Protein Shake For Toddlers
on Jun 08, 2024, Updated May 26, 2025
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This protein-rich shake is one of my favorite easy, nourishing options for toddlers—perfect for busy mornings, snack time, or even as a light meal. Made with just a few wholesome ingredients like banana, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and milk, it’s creamy, naturally sweet, and full of nutrients that support growth and energy. The banana adds natural sweetness and potassium, Greek yogurt brings protein and probiotics, and peanut butter offers healthy fats to help keep little tummies full. You can blend it up in minutes and serve it with a straw, in a reusable pouch, or even freeze it as a smoothie pop. This healthy protein shake a great option for picky eaters, especially those who prefer drinking over chewing their breakfast or snack. Plus, it’s easy to customize based on your toddler’s dietary needs or flavor preferences.
Why this Easy Protein Shake is Great for Toddlers and Families
- Nutritious: This protein shake is a powerhouse of essential nutrients. Bananas provide potassium and natural sweetness, cocoa offers antioxidants, peanut butter adds healthy fats and protein, milk provides calcium and vitamin D, and Greek yogurt is a fantastic source of protein and probiotics.
- Kid-Friendly: The rich, chocolatey flavor combined with the natural sweetness of bananas makes this shake appealing to toddlers, encouraging them to consume a variety of nutrients without any fuss.
- Energy Boost: This shake is perfect for giving your little one an energy boost, whether they need a quick breakfast, a mid-day snack, or a post-playtime refuel.
- Versatile: You can easily modify this recipe to suit dietary needs or preferences. For a dairy-free option, use almond milk or oat milk and a dairy-free yogurt. You can also add a handful of spinach or a scoop of protein powder for an extra nutritional punch.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup milk (dairy or any preferred alternative)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 cups ice
How to Make this Healthy Protein Smoothie
- Peel the bananas and place them in a blender.
- Add the cocoa powder, peanut butter, milk, and Greek yogurt, and ice to the blender.
- Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a cup and serve immediately.
Substitutions
Milk: Use any preferred milk alternative, such as almond, oat, or soy milk for dietary needs.
Yogurt: Swap Greek yogurt with plant-based yogurts if you need dairy-free options.
Peanut Butter: Replace with almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Add-ins: Add nutrition by adding a handful of spinach, a scoop of protein powder, or chia seeds.
Storing Extra Peanut Butter Protein Shake
- Refrigerator: If you have any leftovers, you can store the shake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Give it a good shake or stir before serving as some ingredients may separate.
- Freezer: For a fun twist, pour the shake into ice pop molds and freeze for a tasty and nutritious frozen treat that your toddler can enjoy on hot days.
Common Questions
Is this healthy protein shake allergy-friendly?
- It can be! This recipe is easy to adapt for common allergies. Use a dairy-free yogurt (like coconut or soy-based) and a plant-based milk (such as oat or almond) to make it dairy-free. If your toddler has a peanut allergy, swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or another safe option. Always double-check labels!
Can I freeze this toddler-friendly milkshake?
- Yes, you can pour the shake into ice pop molds and freeze for a tasty frozen treat.
Can I give this to younger toddlers or babies?
- Yes—with a few changes. For babies under 12 months, skip the added nut butter unless already introduced safely. For toddlers just starting solids, serve it with a spoon or in a small open cup instead of a straw, and keep the texture smooth and runny to make it easier to swallow. It may be a little too much sugar for babies, so I make sure to use sugar-free ingredients when necessary.
More Protein-Filled Snacks for Toddlers
Cottage Cheese Muffins – Moist, soft, and packed with protein from blended cottage cheese, these muffins are great for growing toddlers. Mildly sweet and perfect for any time of day.
Chocolate Spinach Milkshake – This smoothie sneaks in spinach but tastes like a chocolate treat. Creamy, nutrient-rich, and a fun way to serve extra veggies without a fuss.
Flour-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Muffins – Made without flour and full of peanut butter, these muffins are rich, soft, and naturally gluten-free. Great for protein-packed snacks or breakfasts.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie – A wholesome twist on a classic combo, this smoothie blends frozen berries and peanut butter into a thick, satisfying drink toddlers love.
4 Ingredient Banana Bars – These easy bars use banana, oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips for a soft, naturally sweet snack that’s perfect for little hands and great for batch prep.
If your toddlers loved this protein-packed shake let me know! Tag me @reallittlemeals so I can hear about all of your delicious creations!
Protein Shake For Toddlers
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup greek yogurt
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
- Peel the bananas and place them in a blender. Add the cocoa powder, peanut butter, milk, ice and Greek yogurt to the blender.
- Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a cup and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Looks great
can you recommend which Cocoa powder to use? I cant wait to make this!!!!!
Great recipe! Thank you!
I seriously love this smoothie. My kids like it and I love it. I drink it at least once a week week 🙂