Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this smoothie bowl because it turns a familiar flavor combination into a refreshing breakfast that takes only minutes to prepare. Frozen berries give me the sweet-tart “jelly” flavor, while peanut butter adds creaminess and a slightly salty balance.
I also like how thick and satisfying the texture is. By using frozen fruit and only a small amount of milk, I can make the smoothie thick enough to hold plenty of toppings.
It is also easy for me to customize. I can change the berries, use a different nut or seed butter, add yogurt, or finish the bowl with whatever crunchy toppings I have available.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the smoothie bowl:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries or mixed berries
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, optional
- Pinch of salt
For topping:
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon strawberry or raspberry jam
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Sliced banana
- Granola
- Chopped peanuts
- Chia seeds, optional
Directions
I start by adding the frozen banana, frozen berries, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, vanilla, optional maple syrup or honey, and a pinch of salt to my blender.
I add about 1/4 cup of milk and begin blending on low. I stop occasionally to scrape down the sides and move the frozen fruit toward the blades.
I continue blending until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. I add additional milk only a tablespoon at a time because I want my smoothie bowl to remain much thicker than a regular smoothie.
Once the mixture is smooth, I taste it and adjust the sweetness if necessary. I usually find that ripe banana and berries provide enough sweetness, especially when I plan to add jam on top.
I spoon the smoothie into a bowl and smooth the surface. I drizzle peanut butter over one side and spoon or swirl the jam over the other to create the classic peanut butter and jelly effect.
I finish mine with fresh berries, sliced banana, granola, chopped peanuts, and chia seeds. I serve the bowl immediately while it is still thick and frosty.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 2 smoothie bowls.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Blending time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 2
Variations
For a strawberry PB&J bowl, I use only frozen strawberries and strawberry jam. When I want a deeper berry flavor, I use raspberries, blueberries, or a frozen mixed-berry blend.
I can replace peanut butter with almond or cashew butter when I want a slightly different nutty flavor. For a nut-free variation, I use sunflower seed butter.
When I want extra creaminess, I add more Greek yogurt or a small amount of avocado. Both help me create a thick texture without needing much additional milk.
For a chocolate PB&J variation, I add cacao or cocoa powder to the smoothie base. Chocolate, peanut butter, and berries create a richer, more dessert-like bowl.
I can also add oats or chia seeds before blending when I want a heartier smoothie bowl. I may need an extra splash of milk to help everything blend.
For a dairy-free version, I replace Greek yogurt with a thick plant-based yogurt and use almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk.
Storage/Reheating
I prefer eating my Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl immediately because frozen fruit gives it its best thick and creamy texture.
If I have leftover smoothie mixture, I transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. It will become thinner as the frozen fruit melts, so I stir it well before eating.
For longer storage, I freeze the smoothie mixture in an airtight freezer-safe container or ice cube tray. When I am ready to eat it, I let it soften slightly or blend the frozen portions again with a small splash of milk.
I keep granola, chopped peanuts, and other crunchy toppings separate until serving so they do not become soggy.
I do not reheat this smoothie bowl because I always serve it cold.
FAQs
How do I make my Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl thick?
I use frozen banana and frozen berries and start with as little milk as possible. I stop my blender to scrape down the sides rather than immediately adding more liquid. If the mixture becomes too thin, I blend in additional frozen fruit.
Can I make this smoothie bowl without banana?
Yes. I can leave out the banana and use additional frozen berries along with thick Greek yogurt. Frozen mango or avocado can also help me create a creamy consistency, although they will change the flavor slightly.
What type of jelly or jam works best?
I usually choose strawberry or raspberry jam because both pair naturally with peanut butter and berries. Grape jam can give me an even more traditional PB&J flavor. I can use whichever flavor I normally enjoy in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Can I make a Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl dairy-free?
Yes. I use a thick dairy-free yogurt and my preferred plant-based milk. I find that oat, soy, or almond milk all work well, while coconut yogurt can make the bowl especially creamy.
Can I prepare this smoothie bowl ahead of time?
I prefer preparing freezer packs instead of blending the finished smoothie ahead. I portion my banana and berries into freezer-safe containers so the fruit is ready to blend. When I want my smoothie bowl, I add peanut butter, yogurt, vanilla, and a little milk and blend everything fresh.
Conclusion
This Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl gives me all the nostalgic flavors of a PB&J in a thick, fruity breakfast I can eat with a spoon. Frozen berries provide the sweet-tart jelly flavor, while banana, yogurt, and peanut butter make the base creamy and satisfying.
PrintPeanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl
A thick and creamy smoothie bowl inspired by classic peanut butter and jelly, with frozen berries, banana, Greek yogurt, and peanut butter. A measured selection of optional fruit, granola, peanuts, chia seeds, peanut butter, and jam adds plenty of flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 smoothie bowls
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries or mixed berries
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, optional
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter, optional for topping
- 1 tablespoon strawberry or raspberry jam, optional for topping
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries or raspberries, optional for topping
- 1/2 medium banana, sliced, optional for topping
- 1/4 cup granola, optional for topping
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts, optional for topping
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds, optional for topping
Instructions
- Add the frozen banana, frozen berries, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, optional maple syrup or honey, and a pinch of salt to a blender.
- Add 1/4 cup milk and begin blending on low, stopping as needed to scrape down the sides and move the frozen fruit toward the blades.
- Continue blending until completely smooth and creamy. Add additional milk only 1 tablespoon at a time as needed, using no more than 1/2 cup total to keep the smoothie thick.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.
- Divide the smoothie mixture evenly between two bowls and smooth the surface.
- For each bowl, drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon peanut butter and swirl in 1/2 tablespoon jam if using.
- Top each bowl with up to 1/4 cup fresh berries, 1/4 sliced banana, 2 tablespoons granola, 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts, and 1/2 teaspoon chia seeds as desired.
- Serve immediately while thick and frosty.
Notes
- All toppings are optional. The listed topping quantities are enough for two smoothie bowls and can be adjusted to taste.
- For the thickest smoothie bowl, use fully frozen banana and berries and begin with only 1/4 cup milk.
- For a strawberry PB&J version, use frozen strawberries with strawberry jam. Raspberry, blueberry, mixed berry, or grape jam can also be used.
- Almond or cashew butter can replace peanut butter. Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free variation.
- For a chocolate PB&J variation, blend 1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder into the smoothie base.
- For a dairy-free version, replace Greek yogurt with thick plant-based yogurt and use plant-based milk.
- Refrigerate leftover smoothie mixture without toppings for up to 24 hours or freeze it for longer storage.
- Keep granola, peanuts, and chia seeds separate until serving to preserve their texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie bowl with all listed toppings
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg