Smoothie Bowl Recipe – 3 Ways

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Follow our step-by-step photos & video to learn how to make the best easy & healthy smoothie bowl recipe (3 varieties) with 5 ingredients in 5 minutes! Smoothie bowls make the best breakfast, brunch or snack, and you can save so much money making them at home! Paleo, dairy-free and vegan-friendly.

overhead photo of 3 smoothie bowls


This post is sponsored by my friends at Vitamix. As always, all opinions, recipes, photos and videos are my own! 

It’s safe to say that I am pretty much obsessed with smoothies. I drink a green smoothie every day, and have for over a decade. However, sometimes I like to mix it up, make them extra-thick and eat my smoothies – plus lots of yummy toppings – with a spoon , and that’s when I make 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. They have proclaimed that it tastes like ice cream, and have even enjoyed it as a sweet treat instead of dessert! 

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! 

front view of three smoothie bowls, one green one pink and one purple

Smoothie Bowl Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

Let’s chat about the ingredients in this smoothie bowl recipe, and then we’ll talk more specifically about the fruit used to make each variety! 

  • Frozen Fruit. The most important thing to note about these smoothie bowl recipes is that you must use frozen fruit to achieve the perfect consistency. 
  • Banana. If you don’t prefer bananas, you could try substituting another starchy food like avocado for creaminess, but you will need to add more honey/maple syrup to get the proper sweetness. 
  • 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! 
overhead view of the ingredients in this smoothie bowl recipe

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

If you’ve been around here for a while then you know I am fiercely loyal to my Vitamix blender. Especially when blending something as thick and creamy as a smoothie bowl, using a Vitamix blender is a must. No other blender on the market is its equal in both power and functionality.

Many people hesitate because they think a Vitamix is too pricey. But with the Explorian E310 costing $250-299 depending on sales/seasons, a Vitamix is an affordable blender worth the cost. And it LASTS! The model I have that is similar to the Explorian has been blending strong for 10 years now!

Check out my Vitamix buying guide to learn which blender is right for YOU. I have blended with the Ascent 3500 every for 4 years now. It’s my best friend in the kitchen and I couldn’t live without it! There are always great deals on reconditioned Ascent models as well, like the Reconditioned Ascent 3500 and the Ascent 2500

Add Frozen Fruit

To keep your smoothie bowl from turning into a smoothie, i.e. keep it thick and cold, be sure to use frozen fruit. 

Begin this smoothie bowl recipe by adding your frozen fruit of choice to the container of a Vitamix blender. In this example, for a pink smoothie bowl we used strawberries. I will discuss all the variations later on in the post! 

overhead photo showing how to make a smoothie bowl

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!

overhead photo showing how to make a smoothie bowl

Add almond milk & honey

Next, add 3 TBS almond milk (or your favorite dairy-free milk or regular milk).  I know it seems like a small amount, but it should be enough to make the perfect smoothie bowl. The small amount of liquid is what sets smoothies and smoothie bowls apart!

overhead photo showing how to make a smoothie bowl

Add 1-2 TBS 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 smoothie bowl recipe tastes the best with a little extra sweetness! 

overhead photo showing how to make a smoothie bowl

Blend

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. 

two photos showing how to make a smoothie bowl in a Vitamix blender

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 smoothie bowl 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
overhead photo showing how to make a smoothie bowl in a Vitamix blender

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 5 kids (yes, even my 1 year old loves it)! I personally think the most reasonable serving size for adults is 2!

overhead photo showing how to make a smoothie bowl in a Vitamix blender

What can I top my smoothie bowl with?

The topping options for this smoothie bowl recipe are seriously endless. Here are some of my suggestions!

overhead view of three smoothie bowls with toppings - one green one purple and one pink

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, use frozen strawberries or raspberries, or a combination of the two. You will need 10 oz, or about 2 1/2 cups of frozen fruit. 

overhead view of a strawberry smoothie bowl recipe

Acai Smoothie Bowl – Purple

For the acai purple smoothie bowl, use 10 oz 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. 

Overhead view of an acai smoothie bowl with toppings and a spoon taking a bite out of it

Green Smoothie Bowl

To make a green smoothie bowl use 10 oz frozen pineapple + 1 cup fresh spinach. You can also use 10 oz frozen mango (or a combination of pineapple and mango) for the fruit, and kale for the greens! 

overhead view of a green smoothie bowl

FAQs about Smoothie Bowls

Are smoothie bowls healthy?

Yes! Every variety of smoothie bowl in this post is healthy. They are loaded with fruits, greens and are naturally sweetened. Add-ins can add even more nutrition as well (protein, fiber, etc.)

How do you thicken a smoothie Bowl?

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.

Do you put ice in a smoothie Bowl?

I prefer not to use ice in my smoothie bowls, and instead use frozen ingredients to make it thick.

More healthy Breakfast Recipes: 

If you’re looking for more healthy breakfast inspiration, here are a few of our favorites!

overhead view of 3 smoothie bowls in a row

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!

Smoothie Bowl Recipe – 3 Ways

Laura
Follow our step-by-step photos & video to learn how to make the BEST easy & healthy smoothie bowl recipe (3 varieties) with 5 ingredients in 5 minutes! Smoothie bowls make the best breakfast, brunch or snack, and you can save so much money making them at home! Paleo, dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
5 from 4 votes
Course Breakfast, brunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 204.8
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients 
 

  • 10 oz frozen fruit (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 1 banana frozen
  • 3-4 TBS almond milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1-2 TBS honey or maple syrup optional
  • 1 cup greens optional

Optional add-ins/toppings:

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

Nutritional information: calculated using the acai smoothie bowl recipe with 1 TBS honey. 

To make different flavors/colors:

To make different variations of a smoothie bowl, follow the recommendations below for the 10 oz of frozen fruit. 
  • 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

Smoothie Bowl Recipe: Ingredient Substitutions

  • Frozen Fruit. The most important thing to note about these smoothie bowl recipes is that you must use frozen fruit to achieve the perfect consistency. Use 10 oz, or about 2 1/2 cups frozen fruit.
  • Banana. If you’re opposed to banana, you could try substituting another starchy food like avocado for creaminess, but you will need to add more honey/maple syrup to achieve the proper sweetness. 
  • 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! 

Smoothie bowl topping suggestions

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5recipe | Calories: 204.8kcal | Carbohydrates: 49.8g | Protein: 2.2g | Fat: 1.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 17.5mg | Potassium: 290.5mg | Fiber: 9.6g | Sugar: 32.9g | Vitamin A: 4.6IU | Vitamin C: 30.2mg | Calcium: 7.2mg | Iron: 9.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 




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3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    If I substituted acaia purée for the açaí powder, how much would I use? Thank you. Great recipes!