If you’re craving something indulgent yet healthy, I’ve got just the thing for you—a **Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe** that feels like dessert but fuels your day. This smoothie is creamy, rich, and packed with good-for-you ingredients, making it one of my absolute favorites to whip up whenever I want a quick treat without the guilt. Trust me, whether you’re post-workout or just need a joyful break in your afternoon, you’re going to love this smoothie’s blend of chocolate, peanut butter, and a banana’s natural sweetness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Decadent but Nutritious: You get the classic peanut butter cup flavor with wholesome additions like banana and flaxseed.
- Super Quick to Make: Five minutes and a blender is all it takes—a perfect grab-and-go option.
- Customizable for Everyone: Dairy-free, protein-packed, or extra chocolatey—you have full freedom to tweak it.
- Loved by All Ages: My family always requests this smoothie, which means it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients blend together perfectly to mimic that rich peanut butter cup experience, but with a healthy twist. I like to use ripe frozen bananas—they add natural sweetness and creamy texture—and then layer in the cocoa and peanut butter for that classic flavor. Choose your favorite milk, and don’t skip the chopped peanut butter cups for a fun little surprise!
- Frozen Bananas: Using frozen bananas not only chills the smoothie but also thickens it, creating a creamy texture without ice cream.
- Peanut Butter: Natural or creamy peanut butter works best—avoid overly sweetened blends for balance.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa adds rich chocolate flavor without extra sugars.
- Protein Powder: This is optional but I love adding it to keep me full longer; pick your favorite vanilla or chocolate flavor.
- Ground Flaxseed or Hemp Hearts: These boost fiber and omega-3s—totally optional but a great addition.
- Ice Cubes: Helps chill and thicken the smoothie—especially useful if your bananas aren’t fully frozen.
- Milk of Choice: Almond, soy, dairy, or coconut—whatever suits your taste and diet.
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped roughly for texture and that authentic peanut butter cup surprise in every sip.
Variations
One of the best things about this Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe is how easy it is to make your own with small twists—because let’s be honest, sometimes you want to switch things up! I like to keep a few variations on hand for different moods or dietary needs.
- Dairy-Free: Swap in coconut or almond milk to keep it vegan and dairy-free—I’ve done this tons and still get rich, creamy results every single time.
- Extra Protein Boost: Add a scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder if you’re drinking this post-workout or need more staying power.
- Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, and omit the peanut butter cups for allergy-friendly yum.
- Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract and swap cocoa powder for mint chocolate protein powder—one of my personal favorite twists!
How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Base Ingredients
Pop your frozen bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, flaxseed or hemp hearts, ice cubes, and milk into a high-speed blender. Start blending on a low speed to avoid ingredients flying everywhere, then increase to medium-high. You’re aiming for a silky smooth texture with no chunks of banana or peanut butter. If it feels too thick, just splash in a bit more milk. I usually blend for about 30-45 seconds until it looks creamy and luscious.
Step 2: Add the Peanut Butter Cups
Now for the fun part: toss in the chopped dark chocolate peanut butter cups. Pulse the blender just a couple of times—this is key! You want to mix them in without fully pulverizing, so you get those tasty little chunks throughout your smoothie. That texture surprise makes you feel like you’re sipping a decadent treat rather than a healthy smoothie.
Step 3: Serve and Enjoy
Pour your smoothie into a big glass and resist the urge to gulp it down immediately. I try to savor each sip because the flavors really pop and I love spotting those peanut butter cup bits. Plus, it’s just so satisfying knowing you made a “treat” that also packs nutrition. If you want, sprinkle a little cocoa powder or crushed peanuts on top for some extra flair.
Pro Tips for Making Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
- Freeze Your Bananas Longer: I learned freezing the bananas for at least 4 hours makes the smoothie silky and thick, like a milkshake.
- Blend in Stages: Blend the base first, then add peanut butter cups to avoid them completely melting into the mix.
- Choose Quality Peanut Butter Cups: Trader Joe’s or Reese’s work wonderfully because they have the right balance of chocolate and peanut butter.
- Avoid Over-Blending the Cups: Pulsing them a few times keeps those delightful chunks intact, which is what makes this smoothie special.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe

Garnishes
I usually top mine with a light dusting of cocoa powder or a sprinkle of crunchy crushed peanuts to add a little extra texture. Sometimes, a tiny drizzle of melted peanut butter or a few mini chocolate chips on top make it feel extra special—and honestly, it’s perfect for those times you want to impress family or guests without fuss.
Side Dishes
This smoothie pairs wonderfully with simple snacks like oatmeal cookies, a banana bread slice, or even just a handful of nuts if you want a little something extra on the side. It’s filling enough to stand alone, but I love adding a little crunchy side to balance the creamy smoothness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like serving this smoothie in a wide-rimmed glass with a fun colorful straw. You can even rim the glass with crushed peanut butter cups or cocoa powder for a festive touch. Another fun idea is layering it in clear jars with whipped cream or coconut cream and extra chocolate bits for a creamy, dreamy dessert-style presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you ever have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), cover the smoothie tightly in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge up to 24 hours. It may separate a bit, so just give it a good stir or shake before drinking. Smoothies tend to lose their texture if stored much longer, so I recommend enjoying fresh whenever possible.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this smoothie in ice cube trays for quick additions to future smoothies or oatmeal. Freezing the whole smoothie in a container is tricky because the peanut butter cups don’t freeze well whole, but frozen banana cubes are always a lifesaver to have on hand.
Reheating
This smoothie is best enjoyed cold and fresh, so I don’t recommend reheating. Instead, if it’s a little too thick after chilling or refrigerating, just stir in a splash of your preferred milk to loosen it up before sipping.
FAQs
-
Can I make the Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! Simply swap out dairy milk for any plant-based milk such as almond, soy, or oat milk. Also, make sure your protein powder is plant-based if using one. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan-friendly.
-
Can I use fresh bananas instead of frozen?
Yes, but your smoothie will be thinner and less creamy. To keep it cold and thick, add more ice cubes or use some frozen banana slices if you have them on hand. Freezing the bananas beforehand really makes a difference in texture.
-
Why do you add peanut butter cups instead of blending them fully?
Leaving the peanut butter cups in chunks gives delightful bursts of chocolate and peanut butter throughout the smoothie, making it feel more like a treat rather than just a smooth drink. It’s that contrast in texture that really elevates this recipe.
-
Can I prepare this smoothie ahead of time?
It’s best made fresh for optimal texture, but you can prepare the blended base a few hours ahead and store it in the fridge. Add and pulse the peanut butter cups just before serving to keep their texture intact.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe brings together indulgence and nutrition in one creamy glass. When I first tried it, I was blown away by how easy it was to make something that tastes like dessert but keeps me energized and satisfied. You’ll find that it’s a great way to treat yourself without the sugar crash, and it’s a recipe that everyone in my family asks for again and again. So go ahead, give it a try—I’m pretty sure this smoothie will become one of your go-to favorites, just like it is for me.
Print
Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Smoothies
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This indulgent yet nutritious Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie combines creamy peanut butter, rich cocoa powder, and protein powder with frozen bananas and a splash of milk, delivering a deliciously smooth and satisfying treat resembling your favorite candy in a healthier smoothie form.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 frozen bananas
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or hemp hearts (optional)
- Handful of ice cubes
- ½ cup milk of choice (soy, almond, dairy, coconut, etc.)
- 2 dark chocolate peanut butter cups (like the kind from Trader Joe’s or Reese’s), roughly chopped
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, add the frozen bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, ground flaxseed or hemp hearts if using, ice cubes, and your choice of milk.
- Blend Smooth: Blend the mixture on low speed until smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add Peanut Butter Cups: Add the roughly chopped dark chocolate peanut butter cups to the blender and blend very briefly to mix them into the smoothie without fully breaking them down, keeping some texture.
- Serve: Pour the smoothie into glasses and enjoy immediately, savoring each sip slowly for the best experience.
Notes
- For variations, try swapping the peanut butter for almond butter or adding a dash of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Use protein powder of your choice, such as whey, plant-based, or collagen, depending on dietary preferences.
- If you prefer a thinner smoothie, add more milk gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- Check the blog post for detailed tips and frequently asked questions about ingredient substitutions and storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 12 oz)
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg

