Berry Smoothie Bowl

This berry smoothie bowl recipe is a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast! It’s thick and creamy, made with 4 ingredients, and loaded with antioxidants. The simple recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. Just combine blueberries, raspberries, banana, and plant-based milk to create this refreshing bowl. It’s easily customizable with various options for add-ins and toppings, too!

Summer is almost here! I can practically feel it, and certainly taste it, with this berry smoothie bowl. Summertime means many things for me: sunshine, swimming, hiking, bonfires, and fresh fruit. Lots and lots of fresh fruit. My favorite way to enjoy all that sweet summertime fruit? Inside and on top of smoothie bowls, of course!

By now, you’ve probably noticed I am a lover of these thick, creamy, fruity bowls. I have shared various recipes, all of which can be found here. I thought I would take things back to the basics with this recipe because, sometimes, simple is best. This smoothie bowl is super quick and easy to make, contains just 4 ingredients, and completely customizable. I provide the base, but feel free to get creative with your choice of add-ins, boosters, and toppings.

This berry smoothie bowl is:

• Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free
• Sweet, tart, creamy, and super fruity
• Refreshing and satisfying // great during warm weather
• Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas
• Contains no added sugar // refined sugar-free
• Ready in just 5 minutes
• A healthy breakfast recipe, especially for busy mornings!

Ingredients in a berry banana smoothie bowl

• Banana: Frozen ripe bananas are a key ingredient in this smoothie bowl recipe. Frozen bananas provide a thick and creamy consistency that’s similar to soft serve ice cream. They are also naturally sweet, which allows us to keep this smoothie sugar-free.
• Blueberries: Blueberries are my favorite type of berry when it comes to making smoothies. In particular, I love using frozen wild blueberries (I recommend the 365 Whole Foods brand.) There are so many health benefits of blueberries, including the fact that they are fiber-packed, rich in antioxidants, and loaded with vitamins.
• Raspberries or strawberries: Choose raspberries or strawberries for this mixed berry smoothie. When paired with blueberries, the smoothie will take on a beautiful purple-pink color! Both raspberries and strawberries provide antioxidants and vitamin C. You can’t go wrong with each option, but I do prefer raspberries.
• Plant-based milk: Use any type of plant-based milk, like almond, coconut, or oat milk. If you are not vegan, you can use regular dairy milk. If milk isn’t your thing, opt for coconut water or plain water instead.

How to make a berry smoothie bowl

For the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card below.

I wasn’t kidding when I said this breakfast recipe is easy. It’s ready in just two steps!

1. First, combine all ingredients in a blender. For this bowl, we will add frozen banana, frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries/strawberries, and plant-based milk.
2. Next, blend the ingredients until completely smooth and creamy. Use the smallest amount of liquid possible. I recommend using just enough to get the blade moving, or no more than 1/3 cup.
3. After, transfer the smoothie to a bowl. Add your choice of toppings. Enjoy!

Healthy add-ins for smoothie bowls

Although this berry smoothie bowl recipe requires just a few ingredients, you can include all sorts of add-ins. Boost your bowl with extra protein, healthy fats, or natural flavor enhancers.

• Nut butter: add a spoonful of almond butter or peanut butter for healthy fats.
• Protein powder: make it a protein smoothie bowl by including a scoop of your favorite protein powder. Specifically, I love to add vanilla plant-based protein or berry plant-based protein.
• Greens: get extra nutrients in by adding a handful of spinach, kale, or arugula. If you are new to eating green smoothies, I recommend using spinach. It is virtually flavorless so, although the color will change, it will go unnoticed in terms of flavor.
• Medjool dates: dates are a healthy way to naturally sweeten the smoothie.
• Seeds: add 1-2 tbsp of chia seeds, hemp seeds, or ground flaxseed for omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
• Cacao: a spoonful of cacao, or cocoa powder, will give your smoothie a rich chocolatey flavor.
• Vanilla: it may seem odd, but 1/2 tsp vanilla extract is an incredibly delicious addition to berry smoothies. I highly recommend trying this one.
• Superfoods: there are endless superfoods to choose from, but I love açaí powder and spirulina powder.
• Spices and herbs: add a pinch of cinnamon, turmeric, or ginger for anti-inflammatory benefits.

Best toppings for smoothie bowls

• Fruit: when it doubt, top your bowl with more fresh fruit. Berries, banana, mango, pineapple, and peaches are tasty choices.
• Granola: granola is a must-have topping. It adds a crispy, crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy smoothie.
• Coconut flakes: coconut flakes add a crunchy texture, tropical flavor, and important nutrients, like potassium and iron.
• Nut butter: drizzle or dollop a spoonful of nut butter on top for healthy fats. Choose almond butter, peanut butter, or cashew butter. For a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter and tahini are great choices.
• Nuts and seeds: sprinkle crushed nuts and seeds on top, including sliced almonds, pumpkin seeds, pecans, and cashews.
• Cereal: cereal is a more affordable alternative to granola. I recommend choosing a low-sugar variety.
• Cacao nibs: this crunchy superfood provides chocolate flavor and is a healthier alternative to chocolate chips.
• Dried fruit: dried cranberries, raisins, dried blueberries, and goji berries bring a tart flavor and chewy texture.
• Sweetener: naturally sweeten your smoothie with a drizzle of agave nectar, maple syrup, or honey on top.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How do you thicken a smoothie bowl?

If you are new to the world of smoothie bowls, you may be wondering how others create that super thick, ultra creamy consistency. In my opinion, smoothie bowls should always have a texture that’s similar to soft serve ice cream. If you are adding toppings, this is an important part of the experience. When a smoothie is thick and creamy, you can add all sorts of delicious ingredients on top and they won’t fall through.

• Use frozen fruit. Frozen fruit is essential for achieving a thick consistency. Frozen bananas and frozen mango are the best options for this. I recommend using all frozen fruit, so if your recipe calls for berries, buy a frozen variety.
• Use a small amount of liquid. Use just enough liquid to get the blades moving. I recommend using 1/3 cup or less. This is easiest if you own a high-speed blender with a tamper, like a Vitamix blender. If you have a regular blender, be patient while blending. You may have to blend, stop blending and push the ingredients down toward the blades, blend again, and repeat until it is smooth.
• Blend the greens first. If you are including add-ins that need to be broken down, like leafy greens, blend them with the liquid first (before adding the frozen fruit). This reduces the amount of time needed for blending later, which helps your fruit remain frozen and cold. Additionally, if the greens are already broken down, you won’t need to add extra liquid while blending.

How do you store frozen bananas?

As we just discussed, frozen bananas are a key ingredient for smoothie bowl recipes. How do you freeze them? Follow the simple steps below:

1. Use ripe bananas. Ripe bananas have a yellow peel with brown spots all over them. They are sweet, making them perfect for smoothies. Do not use starchy unripe bananas that are still green or solid yellow.
2. Peel bananas. Remove the peels from your bananas and discard them.
3. Transfer to a sealed bag. Transfer the peeled bananas to a sealed ziplock bag or container.
4. Store in the freezer. Store bananas in the freezer where they will keep for 2-3 months. If you make smoothies often, it is helpful to keep a bag full of bananas in the freezer at all times. That way, they are ready to go whenever you want to make a bowl.

Are smoothie bowls healthy?

Smoothie bowls can certainly be a part of a healthy diet! They are a great way to get in your daily servings of fruit. Additionally, smoothies bowls are an easy way to sneak in extra greens that you may not otherwise eat. For example, spinach is flavorless and goes completely unnoticed in smoothies. This is a convenient trick to get kids eating more greens.

Smoothie bowls can also include healthy boosters, like chia seeds, superfood powders, and plant-based protein. If desired, it’s possible to pack in all sorts of vitamins and minerals into this one meal.

More vegan smoothie bowl recipes

• Blueberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
• Raspberry Mango Smoothie Bowl
• Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
• Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl
• Raspberry Orange Smoothie Bowl
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie Bowl
• Green Mango Smoothie Bowl
• Cherry Berry Smoothie Bowl

If you try this Berry Smoothie Bowl, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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