Smoothie bowls are packed filled with vitamins, low calorie, and style like ice cream.

They’ll function both breakfast or dessert, and infrequently embody all 3 macronutrients.

It’s no surprise this well being meals development hit the web by storm, and even a 12 months later, many people are nonetheless having fun with this delectable deal with. 

As a fast, straightforward, well-balanced meal, that is good for busy mornings! Whether or not you’re going to high school or work, you can be nourished and prepared for the day. 

After I discovered about smoothie bowls, I fell in love! Since then, I’ve made a plethora of smoothie bowls, experimenting with new recipes and methods to enhance style and diet.

Over time, I’ve devised one of the best methodology for making smoothie bowls (with each high-quality and reasonably priced blenders) and tips on how to make them as scrumptious AND nutritious as attainable! 

Secrets and techniques to Making A Thick and Creamy Smoothie Bowl

Make no mistake, this isn’t only a smoothie poured right into a bowl. Doing so is a travesty to the title of smoothie bowls! In case you aren’t conversant in smoothie bowls, permit me to expound.

Smoothie bowls encompass the identical components you’d count on in a smoothie however have a a lot thicker texture.

The truth is, with a real smoothie bowl, it’s best to be capable to maintain a spoon the wrong way up with out the smoothie falling off, as demonstrated within the video linked beneath. 

Briefly, they’re just like the Dairy Queen Blizzards of the well being world: thick, creamy, and mouth-wateringly scrumptious. You received’t really feel like you’re consuming a “well being meals” in any respect. 

So how do you make the proper smoothie bowl?

Normal Ideas For Thick Smoothie Bowls

1. Use sliced fruit and greens.

You’ll be able to both purchase frozen vegetables and fruit which might be already reduce into small items, or slice recent fruit and greens into half-inch items earlier than freezing them.

This may permit your smoothie to mix easily with much less liquid.

2. Add your liquid in small increments.

The commonest mistake in smoothie bowls is including an excessive amount of liquid.

However, when you don’t add sufficient, your blender can have a tough time mixing up your components.

Begin with a small quantity (about ½ a cup per serving) and add extra, if wanted. 

3. Don’t use ice.

Ice cubes flip into slush when blended, and we’re searching for a creamy ice cream consistency.

In case your smoothie is just too candy from all of the fruit otherwise you’re seeking to reduce down the energy, use frozen greens as an alternative.

I’ll have an inventory beneath of one of the best greens so as to add to smoothies with out affecting the flavour. 

The Finest Blenders For Smoothie Bowls

blender can prevent a number of time and bother when making smoothie bowls.

Whilst you can definitely make them with an everyday blender (I needed to at first), having a high-quality blender will certainly assist!

These are a number of the finest blenders, for my part:

1. Ninja BN701 Skilled Plus Blender with Auto-iQ

That is the precise blender I personal and love. 10/10 suggest, it’s a nice deal for its high quality.

Click on right here to test it out for your self.

2. Ninja Foodi Smoothie Bowl Maker and Nutrient Extractor

I’ve been eyeing this blender for some time and have seen nice evaluations on-line. It seems so handy for making small, single-serve parts.

This could possibly be particularly useful for a scholar or somebody dwelling alone (I’m hoping to get it for faculty!). 

Click on right here to test it out for your self.

3. Vitamix

Arguably probably the most respected blender model in the marketplace, but additionally the priciest.

Shopping for a Vitamix will assure you a high-quality blender and is a good funding when you foresee your self utilizing it usually. 

Click on right here to test it out for your self.

What To Do If You Don’t Have a Excessive High quality Blender

Utilizing an everyday blender to make thick smoothie bowls takes barely extra effort in your half, however your endurance will probably be rewarded. 

It doesn’t matter what blender you’re utilizing, you will need to add the correct amount of liquid.

However with weaker blenders, it’s crucial that you just add sufficient liquid for the fruits to mix easily. 

Subsequent, you’ll make use of a technique I wish to name the “shake and stab.” (Regardless of the comical title, it has confirmed to achieve success on quite a few events.)

Find out how to “shake and stab”:

1. Each 5-10 seconds, pause the blender and shake it till the components fall again to the underside

2. Then, open it up and stab on the contents with a blender stick, giant spoon or butter knife, concurrently distributing the solids and liquid evenly all through the blender.

3. Lastly, screw the cap again on and mix once more.

4. Repeat till you attain the specified consistency. 

For a video tutorial, watch this video by Ashley Wicka: 

Find out how to make THICK SMOOTHIE BOWLS + 3 recipes

How To Add Extra Vitamins To Your Smoothie Bowl

With the intention to have a balanced meal, we have to add extra than simply fruit!

I really like so as to add frozen greens (you received’t style them, I swear!), protein sources, and wholesome fats.

Under are a few of my favourite methods to pack vitamins into my smoothie bowls.

Finest Greens To Add To Smoothie Bowls

1. Frozen Zucchini

Frozen zucchini is by far my favorite vegetable to place in my smoothies!

They don’t add any flavour in any respect, and when you peel them, they received’t add color both.

They act as ice cubes however end in a creamier texture.

Finest Ideas:

  • Minimize your zucchinis into half-inch cubes earlier than freezing them, so they’re simpler to mix.
  • It is best to add ¼ to ⅓ cup of zucchini in a single serving. 

2. Frozen Yellow Squash

Frozen yellow squash is just like zucchini however has a yellow peel as an alternative of inexperienced.

It is a good various when you don’t need the trouble of peeling your zucchini and don’t need to see your greens in your smoothie bowl. 

Finest Ideas: (The identical suggestions for zucchini apply right here)

  • Minimize your yellow squash into half-inch cubes earlier than freezing them,
  • and add ¼ to ⅓ cup per serving. 

3. Frozen Cauliflower or Cauliflower Rice

Frozen cauliflower/cauliflower rice is good for somebody who doesn’t need to put together frozen greens.

Most grocery shops promote frozen cauliflower or frozen cauliflower rice of their frozen sections.

Finest Ideas:

  • I might suggest cauliflower rice as a result of they mix rather more easily.
  • Maintain your frozen cauliflower to ¼ cup per serving (about 3 items when you’re utilizing entire cauliflower) since they add a slight flavour when you add an excessive amount of. 

4. Contemporary or Frozen Spinach

Contemporary or frozen spinach is your best choice if you wish to add copious quantities of greens with out affecting the flavour of your smoothie.

Due to its quantity, you’ll be able to refill ⅓ and even half of your recipe with spinach with out tasting it.

Nonetheless, spinach does have a powerful color.

Finest Ideas:

  • It is best to solely add spinach in case you are making a inexperienced smoothie or one other flavour that’s already inexperienced, resembling matcha or mint. 

5. Frozen Beets

Frozen beets add a lovely crimson color, particularly together with berries.

That is for you when you’re searching for a vibrant smoothie bowl to begin off your day!

Finest Ideas:

  • That is the strongest of those 5 greens, so until you take pleasure in its flavour, it’s best to preserve it to about 2 tablespoons per serving.

Finest Protein Sources For Smoothie Bowls

1. Yogurt or Plant-Based mostly Yogurt Options

Yogurt or plant-based yogurt alternate options add a beautiful creamy texture to smoothies.

Greek yogurts particularly are excessive in protein.

In addition they provide a number of probiotics and micronutrients which might be useful in your well-being.  

Finest Ideas:

  • In case you go for dairy yogurt, the unsweetened yogurt constructed from entire milk is one of the best in your well being.
  • They’re often made with minimal components and exclude a number of the superfluous components chances are you’ll discover in flavoured or extra processed yogurt.
  • Nonetheless, this will differ from model to model so be sure you verify the components label!
  • You’ll be able to add anyplace from ¼ to ½ cup of yogurt, relying on how a lot yogurt flavour you need in your smoothie bowl. 

2. Tofu

Tofu may make your smoothie bowl creamier.

It’s a great plant-based protein supply and doesn’t provide the acidic style usually present in yogurts. 

Finest Ideas:

  • Use about ¼ block of silken tofu in a smoothie bowl.
  • When mixed with lemon juice, it will possibly additionally create a cheesecake-like flavour. 

3. Protein Powder

Protein powder can add a wide range of enjoyable flavours to your smoothie bowls.

You’ll be able to go for a easy protein powder resembling vanilla or one which isn’t flavoured.

Many individuals additionally use artistic flavours like mint chip or pumpkin spice, now that we’re approaching the autumn season!

Finest Ideas:

  • If you’re including protein powder for the flavour, a ½ scoop ought to be sufficient,
  • however if you need extra protein, a full scoop will serve you higher.

Finest Wholesome Fat For Smoothie Bowls

1. Nut Butters

Nut butters are a beautiful supply of wholesome fat.

Only a modicum of it will possibly add a number of flavour and creaminess.

1-2 tablespoons ought to suffice!

Finest Ideas:

  • For stronger nut butter, peanut butter and almond butter are wonderful.
  • As for subtler nut butter, cashew butter is a well-liked choice. 

2. Avocado

Avocado provides creaminess to a smoothie bowl with out affecting the style an excessive amount of.

Some grocery shops additionally promote frozen avocado if you need an excellent thicker consistency.

Finest Ideas:

  • Add about ¼ of an avocado to your smoothie, adjusting primarily based on the scale of the avocado.

3. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk can also be fairly excessive in fats content material.

You’ll be able to both use coconut milk because the liquid of your smoothie or freeze them into cubes.

Some folks use frozen coconut milk cubes as the bottom of a smoothie bowl relatively than frozen fruit!

Finest Ideas:

  • The quantity you add will depend upon whether or not you’re utilizing coconut milk as milk or ice cubes.
  • It additionally varies primarily based on how a lot coconut flavour you’re searching for.

Finest Smoothie Bowl Recipes

Final however not least, listed here are a few of my favorite smoothie bowl recipes!

Most of them are vegan, dairy-free, and sugar-free, and you may all the time modify recipes primarily based in your dietary restrictions or preferences.

Mint Chocolate Swirl Smoothie Bowl – Happiness Is available in Tastes

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl – Bakerita 

Pina Colada Smoothie Bowl – Twin Coast

Mango Spinach Smoothie – Decide Up Limes 

Almond Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl – Happiness Is available in Tastes 

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl – Sunkissed Kitchen

Mocha Protein Smoothie Bowl – What Molly Made

There are such a lot of extra smoothie bowl combos you’ll be able to attempt! Discover completely different recipes on-line, or make a brand new recipe by yourself.

Concerning the Creator

Hello! I’m Kaitlyn, a rising junior in highschool. I’m a lover of all issues meals and well being, which is why I began my weblog Happiness Is available in Tastes

As an aspiring dietician, I hope to advertise wholesome consuming in women and younger ladies. I’d wish to say I’m impervious to the widespread food regimen tradition on social media, however sadly, physique picture has been an enormous battle for me. As I proceed to try for a wholesome relationship with meals, I hope to encourage different women to take action as nicely. 

I share many nutritious and scrumptious recipes on my weblog as a result of wholesome consuming ought to be enjoyable and straightforward! As a busy scholar, I worth comfort and affordability, so all my recipes are pleasurable to make AND eat. Be part of me on my journey to a happier and more healthy way of life immediately.