Banana Hemp Protein Smoothie (Easy Vegan, No Whey)
This banana hemp protein smoothie blends ripe banana, hemp protein powder, and plant milk into a creamy, gently nutty breakfast that is high in plant protein and ready in 5 minutes – no whey, no chalky aftertaste, just real food.
This is my everyday breakfast smoothie, the one I reach for on mornings when I want proper staying power from something plant-based that does not sit heavy. Hemp protein is the reason: it is a complete plant protein that is gentle on the stomach, without the bloat some powders bring. If you are after a bigger pre- or post-gym hit, my intense workout smoothie is built for that; this one is lighter, hemp-forward, and made to start an ordinary day. Freeze the banana the night before and it blends up thick and milkshake-cold.
Why hemp protein powder
Hemp protein powder is simply the protein pressed and milled from hemp seeds, and it earns its place in a smoothie for a few reasons. It is a complete protein, with all nine essential amino acids, which is rare for a plant source. It comes with fiber that most isolated powders strip out, plus the omega-3 and omega-6 fats hemp is known for. And it is dairy-free and easy to digest, so it does not leave you heavy the way whey sometimes can. The trade-off is flavour: hemp has an earthy, green taste of its own, which is exactly what the banana is here to fix.
Taming the earthy taste
On its own, hemp powder tastes grassy and a little bitter, and that is what puts people off it. The fix is easy. A properly ripe banana and a spoon of nut butter smooth it into something creamy and sweet, a pinch of cinnamon warms it, and a spoon of cacao or a couple of soft dates will hide the hemp almost completely if you are sensitive to it. Start with a smaller amount of powder and build up as you get used to the taste, and always blend for a good minute so nothing stays gritty.
Hemp protein powder or hemp seeds
You can make this with either. Hemp protein powder gives the biggest protein hit and thickens the smoothie more, so add a little extra plant milk to loosen it. Whole hemp seeds, also sold as hemp hearts, are a whole food with more of those healthy fats and a milder, nuttier taste, and they blend perfectly smooth. I use the powder when I want the protein to do the heavy lifting, and the seeds when I want a gentler, whole-food version.
How to make it, and make it yours
The method could not be simpler: blend a frozen banana with hemp protein powder, plant milk, and a spoon of nut butter until completely smooth, then taste and adjust the sweetness. From there it is yours to play with. A spoon of cacao turns it into a chocolate protein smoothie, oats or chia add fiber and body, a handful of spinach disappears into it for extra greens, and a soft date sweetens it without any sugar. To get ahead, freeze banana chunks in portions or build grab-and-blend smoothie bags for the freezer.
For a heavier pre- or post-workout version, see my intense workout high protein smoothie with rice protein and dates; for more plant protein, browse these high-protein vegan meals or snack on carob hemp truffles.
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Banana Hemp Protein Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
- Glass
Ingredients
- 1 banana ripe, frozen for a thicker smoothie
- 3 tbsp hemp protein powder or 3 tbsp hemp seeds (hemp hearts)
- 1 cup plant milk
- 1 tbsp nut butter
- 1 tsp maple syrup optional
- pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Add the banana, hemp protein powder, plant milk, nut butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon to a blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add more plant milk for a thinner smoothie or use a frozen banana for a thicker one.
- Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Hemp protein powder is the protein pressed and milled from hemp seeds. It is a plant-based protein with a complete amino acid profile, plus fiber and omega fats, and no dairy.
Yes. Hemp contains all nine essential amino acids, so both hemp protein powder and whole hemp seeds count as a complete plant protein.
Hemp powder has an earthy, slightly grassy taste on its own, but ripe banana, nut butter, and a pinch of cinnamon or a spoon of cacao round it out, so you mostly taste a creamy, nutty smoothie.
Powder gives the biggest protein hit and thickens more, so add a little extra liquid. Hemp seeds (hemp hearts) are a whole food with more healthy fats and a milder taste. Either works.
Yes. Banana gives carbs and natural sweetness, hemp adds complete protein and fiber, and nut butter adds staying power, so it keeps you full through the morning. For a heavier pre- or post-workout drink, try the intense workout smoothie.
Yes. Made with banana, hemp, and plant milk, it is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Use maple syrup rather than honey if you add a sweetener.
