How to Make Thick Smoothie Bowls (2024)

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Try these easy recipes for thick smoothie bowls. If you get as annoyed as I do when served a runny smoothie bowl at a restaurant, you’ll choose to make your own at home. Learn how to make 3 delicious smoothie bowl recipes with your favorite fruit and toppings!

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*This post is sponsored by SunButter, a sunflower seed spread perfect for allergy-safe baking and cooking! Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Sunkissed Kitchen running.

Contents

Thick Smoothie Bowls with TONS of Toppings

Being served a runny, thin smoothie bowl, with the toppings sinking in, is one of my dining-out pet peeves! If the toppings can’t sit on top, and you can’t finish it without it completely melting, it doesn’t belong in a bowl.

I have a method for making the best thick smoothie bowls. Put the blender away, and break out the food processor. Choose your favorite fruits, and keep them chopped and in the freezer ready to go.

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When you’re ready, it’s fast to process your favorite frozen fruits along with creamy coconut milk into an ice cream-worthy smoothie. These bowls are like soft serve ice cream — except totally made from fruit.

Add your favorite smoothie bowl toppings — I love:

  • Nut and seed butters — my new fav is Chocolate SunButter. This long-anticipated SunButter variety is finally here!
  • Shredded Coconut
  • Fresh fruit — bananas, berries, and chopped mangoes are great options.
  • Chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate – I also love cocoa nibs
  • Nuts & Seeds – think almonds, pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds.
  • Granola
  • Crumbled healthy cookies or muffins
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It’s like Nutella – except better! It has a rich chocolate flavor and is slightly salty. And instead of being mostly sugar, it’s main ingredient is protein and vitamin rich sunflower seeds.

Hop on over to the SunButter website to learn more about this delicious spread!

Chocolate Banana Smoothie Bowl

Sometimes basic is best, and this banana smoothie bowl won’t disappoint! This simple smoothie bowl uses only 4 ingredients:

  • Frozen bananas
  • Cocoa powder
  • Chocolate SunButter
  • Coconut Milk

Hop on over to this Chocolate Smoothie Bowl post to see more ideas!

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Step 1: Add the frozen fruit, chocolate SunButter, cocoa, and coconut milk into a food processor bowl. This can also be done in a high speed blender with a tamper stick, but I find it quicker in a food processor.

Step 2: Process until all the fruit is broken down into a soft serve ice cream consistency.

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Step 3: Top with your favorite smoothie bowl toppings.

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Banana Berry Smoothie Bowls

Berries are a great addition to smoothies! The bananas provide a super creamy base, and you can customize this with whatever frozen berries you have on hand or love the most.

  • Frozen bananas
  • Frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries)
  • Coconut Milk
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Make this a strawberry banana smoothie bowl by using all frozen strawberries instead of a mix of berries.

Step 1: Add the frozen fruit and coconut milk into a food processor bowl. This can also be done in a high speed blender with a tamper stick, but I find it quicker in a food processor.

Step 2: Process until all the fruit is broken down into a soft serve ice cream consistency.

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Step 3: Top with your favorite smoothie bowl toppings.

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Orange Mango Smoothie Bowl

This is my favorite of the 3 options! Frozen citrus is amazing is smoothies. It adds the perfect sweet-tart component, and blends into the creamy banana.

  • Frozen bananas
  • Frozen oranges (mandarins work the best)
  • Frozen Mango (see how to cut a mango here)
  • Coconut Milk
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Step 1: Add the frozen bananas, frozen mango, and frozen oranges, along with coconut milk into a food processor bowl. This can also be done in a high speed blender with a tamper stick, but I find it quicker in a food processor.

Step 2: Process until all the fruit is broken down into a soft serve ice cream consistency.

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Step 3: Top with your favorite smoothie bowl toppings.

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Thick Smoothie Bowl Tips

How to Make a Smoothie Bowl Thick: The trick to keeping smoothie bowls super thick is to not use very much liquid, and to use frozen fruit. This method is like making “nice cream,” the vegan frozen fruit “ice cream” trend.

Can I substitute the coconut milk? You can use any milk you’d like in these bowls. Coconut milk lends a sweet tropical flavor and makes them extra creamy. Go ahead and use heavy whipping cream, almond milk, or even some yogurt in place of it.

How to Make a Smoothie Bowl without a Blender: These smoothie bowls use a food processor instead of a blender. The frozen fruit breaks down into a very thick, smooth consistency similar to soft serve ice cream.

How to Make Yogurt Smoothie Bowls: Instead of the coconut milk, add 1/4-1/2 cup of your favorite yogurt. I recommend using something unflavored and unsweetened, like a full fat Greek yogurt. The fruit has all the sweetness you need here!

Try one of these other Smoothie Bowl Recipes:
  • Tropical Green Smoothie Bowl
  • Vegan Green Smoothie Bowl
  • Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl

If you make this recipe, be sure to share it with me! Find me on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to tag #SunkissedKitchen @SunkissedKitch

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Smoothie Bowl Recipes

This is more a method than a recipe for a thick smoothie bowl. The keys are to use frozen fruit and minimize the liquid in your smoothie bowl. I make these in a food processor, but use a high speed blender with a tamper stick if that's what you have. Don't forget lots of toppings!

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 smoothie bowl

Calories: 335kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Ingredients

Chocolate Banana Smoothie Bowl

  • 1 banana quartered and frozen
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons Chocolate SunButter
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk

Berry Banana Smoothie Bowl

  • 1 banana quartered and frozen
  • 1 1/2 cups berries any type, frozen
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk

Orange Mango Smoothie Bowl

  • 1 cup mango frozen
  • 1/2 banana quartered and frozen
  • 2 mandarin oranges peeled and segmented, frozen
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk

Instructions

  • Add the ingredients for your chosen smoothie bowl into a food process bowl or a high speed blender with a tamper stick. You will need to add a bit more liquid if choosing to use a blender.

  • Be patient — open the lid and press the frozen fruit down into the blades a few times. This will take about 5 minutes to process. If needed, add 1/4 cup of almond milk or milk of choice to get it start coming together.

  • Add the thick smoothie into a bowl and then add toppings as desired.

Video

Notes

*Nutrition facts are for Banana Berry Smoothie with no toppings added.

How to Make a Smoothie Bowl Thick: The trick to keeping smoothie bowls super thick is to not use very much liquid, and to use frozen fruit. This method is like making “nice cream,” the vegan frozen fruit “ice cream” trend.

Can I substitute the coconut milk? You can use any milk you’d like in these bowls. Coconut milk lends a sweet tropical flavor and makes them extra creamy. Go ahead and use heavy whipping cream, almond milk, or even some yogurt in place of it.

How to Make a Smoothie Bowl without a Blender: These smoothie bowls use a food processor instead of a blender. The frozen fruit breaks down into a very thick, smooth consistency similar to soft serve ice cream.

How to Make Yogurt Smoothie Bowls: Instead of the coconut milk, add 1/4-1/2 cup of your favorite yogurt. I recommend using something unflavored and unsweetened, like a full fat Greek yogurt. The fruit has all the sweetness you need here!

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SunkissedKitch or tag #SunkissedKitchen!

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How to Make Thick Smoothie Bowls (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a smoothie bowl thicker? ›

No ice: If you don't have ice, you can use frozen fruit, oats, chia seeds, yogurt, or nuts and nut butter to thicken your smoothie. No frozen fruit: Add a scoop of raw oats or chia seeds into the blender instead. No yogurt: You can swap yogurt with nut butter to thicken a smoothie.

What is the key to a thick smoothie? ›

Frozen ingredients are the key to creating a thick smoothie. Using fibrous, thick-fleshed fruit and vegetables can also help the texture. Adding chia seeds, avocado, yogurt, and protein powder are other thickening options.

What makes a smoothie too thick? ›

Ice adds thickness while water doesn't! - Add more liquid ingredients such as coconut water or almond milk; this will help thin out your smoothie without affecting the flavor too much. - Don't forget about fruits like berries that are known for being on the thinner side!

Does adding ice make smoothies thick? ›

Standard ice cubes are great for adding thickness to smoothies but bear in mind you will need a powerful enough blender to crush the ice (more on this later). For the cleanest flavor also try and avoid adding tap water ice cubes if possible. Opt for cubes made from purified, filtered water instead.

Why is my smoothie bowl so thin? ›

The trick to thicker smoothie bowls is less liquid. In my Pitaya bowl recipe, I use 3 frozen packs Pitaya and 1 1/2 frozen bananas and add less than a cup of my homemade almond milk to blend. I use the Vitamix tamper to work the frozen fruit to the consistency I like. Play around with it and you will get it!

How do you thicken an acai bowl? ›

To achieve that desirable thickness in your acai bowl, consider using frozen bananas. This not only adds creaminess but also maintains the right consistency. Additionally, be mindful not to add too much liquid, as this can make your bowl watery. Avoid over-blending for a thicker result.

How to make a smoothie thick and creamy? ›

How to make a creamy smoothie:
  1. Use frozen ingredients in your smoothie. The easiest way to a thick smoothie is to use frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit and ice. ...
  2. Only add liquid as needed. ...
  3. Add a protein powder. ...
  4. Blend in a powdered pudding mix. ...
  5. Blend blend blend.
Feb 16, 2024

How do you keep smoothies thick overnight? ›

Using frozen fruit is best as it helps keeps the smoothie cold and thick. Sometimes ice doesn't blend as well, so it's best to skip unless absolutely necessary. Instead of ice, try using 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower.

What can I add to my smoothie to make it thinner? ›

How to Make a Smoothie Thinner: Add small amounts of water, milk, or juice.

Why has my smoothie turned to jelly? ›

If your fruit juice has turned into jelly after being chilled, it is likely due to the presence of natural pectin in the fruit. Pectin is a substance found in many fruits and is responsible for giving them a gel-like consistency.

How do you make a thick smoothie without a blender? ›

Add chia seeds to a cup of liquid and they will thicken it just enough to turn said liquid into smoothie-like texture. Genius, right? Add chia seeds to your favorite dairy or nondairy milk, shake well, and in about five minutes you'll have a very simple smoothie.

Why do I feel weird after drinking a smoothie? ›

You may experience bloating or gas

We previously mentioned how eating a high-fiber smoothie can be great for your digestion, but be warned that if you're not used to taking in much fiber, your body may react to a high-fiber drink with excess gas or bloating because of the way it alters your gut microbiome.

Can I use frozen fruit instead of ice in a smoothie? ›

Yes, you can put frozen fruit into your blender. Finely chop your fruit and vegetables for easier blending. That way, you don't need to use as much liquid and the texture will be rich and thick.

Is crushed or cubed ice better for smoothies? ›

Crushed ice is a great option for smoothies because it blends more easily and creates a smoother texture. It's also easier to measure out the right amount of ice and it melts faster than ice cubes.

How many cups of ice do you put in a smoothie? ›

If you'd like a thick smoothie, start with at least 1 cup (220 g) of ice and add more as needed. If you're using frozen fruit, you could leave the ice out since the frozen fruit will act like ice.

Why is my smoothie bowl liquid? ›

Putting too much water in the blender can be a fatal flaw. "You can always add more, but start with less so it stays thick," Barkyoumb said. She and other food bloggers said that adding extra liquids to the ingredients can ruin a smoothie bowl's otherwise thick consistency.

Are thick smoothie bowls healthy? ›

Bigger portions and more ingredient options can add up to a bowl full of calorie overload. Since many smoothie-bowl recipes call for three or four pieces of fruit plus generous amounts of liquid and toppings, you're dealing with a high volume of sugar and calories — sometimes 1,000 calories or more!

Can you make a thick smoothie bowl with a food processor? ›

Enter the food processor, which creates a much stronger vortex to puree the fruit. It will get you a thick, smooth final product—not a chunky, watery one. A banana and a bit of honey and salt also contribute to the thickness and flavor of our smoothie bowls, as does yogurt.

Why do my smoothie bowls melt so fast? ›

A smoothie bowl is a delicate thing and will start to melt the minute you pour it into its serving bowl. So having your fresh fruit, nuts, seed toppings pre-prepped will have you diving your spoon into that frosty-deliciousness faster - allowing for more time eating a frosty cold smoothie bowl.

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