PB&J Protein Smoothie with Frozen Strawberries

Peanut butter gives this PB&J protein smoothie its peanut butter base, and I make it for a quick breakfast when I want peanut butter and fruit in one glass. Frozen strawberries bring the jam side, while vanilla protein powder keeps the drink high in protein.

Frozen strawberries are my first choice here because they bring fruit flavor and a cold body without jam, then blend into the peanut butter for that PB&J taste (and save me from digging out ice). Vanilla powder rounds out the mixture, and I can see and measure everything before I start.

The order in the blender is deliberate: I start with almond milk, then add frozen strawberries before the peanut butter and powder, and the liquid gives the blades something to catch before the frozen pieces. Blend until the drink is very smooth, with no strawberry bits left in the glass.

Each measured ingredient has a job, and I don't load this smoothie up with extras because peanut butter holds the mixture together while frozen strawberries bring the fruit note. Vanilla powder pulls them together (that little vanilla note is part of the sandwich flavor). The smoothie tastes familiar without bread or jam. It comes together in seven minutes.