By With absolutely no protein powder, this chocolate peanut butter protein smoothie packs in 24 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. It's easy to make in just 5 minutes, and it makes a delicious, healthy fudgesicle when frozen!
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Jump to:
- shake it good
- ingredient notes & substitutions
- high protein ingredient spotlight: Cottage Cheese
- here's how to make a protein peanut butter cup shake (with photos & video)
- expert tips
- can I use regular peanut butter instead of powder?
- troubleshooting & testing notes
- how to store & meal prep it
- ways to enjoy this smoothie
- Recipe
shake it good
Just kidding because there's no protein powder to shake! But here's why you'll love it:
- High protein & high fiber: With cottage cheese and chia seeds, this shake is nutrient-dense.
- Naturally sweetened: The banana and maple syrup provide natural sweetness without the need for refined sugars.
- Quick and easy: This smoothie is ready in minutes with just a few ingredients and a blender.
- If you're looking for the snack version of this smoothie then be sure to check out our chocolate peanut butter rice krispies treats. Same flavor - just in dessert form with 10g of protein per bar!
ingredient notes & substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See the recipe card for quantities.
- Banana + ½ cup ice: You can freeze the banana before hand for extra creaminess.
- Chia seeds: Adds fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseeds work too.
- Cottage cheese: Don't knock it till ya try it! I use low fat, small curds. For more ideas, check out our list of cottage cheese breakfast recipes!
- Cocoa powder: Of course we need chocolate for this to be a peanut butter cup shake.
- Peanut butter powder: Gives the peanut butter taste with less fat compared to traditional peanut butter. Look for one without added sugar.
- Milk: Acts as the liquid base; feel free to use dairy or plant-based milk according to preference. Protein will vary.
- Maple syrup: Honey or agave work too. Add more or less depending on how much you like or don't like the taste of cottage cheese.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
high protein ingredient spotlight: Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese has taken the internet by storm, and for a good reason. It's high in protein, low in fat, has a mild taste, and is incredibly versatile. It can be used in everything from this chocolate cheesecake shake to muffins to a cottage cheese egg bake. It's one of our favorite ingredients to use in our full list of high-protein low-calorie breakfast ideas!
here's how to make a protein peanut butter cup shake (with photos & video)
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe!
- Blend everything together for up to an entire minute or until all curds are gone.
- Enjoy (maybe with an air fryer banana split?)!
quick recipe video
expert tips
- Frozen Banana: Using a frozen banana can make the smoothie even creamier and eliminate the need for additional ice.
- Adjusting Sweetness: Depending on your sweetness preference, you can modify the amount of maple syrup or substitute it with honey.
can I use regular peanut butter instead of powder?
Sure! It will just have a bit less protein and more fat. PB powder also helps with a fluffy shake texture.
troubleshooting & testing notes
Keep blending!
Blending the cottage cheese ensures there are no curds. Cottage cheese can be hit or miss with some people, so be sure to blend it completely for the best taste and texture. This can take up to 2 minutes, depending on how powerful your blender is.
Don't overdo the chocolate
We discovered that using too much cocoa powder can overpower the peanut butter flavor and make it bitter. It may be tempting to make this smoothie more chocolatey, but we recommend sticking to the listed amount!
how to store & meal prep it
- Fridge: This smoothie is best consumed immediately. However, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir well before drinking.
- Freezer: Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze (or popsicle molds). Blend the frozen cubes with a little extra milk for a quick, slushy smoothie later!
ways to enjoy this smoothie
This smoothie is perfect on its own, but here are some fun ways to enjoy it.
- As a smoothie bowl - Pour into a bowl and top with granola, nut butter, and chocolate chunks.
- With a high-protein snack - Pair it with almond croissant protein blondies for a balanced snack.
- With a hearty breakfast - Serve alongside cinnamon roll protein baked oats or pistachio protein bread for a protein-packed morning meal.
Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie (Without Protein Powder)
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup ice
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoon peanut butter powder
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup
Before you start!
If you make this recipe, please take a moment to leave us a review. We love to hear from you!
Instructions
- Add 1 banana, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ½ cup ice, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 4 tablespoon peanut butter powder, 1 cup milk, and ¼ cup maple syrup to a blender and blend for at least 30 seconds until smooth.
Video
Notes
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
I tried this and it came out incredible. It was rich, creamy and best part HIGH PROTEIN!!! Although I did substitute chocolate peanut butter for cocoa powder and peanut butter powder as that's what I had. Also I used frozen banana as suggested. It'll now be a staple going forward 😀
Yum!!
So good! I didn’t do a full 1/4c maple & I only had reg pb so I used 2 tbsp and it turned out great!
Yum!!
This is heaven! I’ve already sent it to everyone I know! I quite literally will be drinking this every single day.
The best daily snack!
Ok. When say I was skeptical of this recipe because I DO NOT like cottage cheese… that’s an under statement. Omg! Make this shake ya’ll! It’s SO FREAKING GOOD. I am impressed and you’ve got yourself a new follower. This helped cure my late night craving but without protein powder. Definitely saving. Thank you with all my heart for saving me from an eating binge tonight. Lol! I loved this! I also didn’t realize it was 2 servings. Whoops. Almost drank the whole dang thing. 👀
That's so great to hear!
what is the serving size?
It's about 2 cups.
I really want to try this but I hate cottage cheese. Can you taste it or not really?
I swear you cannot taste it!! The reviews can attest to that 🙂
Do you think this would work as well with Greek Yogurt?
It does work but it's definitely more tangy.
OMG this is so good. I wanted and easy to go breakfast and this taste better than the powders. I'm hooked!
So so glad you enjoyed!
This is sooooo good! I made it for the first time today so used what I had and that was greek yogurt and real peanut butter. I will be purchasing peanut butter powder later on. As is...this is so decadent. Love this.
My banana was frozen so I skipped the ice and it still came out rich and creamy. Thank you for this recipe.
So happy to hear that!