This chunky monkey smoothie is a lighter take on the classic, made with banana, peanut butter instead of walnuts, and cacao nibs in place of chocolate syrup or powder. Creamy, slightly crunchy, and just chocolatey enough.
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Chunky monkey smoothie ingredients
- Frozen banana: use a very ripe banana for natural sweetness and a cold, creamy texture without needing ice.
- Plant milk: any nut milk works. I prefer vanilla almond MALK for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Chunky peanut butter: adds a nutty richness and that classic chunky monkey flavor.
- Cacao nibs: add a subtle chocolate flavor and slight crunch, creating a lighter, less sweet smoothie without the need for powder or syrup.
How to make a chunky monkey smoothie
Add the frozen banana, milk, peanut butter, and cacao nibs to a high-speed blender. Blend for about 15-20 seconds until smooth and creamy, keeping small bits of cacao nibs for texture.
Substitutions and variations
- Cacao nibs: substitute with dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Peanut butter: swap with almond or cashew butter for a slightly different flavor.
- Walnuts: add a small handful for a classic chunky monkey twist
- Dates: add 1-2 pitted Deglet Noor dates for additional sweetness.
- Protein powder: add a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder along with an extra splash of milk to blend.
Tips for the best chunky monkey smoothie
- Use a very ripe banana: peel and freeze the spotty bananas that you would typically use for banana bread.
- Don’t overblend: a shorter blend keeps small bits of cacao nibs for texture
- Adjust the consistency: start with a little over ⅔ cup of milk. Add a splash more if needed to reach your preferred thickness.
Storage
This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately. As it sits, the banana flavor becomes more pronounced and the texture changes, so it’s best enjoyed fresh rather than saved for later.
More chocolate and peanut butter recipes
- Vegan Peanut Butter Banana Bread Mug Cake
- Chocolate Pecan Turtle Bites with Dates
- Peanut Butter Cup Chia Seed Pudding
📋 Recipe
Chunky Monkey Smoothie with Cacao Nibs
A chunky monkey smoothie made with banana, peanut butter, and cacao nibs for a lighter take on the classic. Creamy, slightly crunchy, and just chocolatey enough without being overly rich.
Servings: 1 smoothie
Equipment
- high speed blender
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 overly ripe frozen banana
- ⅔-3/4 cup vanilla almond milk or plant milk of choice
- 2 heaping tablespoons crunchy peanut butter only peanuts and salt in the ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend for about 15 seconds, or until smooth and creamy with small bits of cacao nibs throughout. Blend longer for a fully smooth texture.
Notes
I used vanilla almond MALK as it provides a slightly sweet flavor, but any nut milk will work. The amount of milk needed will vary based on the size of your banana and the thickness of your peanut butter. Adjust as needed.
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