I am sharing a slightly different smoothie recipe today – a cayenne pepper smoothie!
Sometimes you need to spice up your life a little. And what better way to do it, than through your food?
There is something very unique about hot spices and food. It’s a strange feeling, borderline painful, but in a way enjoyable.
If you’ve never tried a spicy drink before, now it’s time that you do! You will love it, I promise.
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Cayenne Pepper Smoothie (Metabolism-Boosting)
A cayenne pepper smoothie recipe for you today. Sometimes you need to spice up your life a little. And what better way to do it, than through your food.
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup of frozen banana slices
- 1/2 cup of dairy-free milk (I used almond)
- 1/3 tsp of cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp of peanut butter
- 1/2 lemon – juiced
- 1 handful of spinach (washed)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients as described.
- To a blender, add the spinach, peanut butter, and pepper first, followed by the rest of the ingredients.
- Blend until completely smooth. For about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Notes
*For recipe notes, smoothie benefits, and more, scroll down!
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Smoothie
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie
- Calories: 221
- Sugar: 16.5g
- Fat: 9.7g
- Carbohydrates: 22.3g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 4g
Benefits of Cayenne Pepper Smoothie
What does cayenne pepper do in a smoothie?
Capsaicin can help your sinuses, and boost your metabolism and your immune system.
Cayenne pepper also helps with weight loss, thanks to its metabolism-boosting properties, but it’s also great against colds and flu.
Here’s a more in-depth overview of the benefits of a cayenne pepper smoothie:
- Supports Digestive Health: The smoothie overall aids digestion, and cayenne pepper in particular stimulates the digestive tract, increasing the flow of enzyme production and gastric juices, aiding the body’s ability to metabolize food.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Cayenne pepper has strong anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce pain and inflammation throughout the body.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Both cayenne pepper and the other ingredients used in the smoothie offer a robust dose of antioxidants, which can help combat free radicals and promote overall health.
- Enhances Nutrient Absorption: Cayenne pepper may help enhance the absorption of other nutrients in the body, thereby maximizing the benefits of other healthy ingredients used in the smoothie.
- Immune System Support: Cayenne pepper can strengthen the immune system with its rich vitamin content, including Vitamin C, making the body more resilient against illnesses.
- Energizing Effects: The smoothie provides a balanced source of energy, with cayenne pepper stimulating thermogenesis, giving a feeling of warmth and a boost of energy.
If this unique smoothie is to your liking, I think you will also love my cleansing lung drink and my liver detox smoothie recipe!
Smoothie Variations & Recipe Notes
Even though cayenne pepper has a strong taste, it blends well with many different ingredients.
This is why you can customize the smoothie easily should you want to.
Some variations I have personally tried and loved include:
- No Banana: For a low-sugar smoothie, use 1 large avocado instead of bananas.
- Nut-Free: Swap the peanut butter for either sun butter, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or oats.
- Chocolate: Have you ever had a spicy chocolate bar before? If you have and like it, you can do a similar thing here. Add a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder for a spicy chocolate smoothie!
- Protein Boost: Add 1/2 cup of yogurt for cooling effects and extra protein, alternatively, add a scoop of protein powder!
Equipment:
| Blender Type | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Nutribullet 600 | ✓ |
| Vitamix Blender Propel 510 | ✓ |
| BlendJet 4000mAh | ✓ |
| Ninja Blender BL610 | ✓ |
| Oster 6640 Blender | ✓ |
| Hamilton Beach 58148A Blender | ✓ |
| AMZChef Blender 1800 W | ✓ |
| Wamife Blender | ✓ |
The smoothie was compatible with all my blenders.
This means it’s likely to work with any blender or model.
If you have a different blender, and the recipe doesn’t work with it, do let me know, so I can add it to the list above!
Recipe FAQs:
How Much Cayenne Pepper to Put In a Smoothie?
There is generally no right amount of cayenne pepper you should be putting, because everybody is different, and have different taste and spice tolerance. But, I recommend that you start with a 1/4 tsp, and add more from there. Taste as you go and identify how much is your perfect amount. I personally always go for a 1/3 teaspoon per smoothie serving. This amount works great for me.
Is It Necessary To Use Frozen Banana?
Using frozen banana helps give the smoothie a creamy texture and cold temperature. However, you can use a fresh banana and add a few ice cubes if frozen banana is not available.
How Can I Make This Smoothie Sweeter?
If you find the smoothie not sweet enough, you can add a bit more banana, a teaspoon of honey, or maple syrup to adjust the sweetness to your liking.
How Long Does This Smoothie Stay Fresh After Making It?
For the best taste and nutrient retention, I recommend that you drink the smoothie immediately after blending. However, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake well before drinking if it has settled or separated.