Ingredients
Scale
For the Smoothie Base:
- 1 ½ cups frozen raspberries (about 8 oz)
- 1 large frozen banana, sliced (about 1 cup)
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice), plus more as needed
- 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Suggested Toppings:
- ¼ cup granola
- 2 tablespoons fresh raspberries
- 3-4 banana slices
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter (drizzled)
- 1 teaspoon cacao nibs (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Make sure your raspberries and banana are completely frozen. If using fresh banana, slice it and freeze for at least 2 hours beforehand. Remove frozen fruit from the freezer and let sit for 2-3 minutes to soften slightly, which makes blending easier.
- Add ingredients to blender: Place frozen raspberries, frozen banana slices, and almond milk into your blender. Add yogurt if using, along with any optional sweetener and vanilla extract. The key is to use minimal liquid – start with just ¼ cup.
- Blend on low, then increase speed: Start blending on the lowest setting to break up the frozen fruit. Use the tamper (if your blender has one) to push ingredients toward the blades. Gradually increase to medium-high speed, stopping frequently to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
- Check consistency: The mixture should be extremely thick – like soft-serve ice cream or frozen yogurt. You should be able to turn the blender upside down without the mixture falling out. If it’s too thick to blend, add liquid 1 tablespoon at a time. If it becomes too thin, add a few more frozen raspberries or banana chunks.
- Transfer to bowl: Scrape the smoothie base into a wide, shallow bowl using your spatula. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon to create an even surface for toppings.
- Arrange toppings: This is the fun part! Arrange your toppings in sections or rows for that Pinterest-perfect look. Start with larger items like granola and banana slices, then sprinkle smaller toppings like chia seeds and coconut flakes. Drizzle nut butter over the top if using.
- Serve immediately: Smoothie bowls are best enjoyed right away while the base is still thick and frosty. Grab a spoon and dig in, making sure to get some of that crunchy topping with every creamy bite!
Notes
- Texture is key: The difference between a drinkable smoothie and a smoothie bowl is thickness. Use as little liquid as possible and blend patiently.
- Banana sweetness: A very ripe banana (with brown spots) will make the bowl sweeter naturally. Adjust added sweeteners accordingly.
- Blender power matters: If your blender struggles with frozen fruit, let ingredients thaw for 5 minutes before blending, or invest in a high-powered blender.
- Topping quantities: The toppings listed are suggestions – use what you love and what you have on hand!
- Make it protein-rich: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder or 2 tablespoons of nut butter to the base for extra protein that keeps you full longer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl (with suggested toppings)
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 67g
- Fiber: 14g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 3mg