Vanilla Smoothie Bowl

After a refreshing way to start the day? This vanilla smoothie bowl is filling, delicious, and ready in no time.

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What is a smoothie bowl?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Cost To Make
Substitutions / Variations
Serving Suggestions
Storage
FAQ
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Recipe
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Smoothie bowls are a popular breakfast or snack option for many. They are customizable, easy to make, and most importantly delicious.

And a vanilla smoothie bowl is no exception.

It’s a refreshing, sweet, and creamy treat that can satisfy your sweet cravings while providing a healthy dose of nutrients.

What’s more is that you can customise it to fit any dietary preference, whether you’re looking for a low carb option, vegan, or paleo.

With so many ways to customize and top them, they are sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire.

What is a smoothie bowl?

Smoothie bowls are similar to smoothies that you drink. They are both cold blends of fruits and liquids.

But, what makes smoothie bowls different is that they are usually thicker than smoothies you drink.

With smoothie bowls, you can add other ingredients which have a crunch, like nuts, or top it with unblended toppings of your choice.

And, like the name suggests, smoothie bowls are served in bowls rather than glasses.

There are many different flavors of smoothie bowls, such as purple smoothie bowl and strawberry.

Vanilla smoothie bowl in a white bowl topped with strawberries, crushed biscuits, blueberries, and yogurt.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ready in no time: This vanilla smoothie bowl is quick to make, which makes it perfect for a busy morning.
Top with your favorites: You can top your smoothie bowl with your favorite toppings like fresh fruits, jam, honey, or even chopped nuts.
Enjoy this smoothie bowl for breakfast or for a snack any time of the day.

Ingredients

Please note that below is a guide for some of the ingredients we used in the recipe. The printable recipe further down the page has the complete list of ingredients, including quantities and step-by-step instructions.

Vanilla extract
Bananas
Greek yogurt (or vanilla yogurt)
Milk of choice: You could use dairy milk, or a plant based milk such as almond milk or soy milk.
Sliced banana, to serve
Mixed berries, to serve

Instructions

This recipe for vanilla smoothie bowl serves 1 and makes about 340 ml.

Step One: Place vanilla extract, banana, yogurt, and milk in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Banana, vanilla extract, milk, and yogurt in a blender.

Step Two: Pour the mixture in a bowl. Top with sliced banana and mixed berries if desired.

Close up image of vanilla smoothie bowl topped with sliced strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, and crushed biscuits.

Cost To Make

Estimated cost = $2.56 (does not include toppings)

Substitutions / Variations

Some variation ideas for this vanilla smoothie bowl you may like to try include:

Berry Blast: Add fresh or frozen berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.
Tropical Twist: Add some fresh or frozen mango, and pineapple. Top with toasted coconut flakes, drizzle of honey, and sliced bananas.
Peanut Butter and Jelly: Mix a spoon of peanut butter and some mixed berries when making your smoothie bowl. Top with a drizzle of honey or jam, and sliced banana.

Serving Suggestions

Some ways we love to enjoy our smoothie bowl in the morning include with:

A slice of toast.
Yogurt: Have a side of yogurt in addition to your smoothie bowl for a more filling breakfast.
Eggs: Having a scrambled egg or a hard-boiled egg with vegetables can be a great addition to a vanilla smoothie bowl. It makes for a well-rounded breakfast or even snack.
Baked goods: Such as a slice of homemade banana bread, or a small muffin.

Looking for additional topping ideas for your smoothie bowl? Why not try these:

Nuts and seeds: Such as chopped pecans, almonds, and walnuts, or chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds for an extra crunch.
Fresh Fruit: Sliced blueberries, strawberries, bananas, kiwi, and pineapple,all add color as well as flavor, sweetness, and nutrients to your smoothie bowl.
Granola or museli
Toasted coconut flakes
Spices: Why not try adding a pinch of ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, or ground ginger on top of your smoothie bowl for some extra warmth and flavor.
Chocolate: Use chocolate chips or grated chocolate to top your smoothie bowl.

Storage

This recipe for vanilla smoothie bowl is best enjoyed fresh, as it can lose it’s texture and flavor if stored too long.

If you do have leftover smoothie bowl, here are some tips for storing it:

Refrigerate: Cover your smoothie bowl with a lid of plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours for best flavor.
Freeze: Vanilla smoothie bowl can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, or at room temperature for a few hours. Or you could even freeze it in popsicle moulds for a cold treat later.

FAQ

How do you thicken a smoothie bowl?

There are many ways you can thicken a smoothie bowl without using ice. One way is to use frozen fruits.

You could also use a thickening agent such as oats, chia seeds, or flaxseeds, which absorb liquid to give your smoothie bowl a thicker consistency.

What’s the difference between a smoothie bowl and acai bowl?

The main difference between acai bowls and smoothie bowls is that acai bowls are made with acai berries, while smoothie bowls can be made with a variety of different fruits and ingredients.

What makes a smoothie bowl different from a smoothie?

Smoothie bowls are typically thicker than smoothies.

Can I put raw oats in my smoothie bowl?

Yes, you can put raw oats in your smoothie bowl, but it is best to soak your oats first to make them softer and easier to digest.

Can I add protein powder to my smoothie bowl?

Yes, you can add protein powder to your smoothie bowl. Simply blend it in with the rest of the ingredients.

Vanilla smoothie bowl with strawberries, blueberries, crushed biscuits, and yogurt.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below! We'd love to hear how it turned out.

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