Craving something dreamy, creamy, and packed with feel-good flavors? This Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe is the sweetest way to kickstart your morning or conquer that midday snack attack! It’s all about luscious bananas, deep chocolate, nutty peanut butter, and a tang of Greek yogurt, whirled into a velvety drink that tastes like dessert, but is secretly wholesome. Whether you’re blitzing up breakfast or looking for a healthy treat, this recipe brings pure, spoonable bliss in every sip.
Ingredients You’ll Need
-
Frozen Banana:
1 banana
Natural Peanut Butter:
2 tablespoons
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder:
1 tablespoon
Unsweetened Almond Milk:
1 cup
Vanilla Extract:
1/2 teaspoon
Plain Greek Yogurt:
1/2 cup
Honey or Maple Syrup (optional):
1 tablespoon
Ice Cubes:
1/2 cup
How to Make Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
Start by making sure all your ingredients are on hand and measured out. Using a frozen banana is really the secret to that thick, creamy texture. If you haven’t frozen your banana ahead of time, just slice one up and pop it in the freezer for at least an hour before blending.
Step 2: Combine in Blender
Add the frozen banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and your sweetener of choice to the pitcher of your blender. These all go in together, so it’s super easy and there’s no need for a fussy blending order.
Step 3: Blend Until Creamy
Blend everything on high until the mixture is completely smooth and luxuriously creamy. Depending on your blender, this might take about 30-45 seconds. If you want a chunkier texture, pulse a few times instead.
Step 4: Add Ice and Blend Again
Toss in your ice cubes and blend again until the smoothie is thick and frosty. Play around with the amount of ice—more will make it thicker and colder, so you can totally customize the feel of your Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe.
Step 5: Adjust and Serve
Give your smoothie a quick taste. If you want it sweeter, add a little more honey or syrup and blend again. Pour into your favorite tall glass (or a travel mug if you’re dashing out the door) and enjoy right away!
How to Serve Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe
Garnishes
It’s all about the finishing touch! Try topping your smoothie with a swirl of extra peanut butter, a sprinkle of cocoa nibs, sliced banana, or even a few mini chocolate chips for fun. Sometimes, a pinch of sea salt on top takes it onto a whole new, crave-worthy level.
Side Dishes
This smoothie is spectacularly filling on its own, but if you’re building a bigger breakfast, serve alongside whole-grain toast with a swipe of nut butter, a handful of berries, or a warm muffin. For a light lunch, pair it with a veggie-packed salad or a small bowl of overnight oats.
Creative Ways to Present
Pour the Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe into a bowl and create a “smoothie bowl” with fun toppings like granola, coconut flakes, and more banana slices. Or, freeze leftovers into popsicle molds for an on-the-go frozen treat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra smoothie, store it in a tightly sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 24 hours. The texture may thicken as it chills, so just give it a stir or quick shake before enjoying again.
Freezing
Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe freezes beautifully! Pour any leftover smoothie into an ice cube tray or freezer-safe mold, and pop out a few cubes when you need a speedy smoothie fix. Just re-blend with a splash of almond milk to restore that creamy consistency.
Reheating
You won’t actually want to “reheat” this smoothie, but if it’s gotten too thick in the fridge or freezer, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then stir well or re-blend until it’s just right.
FAQs
Can I make the Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Just swap the plain Greek yogurt for your favorite plant-based yogurt, and use maple syrup instead of honey for a totally dairy-free, vegan treat.
How can I boost the protein content?
There’s already a nice protein punch from the Greek yogurt and peanut butter, but for even more, add a scoop of your favorite chocolate or vanilla protein powder before blending.
What if I don’t have frozen bananas?
Fresh banana will work, but you’ll want to add a bit more ice for that chilly, milkshake-like feel. Freezing bananas when they get spotty is a fantastic trick to always have some ready for smoothies!
Can I substitute other nut butters?
Absolutely! While peanut butter offers that classic Chunky Monkey flavor, almond or cashew butter are delicious twists if you like something a little different (or have allergies to work around).
Is this smoothie good for kids?
Yes, kids generally love the chocolate-banana-peanut butter combo. You can adjust the sweetness with honey or maple syrup, or sneak in a handful of spinach for extra vitamins without changing the flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something so joyful and satisfying about starting your day with a tall glass of this Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe. It’s energizing, irresistibly delicious, and ridiculously easy to whip up—the kind of treat you can make again and again without ever getting bored. Go ahead and blend up your own; you’re going to love every creamy, chocolatey sip!
Print
Chunky Monkey Smoothie Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy, nutty, and chocolaty goodness of this Chunky Monkey Smoothie. Packed with protein and flavor, it’s a perfect way to start your day or refuel after a workout.
Ingredients
Frozen Banana:
1 banana
Natural Peanut Butter:
2 tablespoons
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder:
1 tablespoon
Unsweetened Almond Milk:
1 cup
Vanilla Extract:
1/2 teaspoon
Plain Greek Yogurt:
1/2 cup
Honey or Maple Syrup (optional):
1 tablespoon
Ice Cubes:
1/2 cup
Instructions
- Add Ingredients: Add the frozen banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla extract, Greek yogurt, and honey/maple syrup to a blender.
- Blend: Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
- Add Ice: Add the ice and blend again until desired thickness.
- Serve: Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Adjust thickness by varying almond milk and ice.
- For a vegan option, use dairy-free yogurt and maple syrup.
- Enhance protein content with protein powder.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
