Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

This Banana Berry Protein Smoothie is thick, creamy and perfect for a workout or breakfast.

It’s naturally sweetened with frozen banana and berries combined with other healthful, nutrient-dense ingredients.

It takes just a few minutes to make and can be customized so many different ways.

Plus it’s easy to make it dairy-free, vegan and Paleo friendly!

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Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

This Banana Berry Protein Smoothie is what I prepare every morning before my workout.

I love the natural sweetness from the banana, plus the berries provide both sweetness and a bit of tartness.

And then I throw in a handful of other ingredients listed below. I try to get as much benefit out of my smoothie as possible. Yes, it’s a good way to get protein, healthy fats and whole foods, but it can also be good for your immune system!

If you don’t have or care for some of the ingredients here, I include lots of ways to customize it. You can have it every morning and make it differently every time!

What you need for this Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

Ingredients:

• Frozen bananas – I prefer frozen bananas in my smoothies instead of ice (which literally waters down the flavor). They add not only natural sweetness, but also a thick, creamy texture. Plus they have fiber, potassium and vitamin C, among other benefits. To freeze them, simply peel bananas, rip or cut into chunks and place in a freezer-safe baggie. No need to thaw.
• Berries – I like to buy a bag of frozen mixed berries but you could also go with all blueberries, strawberries, etc. They’re full of fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants and more.
• Cherries – Cherries are one of my favorite fruits so I can’t help but add these too! These contain fiber, vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants and more. But they also contain naturally occurring sugar alcohols that give cherries a…shall we say…laxative effect. Adding just 4-5 frozen cherries to my morning smoothie has been, um, helpful. (TMI? Sorry.)
• Protein powder – A protein smoothie has to have protein! I use an unflavored whey protein because a) it doesn’t contain any sweeteners that I can’t tolerate (like stevia or monkfruit) and don’t like the taste of and b) it doesn’t have a weird flavor so it won’t overpower the other ingredients.
• Cinnamon – I add this for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its antioxidants. I don’t add enough to really affect the flavor of the smoothie, though.
• Turmeric – Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient that might even be good for your brain and help depression. Again, I don’t add enough to taste it, just enough to reap the benefits. But because I add turmeric to my smoothie I also add…
• Black pepper – I know, I know. Black pepper in a smoothie? But black pepper has an ingredient that helps us absorb a lot more of turmeric’s anti-inflammatory compounds. Any time you use turmeric, always add a bit of black pepper too. And again, this won’t affect the flavor of the smoothie.
• Nut butter – Adding a scoop of nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower seed, etc.) has so many benefits! It adds flavor, it helps the texture of the smoothie (without it, the smoothie is too light and airy; the nut butter gives it some weight and thickness), and the healthy fats also help you absorb more of turmeric’s nutritional compounds.
• Sea salt – Just a pinch of salt not only helps bring out all the berry-licious flavor in the smoothie, but salt is good for those who regularly workout.
• Water – I prefer water to milk, dairy-free milk or juice in my smoothies. Trust me, even without milk, this smoothie still gets thick and creamy.

Equipment:

• a blender
• measuring spoons and measuring cups (but you can also eyeball the amounts)
• a glass or travel beverage bottle

How to make this Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

First add the water to your blender, then the frozen banana and frozen berries. This will help the frozen ingredients blend as easily as possible.

Then add the other ingredients and blend until smooth.

Variations and substitutions

There are so many ways to customize this smoothie:

• If you don’t like bananas, you can leave them out. Add a handful of ice instead. You can use a non-frozen banana but your smoothie won’t get as cold and frosty.
• Use any frozen berries you like: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, etc. Or use fresh berries (but if you don’t use a frozen banana your smoothie won’t be cold and frosty). Or leave them out altogether.
• Same with cherries: you can use fresh, pitted cherries or leave them out altogether.
• You can leave out the cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper if you want.
• You can add freshly grated or ground ginger.
• You can use any nut butter you like: peanut, almond, cashew, hazelnut, sunflower seed/sunbutter, etc.
• You can add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder.

Other recipe you might like:

1. Strawberry Banana Smoothie
2. Chocolate Tahini Smoothie
3. Sweet Potato Protein Smoothie
4. Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
5. Morning Glory Smoothie

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Banana Berry Protein Smoothie

This Banana Berry Protein Smoothie is a thick, creamy breakfast and great before or after workouts. It's full of fiber, antioxidants and natural sweetness from the frozen banana, berries and cherries. Plus it's easy to make dairy-free, vegan or Paleo!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time0 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana smoothie, easy smoothie, healthy smoothie, protein smoothie, strawberry smoothie

Servings: 1 serving

Author: Don Baiocchi

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups water
• 1 banana, peeled, cut into chunks and frozen (see notes)
• 1 cup mixed frozen berries
• 4-5 frozen cherries
• 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder (vanilla, chocolate or unflavored)
• 3 tablespoons nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower seed, etc.)
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric
• ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
• pinch freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• First add the water to your blender, then the frozen banana and frozen berries. This will help the frozen ingredients blend as easily as possible.
• Then add the other ingredients and blend until smooth!

Notes

To freeze bananas, simply peel them, rip or cut into chunks and place in a freezer-safe baggie. No need to thaw.

Variations and substitutions

• If you don't like bananas, you can leave them out. Add a handful of ice instead. You can use a non-frozen banana but your smoothie won't get as cold and frosty.
• Use any frozen berries you like: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, etc. Or use fresh berries (but if you don't use a frozen banana your smoothie won't be cold and frosty). Or leave them out altogether.
• Same with cherries: you can use fresh, pitted cherries or leave them out altogether.
• You can leave out the cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper if you want.
• You can add freshly grated or ground ginger.
• You can use any nut butter you like: peanut, almond, cashew, hazelnut, sunflower seed/sunbutter, etc.
• You can add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder.

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