Believe it or not, I was not the biggest fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches growing up. I typically found them unappealing and only ate them if I did not have another lunch option. I experienced phases of fondness toward certain sandwich ingredients, but my peanut butter and jelly phase was brief and sandwiched between an appeal for one ingredient or the other. Regardless of whether I enjoyed it at the time, each peanut butter and jelly sandwich I ate instilled in me a taste I could never forget. The rare moments during my young adulthood when I did encounter peanut butter and jelly sandwiches brought a sense of nostalgia for the carefree days of my childhood. This led to a newfound craving for the classic peanut butter and jelly flavor without the high calories and added sugar. Enter the healthy peanut butter and jelly smoothie.
The healthy peanut butter and jelly smoothie is my low-calorie, high-protein twist on the classic flavors of this popular childhood lunch in smoothie form. Packed with protein, healthy carbohydrates, and fats, this drink will remind you of your brown bag lunch days while nourishing your body. All you need is a blender and a few ingredients to whip up this delicious healthy treat.
Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie
Ingredients
Instructions
Pour 1/2 – 1 cup of milk into blender cup. The more milk you add, the creamier your smoothie will taste.
Add 1 cup frozen strawberries to blender cup. Regular strawberries will also work just fine.
Optional: Add 1 scoop of strawberry protein powder to blender cup. This ingredient makes the smoothie extra satisfying and adds more strawberry flavor.
Add 2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter to blender cup.
Sprinkle as much cinnamon as you’d like into the blender cup.
Blend ingredients together until a smooth consistency is achieved.
This healthy smoothie takes only a few minutes to make and is perfect for quick, on-the-go refueling or meal prep for the days ahead. Whether it is morning, afternoon, or evening, there is never a bad time for a smoothie that satisfies your peanut butter and jelly sandwich cravings. Many of the ingredients I used can be substituted by similar ingredients of different brands. The suggested servings of each ingredient can also be adjusted to your liking. I use a Nutri Ninja blender, but any blender should do the job just fine. Don’t have a blender? Consider purchasing a Blender Bottle and shake up the recipe in a matter of seconds. Be mindful that large ingredients such as the strawberries will need to be chopped to best dissolve in the bottle. Find what works best for you! You can enjoy this smoothie on your own or even go halfsies and share it with a friend.
If this smoothie recipe leaves you hungry for more, try these 5 Healthy, Pre-Made Smoothie Recipes for even more variations that you can create. These recipes are especially simple and perfect for those who are tight on time. There are endless combinations of nutritious creations that you can whip up in just a few minutes in your own kitchen.