This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze. My favorite. :)
Happy Wednesday, everyone!
First off, just wanted to thank you for the kind comments and emails (and remedy suggestions!) you sent me after Monday’s post. So helpful and encouraging — thank you! I’ve been on pretty much a liquid diet for four days, but finally think that things are turning and corner and I’m on the mend. Whew, which makes me thankful for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that chips and salsa are an absolutely essential food group for me. Coming soon, I hope.
That said, I’ve been tapping into my arsenal of gentle soups and smoothie recipes this week. And as much as I love chewing, I forget how much I really do love a good protein smoothie cup of chai. But then I realized, why choose when you can have both?!
Seriously, I make matcha lattes and smoothies all the time. But it wasn’t until last week that I realized I could just as easily empty a chai tea bag out into my blender as well! Brilliant! And also, absolutely delicious, especially when paired with this easy, protein-packed banana smoothie base.
It’s a breakfast match made in heaven. ♥
The ingredients for this one are quite simple, and also happen to be naturally gluten-free as well. (Feel free to nix the yogurt and add in a little more almond milk, too, if you’d like it to be vegan.) Just gather up:
- fresh bananas (then peel, slice and freeze them)
- Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk (my fav rich and creamy almondmilk)
- plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- chai tea leaves (I just emptied out a tea bag or two)
- vanilla extract
- ground cinnamon
- plus a little maple syrup, if you’d like an even sweeter smoothie (I didn’t think it needed it)
Toss everything in a blender…
…pulse until completely smooth…
…and then this beauty will be yours to enjoy.
It’s naturally wonderful sweet and rich, the Greek yogurt gives it a mega boost of protein, and the chai and other seasonings give it a warm hint of spice that I absolutely loved. Just what the doctor ordered.
Enjoy!
Banana Chai Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 bananas, peeled, sliced and frozen
- 1 cup Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almondmilk
- 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt*
- 2 teaspoons (dry) chai tea leaves**
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, store-bought or homemade
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- (optional: 1 teaspoon maple syrup, if you’d like a sweeter smoothie)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until smooth.
- Serve immediately, topped with a few extra slices of banana if desired.
Notes
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, my go-to almondmilk that always has a spot in my fridge. Thanks for continuing to support the brands who help make this site possible!
Wow!!! At first it had a strong flavor but it is seriously a great idea! I just made one and it is very tasty :) thank you !
We’re glad you enjoyed this! :)
This banana smoothie sure to be my favorite. I love blue diamond almond milk unsweetened. Thanks so easy and quick to make.
Thanks Colleen — we hope you can give it a try soon! :)
Can you use chai seeds
We’re not sure about chai seeds, but we just empty out the contents of the chai tea bags (to use the leaves), and that works great. We hope you enjoy this!
I’d never thought of emptying a tea bag to use in cooking–that’s such a great idea! My favorite chai is Celestial Teahouse’s Dirty Chai (chai + espresso), and I bet it would be amazing in this!
Thanks! :)
Yes, it’s so yummy — we hope you love it! :D
Lovely recipe!!! Got to ask you though – since I don’t like chai leaves at all, can I replace this ingredient with some other tea type without ruining the original taste of this smoothie? How about adding some linden tea instead?
Hi there! Hmmm, do we’re not sure about Linden tea, as we haven’t tried that, but Earl Grey might work well!
Perfet coctail after fitness :)
I have tried creating a tea concentrate that then has to be cooled before adding my smoothie, but this looks so much easier and richer in flavor! I will definitely be adding this to the list of smoothies I want to try soon!
That’s a cool idea though Kori! We hope you like this!
gimme more of that smoooooothie babe
A very unique smoothie recipe with all my favorite ingredients. Its already noted in my to-do list for the weekend.
Interesting smoothie. I didn’t know chai is good to eat.