This Toddler Protein Smoothie Is The Best of Both Worlds
Easy sell, this one: a toddler protein smoothie that’s got pretty much a whole day’s nutrition in it, with no added sugar. Plenty for them to love about it, too, not to worry: the date-pumpkin-natural peanut butter combo is naturally sweet and produces a thick and creamy mix that’s more milkshake than pressed juice. A glass of it can power your child—or you!—through a preschool morning or busy afternoon.
Check out our other smoothie recipes for more great and nutritious toddler drinks!
- 4 pitted Dates
- 1 cup Milk (any alternative milk is fine)
- 1/4 can Pumpkin puree
- 1 ripe Banana
- Vanilla Extract
- Peanut Butter (unsweetened recommended)
- Cinnamon
- 1 scoop Whey Protein Powder (optional; if you want the protein without resorting to a powder, use pea milk or other high-protein milk alternative)
Soak your dates in warm water for at least 10 minutes to loosen outer skin; when ready to blend, peel off skin and/or scoop out sticky fruit inside and drop in blender. (Note: if you don’t remove the skin, your blender may not be able to break down and blend the dates.)
Add in the milk, pumpkin puree, banana, and a splash of Vanilla Extract; then add 1-2 scoops of peanut butter (do two if you want it to be extra peanut-buttery), a couple of shakes of cinnamon, and a scoop of protein powder (if using). Blend on High for 30 seconds.
Given its richness and, well, viscosity, a little goes a long way: a four ounce serving is plenty. The default proportions will produce roughly 14 ounces of smoothie, enough for your child to have one or two servings…and the rest to you.
Don’t have any pumpkin? You can replace with about 6-8 steamed carrots—blend these into a puree first before adding the rest of the ingredients—or leave out the vegetable entirely. You can leave out the peanut butter, too—just toss in a spoonful of yogurt to compensate for the loss of density.
Brad (the Dad) is the founder and Chief Recipe Officer of New Dad's Kitchen. His own cooking/feeding journey started humbly during his son's infancy, preparing and managing his son's bottle intake in order to support his wife; it has since blossomed into a full-on passion to feed his child and family delicious and healthy meals that can satisfy both a toddler and his very tired parents.
