This easy Smoothie Bowl Recipe is a nutrient-packed breakfast that’s healthy, super delicious, and thick enough to customize with your favorite fruits and toppings. Next time you are craving a smoothie, put down the straw and pick up a spoon!
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Smoothie Bowl Recipe
- A More Satisfying Smoothie. This healthy smoothie bowl recipe is a different way to enjoy a smoothie. For me, thick smoothie bowls mentally feel more meal-like, plus I love the crunchy, colorful toppings.
- Easy Healthy Breakfast. Nutrient-dense smoothie bowls consist of a variety of fruits and vegetables, delivering vitamins and minerals in every bite. Like this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, you can add nut butters and protein powder to keep you full longer and make this smoothie bowl recipe a complete meal.
- Kid-Friendly. Smoothie bowls are a fun way for kids to get their fruits and vegetables! You can sneak in a handful of spinach, like in this Blueberry Spinach Smoothie, and they will have fun sprinkling on their own toppings.
- Adaptable for Special Diets. Made with whole ingredients, smoothie bowls can be vegan, and can also be dairy free based on the type of milk you choose. Additionally, they are gluten-free.
How to Make a Smoothie Bowl
The Ingredients
- Milk. I love the creaminess of unsweetened vanilla almond milk in my smoothies. Feel free to swap the almond milk for whatever “milk” you prefer. For a dairy-free version, stick to non-dairy milk such as cashew milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
- Spinach. If you don’t have spinach on hand, you can swap it for kale or another dark leafy green of your choice.
- Banana. Bananas work well in smoothies because they add substance, making them sweet and creamy.
- Berries. Mixed berries consist of a combination of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Use berries that are frozen, which will keep the smoothie thick and cold.
- Nut Butter. Almond, cashew, and peanut butter add healthy fats to a smoothie bowl recipe, making it extra satiating. To make this smoothie bowl nut free, you may use sunflower butter, or leave out the nut butter entirely, and leave off the nut toppings.
- Protein Powder. A scoop of vanilla protein powder will up the protein content, which can help with workout recovery, round out your smoothie bowl to a complete meal, and keep you full.
- Honey or Pure Maple Syrup. Optional, if you prefer your smoothie a bit sweeter.
Smoothie Bowl Topping Ideas:
- Fresh Banana Slices
- Fresh Berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries
- Granola, like my Healthy Granola or Gluten Free Granola
- Chia Seeds
- Almond Butter or Peanut Butter
- Chocolate Chips or Cacao Nibs
- Nuts and Seeds, such as pepitas, sunflower seeds, walnuts, or almonds
The Directions
- Get Started. Put milk, spinach, fruit, and nut butter in blender.
- Add Protein Powder. If you’re using it.
- Puree. Blend until smooth. Serve in bowl with desired toppings. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
The base for any smoothie bowl recipe is simply a thick smoothie, so you could tweak any of these smoothies with less liquid and more fruit to thicken them up to spoon-worthy consistency.
I give you all my tips and tricks, as well as a round up of our readers’ favorite smoothies here: Healthy Breakfast Smoothies – 20+ of the Best Filling Smoothie Recipes and Our Top Smoothie Tips.
Here are a few other flavor profiles and combinations I think would be tantalizing!
- Tropical. Smoothie base of banana, mango, and pineapple, topped with coconut flakes and granola.
- Peaches and Cream. Use my Peach Smoothie as a base (use less milk to make it thicker), and top with pecans and vanilla Greek yogurt.
- Super Food. Make a thicker Beet Smoothie for the smoothie bowl or use açaà and sprinkle chia seeds, pepitas, and blueberries on top. Hello, health!
- Apple Pie. With Apple Smoothie as the base, top your bowl with banana slices and a sprinkle of oats.
- Green. Start with my Apple Avocado Smoothie, Mango Green Smoothie, Green Smoothie, Kale Smoothie or Strawberry Spinach Smoothie as the base.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Adjust the Thickness. You can make a thicker smoothie bowl by adding more banana (or other frozen fruit), using less milk and/or adding Greek yogurt.
- Layer Smart. When using greens, place those in your blender right after adding the liquids. This will keep them closer to the blade, helping them break down fully. No one wants their smoothie to be part salad.
- Keep Frozen Banana on Hand. Have smoothie-ready frozen banana chunks on hand in your freezer! Peel and slice overly ripe bananas. Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate, then place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Transfer frozen banana slices to a freezer-safe, airtight container. Ziptop bags work great for this.
Smoothie Bowl Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Smoothie Bowl:
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- ½ large banana cut into chunks and frozen (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 tablespoon almond butter peanut butter, or nut butter of choice
- ½ to 1 scoop protein powder optional
- ½ to 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup optional
- High-powered blender such as a Vitamix
For Toppings (pick all or a few):
- Fresh banana slices
- Fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, and/or sliced strawberries
- 2 tablespoons granola
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- Drizzle almond butter or peanut butter
Instructions
- Place the smoothie bowl ingredients in a high-powered blender in the order listed: almond milk, spinach, banana, berries, almond butter, and protein powder (if using). Blend until smooth. The smoothie will be VERY thick. Stop to scrape down the blender a few times as needed and add a little more almond milk if it is completely stuck. Taste and if you would like the smoothie sweeter, add honey or pure maple syrup until your ideal taste is reached.
- Scrape into a serving bowl. Add your desired toppings. Enjoy immediately.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Smoothie bowls are best enjoyed freshly after blending for the best texture. However, if you do need to keep it for later, store smoothie bowls without the toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.Â
- TO FREEZE:Â Freeze smoothies in airtight, freezer-safe jars for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying, transfer to bowl and then add desired toppings.
Nutrition
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Does it tastes mostly of banana? We often avoid bananas in smoothies because of that.
Hi Jenn, I’d say no. The berries really shine through! Enjoy!