Creamy Banana and Berry Protein Smoothie Recipe

I used to throw random fruit into the blender and hope for the best 😅. After experimenting, I landed on a consistent, balanced banana berry protein smoothie that I make almost every day — and now I know the perfect ratio.

The recipe below lists every ingredient by weight so you can simply place your blender on a food scale, add the 7 ingredients in order, and blend. It takes about 5 minutes and yields 2 smoothies with over 20 grams of protein each.

This post is sponsored by Lifeway, whose kefir I use in the smoothie. I’ve created several recipes with their kefir and they kindly sponsored this one as well.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super quick and easy — requires only a blender and about 5 minutes.
• Consistently satisfying — I still look forward to it after months of daily lunches.
• Saves time and reduces decision fatigue when you want a reliable meal option.
• A tasty way to add protein and other healthy nutrients to your day.

Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

Seven simple ingredients make two fruity protein smoothies:

Scroll to the recipe card below for exact measurements by weight.

Kefir

Kefir contributes protein, probiotics, and other nutrients, and most varieties are nearly lactose-free. I rotate between Lifeway’s lemon, strawberry, and blueberry low-fat kefir — or use plain if you prefer less sweetness. If kefir isn’t available, a thick yogurt will work in a pinch.

Pomegranate Juice

Use 100% pomegranate juice with no added sweeteners. It adds antioxidant-rich flavor and natural sweetness. A high-quality bottled juice keeps the smoothie bright and fruity.

Hemp Hearts

Hemp hearts add extra protein, healthy fats, and a subtle nuttiness without noticeably changing texture. They blend smoothly and are an easy way to boost nutrition.

Protein Powder

Use a mild vanilla protein powder for best flavor. I prefer Orgain’s vanilla for taste and digestibility. If you want even more protein, add collagen peptides — but mix the collagen in at low speed after the smoothie is fully blended to avoid excess froth.

Fruit

The base is one slightly overripe banana plus ¾ cup each of strawberries and blueberries. Frozen berries keep the smoothie chilled without ice and create a thicker texture. If you prefer, fresh fruit works fine.

Variations

• Skip the banana if you dislike it — add extra berries for sweetness and color. Texture will change slightly but the flavor remains great.
• Adjust the amount of protein powder to taste; if you increase powder, you may want a touch more pomegranate juice to keep the smoothie pourable.

If you try other swaps, let us know how it turned out in the comments.

Blender

A high-speed blender gives the creamiest texture. I upgraded from a less-durable model to a Vitamix and noticed a big improvement — the smoothie is noticeably smoother. That said, any blender will work; a stronger one just makes the result silkier.

How to Make Protein Fruit Smoothies

Quick Recipe Video

Step by Step Instructions

Toss it in

Place your blender on a food scale and tare it. Add ingredients by weight from liquid to solid: kefir, pomegranate juice, hemp hearts, protein powder, banana, then the frozen berries.

Blend it up

Gradually increase speed to high and blend until very smooth.

Extra protein option

To add more protein, stir in collagen peptides after the smoothie is blended. Mix it on low speed to avoid froth and excess volume.

Common Questions

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Thank you!
-Kayla

Banana Berry Protein Smoothie Recipe

Kayla Burton