Add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender. Start with 1¼ cups of vanilla almond milk. The milk should cover the bottom of the blender to help everything mix smoothly.
Next, toss in the frozen strawberries and banana. The frozen fruits will chill the smoothie and give it a perfectly creamy texture.
Now, add the protein powder and peanut butter. Make sure you scoop out every last bit of peanut butter for maximum flavor.
Sprinkle in the vanilla extract for that aromatic hint of sweetness, and if you want, add a drizzle of maple syrup or your favorite sweetener.
Secure the lid on your blender tightly, and start blending on high speed. Keep an eye on the texture and consistency as you go. You may need to add more almond milk if it’s too thick.
Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. You want it to be a beautiful pink color without any lumps!
Once blended, taste your smoothie. If you want more sweetness, feel free to add additional sweetener and blend again for a few seconds.
Pour the smoothie into a tall glass, and take a moment to admire the vibrant color. You can garnish with a few slices of strawberries or a dollop of peanut butter on top if you like.
Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture. This smoothie is best fresh, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for a day.