Chunky Monkey Smoothie

A thick, creamy and healthy chunky monkey smoothie using just 4 ingredients and with the texture of frozen yogurt or ice cream! Made with bananas, cocoa, and peanut butter, it’s the perfect protein-packed breakfast, snack or post-workout smoothie which is completely paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy free and naturally sweetened! 

Nothing can come between the classic combination of bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate unless it is milk, which then forms this delicious chunky monkey smoothie (or this fudge, this breakfast pizza or these no bake bites!).

Actually, I take that back. Something, or rather, someone can come between this four ingredient combination, and that someone is named Niki. 

Niki has started going to a local gym here, and the stereotypical nonsense has been drilled in her head, including the infamous ‘you need protein with every meal.” When I was making this smoothie for myself, I offered to whip up a version for her, subbing out the peanut butter for almond butter, as she prefers the latter. Bonus, it also made this paleo friendly.

ANYWAY.

My sister started telling me how this smoothie was not going to fill her up because it lacked any protein in it. She pretty much recited what is drilled in the generic fitness magazines and how muscles are made and how protein is pretty much the most important nutrient. In that time, she also polished off the smoothie and went to work with a smile on her face.

She also didn’t complain of ANY hunger pangs.

A clean eating, filling and delicious smoothie which tastes like dessert? Yep, this has it all and is SO easy!

Let’s talk smoothie texture because it’s something which can be customized based on your preference! Regardless of which method you prefer, it will still be super creamy and ice-cream like, although it may be more frozen ice cream versus melted ice cream! If you are in the former camp (normal ice-cream like), consider using less milk than normal. I found that by adding just under 1/4 cup per smoothie, it was seriously almost like eating straight ice cream. In fact, expect a cheeky recipe to come soon based on this particular recipe and this particular recipe. Also, this method is perfect for those who enjoy smoothie bowls or EATING a smoothie…as odd as that sounds. 

If you are one to simply drink your smoothie through a straw or more of a slushie style, you can add more milk of choice, and also consider adding half a cup of ice cubes too. It will still be super creamy (thanks to the nut butter and banana), but just less thick! 

Whether you like a super chocolatey smoothie or just a hint of chocolate goodness, this can be adjusted based on your preferences! I usually go VERY heavy on the cocoa powder, often combining dark cocoa powder with normal cocoa powder. For a less intense chocolate flavor, keep the serving size to a tablespoon first, then add a little more to taste. 

Peanut butter is my go-to nut butter for this chunky monkey smoothie, as it stays true to its namesake, but feel free to use whichever nut or seed butter you have on hand! Paleo friends, you’ll be best to use an almond butter or cashew butter. For those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter are two favorites! Regardless, this healthy smoothie is completely paleo, vegan, gluten free, dairy free and naturally sweetened! 

If you truly DO want/need/crave more protein in your chunky monkey smoothie, this totally works with protein powder too. Unlike my other protein powder recipes, this one CAN use a whey based protein powder. Besides the usual brown rice protein powder, casein protein powder or paleo protein powder I recommend, I enjoy the taste of this whey based one. Regardless of which one you choose, ensure you like the flavor. Some can be incredibly overpowering or result in a mud-like texture. 

Breakfast, snack, post-workout smoothie or a healthy sweet dessert, this chunky monkey smoothie totally fits the bill! Not only does it take less than two minutes to whip up, it requires very little prep, especially if you have frozen bananas all prepped and ready to go! Whip out those blenders, because this smoothie needs to happen, STAT! 

I am beyond STOKED when you make a recipe from here! Be a legend and tag #thebigmansworld or @thebigmansworld with your re-creations- I can’t wait to see them!

More delicious smoothies? Gotcha covered!

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Healthy Low Carb Snickers Smoothie

Healthy Brownie Batter Oatmeal Smoothie

Healthy Carrot Cake Oatmeal Smoothie