Chunky Monkey Smoothie

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5 from 1 votes
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Thick, creamy, and made with just 4 ingredients, this chunky monkey smoothie is seriously addictive. Enjoy it in minutes and customize it endlessly! 

healthy chunky monkey smoothie.

We love starting our morning with smoothies in my house. They’re so nutritious, easy to make, and provide all the energy we need to stay full and focused. 

If you love my chocolate peanut butter smoothie, carrot smoothie, and keto smoothie, this creamy smoothie must be next. It’s basically dessert in a glass. 

Table of Contents
  1. Recipe highlights
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make a chunky monkey smoothie
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. How to store leftovers
  6. More healthy smoothie recipes to try
  7. Chunky Monkey Smoothie (Recipe Card)

Recipe highlights

  • Versatile. I like my smoothies in the morning, but you can have them as a midday snack or even a post-workout treat. 
  • Super healthy. Bananas provide vitamins and fiber, peanut butter adds healthy fat, and cocoa powder adds antioxidants. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan.
  • Ready in minutes. Just add everything to your blender–and blend!
  • Easy to customize. Enjoy this smoothie as is, or customize every ingredient to satisfy your taste buds. 
chunky monkey smoothie.

Ingredients needed

You’ll love just how simple the ingredient list is to make this recipe. You might even find you have everything you’ll need on hand right now. Here is everything you will need:

  • Frozen bananas. I highly recommend using frozen bananas and NOT fresh bananas, since it’s the frozen bananas that will give the smoothie its rich and creamy texture. 
  • Peanut butter. I used smooth peanut butter, but you can use crunchy peanut butter if that’s all you have on hand. Not craving the flavor of peanut butter? I’ve made this recipe with almond butter and cashew butter before, and it tastes just as good! To make a nut butter-free version, I’d recommend using tahini or sunflower seed butter. 
  • Cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is best, but any type of unsweetened cocoa powder will work. I’d recommend not using cacao powder, as it can be quite bitter and overpowering. 
  • Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk, but any type of dairy-free milk, like coconut milk or cashew milk, will also work. 

How to make a chunky monkey smoothie

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Blend. Add all of the ingredients to the blender, starting with ¼ cup of milk, and blend. Add more milk as needed to reach your desired consistency. 

Step 2- Serve. Pour the smoothie into a tall glass and serve immediately. 

chunky monkey smoothie recipe.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Swap the banana. If you’re low-carb or just not a fan of bananas, use frozen cauliflower instead. 
  • Add more protein. If I’m making this as a post-workout drink, I’ll make a chunky monkey protein smoothie by adding two scoops of chocolate protein powder (like in protein shakes).
  • Thicken it up. By adding sliced avocado (like in avocado smoothies!). In fact, I always keep a container of frozen avocado on hand just to add them to my smoothies. 
  • Use fresh bananas. If you only have fresh bananas, I’d recommend adding a few ice cubes to help get that thick consistency. 
  • Boost the fiber. Blend ¼ cup of oats into the smoothie (like in an oatmeal smoothie).
  • Add superfoods. Try using hemp seeds, chia seeds, or dried goji berries.
  • Garnish. Top the smoothie with cacao nibs or crushed walnuts for a crunchy texture. 

How to store leftovers

To store: I recommend enjoying this smoothie as fresh as possible, but if need be, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

To freeze: To keep your smoothie fresher for longer, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Store the cubes in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, place the smoothie cubes in a blender with a splash of milk or water and blend until smooth. 

4 ingredient chunky monkey smoothie.

More healthy smoothie recipes to try

Chunky Monkey smoothie

Chunky Monkey Smoothie

5 from 1 vote
Thick, creamy, and made with just 4 ingredients, this chunky monkey smoothie is seriously addictive. Enjoy it in minutes and customize it endlessly! 
Servings: 1 serving
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 2 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 1 large banana frozen
  • 1-2 tablespoon peanut butter can use any nut or seed butter
  • 1-2 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 1/4-1/2 cup milk I used unsweetened almond

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients into the blender and blend until desired consistency- Start with 1/4 cup milk of choice and adjust to desired thickness.

Notes

TO STORE. I recommend enjoying this smoothie as fresh as possible, but if need be, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
TO FREEZE. To keep your smoothie fresher for longer, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. Store the cubes in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, place the smoothie cubes in a blender with a splash of milk or water and blend until smooth. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1smoothieCalories: 236kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 8gFat: 10gSodium: 157mgPotassium: 673mgFiber: 6gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 87IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 27g
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. I’ve been making this for a while but blend in a handful of kale and tablespoon (or so) of chia seeds. The strong pb and chocolate flavors completely hide the kale. So good!

  2. I need this in my life right now. Looks so yummy! I had something similar in Nicaragua that I fell in love with so I cant wait to make this one! Also going to make your edible cookie dough from your cookbook this week!!

  3. Love all of these flavors together, and I could eat it with a spoon! I might top this off with coconut flakes, too.

  4. I want to dig into this with a spoon. Looks good and the classic flavor combo can’t be beat!

  5. Mmmm chunky monkey! This looks really good. Honestly, I don’t think that much about my protein/carb/fats breakdown. Whenever I’d track my meals for a while, I liked looking back at the macros to see what I leaned towards and apparently I eat a lot of fats. I just focus on eating enough food so I don’t have to think about eating for a few hours haha.

  6. You are such a great brother, Arman! I mean you’re over there making Niki custom smoothies so she doesn’t get hungry at lunch. I hope she gave you one big hug for this one! 🙂 Love the flavors going on here…this would indeed be a dessert-for-breakfast kinda thing. And I’m ok with that!