Jumpstart your morning with this refreshing green smoothie bowl. Your body will appreciate the boost of nutrients as much as your palate will savor the sweet, creamy flavor.
But why stop at just breakfast? If you’re looking for an energizing snack or healthy dessert, this recipe supplies all that and more.
Making this beautiful bowl is a breeze and takes just 5 minutes to whip up. So why not take this green smoothie bowl recipe for a spin and see how delicious healthy eating can be?
What are Smoothie Bowls?
Smoothie bowls are the latest craze in the health and wellness world, and for a good reason!
These delicious bowls are essentially thick smoothies topped with a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, and other healthy toppings.
The texture is out of this world, with a consistency similar to a big bowl of fro-yo loaded with all your favorite fixings.
One of the best features of smoothie bowls is the sheer amount of nutrition per serving. It’s no secret that smoothies are loaded with nutrients, but combined with the super-food garnishes, you’re looking at one nourishing bowl.
Plus, they are easy to make at home and can be customized to suit your personal taste and dietary preferences.
Key Ingredients:
Frozen Banana. This yellow fruit acts like a natural sweetener. It’s also responsible for the frozen, blended texture in this green smoothie bowl. Bananas are a great source of fiber and are rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and improve heart health.
Almond Butter. A key ingredient for adding a rich, velvety creaminess to this green smoothie bowl. It’s also packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making it an excellent addition to your diet.
Spinach. It puts the green in this green smoothie bowl without adding a bitter taste. Spinach is also loaded with vitamins and minerals that can help boost your immune system and protect against chronic diseases.
Apple. There’s a reason why the doctor prescribes one a day; apples can help lower cholesterol levels and improve digestion. They also taste naturally sweet, which is why we included one in this green smoothie bowl.
Lime Juice. This ingredient might feel like an unlikely component, but it adds a subtle acidity that brightens up this green smoothie bowl. Be sure to use fresh lime juice for the best results.
Suggested Toppings:
Picking out toppings for your smoothie bowl is half the fun! If you’re stumped on what to use, here are some of our favorite smoothie bowl toppings.
Fresh Fruit. This topping is a must. Adding fresh or frozen fruit to your smoothie bowl is a great way to add natural sweetness and a variety of nutrients. Try adding blueberries, bananas, kiwis, or mangoes.
Nuts and Seeds. These are a great addition to any smoothie bowl since they add a crunchy texture and a nice dose of healthy fats and protein. Try adding almonds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, or hemp seeds.
Superfood Powder. Chlorella, spirulina, and matcha powder help add an extra punch of nutrition to a smoothie bowl, even if you just sprinkle a small amount on top.
Shredded Coconut. Not only does shredded coconut add a fantastic texture and sweetness to your smoothie bowl, but it also amps up the nutrition. Coconuts are high in manganese, copper, and iron, benefiting bone and blood health.
Avocados. An unlikely garnish, avocados add a ton of healthy fat to a smoothie bowl. While avocados are usually associated with savory dishes, they work really well in sweet recipes.
Nut Butter. If you’re not a fan of whole nuts or seeds, try slathering on a dollop of nut butter to increase the healthy fat content.
How to Make a Green Smoothie Bowl:
Now you know about all the healthy goodness packed into smoothie bowls, learn how to make one yourself!
This green smoothie bowl recipe is incredibly easy to whip up, and you can have it ready in just 5 minutes.
All you have to do is place all the ingredients in a blender, then blend at high speed for 30 seconds or until the consistency is completely smooth.
Pour the smoothie into a bowl, then add your desired toppings.
Recipe Variations
The beauty of smoothie bowls is that they’re endlessly customizable. If you don’t like one ingredient, you can easily swap it for something else. Here are some ideas to get creative with this recipe.
Try a different smoothie base. If you’re not a fan of the green smoothie, feel free to try a different base for your smoothie bowl. We wrote a whole guide on crafting the perfect smoothie, so find one that works for you and your taste buds.
Swap out spinach for other greens. Don’t have any spinach? Feel free to use kale, arugula, watercress, or any other greens you have on hand. Just be aware that certain lettuces might leave your smoothie bowl tasting slightly bitter, so lessen the amount if you don’t like the flavor.
Add protein. We used almond butter to add some protein, but you can also use protein powder or Greek yogurt to bulk it up.
Try different kinds of milk. Not a fan of almond milk? You can also use oat milk, coconut milk, or cow’s milk to achieve the same creamy consistency.
Substitute frozen fruit for bananas. If you don’t love the yellow fruit, you can easily swap in something else. Try frozen fruit like mangos, peaches, or strawberries to take advantage of the natural sugars. Frozen zucchini also makes a great replacement, but you may need to add additional sweetness to your bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I thicken my smoothie bowl?
Your green smoothie bowl needs to be thick enough to be scooped up with a spoon. If you find the consistency too watery, add more frozen fruit and less liquid before blending.
Are smoothie bowls healthy?
Yes! Smoothie bowls make it easy to obtain even more nutrients than you would by slurping down a drink.
Certain ingredients like shredded coconut or whole nuts don’t blend well, but make fantastic toppings for a smoothie bowl. Combining the unblendable ingredients with a nutrient-dense smoothie gives you a super healthy meal that covers all your food groups.
Try These Other Smoothie Recipes:
- Berry yogurt smoothie – A creamy, antioxidant-rich drink with lots of protein.
- Raw chocolate banana smoothie – A filling smoothie that’s full of chocolatey flavors.
- Citrus green smoothie – An immune-boosting tonic that tastes like liquid sunshine.
Best Green Smoothie Bowl
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
Smoothie Ingredients
- 1 Frozen banana
- 1 tbsp Almond butter
- 2/3 cup Almond milk
- Large handful of fresh spinach
- 1 Apple
- Squeeze of lime juice
Suggested Toppings
- Fresh raspberries
- Chia seeds
- Fresh blueberries
- Shredded coconut
- Sliced banana
- Mixed nuts and seeds
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds or until completely smooth.
- Pour into a bowl, then add desired toppings.
Images by Lauren Caris Short.