Salted Banana Almond Butter Smoothie
This banana almond butter smoothie is so thick, creamy, and packed with nutrition benefits. A pinch of sea salt is the secret ingredient that really enhances all the flavours of this smoothie. Post includes options to make this a green smoothie, one with berries, or a chocolate one – all using the same base recipe!
This salted almond butter smoothie recipe came together on a whim the other day, using various ingredients in my fridge. I felt inspired to try adding a pinch of sea salt thanks to fellow food blogger The First Mess, who included this idea in one of her Thursday Tips on Instagram!
She shared how salt in smoothies helps to enhance the flavour of the rest of the ingredients, making everything taste like a better version of itself. Essentially, we’re just applying principles of cooking to smoothie making here!
Have you tried adding salt to smoothies before?? I loved the flavour combination so much, and particularly enjoyed how it makes a great BASE smoothie recipe. You can totally add different flavour combinations, all of which I’ve included below.
As a dietitian, I’ve made sure that this nut butter smoothie is nutritionally balanced with sources of fiber-rich carbs, healthy fats, and protein. It also happens to be free of any added sugars, flavoured instead with cinnamon, vanilla, and (you guessed it) sea salt!
Want more healthy smoothie recipes? You can checkout my roundup of all the smoothie recipes on my website! If you enjoy this one, you may also love my Banana Chai Smoothie or my Blueberry Tahini Smoothie.
Ingredients needed + possible substitutions
- Almond milk: I used unsweetened almond milk for this recipe, but you may use any type of milk or milk alternative of your choice. To keep things added sugar free, simply opt for an unsweetened version.
- Bananas: I recommend using ripe, frozen bananas if you can! Freezing the bananas makes them so thick and creamy. Plus, it makes this smoothie nice and cold without the need to water down the flavours with ice. Of course, you may use unfrozen bananas if you haven’t had a chance to freeze them ahead of time.
- Almond butter: I used a creamy, unsweetened almond butter (where the only ingredient is almonds). You may also use peanut butter OR a seed butter (like tahini or sunflower seed) for a nut-free version. If using a salted nut butter, you may want to give the smoothie a taste before adding any extra salt.
- Chia seeds: Chia seeds help to boost the nutrition factor of this smoothie, adding in heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They also have a unique property where they swell up to create a gel-like texture. This helps to thicken up this smoothie nicely!
- Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon gives a nice sweetness and warming sensation to this smoothie.
- Vanilla extract: Likewise, a splash of vanilla extract helps to add sweetness without any extra sugar.
- Sea salt: A pinch of salt really helps to enhance the flavour of the other ingredients in this smoothie. I love using a high-quality sea salt (this popular one from Maldon is my go-to!)
Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Optional add-ins!
- Why not try a couple handfuls of leafy greens, like spinach or kale, to make this a green smoothie. Baby spinach will have almost ZERO affect on the flavour of this smoothie. I’ve tried it with kale too, and it was so good!
- A couple spoons of raw cacao powder will add a delicious chocolate flavour to this smoothie. I also tried it this way (highly recommend).
- Add in a cup or two of fresh or frozen berries, like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, to give this a yummy berry flavour. Promise it still works with the pinch of sea salt.
- For an additional protein boost, feel free to use your favourite protein powder. I’d recommend choosing one that is unflavoured, vanilla flavoured, or chocolate flavoured.
Or, do a combination of some of these add-ins! They seriously ALL work well together 🙂
My go-to blender for smoothies
Vitamix Blender
I use this Vitamix almost every day. I bought it about 7 years ago and it still functions perfectly. It makes a super smooth and creamy smoothie in seconds (not to mention many other meals, like soups)!
Nutrition benefits of this banana almond butter smoothie
- Bananas are a fiber-rich carbohydrate, with one medium banana providing 3 grams of fiber. They’re also a good source of micronutrients like potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and magnesium.
- Almond butter is a good source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber (with 2 grams per 2 tablespoons). It’s also a source of plant-based protein, with 7 grams in 2 tablespoons. Plus, almond butter is rich in micronutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and calcium.
- Chia seeds are one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Just 2 tablespoons provides 5 grams of plant-based protein and 10 grams of dietary fiber. Chia seeds are also rich in minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron.
More healthy nut butter smoothies
- Apple Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie
- Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie
- Simple Creamy Green Smoothie
Did you give this Banana Almond Butter Smoothie Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: Salted Banana Almond Butter Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk, unsweetened (or other milk of choice)
- 2 medium bananas (ideally frozen)
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- A pinch of sea salt
- Ice cubes, until cold (omit if using frozen bananas)
- Optional add-ins: spinach, berries, raw cacao powder, and/or protein power (see notes for flavour ideas!)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender, starting with the almond milk.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Feel free to adjust flavours or amounts of liquid until desired taste/consistency is reached. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to make this a green smoothie, feel free to add a couple handfuls of spinach. Promise it won’t change the taste at all!
- A couple spoons of raw cacao powder will add a delicious chocolate flavour to this smoothie.
- Add in a cup or two of fresh or frozen berries, like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, to give this a yummy berry flavour. Promise it still works with the pinch of sea salt.
- Instead of almond butter, you can use a different nut butter like peanut, walnut, cashew butter. For a nut-free version, you can use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- In place of chia seeds, you could use hemp seeds or flax seeds (or leave them out entirely, but I like them for the added nutrition benefits!)
- If you want to increase the protein content of this smoothie, feel free to add a scoop of your favourite protein powder. An unflavoured, vanilla, or chocolate flavour would work best.
- **If adding in spinach and/or berries, you may need to add more liquid to help blend things together!
- ***If using a salted nut butter, you may want to taste this smoothie before adding additional salt! If you like the flavours as is, feel free to omit the pinch of sea salt.
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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2 Comments on “Salted Banana Almond Butter Smoothie”
I just made this smoothie this morning and it was fantastic. I tweak a bit – I like to add oatmeal to my smoothies so increased almond milk to 3/4 cup (made a single serving). I added a T of cacao powder, handful of baby spinach and a few frozen strawberries (banana wasn’t frozen). This is definitely going into my rotation.
Thank you so much Joni!!! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this one! Great for the rotation to modify with what you have on hand :). Love the additions you made – oatmeal sounds soo good in this!!