Easy and Healthy Smoothie Bowls (the top two flavors!)

Quick and easy plant-based smoothie bowls make a healthy meal or snack anytime. My favorites are berry or banana peanut butter, but I have suggestions on banana-free smoothie bowls, too. 

I love the banana peanut butter smoothie bowl with added greens! You can’t taste the greens and just look at that vibrant color. 

I am obsessed with smoothie bowls (in the summer, especially). They are so quick and nutrient-dense! With greens in them and some protein, a sweet smoothie bowl is even healthier than most meals my kids choose to eat.

Everyone loves a customizable meal, and this is an idea that pleases almost everyone. It is naturally gluten-free, vegan, mostly raw, and can even be made without bananas if needed. 

How to Make a Quick and Easy Smoothie Bowl Bar

A smoothie bowl is a thick smoothie eaten in a bowl with toppings. When we have friends over and a snack or meal time hits, I like to make a big blender-full of thick smoothie and divide it into lots of little bowls, with an array of toppings that kids and adults like to choose from. These are the toppings I usually put out (with very little effort!):

• granola
• fresh chopped strawberries
• chopped mango (either from fresh or frozen)
• shredded coconut
• hemp seeds
• pumpkin seeds
• chocolate chips
• peanut butter or almond butter to drizzle on

This mango bowl is extra vibrant from some added turmeric. 

Which Granola to Use for Smoothie Bowls

I LOVE granola on a smoothie bowl so it’s a topping I don’t usually skip. Making granola is so easy, I often do that. However, it does take 30 minutes or so from start to finish and then more cooling time on top of that, so sometimes granola is a barrier for me. So sometimes I buy a bag to keep on hand if I know we’re going to have smoothie bowls. The Purely Elizabeth brand is super pure and I love it, but any kidn will work. 

When I make some from scratch (which is so much cheaper!), these are the recipes I like:

My Favorite Basic Granola (oil-free)

Super Simple Low-Fat Granola (without nut butter)

Banana-Free Variations

Although frozen bananas make the creamiest smoothie bowls, if you can’t eat bananas, try using more of the other fruits in the recipe or swapping banana with mango. You can also add some cashews, avocado, frozen zucchini or frozen cauliflower for creaminess (yes, cauliflower and zucchini have a sort of creamy effect when blended up frozen!). You may need to add some dates, maple syrup, sweetened protein powder or other sweetener to make up for the sweetness of the bananas.

To make the banana berry recipe below, use mango instead. For the banana peantu but bowl, use frozen cauliflower and add a sweetener. 

FAQ

Which Milk Should I use in Smoothie Bowls?

My favorite milk to use is soy milk because it has the most protein and is so creamy! I buy unsweetened soy milk every week. You can also use coconut milk if you like the taste of coconut (it goes well with mango and lime especially). It is very creamy but also has saturated fat. Almond milk works as well, it’s just a bit more watery when it melts, but is much lower in calories if that’s what you’re aiming for. 

Do I need a high-speed blender?

It is very helpful! I use my Vitamix with the damper and it really helps keep the liquids low and the smoothie thick. You could also try using a food processor, since they don’t need as much liquid to blend, but it may not get quite as smooth as a high-speed blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix. 

Chocolate Smoothies You Could Make Into Smoothie Bowls

Want some other variations? Use less liquid in these smoothies!

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

Chocolate Protein Smoothie (without protein powder!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Faith Ralphs | plant-based recipes (@faithful.plateful)

Make sure to look through BOTH recipe cards below!