Chunky Monkey Smoothies

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Chunky monkey smoothies are a quick and easy breakfast or snack. Who can resist peanut butter, banana, and chocolate?

When you’re about to have kids, people give you tons of advice. Maybe not all of it qualifies as advice, but it’s well-meaning, at least. Feeding is a frequent topic, of course.

But I’ve found the struggle in our house to be not so much what the kids will eat, but how much.

While we certainly have days my boys take a few bites and declare themselves done, for the most part they put away more food than I do. And then request a snack 30 minutes after dinner. Keeping them full is a task, to say the least.

One way I manage it is to serve up smoothies on the regular. I have smoothies nearly every day, and we all know the kids always want what we’re having, especially if it looks cold and chocolaty.

I have my own go-to flavor blends like pineapple smoothies, but I decided to make one for the kids that would be satisfying but also a bit healthy, without loading it up with spinach. (Though I’ve done that, too.)

The boys love Chunky Monkey Muffins, so making a smoothie with those flavors was a logical decision. Plus, it would help us take care of all those bananas they insist on buying and then ignoring.

Ingredients

You’ll need:

• Bananas
• Plain Greek yogurt
• Peanut butter
• Cocoa powder ^*
• Chocolate protein powder

Slicing and freezing your bananas in advance makes this a cinch to put together. Freezing the bananas isn’t required since you’re adding ice as well, but I like how the frozen bananas blend. Your choice!

I use Greek yogurt instead of milk in this recipe to make it extra creamy and add more protein. If you like more liquid-y smoothies, feel free to use milk. In my house, we like milkshake-style smoothies!

I made the protein powder optional, because kids don’t usually need that extra boost. If you’re making it for yourself, go ahead! You can skip the cocoa powder if you’re using chocolate protein powder, or keep it in if you’re using vanilla.

How to make smoothies

Cut your banana in half or into a few pieces. This will help it blend faster.

Add it to the blender ^* along with the yogurt, peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, and ice.

Place the lid and blend, starting slower and gradually increasing to a higher speed.

Pour into a glasses and enjoy!

Drink the smoothies as they are, or top with whipped cream and chocolate chips for an extra treat. No kid can resist them!

Smoothie tips

If you are using a cup-style blender, make sure to not fill it higher than the designated line.

It helps to layer the smoothie ingredients. Heavy, harder ingredients like ice should go on the top, while the soft ingredients go on the bottom. The soft ingredients will blend first, pushed down by the ice. If you’re using a cup blender, remember to revers the order when filling the cup, because what is on top will be closest to the blades.

If the smoothie is too thick and the blender stalls, add a splash or two of milk or water to thin it out.

Don’t skip the ice, because it helps make the smoothies cold and creamy!

If you need other ways to use bananas, why not try a classic banana bread, banana pudding ice cream, or these banana split popsicles?