If you don't find smoothies very filling, then why not try a smoothie bowl that is loaded with toppings. Smoothies bowls are a great way to get fruit into your diet, and there are so many different flavour combinations, that you can never get bored. Here you will find how to make a smoothie bowl, with lots of different options.
This Smoothie Bowl is a filling and balanced meal that is packed full of deliciousness. You can use any kind of smoothie as the base, just make sure it is thicker than a normal smoothie that you would drink, and load it with more fruit and crunchy toppings.
In this post we will give you lots of options for the smoothie, and the toppings.
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Why You Will Love It
- Nutrient dense
- More filling than a smoothie
- Easy to adapt
- Kids love them
Step By Step
One: Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Two: Pour into a bowl and add toppings.
What Fruit To Add
There are so many options here when it comes to what fruit to use. We went for a berry mix (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) and banana. Use a frozen banana if you want a super cold smoothie, or you could just add some ice cubes if your banana isn't frozen. A frozen banana will help to thicken it too.
Any kind of berries work in this, and we also like to add cherries and blackberries. Bear in mind that the fruit you use can effect the colour of the smoothie. Berries will make it a bright pink/purple colour.
If you want more of a tropical flavour to this smoothie, then use pineapple and mango. Try to make sure these are frozen too, and you will have yourself a super refreshing smoothie. Using these fruits will make it a nice vibrant yellow colour.
Using frozen fruit means that you can make this smoothie bowl all year round and use fruits that might not be in season.
Green Smoothie
Why not give this smoothie bowl a green boost. If you don't want it to taste "green", then just use a handful of spinach. Bear in mind that it will turn it more of a brown colour. You could also use kale, Swiss chard, pak choi, romaine lettuce or even the green carrot tops, which is a great way to reduce waste. But these will give the smoothie bowl a different flavour.
You need to use a lot of greens to get that super green colour. See our Green Smoothie recipe for a really green drink!
What Milk To Use
You have lots of options when it comes to the milk used in this recipe. We used standard whole milk, however you could make this a vegan smoothie by using a plant based milk like almond milk, cashew or oat milk and replacing the honey with maple syrup.
To make this smoothie creamier and add some extra flavour, swap 50ml of the milk for coconut milk. This will really help to thicken the smoothie too.
You could use water instead of milk, however I wouldn't recommend doing that because it would make it really thin and won't be spoonable.
What Toppings To Use
A smoothie bowl is all about the toppings. Whilst the smoothie itself is important, the toppings are where you can get really creative and add lots of texture and extra nutrients.
Extra fruit on top is a must. It adds lots of colour and gives it more of a berry boost. You then want to give it lots of crunch, so some oats, nuts (cashews and peanuts) and some coconut are the way to go.
Give the smoothie bowl a protein boost with a sprinkle of chia seeds. You could also add a drizzle of nut butter to finish it off.
What Can You Use Instead Of Banana?
I think bananas are kind of essential in this smoothie. Not only to they add lots of sweetness, but they thicken it too. If bananas aren't your thing, then you could use avocado instead. Fruits like mango would help to thicken it also.
Nut butter will also give the smoothie some creaminess if you aren't using banana.
Can It Be Made In Advance?
It's always best to make this just before you are ready to eat it. However, if you have leftovers of the smoothie then you can keep it in the fridge in an air tight container for a day or two.
Don't add the toppings until you are ready to eat it, as they will start to go soggy.
Extra Tips
- If you don't have frozen fruit, then you can add ice cubes to the blender instead.
- Try to make the smoothie from fresh. However if you want to prep it in advance, then you can put everything except the liquid in a freezer bag and freeze until you need it.
- Don't add too much liquid, as you want to smoothie to be nice and thick, so the toppings don't sink. It should be the texture of soft serve ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
We used honey to sweeten the smoothie, however if you want it to be a vegan smoothie then swap it for maple syrup. The riper the fruit used, the sweeter it will be naturally. You don't have to use any added sweetener at all.
More Smoothie Recipes
If you’ve tried this smoothie bowl recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
How To Make A Smoothie Bowl (in 2 minutes!)
Ingredients
- 1 Banana
- 200 g (1.25 cups) Frozen berries
- 300 ml (1.25 cups) Whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Honey
Optional toppings
- Banana
- Chia seeds
- Cashews
- Oat and bran mix
- Fresh berries
- Coconut
Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients in to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour in to a bowl and add toppings.
Recipe Tips
- If you don't have frozen fruit, then you can add ice cubes to the blender instead.
- Try to make the smoothie from fresh. However if you want to prep it in advance, then you can put everything except the liquid in a freezer bag and freeze until you need it.
- Don't add too much liquid, as you want to smoothie to be nice and thick, so the toppings don't sink. It should be the texture of soft serve ice cream.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes says
I love smoothies in a bowl. Love the beautiful pink colour of yours too. You can go so crazy with the toppings! :-)
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
I semi refuse to make a smoothie because it will never be as awesomely beautiful as other people's, most specifically yours. Please come and style my food at all times? thanks!
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Such a pretty looking smoothie Danni - I really need to find some of these chia seeds as I'm always the last one to get into a food trend LOL! Thank you for featuring my Quencher:-)
Courtney @RunningforCupcakes says
That smoothie bowl looks too pretty to eat!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
That smoothie bowl is beautiful - like a piece of art!
linsy patel says
love those vibrant colors. perfect bowl to munch on.
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says
I've never tried smoothie bowls before but it looks super delcious! I like smoothies in usual version so this one I'm sure will be as good as regular smoothie :)
Lancelot says
That's one healthy smoothie.
Dee says
Smoothie on a plate! That's a first for me but I love the way it is presented. Looks yummy.
Sahil says
blueberries are certainly healthy, This kind of breakfast is a great start for the day.
dawn says
I love blueberries and they are one of the healthiest things you can put in your mouth. I'm growing my own to save some money and can't wait to start making smoothies and juice with them
Take care
Dawn
Lynn Schroder says
1 cup soy milk, 1 frozen banana, 2 T. ground flax seed meal, 1 T. wheat germ, 2T. brewer's yeast, 1 T. sunflower seeds, 1 t. sesame seeds, bit of blackstrap, & any other fruit or whatever you want to add, too fine way to start the morning, especially if you've had a few the night before, clean the system out for the new day :-)" Soy Smoothie" Cheerio y'all
Amelia says
I wish this was my breakfast this morning. I just had boring porridge.
Mark says
Great idea!
Catherine says
This looks lovely. Very colourful! I am not a huge smoothie fan, but perhaps I would like it more this way?