Ever miss the classic taste of the PB&J sandwich of your childhood? I do — often. But I don’t always want a sandwich with all the bread. So, I remedied this problem with a smoothie.
It hit me one day that if you make the strawberries into a compote first, it will intensify the “jam-like” flavors and send this 7-ingredient PB&J smoothie over the top. Hunch: correct. Let us show you how it’s done!
Origins of PB&J
It’s thought that the first peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe was printed in a 1901 Boston Cooking School magazine. That version was made with handmade peanut butter (called peanut paste) and currant or crab-apple jelly.
But PB&Js didn’t become popular until after the Great Depression and World War II. By this time, peanut butter could be made with a machine and became an affordable food. During World War II, PB&Js were included on ration menus, and once soldiers arrived home, popularity spread among civilians.
How to Make a PB&J Smoothie
First, make the berry compote — strawberries + chia seeds.
Then, let the compote cool.
Then blend up the smoothie!
Frozen, ripe bananas are the base, peanut butter or peanut butter powder make up the “PB,” strawberry compote is the “jelly,” flaxseed meal provides a “toasty” bread-like taste, and dates add sweetness!
Dairy-free milk is the liquid to help it blend. And to sneak in some greens, optionally add something delicate like romaine or spinach.
We hope you LOVE this PB&J Smoothie! It’s:
Creamy
Peanut buttery
Strawberry-swirled
Salty-sweet
& Super delicious!
It’s the perfect fruit-sweetened snack or healthier dessert. Or try with the optional greens and add a scoop of protein powder for a light meal!
More PB&J Recipes
- 5-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Thumbprints
- No-Bake PB&J Pie
- No-Bake PB&J Energy Bites
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Chia Pudding
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins (Vegan + GF)
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Next-Level PB&J Smoothie
Ingredients
BERRY COMPOTE* (makes twice the amount called for — 4 servings total)
- 1 ½ cups sliced ripe strawberries (organic when possible // or sub other berry of choice, but strawberries are preferred)
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp chia seeds
SMOOTHIE
- 2 frozen ripe bananas (previously peeled, sliced, and frozen // ~2 ½ cups as original recipe is written)
- 1/3 cup strawberry compote (strawberries + chia seeds)
- 1-2 pitted medjool dates
- 2-3 Tbsp peanut butter (or peanut butter powder for lower fat, we used half and half // or sub other nut or seed butter of choice)
- 1/2-1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (we liked almond milk)
- 1 Tbsp toasted golden flaxseed meal (golden flax seeds have a milder flavor and when toasted, they taste like granola and toast! // if you can’t find, use regular flaxseed meal)
- 1 handful delicate greens (like romaine or spinach // optional)
Instructions
- COMPOTE: To make the compote, add the sliced berries to a small saucepan with water and heat over medium heat. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the strawberries soften and the mixture is bubbly.
- Remove from heat and use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to smash the berries into a loose sauce. Then add chia seeds and stir to combine. Transfer to a jar or storage container and set in the fridge to chill for ~1 hour, or make ahead the day before.
- SMOOTHIE: To a high-speed blender add frozen banana, 1/3 cup strawberry compote (as recipe is written), medjool date (starting with lesser amount), peanut butter (starting with lesser amount), dairy-free milk (starting with lesser amount), and flaxseed meal.
- Blend on high until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides / using the tamper as needed. If too thick or it has trouble blending, add more dairy-free milk as needed. If too thin, add more frozen banana or some ice. For a “nice cream” smoothie bowl texture, add as little dairy-free milk as possible and use the tamper to blend into a thick, creamy ice cream texture.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more compote for strawberry jam flavor, peanut butter for more intense peanut flavor, or dates for more sweetness.
- Enjoy immediately. Garnish the top with additional compote, peanut butter, and flaxseed meal (optional). Best when fresh. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, or frozen into ice cube or popsicle molds and stored in the freezer for 1 month.
Video
Notes
*Prep time includes making and cooling compote.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with 1/3 cup compote, the lesser amounts of dates, peanut butter, and fortified almond milk, and without optional ingredients.
Erin says
OMG I just made this and YUM! I followed the recipe to a tee minus greens and it’s legit like eating a PB&J in a smoothie. I didn’t need to sweeten additionally but I could taste the bananas, peanut butter and strawberry. I topped with flaxseed and some of the compote. Definitely appropriate any time of day.
I know someone said you can do frozen berries but I love the taste that fresh strawberries lend.
Yum! Thanks so much for sharing your modifications in such a lovely review, Erin. So glad you enjoyed the smoothie!
Micah says
Amazing!
xoxo!
Diana Bingham says
If you are wondering if you can skip the compote making portion of this recipe, the answer is yes! I just threw the strawberries (frozen) and chia seeds directly into the blender with all other ingredients. I only used one banana, kept the two dates and added the extra TBSP of peanut butter to improve the glycemic load. Added two large handfuls of (frozen) spinach for the protein and used unsweetened Silk vanilla almond milk. 10/10! Would Recommend!
Thanks for sharing, Diana! We’re so glad you enjoyed it.
Holly says
Delicious! I added about 1 cup of frozen spinach and omitted the dates and it was perfect. Sweet and fun to eat with a straw or spoon. I loved the extra scoop of PB and compote on top! Thank you!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Holly! Thanks for sharing!
caitlin says
I was really excited for this recipe and I have to say I was disappointed. It just tastes like bananas and little else.
It didn’t taste bad but the banana taste was overwhelming.
Hi Caitlin, sorry to hear that was your experience! Is it possible that your bananas were extra ripe? That could definitely cause a stronger flavor. We like freezing them when they have just a few brown spots.
meredith says
This is yummy! and I love the strawberry compote idea with chia…which I used on pancakes this morning! the flaxseed is so nutty-good, and although I resisted the greens at first, adding a few today were almost unrecognizable. GRACIAS!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Meredith!
Emily says
Made this smoothie this morning for myself and two littles. All three of us loved it, and my 8 year-old asked for it for lunch, too. We used frozen cherries instead of compote (had a surplus) and whole flax seed instead of meal, it all turned out so well!! Will definitely make this one whenever we have extra bananas.
We’re so glad you all enjoyed it! And love the frozen cherry idea- thanks so much for sharing!
meredith says
Cherries sound so good! I put my flaxseed in blender first to grind it up into meal….then added everything else. YUM!
Thanks for sharing, Meredith!
Jennifer Fernandez says
I had a mixed berry compote already prepared so I made this for breakfast this morning, sans tender greens. I also didn’t toast flaxseeds, just popped them in. It was thick enough to eat as a smoothie bowl (which I prefer to smoothie drinks) with some granola and it was *delicious,* if a little sweet. I think next time I’ll add just teeny bit of date and maybe halve the compote.
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
Jenny says
I made this, and it was AMAZING!! I used cashed and almond butter instead of pb and no dates . THANK YOU! Smoothie of my dreams right here 😍!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Jenny!
Stace says
This was delicious. Used unsweetened, unsalted peanut butter and it was perfect. A lovely, thick smoothie texture with the full cup of milk. Thanks for the lovely recipe.
Thanks for sharing, Stace!
Stephanie says
I made this in the fastest way possible because when I need a PB&J smoothie, I need it now. I did the compote in the microwave, and I did not cool it after. I used the largest amounts of PB, dates, and milk because I was hungry and wanted more food. I did not add greens since I didn’t have any washed and ready to go. My texture was thick liquid (fine by me), and the flavor was great!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Stephanie!!
Kate says
My blender is not strong enough to blend dates 😞 Do you have any suggestion for possible subs?
maple syrup, stevia, or agave to taste!
sherry says
now there’s an interesting thing – peanut butter powder! never heard of it. this sounds very tasty and good for you.
Let us know if you try!
Nicolette says
Oh my goodness! This smoothie is absolutely delicious and I feel a lot less guilty having this for dessert as opposed to a baked good :-)
Love it! Thanks for sharing, Nicolette!
Kendra says
Would frozen strawberries work?
Yes absolutely! Same quantities.
KateLynn says
You had me at peanut butter and toast! I didn’t have strawberries so I used fresh Concord grapes from the vine. So good! The seeds disappear in the smoothie into a delightful grape jelly flavor. Thank you!!
Love it! Thanks for sharing, KateLynn!
Lauren says
This email came in while I was at Costco so I picked up frozen organic strawberries and medjool dates. I’ll be making these tomorrow!
Let us know how it goes!
Katie says
I see this recipe does not call for Protein Powder but made me remember that I am running out of the BRM Vanilla pea protein powder I bought earlier in summer. It looks like price went WAY way up or is flat-out not available any more. Might you be updating your vegan protein powder review? :) Would love to know some options…
Thanks!!
Oh strange! It may be a temporary price shift. A new one I’ve been loving is by Epic protein (their vanilla and chocolate are quite good).
Susan says
I’m confused. On the one hand the servings are listed as 2, and on the other hand, they are listed as “4 servings total as recipe is written”. Would you mind clarifying? Thank you! By the way, I LOVE your recipes and your dedication to health and wellness! Thank you for that too!!!
Thanks, Susan! We will clarify. Basically the compote makes enough for 4 smoothies.
Susan says
Thank you!!!!
Sheila S. says
I had the ingredients to make this first thing in the morning, and it’s a hit! Omitted chia seeds (didn’t have them), used blueberries, and didn’t measure anything. The taste is delightful!
Love it! Thanks, Sheila!