Smoothie Bowls (3 Ways)

I know I’m the last person on the planet to jump on the “smoothie bowls” train. Better late than never, right?! I’ve always sipped my smoothies out of a boring, old cup; until last year when I started seeing everyone with these beautiful bowls full of colorful smoothies and toppings. I wondered what all the fuss was about, but now I get it.

I love whipping up a quick shake for breakfast or even for lunch when I’m swamped with work, but sometimes I just need to CHEW something. Something with texture. Something with crunch. That’s when a smoothie bowl recipe comes in handy… it’s the same nutritious, delicious blended mix you’ve always had, just made extra thick, poured into a big bowl, topped with whatever yummy toppings your heart desires, and eaten with a spoon. So good!

I’ve made all three of these smoothie bowls and they are excellent. I make one of the three once a week or so and it always comes out great. Thanks for the great recipes!

— Chris

Why you’ll love these recipes

• Packed with flavor. Not only are these gorgeous to look at but they’re absolutely incredible to eat! They taste so good, you’re going to be blending one up often.
• Quick & easy. All you need is 5 minutes and a blender to have a cold, creamy, satisfying breakfast, lunch or snack!
• Loaded with nutrition. These include plenty of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Depending on the ingredients you choose, they are low in calories and fat, and make for a weight loss-friendly meal to add to your diet.
• Versatile. We are sharing three flavor options, here! Plus, you can easily change up the ingredients based on personal preference. And topping options are endless, so get creative and add whatever you’re craving. You can also easily make these gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan!

Ingredients needed

The ingredients used to make smoothie bowl recipes vary, but the base is typically always frozen fruit (and sometimes veggies!). Here are the main ingredients you’ll need:

• Frozen Fruit. Frozen fruit gives your smoothie bowls a nice thick, creamy texture without being too icy. You won’t need to add ice cubes, which can dilute the mixture and make it watery.
• Liquid. We like to use a non-dairy milk, like almond milk, cashew milk or oat milk. Coconut milk is another great option, especially if you’re going for a tropical flavor. Coconut water will also work, although it’s not as rich, and you can use dairy milk if you’d like.
• Toppings. The toppings is where you can add lots of great texture and even more nutrition. Chia seeds, hemp seeds, nuts and coconut flakes all add a boost of healthy fats. Sliced fruit, berries and granola are also favorite additions.

How to make these recipes

Smoothie bowls are very quick and easy to make, and best of all, they’re filled with good-for-you foods! Let’s break down each one of the 3 varieties:

Green Smoothie Bowl

1. Add frozen banana slices, frozen pineapple or mango chunks, spinach, milk and optional seeds or ground flax together in a blender. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth.
2. Taste and add sweetener of choice, as desired.
3. Transfer from the blender and into a bowl. Add your choice of toppings – fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, nut butter and/or granola.

Tropical

1. Add frozen banana slices, frozen pineapple or mango chunks, coconut milk or coconut water, and optional seeds or ground flax together in a blender. Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is completely smooth.
2. Taste and add sweetener of choice, as desired.
3. Pour from the blender and into a bowl. Sprinkle on your choice of toppings – fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, nut butter and/or granola.

Expert tips

• Use a high-powered blender. The easiest way to make a super creamy, well-blended smoothie or protein shake is by using a high-powered blender (think Blendtec, Vitamix, or Ninja) to break down all of the ingredients.
• Use frozen fruit. Using frozen fruit is best, as it helps keep the smoothie cold and thick. Ice can water down the flavor and often doesn’t blend as well, so it’s best to skip it unless absolutely necessary.
• To blend. Start with the blender on low speed, then gradually increase to high speed. This will help fully blend and incorporate all ingredients really well. End with the blender on low speed.
• Add more liquid. Don’t be afraid to add more milk, if your smoothie is too thick or won’t fully blend, especially if you’re adding more mix-ins. Stop the blender as needed to scrape down the sides. If it is too thick or not blending well, add 1 tablespoon of liquid at a time until desired consistency is reached. 
• Add more frozen fruit or vegetables. If it’s not thick enough for your liking, consider adding a bit more frozen fruit or even up to about 3/4 cup frozen cauliflower (you won’t be able to taste it!). Smoothie bowls should be EXTRA thick, so you can easily enjoy them with a spoon rather than a straw.

Frequently asked questions

Customize this recipe

Experiment with ingredients to make this your own! Here are some suggestions:

• Sweeten it up. If these are not perfectly sweet to your liking, you can add a 1/2 tablespoon of honey, pure maple syrup, a bit of stevia, or a Medjool date.
• Add greens. If you’re looking to get more greens in your diet, try adding a handful or two of baby spinach or kale leaves even to the berry and tropical recipes. It will change the color, but you won’t be able to taste the greens.
• Different fruit. Feel free to sub the fruit in any of these recipes. We love blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, mango, cherries, pineapple, peaches, and even avocado. Just be sure to use frozen fruit for the best results.
• Add an extra boost of nutrition. Try adding in a serving of protein powder, flax seed, hemp seeds, almond butter, peanut butter or oats.

Topping ideas

This is the fun part and the options are truly endless here! Here are some of our go-to toppings:

• Fresh banana. Slices of fresh bananas on top are great for added sweetness.
• Fruit. We love using a combination of different types of fresh fruit as a topping. Anything from strawberries to sliced kiwi or apples are great! You can also do freeze dried fruit or dried fruit like raisins, cranberries or chopped dates.
• Granola. Want to add some texture and crunch to your smoothie bowl? Add crispy, crunchy granola or cereal on top!
• Nut butter. A drizzle of nut butter over the top adds flavor and healthy fats.
• Chia seeds. Love a sprinkle of chia seeds or hemp seeds to add in healthy fats, fiber and texture.
• Coconut. Toasted coconut or shredded coconut provides added sweetness and crunch!
• Chocolate. Make this more of a dessert and add some chocolate chips or melted chocolate drizzled on top.

Make ahead option

We find that the texture of the smoothie bowls are best, if served immediately. However, if you’re looking to make them in advance for meal prep purposes, you can blend up the fruit mixture and store it in small containers in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy, let the smoothie mixture partially thaw, give it a stir (or break it up using the blender) and you’ll be ready to eat.

If you try any of these healthy smoothie bowls, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves them as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.