Reminiscent of warm summer days and trips to the beach, the smoothie bowl trend is unsurprisingly here to stay.
Unlike traditional smoothies, these creamy, refreshing treats are scooped out of a bowl. Because of how they’re served, they allow for more creative additives or toppings.
But if you’ve ever tried making a smoothie bowl, you might have experienced one common frustrating problem: toppings sinking to the bottom in a thin, liquid messy mixture unlike the thick, creamy, crave worthy smoothie bowls you see on social media.
Don’t worry–we’re here to help you out. Read on and check out our tips for making the perfect smoothie bowl you are sure to love.
1. Freeze Your Fruits
Berries, mangoes, pineapples, kale, cucumber–no matter what fruity or veggie ingredients you plan to use, make sure you freeze them overnight.
Frozen fruits and veggies allow for a thicker smoothie consistency. And even if your preferred smoothie ingredients aren’t in season, you can still enjoy them and create thick smoothies by keeping them in the freezer.
You can find bags of frozen fruits, frozen puree packs, and make-ahead smoothie packs in the grocery store or online. You can also simply place your sliced fruits or greens in plastic bags, ice cube trays, or any freezer-safe container.
2. Make It Creamier
Whatever smoothie base ingredients you plan to use, you might want to consider adding half a frozen banana, avocado, a half cup of frozen cauliflower, or a dollop of Greek yogurt to increase your smoothie’s creaminess.
Frozen bananas or avocados can add a sweet touch to your smoothie bowl without the need for sugar. Cauliflower can give the creaminess of bananas without the natural sugar and give the added benefit of fiber. Plus, all of these choices can help give your smoothie a pureed texture and prevent it from becoming icy and grainy.
If you don’t want the sweet flavors of these fruits in your smoothie, you can use unsweetened yogurt or Greek yogurt to make your smoothie as creamy as possible.
3. Add a Bit of Liquid
One common reason why smoothie bowls have a too-thin consistency? Too much liquid.
So, use the minimum amount of almond milk, water, or any liquid you prefer. You can freeze it too for better, thicker results.
Speaking of liquid, you might want to skip fruit juice altogether and opt for fresh fruits instead. That way, you can avoid putting unhealthy amounts of sugar in your smoothie bowl.
4. Toss in Chia Seeds or Raw Oats
These are the secret ingredients to thicken your smoothie. No need to cook your oats–you can simply blend them raw.
Add a handful of raw oats or a tablespoon of chia seeds to your smoothie base, and they’ll expand and make your smoothie thick. They can also add fiber, protein, healthy fats, and other nutrients to your refreshing treat.
5. Use a High-Powered Blender
Your blender will make or break your smoothie bowl experience. Invest in a high-powered blender, and you won’t ever have to force yourself to eat a bowl of grainy mess.
Unlike traditional blenders, high-powered blenders have sharper blades and offer enough speed to blend anything frozen. These can also help you make thick and ultra-smooth smoothie bowls.
6. Layer Ingredients in the Right Order
Even if you own the most powerful blender there is, it helps if you put your ingredients in the right order. Here’s how you should layer ingredients to make the perfect smoothie bowl:
- Plant-based milk, water, or any liquid
- Protein powder or any powder
- Greens
- Fresh fruits
- Frozen fruits, vegetables, or liquid
7. Finish Off With Toppings
No smoothie bowl will be complete without textures, a.k.a. toppings. You can combine different toppings to add a crunch, a burst of flavors, and a pop of color.
Here are some ideas for smoothie bowl toppings to start with:
- Sliced fruits
- Strawberries, blueberries, and other berries
- Chia seeds, flax seeds, and other seeds
- Chopped almonds, walnuts, cashews, and other nuts
- Shredded coconut or coconut flakes
- Granola
- Cacao nibs
- Fresh mint or parsley
- Peanut butter or other kinds of nut butter
- Honey or maple syrup
- Cinnamon or nutmeg
The best part of making your own smoothie bowls is that you can use your imagination. Use your favorite ingredients. Experiment, come up with your own unique recipes and creations and make them special to your specific dietary needs. Not to mention, saving money by making your own creations at home.
Knowing the secret to making the perfect thick smoothie bowls will have you making them again and again. So, go… experiment and enjoy!! The perfect smoothie bowl is awaiting you
Oxford at Tech Ridge Apartments in Austin, TX