How to Make a Smoothie Bowl: The Perfect Nutrient-Dense Breakfast

Smoothie bowls are quite a trend, especially with new health goals going strong for 2020.  Learn how to make the perfect creamy and thick bowl for the most delicious and nutritious breakfast.

What Is a Smoothie Bowl?

We all know that fruits and veggies play a vital role in a healthy diet, and you should eat them daily. For some, taking in the necessary amounts of these foods can feel like a task. That’s where smoothie bowls come in. Making a smoothie or smoothie bowl will help you take in essential vitamins and minerals that can fight off and protect you from many diseases. The best part is that it tastes fantastic.

By taking wholesome ingredients like fruits and vegetables, as well as other healthy add-ins, you will create a thick and vibrantly colored smoothie bowl.

After blending all your nutritious and frozen fruits and vegetables, this colorful base is poured into a bowl, topped with other yummy ingredients, and eaten with a spoon. It’s an art—and if you don’t believe us, check out the millions of hashtags on Instagram accounts.

You don’t need much to make a gorgeous bowl, but it all starts with the proper blending tool. Many swear by the Vitamix brand, but any household blender should do. We love using our Nutribullet, but a food processor works wonders, too.

How to Make a Smoothie Bowl

The formula is quite simple, and you can make a smoothie bowl that offers the perfect flavor for your very own taste buds.

The key to remember when making a smoothie bowl is that you want to use much less liquid than if you were making a smoothie to drink—you want scoop-it-with-a-spoon not drink-it-with-a-straw consistency. You can find many recipes online, but if you’re going to stick with your version, follow this simple formula.

First, be sure that your fruits and veggies are frozen (especially your banana). This is what creates a super thick and chilled smoothie bowl that has an ice cream-like consistency—without all those empty calories.

Core Recipe

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 handful of leafy greens (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups frozen fruits and veggies
• Choose 1-3 additional ingredients
• 1/2 cup nut milk
• 2-3 toppings or more

For ideas on what kinds of fruits, veggies, and additional ingredients to use, check out our suggestion lists below.

Directions

Add the banana, fruits, vegetables, additional ingredients, flavor boosters, and milk to a blender.

Combine all ingredients until perfectly blended. You might need to stop your mixer a few times to mix your ingredients and ensure they all combine. You might also need to add a few extra tablespoons of nut milk if it’s not blending well after a few tries.

Finish your bowl with a few choice toppings, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a breakfast bowl.

Lists of Possible Ingredients

Fruits: The trick to a thick smoothie bowl is to use frozen produce. For a sweet-tasting smoothie bowl, stick to a 2:1 fruit-to-vegetable ratio. Check out this list of frozen fruits that are commonly used:

• Bananas (Always add one for creaminess)
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Acai berries
• Mango
• Avocado
• Kiwi

Vegetables: For something a little less sweet, do the opposite and use a 2:1 vegetable-to-fruit ratio. Many people choose to add veggies for extra thickness and  for essential nutrients. Here’s a list of mild-tasting frozen vegetables you can add:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Butternut squash
• Riced cauliflower
• Cooked sweet potato
• Cooked beets
• Raw or cooked carrot
• Cucumber
• Zucchini

Additional ingredients and flavor boosters: You could add so many things to your blender to create the perfect tasting smoothie bowl. Because everyone has their preference in flavor, this is an opportunity to make your very own version of delicious. Here are a few additional ingredients to add:

• One scoop of protein powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1-2 tbsp natural nut butter
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp shaved coconut

Liquid: Before combining your chosen fruits and vegetables, you’ll need to add a small amount of liquid to ensure everything blends nicely. Here are a few options:

• Water
• Almond milk
• Cashew milk
• Oat milk
• Coconut milk
• Coconut water

Toppings: Before indulging in your healthy chilled masterpiece, you’ll need to add a little crunch and décor. Here are a few additional toppings many love adding to their bowls:

• Granola
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Chia seeds
• Fresh berries
• Banana slices
• Shaved coconut
• Drizzled nut butter
• Chopped nuts

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So there you have it—a beautiful and delicious breakfast, lunch, or snack. Enjoy experimenting until you find the perfect palate-friendly combination.