Updated on Feb 13, 2023
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This refreshing spinach banana smoothie is a great way to get extra leafy greens into your day – and I promise, you can’t taste it!
You could call this a Hulk smoothie – it’s that green – and the vibrancy comes from the spinach, but don’t be put off just yet!
This peanut butter banana smoothie has got to be at the top of my easy breakfast ideas list and it’s fab as a post-workout snack too.
I know, drinking something green feels wrong. But it’s oh so right, trust me.
This smoothie is super quick to make and full of healthy ingredients, so let’s take a look at what makes this spinach banana smoothie recipe so awesome.
Ingredients
This is a super simple smoothie with only 4 ingredients that you can easily find at your grocery store so let’s go!
Banana
Ripe bananas are best for a smoothie as they have a natural sweetness and make it extra creamy.
You can use a fresh banana, or if you don’t have any ice, a frozen banana can work wonders to keep that smoothie coooool.
Spinach
This healthy green smoothie needs a handful of fresh spinach leaves. I use baby spinach (and the grown-up kind is fine too!).
It will give it a lovely color but don’t worry, the other ingredients disguise any odd taste you might imagine it has.
Peanut butter
High in protein, peanut butter is my secret ingredient in making a smoothie that’s both tasty and filling. Stick to the smooth kind though so you don’t get any bits stuck in your teeth.
Liquid
I chose unsweetened soy milk to make a vegan smoothie but you could use another non-dairy milk or dairy milk of your choice, or just plain water if you want to keep the calories down.
Obviously, milk over water is preferable to keep the creaminess going and create the perfect smoothie.
How many calories are in a spinach banana smoothie?
The best thing about healthy smoothie recipes is that they are a great option for the whole family.
This smoothie has 310 calories and 15 grams of protein.
Here is an overview of the other nutritional facts:
Health benefits
If you want a delicious smoothie that’s full of health benefits you’re in the right place!
Bananas and spinach contain a lot of dietary fiber. My favorite feature of fiber-rich food is that it makes you feel full for longer.
You won’t get so hungry straight after, which helps you to snack less on whatever it was you promised you wouldn’t.
You’re also going to get a load of iron and potassium. Potassium helps fight against increased blood pressure and stops muscle weakness.
Iron, a key nutrient, is used by the body to create myoglobin which provides oxygen to the muscles – essential if you’re working out.
A spinach protein smoothie is also great after a workout.
With the 16g of proteins from the spinach and peanut butter, an 80kg (176lbs) person already takes in more than 20% of the daily recommendation – essential for keeping fit and strong.
If you’re looking to increase your protein intake why not download your Free 7-Day High Protein Meal Plan? And if you need more, there is a weekly plan for you too – aid your weight-loss or muscle-gain goals today!
How to make this easy spinach banana smoothie
Time needed: 3 minutes.
Now there really isn’t much to this so don’t worry it’s not complicated in the slightest!
- Take a blender
Preferably a high-speed one.
- Put together
Throw in a banana, a handful of spinach, natural peanut butter, and your liquid of choice.
- Close and blend
And the last thing to remember (and this is an important step) is to put the lid on before you press the button or you might get a free facial!
(If you’re still not sure how to make this creamy smoothie, take a look at the recipe card below.)
Spinach banana smoothie FAQs
Here are your top smoothie questions answered!
It’s always best to make your smoothie fresh if you can so the simple ingredients don’t separate. The great thing is this one only takes 3 minutes so you can literally make it just before you run out the door!
If you’re at home you can put your smoothie into a glass, but if you’re transporting it an insulated bottle is great to keep it nice and cool.
You don’t need to serve anything with it they are great just on their own, but if you want to add extra vitamin c to your healthy breakfast then added fresh fruit would be a great choice.
Of course, it’s ok to drink a spinach smoothie every day. My spinach banana smoothie recipe is full of nutrients and protein so it’s a really healthy option.
But it’s best to eat a balanced diet as well and not just stick to smoothies alone.
No, blending spinach doesn’t destroy nutrients. In fact, blending up leafy greens like spinach and kale is a really great idea to help you get even more goodness in your diet if you don’t like eating it otherwise.
Recipe variations
You could of course mix up the ingredients in any way you fancy in this recipe however it may not have the same nutritional value as the original one.
- Different fruit – You could choose mango, fresh strawberries, or even avocado (although this may increase the calories)
- Different veg – Try kale as an alternative green.
- Different protein – Of course, if you can’t have peanut butter you could try almond butter as an alternative.
- Different milk – If you don’t like soy, try cashew milk or almond milk instead.
More recipes
If you love this recipe then I think you love these too!
- Vegan Blackberry Smoothie
- Fresh & Minty Pineapple and Spinach Smoothie
- Blueberry Banana Protein Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium banana
- 1 big handful spinach (1 handful = approx. 60g)
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened soy milk (or your fave milk – almond, oat, coconut, even water)
Instructions
- Easy as hell – throw everything together!1 medium banana, 1 big handful spinach, 1 tbsp peanut butter, 1 ¼ cup unsweetened soy milk
- And blend!
NOTES
Nutrition
I really hope you love this creamy spinach banana smoothie I think it’s just delicious! Let me know in the comments what is your favorite smoothie. Have you tried any of the other recipes mentioned above?
If you are hungry for more (or is that thirsty?) then take a look at this amazing collection of 19 Natural High Protein Smoothies!
Hauke Fox
I’m always on the lookout for these damn smart recipes. You know, those that only take a few minutes to put together and taste delicious. Vegetarian Cooking at home is a way to take back control over what I eat. I don’t like what many companies do to animals and the environment with their products.
Comments
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68 comments
I like the smoothie. When I tried it I felt it needed something sweet, so I added 4 dates for a double recipe. I really like it now. 🙂
And is adding dates recommendable?
Funny, I get that a lot at the moment that friends suggest to add something sweet to my dishes/smoothies 🙂
Perhaps try adding more brown bananas? They’ll be naturally more sweet so will save having to add dates (where I’m from they’re horrendously expensive, and often just covered in unnatural sugars). xx
Hi Charley! That would most definitely work! But dates are not called for in this recipe anyway 😉
Thanks for stopping by!
I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND DATES!!!!!!!!! I added 17 dates to my smoothie and i can’t stop shaking. I kind of feel like i’m on crack. And trust me. I’ve tried crack before. I like it 😀
Hahaha well we’d better promote dates over crack, so go dates! And maybe a few less, but each to their own 😀
Great smoothie – I used water and it turned out great. Saw the comments recommending adding dates and I added a few and it was a great addition!
Yay, glad you enjoyed, Ana! Agreed, the date are awesome in it 🙂
We freeze any bananas that start to get overripe and then they work great when we need a smoothie — they thicken and sweeten it right up.
Great smoothie, btw! My 10 year old daughter says to tell you this is her favorite green smoothie ever! 🙂
Hi Vern!
Oh wow, I’m really happy to hear that your daughter liked the smoothie. How cool!!! 😀
Great banana tip by the way, will have to start doing that too!
I want to bulk up.whixh is the best recipe should I follow
Hi, you could try the muscle-building meal plan 🙂 https://hurrythefoodup.com/high-protein-vegetarian-meal-plan/
I tried this recipe with water because I was out of soya milk and I was kinda worried it wouldn’t taste as good but it still turned out amazing absolutely love this recipe ! thanks
blew my mind how delish this was!! I added a bit of Greek yogurt. So yummy
So awesome to hear that feedback, Jenni!! Glad you liked the smoothie 😀
Allergic to peanuts so I used some chia seeds instead with the frozen banana and spinach…It was awesome…love this smoothie…my fav so far
Niceee idea!! I’m sure it tasted great 😀
I think the banana – spinach combo is a great base for many other ingredients.
That’s delicious!!! fantastic way to eat spinach with a smile and from the morning! 🙂
the after taste of peanut butter is magic!
Thank you Nida! It’s a good way to start the day right? Can’t argue with peanut butter in the morning, especially if it disguises the spinach 😉
So easy, tastes awesome (can’t taste the spinach) and super healthy!! I just purchased a huge tub of spinach and I can’t eat spinach salads everyday so this is a great alternative! Going to make this more often! I added some ice cubes to the blender to chill the drink. Thank you for sharing this super recipe!
Awesome to hear you like the smoothie! Yes, that’s exactly the problem I have too. Actually, now that you say it I should use up the rest of the spinach in my fridge today!
This is an amazing smoothie! I will definitely be having this for breakfast more often!
Thanks you
Great to hear you like this one, Rose!! If the peanut butter gets a bit too much at some point, you can also leave it out and add something else like berries. No problem at all as long as the banana is sweet enough 🙂
I added 1/4 cup oatmeal, substituted raw almond butter and used the frozen bananas to make this a smoothie bowl. Delicious!
Andrea, I do VERY MUCH like that idea! Just wrote it down to try it out
Thanks a lot 😀
I just tried this smoothie for breakfast 🙂 it’s very good! All I taste is peanut butter and banana! Definitely will make it again!
Hey Sara, that’s very cool! Haha yeah, happily you don’t taste the spinach. Perfect 😀
Love it!!! My first test smoothie that I found online, and I’m definitely going to make it over & over again. I’d been trying to figure a good way to get more spinach in my diet.
Very pleased to have helped Nancy! That’s awesome to hear. Yes, getting more spinach in to the diet can only be a good thing :). Thanks for commenting!
I added 1/4 cup oatmeal, substituted raw almond butter and used the frozen bananas to make this a smoothie bowl. Delicious!
That indeed sounds incredibly delicious, Sumit!! Thanks for sharing, will copy asap 😀
I put in half a teaspoon of nutmeg and the same of turmeric, wheatgrass and maca root. Since starting this about two months ago, my gout has disappeared, and I’ve realised that even between gout attacks, ny feet were a bit red and swollen. All that’s ended too.
Wooow, very cool to hear that your health has improved, Andy! 😀
What exactly did you start, if I may ask?
The mix of maca, nutmeg, wheatgrass and turmeric sounds interesting btw!
Is this only once a month cant drink everyday ? Just curious .
I’m not quite with you on that one. What do you mean, exactly? I certainly drink it more than once a month 🙂
Simple and delicious, thank u for receipt.
You’re welcome Bahar, glad you enjoyed it!
Totally love this smoothie and is tasty. I was unsure of having any green smoothies cuz i eat tons of junk food and hate vegetables but i’m trying to make my life go back on track and this helped so much. I’ve been missing out on a lot of tasty healthy food. Thank you so much for this recipe 😀
That’s awesome!! Really glad it’s helping you get back on track, Kaz. Smoothies for the win 🙂
Hi
Can you please tell,
how much grams of spinach should i put in ?
Hi, about 100 grams is perfect 🙂
I’m not seeing how this could be that much protein?
You’re right, Allison! The smoothie clocks in at around 15g of protein – not 17g. I double checked. You’ll have to use soy milk though – not oat or rice milk!
I tried this it is amazing. I like the way it is, I don’t like too sweet things anyway. I was bit hesitant to add peanut butter, I have never had peanut butter in my smoothies. I add it , and taste was amazing. I made it for my mentor today (she told she is feeling tired), she also loved it!!! good food makes our days!, thank you so much for sharing this.
Ah, Billi, that’s great! Very happy to have helped and really glad you enjoyed the recipe! Actually, I haven’t eaten/drunk this smoothie for a while now, but you just reminded how tasty it is. I think I have everything I need at home except spinach – I’ll have to grab some after work!
Do you think it would be possible to use one table spoon of cacao powder instead of the peanut butter?
Hi Helene – for sure, yes! The peanut butter masks the spinach quite well, but I’m sure the cacao powder will do the same :). I’d deffo give it a go!
What could be a substitute for peanut butter
Oof toughy! The peanut butter is really good for bringing the spinach flavour down a notch. I guess it depends on your reason for no peanut butter (allergies or taste etc). Could another nut butter be an option?
I absolutely HATE, HATE!! spinach but I am trying to eat healthier so I gave this a tried and OMG!!! Saved my life! Love this smoothie!! Its AWESOME! Thanks!
Hahaha excellent! It sounds like mission accomplished then, Dayana. Really happy to hear it!
I loved this recipe but I had to make a minor adjustment to suite my taste:
Substitute Ice cream for the spinach, chocolate syrup for the milk and bacon for the banana, you had the peanut butter spot on so I used what you recommended. Can’t mess with perfection.
Haha well, I’ll still take the 5* review then 😀
Loved it , as did the kids 🙂 MONSTER JUICE
Woohoo, awesome! Kids eating spinach has got to be a winner 😀
I want to know is it is helpful in weight loss?
Hi Varun, as a part of a balanced diet then yes, absolutely! You could incorporate it into this meal plan 🙂 https://hurrythefoodup.com/vegetarian-diet-weight-loss/
Just had this for brekky, loved it! So simple and I wouldn’t have thought to mix those ingredients together, thanks for yet another great recipe 🙂
So good to hear, Tiffany!! You’re very welcome 🙂
I really wanted to try a green smoothie but never really found anything without the kale and the celery. When I saw this, I was so excited and its one of my favourite smoothies!! So delicious. My dad who doesn’t like any smoothie actually enjoyed this one! Thank you.
Hi Alisha! Haha yes, not a fan of celery smoothies here either. This one is definitely different, I’m glad you enjoyed it as well!
Just made it and luv it, thank you for this recipe made my day better already
Amazing! I usually question spinach in a smoothie but I put full faith in this recipe. It’s amazing! Sweet enough without the suggested dates. I think I might have this regularly!
Nice one Jake! Glad you liked it
So Yummy! The only milk I had on hand was fat-free lactose-free milk, but it tasted just fine. I was skeptical about it not tasting like spinach, and because of all the comments about people adding dates for added sweetness, I was worried it was going to be bitter. I was wrong! The peanut butter and banana really masked the taste of spinach, and I felt that the sweetness was perfect without added sweetener. I’ll definitely be making more!
Hi Kasana, haha yep crazy right?! It really does remove the spinach taste. I was so surprised the first time I tried it, too! Thanks for writing, and great to know it works with the fat-free milk, as well!
Curious if the spinach should be cooked or not.
Hi Andrew, nope raw (but rinsed) is fine!