The Easiest Smoothie Bowls (Only 2 Ingredients)

You’ve gotta try this easy smoothie bowl recipe! It’s only two ingredients.

A couple of years ago, I got really addicted to smoothie bowls. Mostly because they’re so easy…and well….Instagram worthy. Haha.

And this recipe is both of those things – literally the easiest breakfast idea (only two ingredients for the base) and so pretty!

I asked my friend Alejandra from Hell Yeah Gluten Free to share her smoothie bowl secrets with you.

She makes the prettiest / most delicious smoothie bowls I’ve had. And today I’m sharing her recipe base, along with TONS of additional flavor combos.

Why do people eat smoothie bowls?

The quickest answer is that they’re relatively healthy AND delicious.

Smoothie bowls are somewhere between a smoothie and the creaminess of soft serve ice cream, but with only natural sugars and packed with fiber and potassium.

And you can additional toppings to your smoothie bowl when it’s done to really pack on the yum.

Can you switch up the fruits and other pantry staples used?

One of the best parts of this smoothie bowl base though is it’s versatility.

You can make almost any flavor you want, with just a couple of common pantry / fridge staples.

What is the desired consistency?

The base for these smoothie bowls is similar to ‘nice cream’.

Here’s everything you need to know about smoothie bowls, straight from Alejandra Luaces-Riera of HYGF…

How to Make Smoothie Bowls at Home

Makes two servings.

Base Ingredients

• 2 large frozen peeled bananas, broken or cut into 1″ pieces
• 1/8 cup of liquid*
• (optional) toppings or fresh fruit, nuts, bee pollen, etc

You’ll also need a food processor (a high-powered blender may work too, but my Vitamix wasn’t happy trying to churn through frozen bananas).

*You can use a variety of liquids for smoothie recipes, like milk, milk alternatives, fruit juice, etc. I’ll share some more ideas for smoothie liquids below.

Preparing a Smoothie Bowl

1. Freeze bananas.

Start with frozen bananas as a base.

If you have a lot of freezer space, it’s best to go to the store when bananas are on sale and buy several bunches.

Then, break them up into gallon zip-closure bags and freeze them. This works best when they’ve been frozen at least overnight.

2. Blend frozen bananas and liquid.

Toss frozen banana pieces and at least 1/8 cup of liquid into the food processor and start pulsing to break the banana up a bit, then pulse and hold or set to “on” and let the processor do it’s thing.

This may take a while, but be patient!

With a small flexible silicone spatula or just an ordinary spoon, feel free to pause the food processor and scrape the bottom of the mixer, and stir what’s in there, and keep blending.

That’ll help push the contents around so everything eventually gets to the blades and gets pureed.

If your mixture turns into a huge ball and rolls around in your food processor, you need more liquid!

Just keep adding little by little through the spout of the food processor until it gets to the desired consistency.

When the mixture is done, it should be as creamy and perfect as the most amazing soft serve or frozen custard you’ve had.

You can test it by dragging the bottom of a spoon around in the mixture.

Does it look and feel lovely? Then its ready!

What can I mix into a smoothie bowl?

There are plenty of options when it comes to smoothie bowl mix-ins.

Here are a few ideas to get your started… peanut butter, cocoa powder, fresh chopped fruit, dragonfruit or butterfly pea powder, and instant espresso powder.

Bustelo is a personal favorite for instant espresso, if you’re looking for a rec.

What kind of liquid should I use?

As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of liquids that can be used to blended with the frozen bananas.

Here are some ideas for liquids to use in smoothie bowls… 

• regular milk
• alternative milks (try nut milks, oat milk, or even hemp or flax milk)
• fruit juices
• or even sweetened condensed milk for a real decadent treat

Topping Ideas

Toppings are probably my favorite part or any smoothie bowl.

Here are some toppings ideas for a beautiful and tasty smoothie bowl… 

• hemp seed hearts
• chia seed
• nuts
• bee pollen
• fresh berries
• diced or thinly sliced fruit
• fresh local honey
• cacao nibs
• granola

Specific Smoothie Bowl Recipe Ideas

1. Pretty and Pink

This is the pretty pink smoothie bowl you see in all the photos of this post.

Use dragonfruit and cranberry or pomegranate juice and your liquid, along with the frozen bananas!

This will give you a beautiful pink base that you can add almost any topping too.

Dragonfruit is available at local health food stores (check the frozen section for cubed dragonfruit or dragonfruit smoothie pouches) or even in powdered form through Amazon.

To add the same toppings that we did in the photos, start with seasonal stone fruit. Half an apricot and some slices of nectarine, fresh blueberries, toasted coconut flakes, hemp seed powder for protein, and local bee pollen (which can be good for allergies).

2. Go Nuts!

Add 2 tbsp of peanut or almond butter (or 2 tbsp powdered peanut butter in a pinch!) and use almond milk as your liquid.

Top with more nut butter, assorted nuts, and dried fruit for some texture.

3. Antioxidant Smoothie Bowl

Feeling a little under the weather? Add 1/2 tsp of turmeric, 1 tsp ginger powder (or 1 tbsp ginger puree–you can find it in a tube at some grocery chains), and a tbsp honey for an antioxidant-packed, antibacterial treat!

An antioxidant smoothie like this is great if you have a sore throat or need a little boost!

4. Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

Need something chocolatey? Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder, one packet of instant espresso, and a splash of milk. Top with cacao nibs or chocolate-covered espresso beans for extra credit.

5. Green Smoothie Bowl

Need some greens? Green smoothie bowls are healthy and delicious.

Add half an avocado, frozen spinach, 1tbsp pureed ginger, and 1/8 cup coconut milk.

Top with cashews, cacao nibs, goji berries, hemp seed hearts, or whatever your heart desires!

Looking for more smoothie recipes?

These recipes are drinkable. No bowl or spoon required!

• Healthy creamsicle smoothie
• Green smoothie recipe (vegan)
• Chia seed smoothie recipes

How to Make Smoothie Bowls at Home

Brittni

Want to make smoothie bowls at home? You only need two ingredients to make a really great smoothie bowl base and from there, the variations are endless. Here's the simple formular for the perfect smoothie bowl. PLUS, specific recipes ideas for making all different kinds of smoothie bowls.

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Print Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Food processor (a high-powered blender may work too, but my Vitamix wasn't happy trying to churn through frozen bananas)

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 large frozen peeled bananas broken or cut into 1" pieces
• ⅛ cup of liquid*
• optional toppings or fresh fruit, nuts, bee pollen, etc

Instructions

 

Freeze bananas.

• Start with frozen bananas as a base.
• If you have a lot of freezer space, it's best to go to the store when bananas are on sale and buy several bunches. Then, break them up into gallon zip-closure bags and freeze them. This works best when they've been frozen at least overnight.

Blend frozen bananas and liquid.

• Toss frozen banana pieces and at least 1/8 cup of liquid into the food processor and start pulsing to break the banana up a bit, then pulse and hold or set to "on" and let the processor do it's thing. This may take a while, but be patient!
• With a small flexible silicone spatula or just an ordinary spoon, feel free to pause the food processor and scrape the bottom of the mixer, and stir what's in there, and keep blending. That'll help push the contents around so everything eventually gets to the blades and gets pureed.
• If your mixture turns into a huge ball and rolls around in your food processor, you need more liquid! Just keep adding little by little through the spout of the food processor until it gets to the desired consistency.
• When the mixture is done, it should be as creamy and perfect as the most amazing soft serve or frozen custard you've had. You can test it by dragging the bottom of a spoon around in the mixture. Does it look and feel lovely? Then its ready!

Notes

Specific Smoothie Bowl Recipe Ideas

1. Pink Smoothie Bowl

This is the pretty pink smoothie bowl you see in all the photos of this post.

Use dragonfruit and cranberry or pomegranate juice and your liquid, along with the frozen bananas! This will give you a beautiful pink base that you can add almost any topping too.

Dragonfruit is available at local health food stores (check the frozen section for cubed dragonfruit or dragonfruit smoothie pouches) or even in powdered form through Amazon.

To add the same toppings that we did in the photos, start with seasonal stone fruit. Half an apricot and some slices of nectarine, fresh blueberries, toasted coconut flakes, hemp seed powder for protein, and local bee pollen (which can be good for allergies).

2. Nut Butter Smoothie Bowl

Go nuts! Add 2 tbsp of peanut or almond butter (or 2 tbsp powdered peanut butter in a pinch!) and use almond milk as your liquid. Top with more nut butter, assorted nuts, and dried fruit for some texture.

3. Antioxidant Smoothie Bowl

Feeling a little under the weather? Add 1/2 tsp of turmeric, 1 tsp ginger powder (or 1 tbsp ginger puree–you can find it in a tube at some grocery chains), and a tbsp honey for an antioxidant-packed, antibacterial treat!

An antioxidant smoothie like this is great if you have a sore throat or need a little boost!

4. Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

Need something chocolatey? Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder, one packet of instant espresso, and a splash of milk. Top with cacao nibs or chocolate-covered espresso beans for extra credit.

5. Green Smoothie Bowl

Need some greens? Green smoothie bowls are healthy and delicious. 

Add half an avocado, frozen spinach, 1tbsp pureed ginger, and 1/8 cup coconut milk. Top with cashews, cacao nibs, goji berries, hemp seed hearts, or whatever your heart desires!

Did you make this?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Recipe by Hell Yeah Gluten Free
Photography Amelia Lawrence
Styling Brittni Mehlhoff

Are you a smoothie bowl fan? What kinds of smoothie bowls are your go-tos?