5 SMOOTHIE BOWL RECIPES AND IDEAS
You may have mastered the art of a rich and creamy smoothie, but trying your hand at creating a smoothie bowl can elevate an everyday treat and provide a fantastic outlet for culinary expression. Use this guide to discover tips for creating thick and creamy smoothie bowls, get topping ideas and try new smoothie bowl recipes.
WHAT IS A SMOOTHIE BOWL?
A smoothie bowl is a thick, blended mixture of frozen fruits, vegetables and liquids (like milk or yogurt) that’s served in a bowl and topped with an array of colorful and textured ingredients. This twist on a traditional smoothie is often adorned with ingredients like granola, fresh fruit, nuts, seeds and more. Like a traditional smoothie, you can make a smoothie bowl with the help of an immersion blender, countertop blender or even a food processor.
Select KitchenAid® blenders feature a Smoothie pre-set recipe program that takes the guesswork out of blending your favorite smoothie bowl.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SMOOTHIE BOWL VS. A SMOOTHIE?
The primary differences between a smoothie and a smoothie bowl come down to presentation and consistency. Smoothies are typically sipped through a straw, but a smoothie bowl is eaten from a bowl with a spoon and consequently tends to be thicker than a traditional smoothie. Smoothie bowls are usually topped with a wide variety of ingredients to create a decorative display and more textured treat.
5 SMOOTHIE BOWL RECIPES
You can transform nearly any smoothie recipe into a satisfying bowl, but the smoothie bowl recipes below may help get you started. Try these smoothie bowl recipes for a refreshing treat packed with fruits, veggies and other nutrient-rich ingredients.
1. GREEN SMOOTHIE BOWL
This smoothie bowl is brimming with the vibrant flavors of fresh strawberries, pomegranate, coconut, cacao nibs, banana, spinach and pineapple. The refreshing flavor combination and vibrant colors are sure to kick-start your senses.
2. RAINBOW SMOOTHIE BOWL
A visually stunning smoothie bowl with a hint of tropical flavor, this recipe combines a wide array of fresh fruits with sweetened condensed milk for a rich and creamy texture.
3. TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE BOWL
This tangy smoothie bowl lays a sweet and creamy foundation with the help of plain greek yogurt, rolled oats and pitted dates. Then, citrusy flavors like orange and pineapple are paired with freshly grated ginger and shredded coconut for a taste of the tropics.
4. APPLE PIE SMOOTHIE BOWL
Treat your tastebuds to the flavors of fall with this smoothie bowl. The blended greek yogurt, oats, maple syrup and ground cinnamon base is topped with sautéed apple noodles, walnuts, goji berries and chia seeds to create an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Add the KitchenAid® Spiralizer Plus with Peel, Core and Slice attachment to the power hub of the KitchenAid® stand mixer1 to create apple spirals for extra crunch.
1. Sold separately.
5. TROPICAL BREAKFAST BOWL
This energizing smoothie bowl combines coconut milk with orange, lime, mango, pineapple and banana flavors to create a mouthwatering base. Top the frozen mixture with sliced fruit, shaved coconut and hemp seeds.
SHOP KITCHENAID® BLENDERS FOR MAKING SMOOTHIE BOWLS
WHAT IS THE SECRET TO A THICK SMOOTHIE BOWL?
Using the right ingredients can help you achieve a thick base texture for your smoothie bowl. Incorporating fruits high in soluble fiber—like pears, frozen raspberries, avocados, frozen bananas or frozen mangos—can help create a creamy and thick mixture. You can also opt for using frozen fruit, choosing thick liquids like almond or coconut milk, or blending in soaked chia seeds, nut butters, yogurt or protein powder. Using a higher proportion of fruits and veggies to the liquid ingredients will also make for a thicker smoothie.
WHAT LIQUIDS CAN I USE FOR A SMOOTHIE BOWL?
A milk liquid base like almond, oat, coconut or cow’s milk will create smoothies with a creamier texture, but you can still create a thick smoothie bowl using other liquid additives. Filtered or coconut water, cold-pressed juice, coffee or tea can also add flavor, nutritional value and even a little caffeine boost to a smoothie bowl. Be sure to consider the flavor profile you’re aiming to create as you choose a base.
WHAT ARE TOPPINGS FOR A SMOOTHIE BOWL?
Smoothie bowls provide the perfect canvas to experiment with nearly any combination of mouthwatering toppings. Consider the blend of colors, flavors, textures and nutrients you want as you curate smoothie bowl ingredients from the following categories:
Fresh fruit: Create a vibrant display of seasonal fruit to top off any smoothie bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, mango, pineapple, kiwi or blueberries, or opt for more exotic flavors like dragon fruit or pomegranate seeds.
Dried fruit: Incorporate tart or sweet dried fruits like dried goji berries, figs, cranberries or apricots.
Nuts and seeds: Add protein and texture to your smoothie bowl with roughly chopped or slivered nuts and seeds like toasted walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts or chia seeds.
Oats and shavings: From chocolate shavings to coconut flakes, these wispy garnishes can add flair to a variety of smoothie bowl flavor combinations. Try sprinkling toppings like steel cut or rolled oats for a hearty addition.
Spices and herbs: Create bowls that capture seasonal flavors by sprinkling spices on top. Fall smoothie bowls may pop with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or ginger while springtime bowls may include mint or lavender.
HOW DO YOU MAKE A VEGAN SMOOTHIE BOWL?
You can create a creamy and flavorful vegan or dairy-free smoothie bowl using plant-based ingredients. Create a rich smoothie base by pairing fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables with plant-based milk like almond, coconut, soy or rice milk. Enhance flavors with plant-based protein powder, nut butter or a dash of vanilla extract.
Sweeten your smoothie bowl base with maple or agave syrup, or drizzle some on top, then garnish your bowl with fresh or dried fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, oats or spices.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ACAI BOWL VS. A SMOOTHIE BOWL?
Acai and smoothie bowls can look similar at first glance, but there are a few key differences between the two popular breakfast foods. Acai bowls always use some form of the acai berry—originating from Brazil—to form the base, while smoothie bowls use a variety of fruits or vegetables to create the base flavor and texture. Acai bowls also feature a cold and thick consistency with a sorbet-like texture, whereas smoothie bowls tend to lean toward a more liquified texture.
HOW DO YOU TURN A SMOOTHIE INTO A SMOOTHIE BOWL?
Transforming a smoothie into a smoothie bowl can be as simple as eating your smoothie out of a bowl alongside assorted toppings—rather than sipping it from a straw—but thickening the base mixture can provide a more satisfying texture.
You can create a thicker base by using frozen alternatives to the fruit your recipe calls for and using a smaller amount of liquid to aid in the blending process. Plan to use about ⅛ to ¼ cup of liquid for every 1 cup of frozen fruit.
Starting with a smoothie recipe can be a great way to try smoothie bowl ideas. Transform a pumpkin spice latte smoothie or carrot cake mango smoothie into a smoothie bowl full of fall flavor, or create a green energy smoothie bowl to jump-start your morning. For a twist on summertime smoothies, try converting a rosemary watermelon strawberry smoothie or citrus surprise smoothie into a refreshing smoothie bowl.
EXPLORE KITCHENAID® BLENDERS AND FOOD PROCESSORS
KitchenAid® blenders and food processors offer the functionality you need to explore your most exotic smoothie creations. Effortlessly crush ice in less than 10 seconds with select KitchenAid® blenders,2 or conveniently whip up an individual smoothie with a personal blender jar available for select models. You can even use a KitchenAid® food processor to create creamy smoothies using your favorite frozen fruits.
2. Half tray of ice
