Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

There is a very specific kind of morning where I want something cold and pretty and a little bit indulgent, but I also want to pretend I am being healthy. Enter the strawberry banana smoothie bowl. It is basically a milkshake that gets to call itself breakfast, and I am fully on board with that energy.

My favorite part is that it takes about five minutes and there is no cooking involved, which during this pregnancy is exactly my speed. I make one, top it with whatever is in the fridge, and feel weirdly accomplished. Low effort, high reward, my favorite genre.

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The trick to a thick, spoonable bowl

The whole point of a smoothie bowl is that it is thick enough to eat with a spoon and pile high with toppings. A regular smoothie is a drink. A smoothie bowl is an event. The secret is using frozen fruit and being really stingy with the liquid. I start with just a little milk and only add more if my blender is genuinely struggling.

Speaking of, a decent blender makes this so much easier. You do not need anything fancy, but you do want one that can handle frozen fruit without crying. I use mine constantly, and a good high speed blender has earned its spot on my counter. Freeze your ripe bananas in slices ahead of time and you will always be ready to go.

Topping ideas because that is the fun part

Honestly the toppings are where I get a little carried away. Fresh strawberries and banana, obviously, but I also love a sprinkle of granola for crunch and a little chia seeds for that virtuous feeling. Shredded coconut, a drizzle of nut butter, a few extra berries, whatever makes it feel special. My toddler thinks topping the bowl is a job and I let her believe that.

If you want to make it extra filling, a scoop of vanilla protein powder blends right in and keeps me full until lunch, which during this season of life is no small thing.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

A thick, spoonable smoothie bowl that feels like dessert but is secretly a great breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 bowl

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the base

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 frozen banana sliced before freezing
• 1/3 cup milk of choice plus more as needed
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

For topping

• fresh strawberries and banana slices
• 1 tbsp granola
• 1 tsp chia seeds

Method

 

1. Add the frozen strawberries, frozen banana, milk, and yogurt to a blender.
2. Blend until thick and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Add a splash more milk only if it refuses to blend. You want it thick enough to eat with a spoon.
3. Pour into a bowl and smooth the top.
4. Top with fresh fruit, granola, and chia seeds, then eat right away before it melts.

Notes

The secret to a thick spoonable bowl is using frozen fruit and going light on the liquid. Start with less, you can always add more. Pile the toppings high, that is half the fun.

Make it your own

This recipe is really more of a template than a strict formula. Swap the strawberries for mango, use a different yogurt, add a handful of spinach if you want to sneak in greens, no one will know. The ratios are forgiving. Just keep it thick, keep it cold, and pile on the pretty stuff.

So glad you are here.
xo, Pam