Learn how to make a smoothie bowl for a perfect breakfast or snack that’s delicious and full of nutrients!
Smoothie bowls are awesome for breakfast, a snack, or another meal, because you can pack all kinds of nutrients, protein, and healthy fats in them! And, they can be different every time! The best part is you can load them up with toppings like an ice cream sundae (almost).
This post shows you step-by-step how to make a smoothie bowl. I’ve included tons of ingredient options so you can experiment with flavors, colors, and textures to your heart’s content!
You can also check out my post of 15 paleo & vegan smoothie bowl recipes!
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How to Make a Smoothie Bowl Base
This is the part you’re going to load in your food processor or blender and then pour in your bowl.
1. Use at least one or two thickening ingredients.
- Banana
- Mango
- Avocado
- Nut butter
- Yogurt: coconut, dairy, or alternative
- Ice Cubes (to thicken if desired, if not using frozen fruit)
2. Add a liquid – start with a little and add more until you reach desired thickness.
- Milk: almond milk, coconut milk, dairy milk, or other milk
- Coconut water or plain water
3. Add additional ingredients for desired flavor, color, and nutrients.
- Berries: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, acai or other berries
- Fruits: peaches, pineapple, cherries, kiwi, dates, prunes, pears, lemon, lime, pomegranate arils, melon, papaya, cooked squash, beets, pumpkin
- Veggies: spinach, kale, cauliflower, zucchini
- Powder: protein, matcha, spirulina, chlorella, maca, cacao, wheatgrass, ginger, turmeric
- Coconut oil or butter
- Raw honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener
- Vanilla extract
4. Blend it all up in your food processor or blender!
(Beautiful smoothie bowls above made by these creators from left to right! 1. Floating Kitchen 2. Downshiftology, 3. Cook with Manali.)
5. Add Toppings!
Sprinkle whatever you like on top to create crunch and add to the flavor and nutritional value!
- Fruits: kiwi, unsweetened coconut, pomegranate arils, banana, cherries, apples, mango, oranges, papaya, unsweetened dried fruit
- Berries: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, goji berries
- Nuts: almonds, cashews, walnuts, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts
- Seeds: chia, hemp, pumpkin, sunflower, flax seed meal
- Nut Butters: peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, pecan butter
- Spices and Minerals: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, cocoa powder, pink Himalayan salt
- Extras: granola, cacao nibs, bee pollen, maca powder, dark chocolate, raw honey
Tips For Special Diets
Paleo
Use non-dairy versions of milk and yogurt, if desired. Ensure any granola is paleo-friendly (no oats, grains, or refined sugar). Choose an alternative nut butter to peanut butter and ensure it does not have added sugar or oils.
Vegan
Use non-dairy milk and yogurt, if desired. Check that granola is vegan-friendly. Omit honey; may use maple syrup instead, if desired.
Low-carb
Use more avocados, yogurt, and nut butters. Limit coconut water and fruits high in sugar such as bananas and berries. Omit granola unless it is grain-free.
Now that you’ve learned how to make a smoothie bowl, check out my post on 15 paleo and vegan smoothie bowl recipes (including those pictured in this post)!
