Healthy Smoothie Bowl (2024)

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The perfect healthy breakfast all in one – smoothie bowls! A healthy smoothie bowl recipe made with frozen berries, banana and delicious toppings. A smoothie bowl recipe that’s thick, creamy and eaten with a spoon.

Healthy Smoothie Bowl (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why Eat Smoothie Bowls?
  • Ingredients in Smoothie Bowls
  • Let’s Chat Toppings!
  • Making Smoothie Bowls Thicker
  • More Smoothie + Smoothie Bowl Recipes:
  • Healthy Smoothie Bowl Recipe

Why Eat Smoothie Bowls?

Aside from being packed full of delicious and healthy ingredients, smoothie bowls are the perfect compromise for breakfast or snack lovers who prefer to eat their smoothies with a spoon.

They’re also a great way to sneak in hidden veggies and the perfect vehicle for delicious toppings like granola, almonds, chia seeds or nut butter.

Ingredients in Smoothie Bowls

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to smoothie bowl recipes. Mixing and matching is the perfect way to find your unique smoothie bowl recipe. These are the primary ingredients I use to make my ultimate smoothie bowl recipes:

  • Frozen Banana– I highly recommend using frozen banana when making a smoothie bowl. It makes your smoothie thicker so it’s easier to eat with a spoon. It also adds natural sweetness.
  • Frozen Berries – Choose from strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or mixed berries. You can also omit berries for other frozen fruit such as mango, peach or pineapple
  • Protein Powder– A great source of protein, this helps to give your smoothie bowl some staying power so you’re not hungry again an hour later. Pick a flavor you prefer like vanilla or chocolate. You can use vegan or plant-based protein powder or a whey protein powder. I like the ritual protein powder.
  • Nut Butter or Healthy Fats – I like to use either peanut butter or almond butter (plus more on top!) but you can also use seed butter if allergic to nuts or even avocado for a non-nut or seed fat.
  • Almond Milk – You can also use a different non-dairy milk or dairy milk. This is the base liquid that will help to blend your smoothie together
  • Veggies – these are entirely optional but you can add in hidden veggies like spinach, kale or steamed and frozen cauliflower for a nutritional boost that still tastes like dessert.
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The real MVP of smoothie recipes has to be the toppings. You can really get creative with your toppings based on your preferences. Here are my favorite toppings:

Let’s Chat Toppings!

  • Granola – you really can’t go wrong with granola on your smoothie bowls. I love this apple cinnamon granola or this almond cranberry granola but you can also use store-bought.
  • Fresh fruit – banana slices, fresh berries or whatever fresh fruit you have on hand
  • Nuts/Nut Butter – Top with chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans or coconut flakes. You could also drizzle with nut butter like almond butter or peanut butter. If you’re allergic to nuts, pumpkin seeds are delicious and a great source of nutrition.
  • Seeds – In addition to nuts (or instead of nuts), seeds are a delicious topping. Chia seeds or flaxseed are great sources of fiber and antioxidants. Hemp seeds are a fantastic option too.
  • Sweetener – I personally find this smoothie bowl recipe sweet enough but if you’d like to add more sweetness I recommend using a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
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Making Smoothie Bowls Thicker

They key to making a delicious smoothie bowl is to ensure it is thick enough to eat with a spoon. Texture is everything. Here are my go-to tips for making your smoothie recipes thicker:

Use frozen fruit – Make sure your bananas and berries are frozen. Frozen fruit will keep your smoothie thick.

Use protein powder – almost all protein powder will help to thicken your smoothie.

Chia seeds – chia seeds absorb liquid so adding a tablespoon will help to thicken up your smoothie.

Reduce liquid – Try to not use more than a 1/4 cup of almond milk or other liquid. If you use too much your smoothie bowl will be too soupy and difficult to eat with a spoon.

Try avocado – Add chunks of avocado (frozen is even better!) to thicken your smoothie.

Note: some people recommend using xanthan gum to thicken your smoothie. I personally don’t use it but if you happen to have some on hand and want to try it out start with a 1/2 tsp and gradually increase if desired.

More Smoothie + Smoothie Bowl Recipes:

  • Blueberry Green Smoothie Bowl
  • Matcha Mint Coconut Smoothie Bowl
  • Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowl
  • Tahini Date and Cinnamon Smoothie
  • Almond Chai Green Smoothie
  • Post-Workout Recovery Smoothie
  • Black Forest Protein Smoothie

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Healthy Smoothie Bowl

Healthy Smoothie Bowl (4)

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5 from 2 reviews

The perfect healthy breakfast all in one – smoothie bowls! A healthy smoothie bowl recipe made with frozen berries, banana and delicious toppings. A smoothie bowl recipe that’s thick, creamy and eaten with a spoon.

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Blend
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or mixed berries)
  • 1 scoop (30 grams) protein powder
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 12 tsp nut butter (or use seed butter or 12 tsp of chia seeds)

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. If smoothie not coming together add almond milk (or other liquid) 1 tbsp at a time until smooth.
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Meet the Maven

Hi! I'm Davida and welcome to my corner of the internet. I'm a wellness blogger, yoga teacher, certified herbalist, and green beauty lover.

Read more about me

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Healthy Smoothie Bowl (2024)

FAQs

Can smoothie bowls be healthy? ›

Firstly, let's make it known that a smoothie bowl IS a whole meal - not just a drink to have alongside a meal. Just like a lot of other meals, smoothie bowls can be amazingly nutritious, or nutritionally lacking - it really depends on the ingredients used!

What is the healthiest thing to put in a smoothie? ›

What should I put in a smoothie?
  • Protein, such as a commercial protein powder, Greek yogurt (which is higher in protein than regular yogurt) or nut butters.
  • Fruit, including berries, mango, bananas and avocado.
  • Greens, such as spinach or kale.
  • A liquid base such as dairy or plant-based milk, water or fruit juice.

Are protein smoothie bowls good for weight loss? ›

Smoothie bowls may be an advantageous addition to your diet if you're attempting to lose weight. These protein-packed meals make you feel full since they are high in protein and fiber, which may motivate you to consume fewer calories and forgo between-meal snacking.

How do you thicken a smoothie for a smoothie bowl? ›

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 acai bowls actually healthy? ›

Though the nutrient profile varies depending on the ingredients used, most acai bowls are high in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, manganese, and potassium.

Can you eat acai everyday? ›

Yes, you can incorporate acai into your daily diet. However, it's important to maintain a balanced diet and consume a variety of foods to ensure you get a wide range of nutrients. Acai can be enjoyed in different forms, such as acai bowls, smoothies, or added to other recipes.

What not to put in healthy smoothies? ›

7 Ingredients You Should Never Add to Your Weight Loss Smoothie
  1. Fruit Juice. Arguably the most common mistake people make when preparing smoothies is adding fruit juice. ...
  2. Flavored Yogurt. ...
  3. Highly Processed Protein Powders. ...
  4. Milk. ...
  5. Super Sweet Fruits. ...
  6. Added Sweeteners. ...
  7. Too Many Healthy Fats.

What fruits should not be mixed in smoothies? ›

For those who want to consume smoothies with bananas, or other high PPO activity fruits and vegetables such as beet greens, the suggestion is to not combine them with flavanol-rich fruits such as berries, grapes and cocoa.

Can I eat smoothie bowls everyday? ›

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.

Are smoothie bowls healthier than smoothies? ›

Smoothie bowls are generally more nutrient dense compared to smoothies, and are thick enough to eat with a spoon rather than consumed through a straw. Smoothie bowls often incorporate frozen fruits, veggies, juices or milk, ice and even butters like peanut butter or almond butter for added protein.

Can you put raw chia seeds in a smoothie? ›

Aside from the health benefits you get, chia seeds in smoothies make drinking a healthy smoothie fun. It is also gluten-free, so it is good for the extra-health conscious. No need to worry too with the costs since a single two-pound pack of chia seeds costs roughly $15.

Do chia seeds thicken smoothies? ›

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.

Are smoothie bowls healthy for weight loss? ›

Bigger portions and more ingredient options can add up to a bowl full of calorie overload. Since many smoothie-bowl recipes call for three or four pieces of fruit plus generous amounts of liquid and toppings, you're dealing with a high volume of sugar and calories — sometimes 1,000 calories or more!

What are 5 health benefits of smoothie bowls? ›

As smoothie bowls are rich in fibre and natural sugars, it allows better digestion, improves satiety, and allows better absorption of all nutrients. It also improves bowel movements, prevents infections, boosts immunity as well as maintains a healthy heart and improves the quality of life.

Are smoothie bowls a good meal replacement? ›

You don't need to confine your smoothie bowl to breakfast. “You can have a smoothie bowl as a pre-workout or post-workout meal by adding protein powder or whey protein.” But you can't use this as a meal replacement for lunch or dinner. “Have it as dessert post dinner but the quantity will be much smaller.

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