Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie (Keto & Vegan)

If choking down green juices isn’t really your jam, it’s time to try this extra thick peanut butter cup smoothie! It tastes like dessert in a glass but is actually made from plant-based superfoods. Plus, it’s entirely vegan, keto, gluten-free and can be prepared in a matter of minutes!

Avocado, almond milk, peanut butter, cacao and hemp hearts come together in this delicious, nutritious, ultra-satisfying smoothie. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack! Options for those with a peanut allergy, or those following a paleo diet, are included.

It’s been a while since I enjoyed smoothies with any sort of regularity. I never found them to be particularly satisfying and so always just thought of them as a snack. I tended to make my smoothies from fruits like berries, mangos and bananas. Which, while healthy, weren’t substantial enough to keep me full for very long. Plus, when I actually calculated the nutrition for some of them, I realized they were quite high in sugar.

But, ever since being gifted a Vitamix blender, I have been trying to up my smoothie game. The challenge has been to create smoothies that are low in sugar and high in macronutrients to keep me full longer. Namely, fibre, healthy fats and protein!

For starters, you’ll need a good quality high-speed blender on hand. Personally, I’m not a big fan of unblended chunks in my smoothies. I have the Vitamix 3500, which does a great job of making a perfectly smooth, extra creamy and thick smoothie.

Pick a smoothie base

Milks, water and yogurt all work really well as the base of a smoothie. Since I wanted this peanut butter cup smoothie to be both vegan and keto, I opted for unsweetened almond milk. Coconut milk is also a great choice!

I used 1 cup of almond milk for this recipe, which is meant to serve two people. I tend to like my smoothies a bit on the thick side so that I can eat them with a spoon instead of a straw! But, if you prefer a more slurp-able smoothie, add an extra 1/2 cup – 1 cup of your liquid of choice.

Add some healthy fats

For this peanut butter cup smoothie, the main source of healthy fats comes from the avocado. Avocados are super nutrient-dense and contain healthy fats that keep you full longer. Avocados are also an amazing plant-based smoothie ingredient because they help create that perfectly thick milkshake consistency!

A second source of fat in this keto vegan smoothie comes from the peanut butter, which also adds to its creamy consistency and dessert-like taste! In general, nut butters are a great way to add a tasty serving of healthy fat to a smoothie. Plus, they contain vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein!

For those following a paleo diet, or with a peanut allergy, substitute the peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter instead.

Add a source of protein

This vegan keto peanut butter cup smoothie has 12g of protein per serving, which is about the same as two eggs! Most of the protein comes from the peanut butter, but I also added some hemp hearts for an extra boost.

For me, 12g is plenty for breakfast, but if you need a bit more, or want to use this smoothie as a post-workout refuel, add a scoop of protein powder. My favourite keto protein powder is one from Perfect Keto. If you need a powder that is both vegan and keto, try this one by Garden of Life!

Since I skipped out on adding fruits to this peanut butter cup smoothie, I found that it did need a bit of sweetness added. My go-to keto sweetener is Swerve, but monk fruit or stevia also work well.

Last, but not least, add some toppings for extra nutrients and a bit of fun! Extra drizzles of nut butter, some cacao nibs, hemp hearts, shredded coconut, flax seeds, and/or chia seeds are my favourite ways to finish off a healthy, delicious smoothie!

If you make this peanut butter cup smoothie, please rate it and add your comments below. And be sure to tag @thebespokebites in your photos and videos on Instagram for a chance to be featured!

If you’re in need of other breakfast options that are keto, vegan and loaded with nutrients, try my popular Silky Smooth Keto Oatmeal!