Maybe you're already in the habit of drinking nutrition-packed smoothies for breakfast and want to mix it up with something new, or perhaps you're a complete smoothie novice. While we love the grab-and-go appeal of a great smoothie in a sturdy travel tumbler, take the time to sit and savor these five incredible recipes for health-boosting bowls you can enjoy day or night.
The Basic Berry Bowl
Start your foray into the world of smoothie bowls with this berry good option. Simply blend one small ripe frozen banana with one heaping cup of your favorite frozen berries. You can buy fresh and store them yourself or purchase convenient prefrozen bags at your local grocer. Make sure to keep the speed on low so you can achieve the icy, chunky consistency you need for the base of your smoothie bowl. If you have fresh rather than frozen fruits and veggies on hand, try adding a handful of ice to obtain the best possible consistency.
Next, pour in a few tablespoons of almond or coconut milk, then blend slowly again until your smoothie achieves the consistency of soft-serve custard. If you want to add protein powder for extra oomph, now's the time.
This recipe makes one large or two smaller servings. Scoop into a bowl and add your favorite toppings. From honey to fresh fruit to granola to nut butter, the possibilities are endless.
Peachy Pineapple Smoothie Bowl
For this tropical recipe, follow the procedure above under The Basic Berry Bowl. Keep the banana, but swap the berries for a cup of frozen chunks of pineapple and peaches. To get the soft-serve consistency, use a mix of honey and coconut water as your liquid. I love to top this bowl with coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, blackberries and sunflower seeds for maximum texture and crunch.
Green Avocado and Kale Bowl
Being green is actually pretty easy when you make this antioxidant-rich smoothie bowl. Start by throwing one frozen avocado in your blender with a few handfuls of kale and a frozen banana. Add your milk of choice to create the correct consistency and sweeten with a few teaspoons of agave syrup or natural honey. Your friends will be green with envy when they see your selection of toppings, like chia seeds and sliced bananas and kiwi.
Acai Berry Superfood Bowl
While acai berry isn't as ubiquitous as it was a few years ago, this superfood is still one of the best choices for an intense dose of disease-fighting antioxidants. To make the bowl, combine a cup of frozen acai berries with a frozen banana and a cup of frozen blueberries. Blend into icy chunks, then smooth it all out with almond milk.
The special thing about this bowl is the toasted topping. Heat a tablespoon of coconut oil in a medium size skillet, then add 1/4 cup coconut flakes and a few tablespoons each of sesame seeds and sliced almonds. Finish with a swirl of honey for an experience worthy of brunch at a gourmet cafe.
Carrot Cake Smoothie Bowl
Start this dessert-inspired smoothie with a cup of frozen carrot chunks and a frozen banana. Add vanilla soy milk until you reach your desired texture and flavor with vanilla extract, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. Once you have it in the bowl, you can top with dates, raisins, flaked coconut, and extra cinnamon.
If you love to meal prep, you can keep these bowls ready to go in the freezer for up to a week. Try dividing them into individual plastic bags or containers so you can just pour into a bowl, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy a delicious, nutritious breakfast with minimal effort.