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Start your day with this creamy Berry Banana Smoothie Bowl made with fresh fruit and simple ingredients. It’s quick, healthy, and perfect for breakfast or a snack!
Have you tried making a smoothie bowl yet? I admit I didn’t get the whole smoothie bowl thing and I’m joining this party a little late (running late… the story of my life!)
But then I decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did. I loved it and so did my family! This Berry Banana Smoothie Bowl is the first one I made. I made a Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl, too, and it is basically dessert!
What is the difference between a smoothie and a smoothie bowl?
Well, here are a few things…
- A smoothie bowl is thicker than a normal smoothie. You eat a smoothie bowl with a spoon as opposed to drinking it.
- It is made of mostly, if not all, frozen ingredients.
- You use less liquid than you would use in a smoothie.
The smoothie bowl reminds me of frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream. It is sooo good! After you make a smoothie bowl you get to have fun of garnishing the top of the smoothie bowl. (At least to me that was fun… I get excited over pretty food. While I grocery shop, I like to walk down the magazine aisle and admire the front covers of food magazines.
Berry Smoothie Bowl Ingredients
- Milk or Coconut Water – You can use dairy milk, almond milk, or soy milk. Whatever your family prefers.
- Frozen Mixed Berries – I like to use an assortment of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Whatever is in the freezer!
- Frozen Bananas
Optional Mix-Ins
- Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese
- Collagen Peptides or Protein Powder
- Nut Butter
- Oats
I think part of the fun of making a smoothie bowl is garnishing the top of the smoothie bowl.
Smoothie Bowl Toppings
- Granola
- Finely Chopped or Sliced Nuts -We like sliced almonds or sunflower seeds.
- Sliced Banana
- Frozen or Fresh Fruit, Frozen or Fresh Berries
- Flaxseed, Chia Seeds, or Hemp Seeds
- Chocolate Chips
- Coconut Flakes
- Honey – Add a little drizzle of honey on top to add a little sweetness.
- Peanut Butter or Almond Butter – If you warm the nut butter, you can drizzle it over the top of the bowl to add some filling healthy fats – and a little protein!
For the smoothie to hold these toppings up it needs to be thick. How do you make sure your smoothie bowl is thick enough?
Tips to Make a Thick Smoothie Bowl
- Use frozen fruit – frozen bananas, frozen blueberries, frozen blackberries, frozen strawberries, and frozen raspberries. You can also get a bag of mixed berries from the grocery store!
- Use less liquid than you use for a smoothie.
- Add some oats – they add protein and fiber to your smoothie bowl.
- Frozen bananas – I add bananas to my smoothie bowls. They are filled with good nutrients like potassium, fiber, and antioxidants. Bananas can be frozen or unfrozen for this recipe. I have made it both ways. It really made the bowls thicker (and colder) when all the fruit was frozen. My three taste testers (my husband and kids) seemed to like it better when the banana was not frozen. It was colder… I think if it was a warm summer day the colder one would be the favorite. But since I made it on a winter day in March, they preferred the smoothie bowl with the unfrozen banana. So that is up to you on the banana. It will take a bit longer to get all the ingredients smooth with all the fruit frozen, but it will get there.
Recipe Tip
I would suggest getting all your toppings somewhat ready to go before making the smoothie bowl and setting them aside. This way it won’t melt on you while you are getting everything out.
Also, if you are using a freezer-safe bowl, place it in your freezer to chill while you prepare everything. This will help keep the smoothie bowl chilled. You can also prep smoothie bowls, then freeze them, and eat them like sorbet. I like to freeze them in reusable ice cream containers.
How to Make a Smoothie Bowl
To make this Berry Banana Smoothie Bowl, just combine all the ingredients in your blender. It might take a little bit longer since most of the ingredients are frozen, but not too much longer.
Pour or spoon your smoothie into your bowl.
Then add your favorite toppings – sliced banana, berries, and granola – whatever you like.
I love to add granola because it gives it a little crunchy texture. I like to use a granola that has sliced almonds and a little bit of chocolate in it. Garnish and enjoy!
If your smoothie mixture is too thick, you can add a little extra liquid and blend it a little longer to thin it out. If it is too thin, add a little more frozen fruit – more bananas will help! (Oats also help thicken smoothie bowls.)
This recipe was enough for everyone in my family of four to have a serving as a snack. If you are making it for yourself, the great thing about this is you can use what you like the day you make it and then place any leftovers back into the freezer for a week or two in a freezer-safe container.
Smoothies are great for breakfast or a quick pick-me-up kind of snack. And with the smoothie bowl, it is great to put the extra (if there is any!) back in the freezer for another day.
Looking for More Smoothie Recipes?
If you’re a smoothie lover like me, here are a couple of my favorite smoothies:
- Tropical Smoothie – Pineapple, bananas, and mango make up this refreshing smoothie!
- Apple Berry Smoothie – Apples, blueberries, and raspberries are the fruits used in this delicious smoothie.
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie – This protein-packed smoothie is made with Greek yogurt, bananas, and strawberries.
I also have a chocolate peanut butter smoothie bowl recipe that tastes like dessert! It is also really delicious if you freeze it and eat it like ice cream!
Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating below. I love hearing from you.
Berry Banana Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed berries frozen
- ½ cup milk or coconut water
- 1 ripe banana frozen or unfrozen – If you use frozen banana, the smoothie bowl will be thicker and cooler.
Smoothie Bowl Toppings
- 2 tablespoons granola I used Quaker brand with sliced almonds and chocolate pieces.
- 1 banana sliced
- ½ cup mixed berries fresh
Instructions
- Get your toppings ready and set aside.
- If you are using a glass or freezer safe bowl, chill the bowl while getting everything ready. (This step is optional.)
- Place all the ingredients in your blender. Blend until smooth. (This will take longer than a normal smoothie since there is less liquid and mostly, if not all, frozen fruit.)
- Pour or scoop into your bowl.
- Garnish with toppings.
- Serve immediately.
- Place leftover smoothie in the freezer covered for 1-2 weeks. Thaw slightly before eating.
Notes
Special Equipment Needeed
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate and is automatically calculated, so should only be used as a guide.
This is my absolute favorite smoothie!I love how you put the granola on top of the smoothie 😄👍🏼
So happy to hear you like this smoothie Teresa! Smoothie bowls are a great way to switch things up. I love using granola to give it a little crunch!
Jeannie