This creamy banana smoothie will set you up for an amazing day, with a plant-based protein boost to keep your energy steady and strong.

When I’m craving a creamy smoothie, I usually reach for cashews or bananas. This time, I went all out and combined BOTH in this recipe. Get ready for an ultra-creamy, protein-packed smoothie that’s perfect for jumpstarting your day.

The Secret to Making a Creamy Banana Smoothie at Home

When making a green smoothie, I suggest blending the leafy greens with the liquid first. However, for a non-green smoothie, you can blend all your ingredients together right from the start!

If your smoothie ends up too thick for your blender to handle, try adding a bit more liquid, give it a stir, and then blend again. That should do the trick.

Not a fan of cashew milk? No problem! Use any plant-based milk you prefer. Oat milk will give you a similarly creamy texture, while almond milk will result in a slightly thinner smoothie.

The Remarkable Health Benefits of Bananas

This easily accessible fruit is incredibly versatile and delicious. Use it to naturally sweeten baked goods, add creaminess to smoothies, or enjoy as a healthy snack with almond butter.

Bananas are rich in fiber, antioxidants, potassium, vitamin B6, and manganese. Despite their sweetness, bananas are actually a low-glycemic fruit. Unripe bananas have a glycemic index (GI) of 30, while ripe bananas have a GI of around 60. So if you prefer a naturally lower-sugar smoothie, opt for a less ripe banana!

The Best Ways to Store Bananas and Prevent Browning

Living in Florida means my bananas ripen in just two days. I love having them on hand for quick snacks or easy smoothies, but they brown too fast! So, I’ve discovered a great trick—freezing them.

I let the bananas sit on the counter until they reach my ideal ripeness (which seems to vary for everyone). Then, I peel them, line them up on a parchment-covered baking sheet, and freeze for 1-3 hours. Once frozen, I transfer them to a freezer-safe bag.

Now, I’ve got the perfect smoothie ingredient ready to go. If you’re short on freezer space, try cutting the bananas in half before freezing. Prepping smoothies ahead of time also helps prevent produce from going to waste!

Simple Low-Sugar Swaps

Although the sugar in this recipe comes from whole foods, it might still be a bit high for some. If you’re looking for a lower-sugar option, here are some excellent alternatives:

• Use plain cashew yogurt or swap for 1/4 cup cauliflower
• Swap yogurt for in 2 tbs cashews
• Swap banana with 1/4 cup cauliflower or 1/4 avocado

Ensure that the collagen or protein powder you choose has no added sugar. Also, check the label on your yogurt! While there are many excellent plant-based yogurt brands available, many contain added sugars.

If you adore bananas, this smoothie is perfect for you! Don’t forget to rate and review it once you’ve given it a try.