Best Smoothie Bowl Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Mar 08, 2020, Updated Apr 23, 2024

5 from 4 votes

3 Comments

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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!

Best Smoothie Bowl Recipe (2)

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 willalways 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!

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Smoothie Bowl Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

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  • 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 togreat. That little extra flavor is just perfect.
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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.

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Next, add the frozen banana. I recommend chopping it into smaller pieces (as pictured below) for quicker and easier blending. Remember, it must befrozen for the best texture.

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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.

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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.

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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 theentire time I am blending.

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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
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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.

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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!
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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.

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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.

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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!

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Smoothie Bowl Recipe FAQs

Are smoothie bowls healthy?

Yes! 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, instead I suggest using frozen ingredients to make it thick.

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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!

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Smoothie Bowl Recipe – 3 Ways

Laura

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!

5 from 4 votes

Course Breakfast, brunch, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 2 servings

Calories 204.8

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Total Time5 minutes minutes

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

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 Tablespoon honey.

Flavors

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.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.

Smoothie Bowl Toppings

  • 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

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!

try these Smoothie recipes

Best Healthy Smoothie Recipes

Best Green Smoothie Recipe

Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Healthy Mango Smoothie Recipe

Protein Smoothie

Homemade Acai Bowl Recipe

Best Smoothie Bowl Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes a smoothie bowl thick? ›

No ice: If you don't have ice, you can use frozen fruit, oats, chia seeds, yogurt, or nuts and nut butter to thicken your smoothie. No frozen fruit: Add a scoop of raw oats or chia seeds into the blender instead. No yogurt: You can swap yogurt with nut butter to thicken a smoothie.

Are smoothie bowls healthy? ›

Large amounts of nuts, seeds, peanut butter and avocado can also jack up the fat content — healthy fat, but excessive nonetheless. Bottom Line: There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While smoothie bowls can be inherently healthy, be careful not to overdo it with large portions and high-calorie ingredients.

What's the difference between a smoothie bowl and an acai bowl? ›

Smoothie bowls have a creamier texture, whereas acai bowls are thicker and more like soft-serve ice cream, because of the addition of frozen acai berries. When deciding between the two, consider your texture preferences, such as smooth and creamy or thicker and more indulgent.

Does ice thicken a smoothie bowl? ›

Standard ice cubes are great for adding thickness to smoothies but bear in mind you will need a powerful enough blender to crush the ice (more on this later). For the cleanest flavor also try and avoid adding tap water ice cubes if possible. Opt for cubes made from purified, filtered water instead.

Why do my smoothie bowls melt so fast? ›

When your smoothie bowl base is ready, you should be ready with toppings immediately. Any delay in getting toppings can cause your smoothie bowl to melt and get unnecessarily watery and melty.

Why are smoothie bowls not filling? ›

To feel full with smoothies, you'll want to add in:

a good source of healthy fat. a good source of carbohydrates. a good source of protein.

Are smoothies good for losing weight? ›

Meal Replacement Shakes/Smoothies

Research has found that in outpatient medically-monitored programs, meal replacements in liquid form, such as protein-fruit-vegetable shakes, are beneficial for weight loss. They are quick and simple and may replace a true junk food breakfast.

Why do people use coconut bowls for smoothie bowls? ›

Coconut Bowls were born from a desire to reduce waste and the devastating impact of single-use plastics on our environment. They are reusable, biodegradable, and totally natural, meaning that they won't pile up in landfill, pollute our oceans, or harm our wildlife.

Is it OK to put raw oats in a smoothie? ›

If you are using rolled or instant oats, then, yes, it is OK to put raw oats in your smoothie. These types of oat have been pre-cooked already via light steaming and toasting. On the other hand, whole oats need to be cooked for 20-30 minutes first before adding them unless you want hard bits of oats in your drink.

What is a Superfood smoothie bowl called? ›

This superfood acai bowl is about to make all your breakfast dessert dreams come true, and it's low in sugar and totally healthy! So you can feel good about enjoying this all summer long if you want to, and get creative with the toppings as well.

Is a smoothie bowl just sorbet? ›

If you're not familiar with what it is, it's basically just as the name states – a smoothie in a bowl. The smoothie is usually made much thicker ( more of a sorbet consistency ) and is topped with a variety of toppings.

What's healthier, oatmeal or acai bowl? ›

While acai bowls have a lot of good things inside them, their typical sky-high sugar total cannot be overlooked. Other dishes, such as steel-cut oats topped with fresh fruit, offer similar nutrients without the startling amount of sugar.

Do chia seeds make smoothies thicker? ›

Chia Seeds

Adding a spoonful or two of organic chia seeds to a smoothie will thicken it substantially within 10-15 minutes, but if you're looking for immediate results, simply add in chia gel or pre-soaked chia seeds.

How to get the right consistency for smoothie bowl? ›

Using ONLY frozen fruit and veg. It's the magic key to an extra thick, smooth and creamy smoothie bowl with the perfect soft serve ice cream consistency. You can make hundreds of great thick bowls using various flavor combinations and creative toppings for a nutritious and delicious breakfast, snack or healthy dessert!

What makes a smoothie too thick? ›

On gelling: If your smoothie is gelling, perhaps you added chia or flax seeds too far in advance. Blueberries, which are very high in natural pectin, are also a culprit of jelly-like smoothies. A re-blend with a little bit of ice and some creamy liquid (if appropriate for the flavor profiles) will likely do the trick.

How to thicken an acai bowl? ›

To achieve that desirable thickness in your acai bowl, consider using frozen bananas. This not only adds creaminess but also maintains the right consistency. Additionally, be mindful not to add too much liquid, as this can make your bowl watery. Avoid over-blending for a thicker result.

How to thicken a smoothie without adding calories? ›

Xanthan Gum a simple way to thicken your smoothie without adding unnecessary calories, fat, carbohydrates, etc. So what is Xanthan Gum? It is made from a tiny microorganism called Xanthom*onas campestris and is a natural carbohydrate.

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