Quick and Easy Strawberry Smoothie Bowl Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken a smoothie for a smoothie bowl? ›

No ice: If you don't have ice, you can use frozen fruit, oats, chia seeds, yogurt, or nuts and nut butter to thicken your smoothie. No frozen fruit: Add a scoop of raw oats or chia seeds into the blender instead. No yogurt: You can swap yogurt with nut butter to thicken a smoothie.

But as we talked about above, you don't add ice or frozen fruit mid blend to make a smoothie bowl thicker. Adding frozen ingredients mid-blend may result in unwanted chunks. So add your liquid ingredients as needed. Also, if you have a Vitamix, use the tamper.

Add frozen berries and banana to a blender and blend on low until small bits remain – see photo. Add a bit of coconut or almond milk and protein powder (optional), and blend on low again, scraping down sides as needed, until the mixture reaches a soft serve consistency (see photo).

Smoothie bowls are generally more nutrient dense compared to smoothies, and are thick enough to eat with a spoon rather than consumed through a straw. Smoothie bowls often incorporate frozen fruits, veggies, juices or milk, ice and even butters like peanut butter or almond butter for added protein.

Large amounts of nuts, seeds, peanut butter and avocado can also jack up the fat content — healthy fat, but excessive nonetheless. Bottom Line: There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While smoothie bowls can be inherently healthy, be careful not to overdo it with large portions and high-calorie ingredients.

Start your smoothie with two mugfuls of a liquid base. This can be milk, or a dairy-free alternative such as soya or almond milk, natural or flavoured yogurt, fruit juice, or for a tropical flavoured smoothie, low-fat coconut milk or coconut water.

Adding too much liquid can instantly downgrade your smoothie bowl. Putting too much water in the blender can be a fatal flaw. "You can always add more, but start with less so it stays thick," Barkyoumb said.

Get everything prepped before loading the blender.

This is a general rule to follow with whatever you're cooking, but prep is important here to prevent a fast melt. Get all of your ingredients prepped before anything hits the blender. This means all the add-ins for your smoothie bowl, as well as the toppings.

Using ONLY frozen fruit and veg. It's the magic key to an extra thick, smooth and creamy smoothie bowl with the perfect soft serve ice cream consistency. You can make hundreds of great thick bowls using various flavor combinations and creative toppings for a nutritious and delicious breakfast, snack or healthy dessert!

You can create vibrant and delicious smoothie bowls with almost any blender, however, it may be easier to use a powerful blender on low speed with a tamper that you can use to push frozen produce down toward the blade to help ensure a silky smooth consistency.

Can you use water instead of milk for a smoothie bowl? ›

If you're looking to cut calories and sugar from your diet, water is the perfect choice for liquid for smoothies. Not only is it calorie-free and sugar-free, but it's also money-free!

Standard ice cubes are great for adding thickness to smoothies but bear in mind you will need a powerful enough blender to crush the ice (more on this later). For the cleanest flavor also try and avoid adding tap water ice cubes if possible. Opt for cubes made from purified, filtered water instead.

Sliced bananas, juicy berries, kiwi, pineapple chunks – the possibilities for fruit smoothie bowl toppings are endless. Fresh fruits add natural sweetness and vibrant colors. For a thick consistency, use frozen fruits or ice cubes. If you prefer a thinner base, use fresh fruits or more liquid.

I recommend that you enjoy these bowls as soon as you've made them, but you can prep ahead and freeze them once you've made them if you like. Make the smoothies and then freeze them in ziplock bags. Let the smoothies defrost in the fridge the night before and then add to your bowl with your favorite toppings.

Adding too much liquid can instantly downgrade your smoothie bowl. Putting too much water in the blender can be a fatal flaw. "You can always add more, but start with less so it stays thick," Barkyoumb said.

To achieve that desirable thickness in your acai bowl, consider using frozen bananas. This not only adds creaminess but also maintains the right consistency. Additionally, be mindful not to add too much liquid, as this can make your bowl watery. Avoid over-blending for a thicker result.

- Use water instead of ice when possible. Ice adds thickness while water doesn't! - Add more liquid ingredients such as coconut water or almond milk; this will help thin out your smoothie without affecting the flavor too much. - Don't forget about fruits like berries that are known for being on the thinner side!