Learn how to make a super thick smoothie bowl with this simple 5-ingredient smoothie bowl recipe! Top it off with your choice of crunchy, creamy, or fruity mix-ins for unlimited possibilities...
This post is sponsored by Knudsen & Sons, Inc., all opinions are my own.
What Is A Smoothie Bowl?
When the weather heats up, a creamy smoothie bowl is the perfect way to cool off! What is a smoothie bowl, you ask? It's basically just an extra thick smoothie poured into a bowl and garnished with fun and tasty toppings...
Sounds good, huh? And smoothie bowls are super easy to make. The key to making them so thick and spoonable (is that a word?) is using all frozen fruit with just enough juice to get things moving in the blender. No ice and never water -- a watered down smoothie bowl is SO meh.
Thick Smoothie Bowl Recipe
I use the same basic recipe for all of my smoothie bowls, simply varying the frozen fruit, type of fruit juice, and the toppings to change things up. It's a virtually foolproof base of 5 simple ingredients that allows you to experiment and have fun with your food.
Let's start with the juice... I always look for 100% juice, which is what R.W. Knudsen Family provides in their line of unsweetened single fruit juices. With varieties like Just Cranberry (my fave!), Just Pomegranate, and Just Tart Cherry, you know you're getting the maximum taste for each juice.
R.W. Knudsen uses ingredients that are all natural, and each 8-oz. is a full serving of fruit. So I feel good about using it in my smoothies and smoothie bowls AND serving it to my kids! Find it in the juice aisle at Walmart.
Smoothie Bowl Ingredients
Beyond a good juice, you'll need four additional smoothie bowl ingredients:
- frozen fruit: use a single fruit or a mixed variety. I like frozen blueberries, strawberries, mango, peaches, and raspberries, among others.
- plain Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt adds creaminess and protein to your smoothie bowl, while also helping to thicken it up.
- frozen banana: this is a great way to use up overripe bananas! I freeze them for my smoothie bowls to help thicken them up and add natural sweetness.
- honey (optional): sometimes you just need a touch of extra sweetening, and honey is my go-to option. Taste your smoothie bowl without it and add as needed.
After your smoothie bowl mix is blended up, the real fun happens. Pour it into a bowl, and top it all off with your favorite mix-ins!
Some of my tried and true choices are: fresh fruit, granola (try this easy homemade granola recipe!), shredded coconut, chia seeds, nuts or nut butters, cocoa powder, and even chocolate chips on occasion.
How To Make A Smoothie Bowl
For the smoothie bowl recipe pictured, I blended together frozen blueberries, Greek yogurt, a frozen banana, ½ cup of R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry Juice, and a touch of honey...
It toed the line between sweet and tart perfectly! I topped it all off with some fresh blueberries, shredded unsweetened coconut, and about a tablespoon of chia seeds. But you don't have to follow my lead -- the possibilities are endless!
Create Your Own Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Learn how to make a smoothie bowl with this simple 5-ingredient smoothie bowl recipe! Top it off with your choice of crunchy, creamy, or fruity mix-ins for unlimited possibilities...
Ingredients
- ½ cup R.W. Knudsen Just Cranberry Juice
- ¾ cup frozen blueberries
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 medium frozen banana
- honey, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Combine cranberry juice, frozen blueberries, yogurt, and banana in a blender. Cover with the lid and process until smooth. Taste and add honey to sweeten, as desired.
- Pour into a small serving bowl. Sprinkle with desired toppings.
Notes
Suggestions for toppings: fresh fruit, granola, shredded coconut, chia seeds, nuts or nut butters, cocoa powder, or chocolate chips.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 bowlAmount Per Serving: Calories: 343Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 46mgCarbohydrates: 75gFiber: 10gSugar: 50gProtein: 14g
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your smoothie bowls turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Janine says
Looks really good. I'm thinking I might try this with Cranberry juice, blueberries, strawberries and some beet root powder. Yummy! I know you would die at the thought of beets but... LOL - I'm so into them!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
LOL, you're SO right! But I'm actually going to make myself try it when NOW Foods has it back in stock.
animal jam says
I am all about a good (and flavorful) smoothie bowl and this looks like a winner! Gorgeous photos too! Pinning this one to try, thanks!
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I have smoothies every day, but can you believe I've never tried a smoothie bowl? I never understood what they really were until your great explanation. It makes sense now! I love your GIF too!
Kristine says
I am all about a good (and flavorful) smoothie bowl and this looks like a winner! Gorgeous photos too! Pinning this one to try, thanks!
Caroline says
That looks like such a gorgeous smoothie bowl - we are already fans in our house, but I like your tips on how to build your own.
Jaclyn Anne says
I am always looking for new smoothie and smoothie bowl recipes, thank you! I love how easy it is to make to with just 5 ingredients!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I literally live on smoothie bowls in summer and I'm always looking for new recipes to try, this one looks so delicious!
Stephanie says
This definitely looks sooo good and perfect for a delicious healthy breakfast. I'm a big fan of cranberry juice so can't wait to try this..BTW love the GIF you created :)
Jacqueline Debono says
I start every day with the drinking kind of smoothie but your smoothie bowl looks so good, I think I should try smoothie bowls too!
Traci says
This could not be more gorgeous and inviting! Gimme a big spoon...I need this right after my workout today. Just pinned...thanks for sharing :)
Lauren Vavala @ DeliciousLittleBites says
What a great idea to use cranberry juice! Acai is so hard to find around here, but I can find cranberry juice! Can't wait to try this!