Smoothie Bowl Recipe – 3 Ways
Posted Mar 08, 2020, Updated Apr 23, 2024
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Learn how to make the best smoothie bowl recipe with 5 ingredients in 5 minutes! Homemade smoothie bowls are a nutritious breakfast, brunch or snack, and cost less than smoothie shops!
I adore smoothies so much that I drink a green smoothie every day! However, sometimes I am in the mood for something a little different, and I opt for this smoothie bowl recipe!
I can’t always talk my kids into drinking a smoothie, but they will always grab a spoon and dig into one of these smoothie bowls – with lots of yummy toppings of course! They think I’m feeding them a fancy bowl of sorbet – for breakfast!
In this post I’ll show you how to make a smoothie bowl (using the strawberry version as an example), and then explain how to make three different color/flavor varieties – purple, green and pink!
Smoothie Bowl Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Frozen Fruit. Choose your favorite frozen berries/fruit. The fruit must be frozen to achieve the proper thickness and consistency.
- Banana. If you don’t prefer bananas, you use another starchy food like avocado for creaminess, you will need to add more honey if you make this substitution.
- Almond milk. Any non-dairy milk works excellently in this recipe. I love using coconut milk for a tropical flavor. You can also use regular dairy milk.
- Vanilla extract. I think the vanilla extract takes these smoothie bowls from good to great. That little extra flavor is just perfect.
How to Make a Smoothie Bowl
There are a few important tips to remember when you’re making this smoothie bowl recipe. Don’t forget to watch the video to see exactly how each variety is made!
Use a Vitamix
For the creamiest, coldest, thickest smoothie bowls I suggest using a Vitamix – no other blender compares. Check out my Vitamix Buying Guide!
Begin by adding your frozen fruit of choice to the container of a Vitamix blender. In this example, for a pink smoothie bowl I used strawberries. I will discuss all the variations later on in the post.
Next, add the frozen banana. I recommend chopping it into smaller pieces (as pictured below) for quicker and easier blending. Remember, it must be frozen for the best texture.
Next, add 3 Tablespoons almond milk. I know it seems like a small amount, but it should be enough to make the perfect smoothie bowl.
Then, add the honey depending on your desired sweetness level. For a vegan version use maple syrup. You could omit the sweetener all together, but I find this recipe tastes the best with a little extra sweetness.
Blend
Once you have all the ingredients in the blending container, blend, starting on low and increasing to high, using the tamper to vigorously press the ingredients down into the blades.
I cannot stress enough how important the tamper is in this smoothie bowl recipe. As you can see in the video, I use the tamper the entire time I am blending.
Scrape Down Sides, Blend Again
It is very important to pause, turn off the blender, use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the container and push the ingredients down into the blades once the mixture reaches a chunky texture as pictured below. This helps combine all the ingredients without over-blending.
Secure the lid and continue blending, using the tamper to vigorously press the ingredients down into the blades, until the mixture is smooth and thick.
Add-ins.
If you are going to put some add-ins into this smoothie bowl recipe, now is the time. Some possible add-ins are:
- Chia seeds
- Protein powder
- Nut butter
- Acai powder
Serve
Once the smoothie bowl reaches a smooth and thick consistency, pour it into one to four bowls and enjoy! The size of your servings will depend on how many people you are feeding and how hungry they are!
I could eat this entire recipe in one sitting, however I usually share it with my kids. I personally think the most reasonable serving size is for two adults.
Smoothie Bowl Toppings
The topping options for this smoothie bowl recipe are seriously endless. Here are some of my suggestions!
- Granola. Make your own healthy homemade granola or peanut butter granola, or buy your favorite store-bought variety!
- Nut Butter. I love adding a swirl of nut butter on top for extra fat, protein and flavor! (Try this homemade peanut butter).
- Fresh fruit. Top your smoothie bowl with your favorite fresh fruit: berries, bananas, etc.
- Nuts. Add cashews, sliced almonds, or make some homemade cinnamon sugar pecans and sprinkle some on top!
- Seeds. Sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds (or some cinnamon sugar roasted pumpkin seeds), are all great additions to any smoothie bowl!
- Flaked coconut. Use an unsweetened variety!
Smoothie Bowl Recipes – 3 ways
Since we all love to mix things up, I created three different varieties of smoothie bowl recipes for you! My kids each had a different favorite, and I love them all!
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl – Pink
To make a pink smoothie bowl (a fan favorite for my 4 daughters), use frozen strawberries or raspberries, or a combination of the two. You will need 10 ounces, or about 2 ½ cups of frozen fruit.
Acai Smoothie Bowl – Purple
For the acai purple smoothie bowl, use 10 ounces frozen mixed berries + ½ tsp acai powder. Be sure to use a berry medley that contains blackberries, blueberries and other berries. You could use half a berry medley and half frozen blueberries also. Do not use all blueberries, as I find doing so creates a mealy texture.
Green Smoothie Bowl
To make a green smoothie bowl use 10 ounces frozen pineapple + 1 cup fresh spinach. You can also use 10 ounces frozen mango (or a combination of pineapple and mango) for the fruit, and kale for the greens!
Smoothie Bowl Recipe FAQs
Yes! They are loaded with fruits, greens and are naturally sweetened. Add-ins can add even more nutrition as well (protein, fiber, etc.)
Use frozen ingredients and do not over-blend. Scraping down the sides and blending for short time periods is the best way to ensure that your smoothie bowl will stay thick. Also make sure not to add too much liquid.
I prefer not to use ice, instead I suggest using frozen ingredients to make it thick.
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Smoothie Bowl Recipe – 3 Ways
Ingredients
- 10 ounces frozen fruit (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1 banana frozen
- 3-4 Tablespoons almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tablespoons honey (optional)
- 1 cup greens (optional)
Add ins/Toppings
- Chia seeds
- Protein powder
- Nut butter
- Acai powder
- Fresh Fruit
Instructions
- Place ingredients in the order listed in the container of a Vitamix blender (or another high-powered blender).
- Blend, starting on low and increasing to high, using the tamper to vigorously press the ingredients down into the blades.
- After about 50 seconds, pause, turn off the blender, use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the container and push the ingredients down into the blades.
- Secure the lid and continue blending, using the tamper to vigorously press the ingredients down into the blades, until the mixture is smooth and thick.
- Serve immediately into 2-4 bows and top with your favorite toppings (granola, flaked coconut, chia seeds, fruit, etc.).
Video
Notes
- Pink: 10 oz strawberries, raspberries or a mixture of the two.
- Purple: 10 oz mixed berries + ½ tsp acai powder.
- Green: 10 oz pineapple, mango or a combination of the two + 1 cup fresh spinach
- Yellow: 10 oz pineapple
- Orange: 10 oz mango, or mango + orange citrus fruits
- Frozen Fruit. Choose your favorite frozen berries/fruit. The fruit must be frozen to achieve the proper thickness and consistency.
- Banana. If you don’t prefer bananas, you use another starchy food like avocado for creaminess, you will need to add more honey if you make this substitution.
- Almond milk. Any non-dairy milk works excellently in this recipe. I love using coconut milk for a tropical flavor. You can also use regular dairy milk.
- Granola. Make your own healthy homemade granola or peanut butter granola, or buy your favorite store-bought variety!
- Nut Butter. I love adding a swirl of nut butter on top for extra fat, protein and flavor! Make your own homemade peanut butter, vanilla almond butter, honey peanut butter or use your favorite store-bought variety!
- Fresh fruit. Top your smoothie bowl with your favorite fresh fruit: berries, bananas, etc.
- Nuts. Add cashews, sliced almonds, or make some homemade cinnamon sugar pecans and sprinkle some on top!
- Seeds. Sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds (or some cinnamon sugar roasted pumpkin seeds), are all great additions to any smoothie bowl!
- Flaked coconut. Use an unsweetened variety!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can these be stored if not eaten right away. And if so what is that best way to do that.
Love chia seeds. Do you have other recommendations to add for the smoothie bowl recipe
If I substituted acaia purée for the açaí powder, how much would I use? Thank you. Great recipes!