Next-Level PB&J Smoothie

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Measuring glass of our PB&J Smoothie next to peanut butter, strawberries, and a banana

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!

Dates, chia seeds, flax seeds, peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, and dairy-free milk

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.

Using a wooden spoon to stir chia seeds into stewed strawberries for homemade compote

Then, let the compote cool.

Bowl of homemade strawberry compote

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.

Blender with peanut butter, banana, peanut butter powder, and strawberry compote

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!

Blender with our Creamy PB&J Smoothie

More PB&J Recipes

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!

PB&J Smoothies in short glasses topped with strawberry compote and ground flax seeds

Next-Level PB&J Smoothie

Creamy PB&J smoothie with ALL the flavor of a classic PB&J. DIY strawberry-chia jam takes the flavor to the next level. Just 7 whole food ingredients required!
Author Minimalist Baker
Print
PB&J Smoothies topped with homemade strawberry compote
4.67 from 15 votes
Prep Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 2 (Servings)
Course Smoothie
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly 1 month
Does it keep? 24 hours

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

*Makes enough compote for 4 servings total as recipe is written.
*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.

Nutrition (1 of 2 servings)

Serving: 1 serving Calories: 281 Carbohydrates: 45.9 g Protein: 6.7 g Fat: 10.7 g Saturated Fat: 1.8 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.16 g Monounsaturated Fat: 4.81 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 49 mg Potassium: 727 mg Fiber: 7.1 g Sugar: 26.9 g Vitamin A: 227 IU Vitamin C: 43.79 mg Calcium: 160.78 mg Iron: 1.49 mg

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  1. 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.

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Yum! Thanks so much for sharing your modifications in such a lovely review, Erin. So glad you enjoyed the smoothie!

  2. 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!

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      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.

  5. 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!

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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 😍!

  9. 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.

  10. 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!

  11. sherry says

    now there’s an interesting thing – peanut butter powder! never heard of it. this sounds very tasty and good for you.

  12. 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 :-)

  13. 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!!

  14. 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!

  15. 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!!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      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).

  16. 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!!!

  17. 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!