Next time you are craving a smoothie, put down the straw, pick up a bowl and spoon, and treat yourself to a satisfying breakfast or snack with this healthy Smoothie Bowl.
A smoothie bowl is a thick smoothie that is served in a bowl, finished with a variety of toppings, and enjoyed by the spoonful rather than sipped through a straw.
My smoothie bowl recipe is a flavorful combination, including mixed berries, banana, and spinach.
Vacation in a Bowl
Smoothie bowls are one of my favorite things to treat myself to on warm weather vacations (and practically a way of life in Cali!).
There’s a reason these are all the rage.
Like your avocado toast (I love this Bagel Egg in a Hole with Smashed Avocado version), the smoothie bowl is here to stay.
The great thing is smoothie bowls are not one of those dishes you get on vacation and find too difficult to recreate at home.
- When having them as a meal, like for breakfast, it mentally feels more satisfying to eat with a spoon rather than through a straw.
- They are customizable to your cravings, with endless flavor and topping combinations.
Bring the vacation to you (and save on costs!) by making your own smoothie bowl.
Why Smoothie Bowls Are Healthy
- Fruits and Veggies. Nutrient dense, smoothie bowls consist of a variety of fruits and vegetables, delivering numerous vitamins and minerals in every bite.
- Protein Packed. You can add nut butters and protein powder to your smoothie bowl to up the protein, keeping you full longer and rounding out the smoothie to a complete, satisfying 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.
- Naturally Sweetened. Without many added sweeteners (store-bought smoothies are often loaded with them!), smoothie bowls’ calories can be controlled.
Want to Go Green?
If greens are what you are after, I definitely have you covered in this smoothie bowl recipe, as well as numerous other healthy smoothie recipes on my site.
I have perfected the recipes so the leafy greens’ flavor is not distinguishable, delivering a sweet and satisfying smoothie, such as these:
How to Make a Smoothie Bowl
You know making a smoothie is easy, so why not try it in a bowl?
This green and berry smoothie bowl recipe is made of spinach, banana, mixed berries, nut butter, and milk, plus protein powder if you like.
After making your smoothie “base,” you will finish off your bowl with the fun part: toppings!
The Ingredients
- Milk. I love the creaminess of unsweetened vanilla almond milk in my smoothies.
- Spinach. Rich in a variety of vitamins, such as vitamin A, C, K, iron, and folate, spinach is a powerful smoothie addition. It also is high in fiber, helping with digestion and keeping you full longer.
TIP!
When using greens, place those in your blender first. This will keep them closer to the blade, helping them break down fully. No one wants their smoothie to be part salad.
- Banana. Bananas work well in smoothies because they add substance, making them sweet and creamy. Additionally, bananas are packed with potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C.
Tip!
Have smoothie-ready frozen banana chunks on hand in your freezer!
- Peel and slice overly ripe bananas. A riper banana = a sweeter banana, and thus a sweeter smoothie.
- Flash-freeze sliced bananas by laying 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.
- Berries. Mixed berries consist of a combination of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. Use berries that are frozen, which will keep the smoothie nice and cold. Berries are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.
- Nut Butter. Almond butter or peanut butter add healthy fats to the smoothie, making it extra satiating. Cashew butter would also be tasty.
- 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.
Top It Off (Pick All or a Few!)
Smoothie bowl toppings to try:
- Fresh banana slices
- Fresh berries, such as blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries
- Granola, like my Healthy Granola or Gluten Free Granola
- Chia seeds
- Drizzle of almond butter or peanut butter
- Chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- Nuts and seeds, such as pepitas, sunflower seeds, walnuts, or almonds
The Directions
- Put milk, spinach, fruit, and nut butter in blender.
- Add protein powder (if using).
- Blend until smooth. Serve in bowl with desired toppings. ENJOY!
Smoothie Bowl Ideas
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 thicker), and top with pecans and vanilla Greek yogurt.
- Super Food. Make a thicker Beet Smoothie for the smoothie bowl, 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.
Storage Tips
- 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.
- To Freeze. 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.
Meal Prep Tip
This recipe yields one smoothie bowl, but it can be multiplied for a household, or frozen in individual containers (I like pouring them into glass canning jars) for future single-servings of smoothie bowls on demand.
What to Serve with a Smoothie Bowl
Breakfast & Brunch
Pumpkin Oatmeal
Snacks
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Savory Breakfasts
Easy Kale Feta Egg Toast
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Blender. This blender is high power to get your smoothie extra smooth; it can handle nuts and greens no problem. This is a more economical option that also works great.
- Glass Jars. Glass canning jars making storing (and freezing!) smoothies for later easy.
Blender that Doesn’t Break the Bank
If you can’t spring for the gold-standard blender, Vitamix, this one will still do a great job blending up all your smoothies. Plus, it comes with a separate blade for travel cups and two cups, you don’t have to get your big blender dirty for making just one smoothie.
You will never tire of your smoothie game if you change it up with a smoothie bowl. See why these are all the rage and spoon one up today!
Frequently Asked Questions
For the same reason that sometimes you are in the mood for a spooning a bowl of ice cream drizzled with hot fudge and sprinkles versus a licking cone of ice cream, a smoothie bowl is just a different way to enjoy a healthy smoothie. For me, smoothie bowls mentally feel more meal-like, plus I love the crunchy toppings.
Not only are smoothies a great vehicle for getting a multitude of fruits and vegetables in one dish, but also a way to fill up on healthy proteins, fibers, and fats. While I am not a dietician, so you should speak with your doctor, smoothie bowls can help with weight loss because you will stay full longer, which can help curb potential unhealthy snacking.
You can make a thicker smoothie for serving as a smoothie bowl by adding more banana (or other frozen fruit), using less milk and/or adding Greek yogurt.
For the Smoothie Bowl:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- 1/2 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
- 1/2 to 1 scoop protein powder optional
- 1/2 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
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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.
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Scrape into a serving bowl. Add your desired toppings. Enjoy immediately.
- 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.
- TO FREEZE: 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.
Serving: 1 12-oz bowlCalories: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 6gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 1mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 8gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 2922IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 254mgIron: 2mg
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