Ingredients
- Frozen Banana: 1 large, ripe, peeled and sliced before freezing
- Frozen Mixed Berries: 1 cup (a mix of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries works best)
- Protein Powder: 1 scoop (approx. 30g) of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder
- Plain Greek Yogurt: ½ cup (use full-fat for extra creaminess or non-fat for a lighter option)
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: ¼ to ½ cup (or any milk of your choice, start with less)
- Fresh Spinach: 1 large handful (about 1 cup, packed)
- Chia Seeds: 1 tablespoon (optional, for extra fiber and omega-3s)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Blender: The key to a thick smoothie bowl is using a high-powered blender. If you don’t have one, don’t worry—you can still achieve a great texture, it might just take a bit more patience.
- Layer Your Ingredients: Add the ingredients to your blender in the following order for the most efficient blending: first, the liquid (start with just ¼ cup of almond milk), then the Greek yogurt, spinach, chia seeds, protein powder, and finally, top with the frozen fruit (berries and banana). Placing the frozen ingredients on top helps push everything down towards the blades.
- Start Blending: Begin blending on a low speed to break up the ingredients, then gradually increase to high speed. Use your blender’s tamper (if it has one) to push the frozen fruit down into the blades. If you don’t have a tamper, you may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides with a spatula a few times.
- Achieve the Right Consistency: The goal is a thick, spoonable, soft-serve ice cream consistency. If the mixture is too thick and your blender is struggling, add the remaining almond milk one tablespoon at a time until it blends smoothly. Be very careful not to add too much liquid, as this is the most common mistake that leads to a runny smoothie.
- Serve Immediately: Once the smoothie is perfectly thick and creamy with no lumps, pour it into a chilled bowl. Work quickly, as it will start to melt.
- Add Your Toppings: This is where the magic happens! Decorate your bowl with your favorite toppings (see our suggestions below) and enjoy immediately with a spoon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 450-550