This green smoothie bowl is healthy, delicious, and packed with nutrients. Loaded with greens and fruit (including spinach, avocado, and banana), this is the perfect recipe to give you the boost you need to get you started on the day. Plus, it's made in minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients that are completely customizable! I share my go-to ingredients, but you can add whatever you have on hand to make this thick smoothie bowl your own. Add your favorite toppings, grab a spoon, and enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a healthy dessert.
Why You'll Love This Green Smoothie Bowl
- Smoothie bowls are quick and easy. As you may have noticed, I've posted a few smoothie recipes over the years, because they are seriously the best. They literally take a minute or two to make. You require a handful of simple ingredients and a blender. You could even prep the ingredients in advance and store them into individual portions in the freezer. Then just take your portioned amount and blend it up in seconds. It's the quickest and easiest way to snack on something nutritious and delicious.
- It's a smoothie in a bowl. When I first published this post back in 2016, the smoothie bowl craze was just taking off and something that I was new to. But from the first time I tried it, I was hooked. Smoothies should be eaten with a spoon and savoured, not gulped down. Plus, it's so easy to eat the toppings when you have a spoon!
- It contains no added sugar. This homemade green smoothie bowl contains just fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds, and milk. It has no added sugar or sweeteners, unlike many store-bought smoothies which typically contains quite a bit of sugar and possibly artificial flavors. This is a recipe you can feel good about feeding to your family.
- Provides a healthy energy boost. This perfect combination of spinach (or kale), avocado, and banana will leave you feeling refreshed and sustained with that extra energy boost you need to get through the rest of the day. Plus, this nutritious bowl packed with vitamins and minerals making it so good for you.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make this easy, 5-minute green smoothie bowl, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- banana - use a ripe banana for the best flavour and sweetness.
- avocado - avocado adds extra creaminess and helps to thicken it up.
- spinach - or substitute with another leafy green like kale. If using kale, I find that it helps to add a little drizzle of honey for extra sweetness, if desired.
- kiwi - or substitute with another acidic fruit like pineapple or orange to balance out the flavors in this smoothie bowl.
- milk - I used almond milk to keep the recipe vegan, but any kind of milk works. Try dairy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
- ice - also helps to thicken up the smoothie.
- chia seeds - this is optional, but I recommend it for extra nutrients. You can also substitute with flax seeds.
- nuts - this is also optional. You can use any nuts that you have on hand. Try almonds, pecans, or walnuts. You can also substitute with peanut butter or another nut butter.
You will also need a measuring cups and spoons and a blender.
What Toppings to Add to a Smoothie Bowl
The toppings might just be the best part of this green smoothie bowl. It's completely optional whether you want to add any toppings in the first place, but it makes the smoothie bowl so much more fun to eat. Some of my favorite toppings to add are:
- chopped fruit - try sliced banana, kiwi, or berries.
- granola - any store-bought or homemade granola works. Try Gingerbread Granola, Cinnamon Apple Granola, or Coconut Maple Walnut Granola.
- nuts - add slivered almonds or chopped nuts.
- or seeds - sprinkle extra chia seeds or flax seeds.
- shredded coconut
- honey or maple syrup - add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to add some extra sweetness
How to Make the Best Green Smoothie Bowl
Just like most smoothies, this green smoothie bowl is so quick and easy to make. Just throw all the ingredients into a blender with only half of the milk. Blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed, until desired consistency is reached. Then, divide into 2 bowls and add your favorite toppings.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- How to customize: You can customize this smoothie by using different kinds of nuts or nut butters, fruit, adding in some shredded coconut, or sweetening it more with maple syrup or honey, if desired. You can also customize it by the toppings that you decide to add. Refer to the "Ingredients and Substitutions" section above for more ideas.
- How to store: Smoothie bowls are best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store it an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day for the best flavor and texture. It may lose some of its thickness and get watery as the ice melts, but then you can enjoy it as a smoothie with a straw.
- How to freeze smoothie bowls: Another way to store is to freeze them. Transfer the smoothie bowl to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, take it out of the freezer and allow it to defrost slightly on the counter for about 10 minutes. You should be able to easily eat it with a spoon.
More Smoothie Recipes
- Super Berry Smoothie Bowl
- Mango Pineapple Tropical Smoothie Bowl
- Healthy Mango Yogurt Smoothie
- Majoon (Banana and Date) Smoothie
- Strawberry and Banana Smoothie
Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.
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Recipe
Green Smoothie Bowl
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 smoothie bowls
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This green smoothie bowl is healthy, delicious, and nutritious. It's quick and easy to make in just minutes, for a quick energy boost to start the day.
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- ¼ avocado
- 2 cups spinach (or kale)
- 1 kiwi (or 1 cup pineapple), chopped
- ½ cup ice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)
- 2 tablespoons nuts (optional)
- 1 cup milk
Toppings (optional):
- chopped fruit
- granola (Gingerbread Granola, Cinnamon Apple Granola, or Coconut Maple Walnut Granola)
- nuts
- seeds
- shredded coconut
- honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a blender with only half of the milk. Blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed, until desired consistency is reached.
- Pour contents into two bowls and add your favorite toppings on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
How to customize: You can customize this smoothie by using different kinds of nuts or nut butters, fruit, adding in some shredded coconut, or sweetening it more with maple syrup or honey, if desired. You can also customize it by the toppings that you decide to add. Refer to the "Ingredients and Substitutions" section above for more ideas.
How to store: Smoothie bowls are best served immediately. If you have leftovers, store it an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day for the best flavor and texture. It may lose some of its thickness and get watery as the ice melts, but then you can enjoy it as a smoothie with a straw.
How to freeze smoothie bowls: Another way to store is to freeze them. Transfer the smoothie bowl to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, take it out of the freezer and allow it to defrost slightly on the counter for about 10 minutes. You should be able to easily eat it with a spoon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
This post was originally published in January 2016. It has been completely updated with new photographs and content.
Kelli says
I am sooooo trying this!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Awesome! Let me know how you like it!