Want to know how to make a smoothie bowl? Learn some tips and tricks for great-tasting and healthy bowl! Use your favorite milk, fruit, protein powder, and toppings to make your own tasty version.
I have to tell you, I'm obsessed with vegan smoothie bowls. I've been making them for the past few years but lately, I've been upping my game.
I've posted some of my creations on Instagram and I thought I'd share with everyone how to make smoothie bowls just like I do!
Jump to:
What is a Smoothie Bowl?
A smoothie bowl is similar to a smoothie in that it combines fruits, (and sometimes veggies) with a liquid and is blended until smooth. The difference is that they're a little thicker, eaten with a spoon, and often topped with things like nuts, fruit, or granola.
Are Smoothie Bowls Healthy?
Well, that all depends on what you put in them. Some can be extremely healthy while others can be full of sugar and dairy.
When making a healthy smoothie bowl, you want to include natural ingredients such as raw or frozen no-sugar-added fruit, unsweetened non-dairy milk or water, greens, and sugar-free plant-based protein powder.
If you're adding yogurt, be sure it's dairy-free and contains no added sugars.
What to put in your bowl
There are so many smoothie bowl ingredients and toppings to choose from, the combinations are endless!
Even though there are many ingredient options, I tend to make the same basic recipe shell which includes:
- dairy-free unsweetened milk, water, or coconut water
- frozen or fresh fruit
- half a frozen banana
- a handful of fresh greens
- frozen zucchini or cauliflower (trust me, you can't taste it)
- sugar-free plant-based protein powder
- lots of fun toppings
My main fruits are berries such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Berries have many health benefits such as reducing inflammation, helping prevent cardiovacular disease and containing antioxidants like anthocyanins, which may protect your cells from free radical damage. Berries may improve blood sugar and insulin response when they're included in smoothies, plus they are full of fiber and other nutrients.
In the warmer months, I do pineapple, kiwi, and mango. I like to switch things up from time to time with the fruit I choose.
I sometimes also add in some optional powders for a health boost such as:
- spirulina
- chlorella
- powdered greens
Protein Powder
I get questions on what protein powder I use all the time. There are many factors that can go into your decision making such as price and availability.
When purchasing a protein powder, I look for:
- no sugar added (stevia and monkfruit are fine)
- at least 20g of protein per serving
- ingredients that you can pronounce/know what they are
A few brands I enjoy are Nuzest, Sunwarrior, and Vega.
How do you thicken a smoothie bowl?
There are a few ways to thicken smoothies.
A frozen banana really adds to the thickness and the creaminess. I'm so obsessed with frozen bananas, I buy a huge bunch every week. It's best to let them ripen before freezing them to they're at their sweetest.
I also use frozen fruit to make the smoothie bowl thicker... though you can use fresh fruit and I do especially enjoy the fresh stuff as a topping for the bowls.
Frozen zucchini can make for a thicker smoothie too. Plus it will add more nutrients and fiber to your bowl. Slice zucchini, freeze it, and add it to the blender - I promise you won't taste it!
By using a lesser amount of liquid, you'll get a thicker smoothie. I use the bare minimum I can to blend.
Toppings Make All the Difference
I find that these smoothie bowls fill me up much longer than my regular smoothies because of the toppings.
Some of my favorite toppings are:
- fresh fruit
- nuts
- grains such as: toasted buckwheat or popped quinoa
- seeds - I especially like hemp seeds (they're a complete protein) and chia seeds (for omega-3s)
- low-sugar cereal or granola such as my healthy granola or my chocolate buckwheat granola
- shredded coconut
- jams such as my strawberry chia jam and blueberry chia jam
- a drizzle of nut butter - I've been really loving almond and cashew butter.
- sometimes even a protein ball or two such as my vanilla almond balls or vegan cookie dough balls
If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
π Recipe
How To Make Smoothie Bowls
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk plus more if needed
- 1 handful greens such as spinach, baby kale, etc*
- ½ frozen banana
- 4 slices frozen zucchini or some frozen cauliflower**
- ½ cup frozen fruit(s) of choice (my go to is a mixture of organic berries)
- 1 serving plant-based protein powder (see container for how much is one serving)***
- Toppings see above for ideas
Instructions
- Start by blending the milk with the greens first. For me, this makes the smoothie bowl less grainy espeiclly if your blender isn't a high-speed one but you can skip this step if you want though.
- Add the other ingredients and blend till smooth. Add more milk if needed or you want a less thick smoothebowl.
- Top with any tasty topping you want! I love adding a drizzle of nut butter at the very end.
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Pat says
Thanks for your tips . Gotta try!
Mary Ellen says
I hope you enjoy, Pat!
Cadry says
Can you believe I've never made a smoothie bowl? I've made smoothies a million times over, but they always wind up in a jar. I need to try your tips & topping ideas!
BTW, it looks like a couple words got embedded in one another in a header: TOPPINGS MAKE ALL THDIFFERENCECE
Mary Ellen says
I think I make the bowls because I love the topping so much. π When I don't have much time though my smoothie goes right in a jar too.
Deborah Smikle-Davis (@debsmikdav1) says
Hi Mary Ellen,
Smoothie bowls is always so much fun to make and eat! Thank you for sharing your healthy and delectable Smoothie Bowls with us at the Plant-Based Potluck Party. I'm pinning and sharing.
Life Diet Health says
I don't have a smoothie bowl on my blog! Gosh! This looks so delicious Mary Ellen that I feel I need one for lunch! π Thanks for bringing to the plant based potluck party... your smoothie bowl is almost the colour of my ice-cream! π
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Lauren! It's warm here today so I actually might have a smoothie bowl for lunch too!
Kimmythevegan says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. Look at those gorgeous bowls!!! I love all of the tips and tricks you share - especially on how to keep it budget-friendly. Good tip on the protein powder! Love the drizzle of nut butter. Yum. I can't wait to try making one (finally!). Thank you so much for sharing this at HVF - I'm featuring it this week =D
I'm pinning & sharing.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Kimmy! It's so wonderful to hear that people are liking my posts! I'm so excited to be featured on you HVF!
Angela says
This looks so beautiful & delicious! I make smoothies all the time, but have not done a bowl, so looking forward to trying this, thanks for the tips π Pinned.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Angela! Let me know how you like the bowls!
Rachel says
I've totally never made a smoothie bowl. Ack! I should probably change that ASAP. Once marathon training starts I'll have to be much more careful about what I'm eating.
Mary Ellen says
Let me know if you try a smoothie bowl. They're so fun and pretty to make! Good luck with marathon training!
awhiskandtwowands says
Right there with you I LOVE smoothie bowls! This one looks delicious, I remember seeing it on Instagram! Can't lie I love it even more because it has my fav protein, Vega, in it!
For toppings the options are endless like you said and I switch things up with what I get that week at the store, what needs to be used up, or just opening up the cupboards and fridge and seeing what pops out at me! I too love using frozen fruit to make them thick as well as using nuts, avocado, or soaked chia seeds!
Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!
Mary Ellen says
I love me some Vega! Yes, avocado is a great addition to keep things thick and creamy! Thanks Sarah!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
now that it's getting warm again I need to make smoothie bowls again. Thanks for linking up!
Dragons And Fairy Dust says
These look amazing, perfect for a hot day
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Emma! Let me know what you think when you try it! π
Farrah says
Smoothie bowls are the best! <3 I love piling on all the toppings (especially the fresh fruit)! π
Mary Ellen says
Yes, I love that the weather is getting nicer in my area so even more fresh fruit will be available!
kateringforveggies says
Very good post! It's giving me ideas for my future super smoothie bowls! My favorite toppings are granola, chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, a bit of maca powder and fresh fruits.
Mary Ellen says
I love adding maca powder to my smoothies too! I haven't had it for a while, thanks for reminding me to pick some more up!
ModVegan says
I honestly never though of doing a smoothie "bowl" before. I love the idea, because I hate to drink calories. I prefer to feel like I'm actually eating, and a smoothie bowl is far more appealing to me than anything that doesn't require utensils π
Mary Ellen says
I totally hear what you mean. When I have smoothie bowls it's much more filling than regular smoothies. Plus the added topping make them more fun too.
fitfoodiemama says
Yum, I love smoothie bowls! Yours looks absolutely gorgeous <3 Pinned and shared, thanks for linking up!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Annmarie! Thanks for pinning and sharing!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This looks wonderful, thanks for the fun inspiration! Time is a tough issue for me on week mornings, but I think I'll jazz up my weekend smoothies in a bowl!
Mary Ellen says
I started with smoothie bowls just on the weekends too because weekday mornings are so tough. Many times I just make a smoothie in the morning because it's easier and if I feel like it I can add toppings.
Lee says
Mary Ellen, these bowls look delicious! Kimmy over at Rock My Vegan Socks had some amazing-looking smoothie bowls on her recent trip to Puerto Rico, so I was already pondering making one. This just pushed me over the edge--pinning and tweeting! π
My fave toppings: Pecans, walnuts, granola, shredded coconut, chopped strawberries.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Lee!
Yes, I saw Kimmy's post! Her photos looked amazing - I was very jealous of all the food.
Oooh, pecans! I love those!
Lyss says
I love smoothie bowls! They make the perfect breakfast. My favorite toppings are granola, cereal, hemp hearts, chia seeds, or shredded coconut!
Mary Ellen says
I totally forgot to put chia seeds on my list! I'll have to edit my post!