This strawberry banana smoothie bowl is simple and packed with protein. Smoothies, and smoothie bowls are popular no matter what time of year. I love making them for the kids, because I can create a nutritious breakfast or anytime snack. The best part: no added sugar or sweeteners. This one is sweetened naturally from the fruit of strawberries and bananas.
I’m a big fan of no-bake snacks – they’re great to get the kids involved in the kitchen and are normally quick and simple. From cream cheese snacks and frozen banana bites to apple snacks and chia pudding, I have a huge arsenal of recipes up my sleeve to keep my boys satisfied!
But this strawberry banana smoothie bowl is currently up there as number 1. It’s heaven. The kids feel like they’re getting a bowl of ice cream! That’s how delicious this strawberry banana smoothie bowl is.
What Ingredients Are In This Smoothie Bowl?
It’ll come as no surprise that there are plenty of strawberries and bananas in this beautiful smoothie bowl. But I wanted to make it particularly rich in protein and maximize the health benefits. So we added Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and milk for extra protein and fiber, as well as the yummy fruit.
The kiwi is just for garnish – but I love the contrast in colour and flavor: the vibrant green against the deep rose pink of the smoothie. The slightly tartness of the kiwi fruit against the strawberry bananary sweetness.
STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE BOWL INGREDIENTS:
- strawberries
- bananas
- plain greek yogurt
- chia seeds
- milk
- kiwi (garnish only)
How To Make The Perfect Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
To make the perfect smoothie bowl, start by freezing the ingredients. This will give you a thicker, creamier, and more flavorful smoothie. I always use frozen fruit, and yogurt rather than adding ice cubes.
This is particularly important when it comes to bananas. There’s something magical about frozen bananas!
You’ll have to try it for yourself to see. Make one smoothie with fresh bananas, and then make another using frozen bananas. You will be amazed at the difference in consistency and taste!
Frozen bananas are the basis of this banana praline ice cream – even just frozen bananas whizzed up in the blender make a deliciously creamy ice-cream.
How to load your blender for a deliciously creamy smoothie bowl
The order is important!
- First add the liquid, and chia seeds
- Next, add the frozen fruit and yogurt.
Now blend on high until thick, and well blended. If too thick, add more liquid until desired consistency. Make sure not to add too much, or you will get a smoothie instead of a thick smoothie bowl.
Tip: Always add frozen ingredients to the top. This will blend the ingredients on the bottom first, pulling down the frozen ingredients a little at a time making it easier on the blender.
More strawberry recipes here:
What Are Chia Seeds?
Chia seeds are oval and gray with black and white spots, and are the edible seed of Salvia hispanica. This flowering plant is native to Central America, and is considered part of the mint family. If you’ve eaten them, they definitely don’t taste like mint! In my opinion they’re a bit bland in flavor with a crunchy texture.
Chia seeds are widely known as an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid, fiber, protein, and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
Wikipedia has the full description and history of the chia seed.
Why Add Chia Seeds To Smoothie Bowls?
It’s not just due to their nutritional value that chia seeds are added to smoothie bowls.
They also work as a thickening agent, due to the high soluble fiber content in their outer layer. When exposed to liquid, this outer layer forms a jelly-like coating as the fiber traps liquid. Add water to chia seeds and within minutes you’ll have a thick pudding-like consistency.
So if you add chia seeds to smoothies, they help to thicken it. Simply give the chia seeds a few minutes to sit in the liquid ingredients of the smoothie before blending.
How To Make A Smoothie Bowl With A Thick Ice Cream Consistency
1. Use frozen ingredients
Use frozen fruit. You can buy most fruits frozen these days, with the exception of bananas. So make sure to freeze some sliced banana ahead of time.
Also, freeze the Greek yogurt in ice cube trays. Then when it’s time to make your smoothie bowl, break them into smaller pieces with a kitchen mallet before adding to the blender.
2. Use chia seeds
Chia seeds have a unique gelling property that makes them a useful addition to smoothies, homemade ice-cream, sauces and fruit compotes.
Soak them in milk or your preferred milk substitute for a few minutes to allow them to gel. Then add them to the blender with the other ingredients.
Should I Use Ice In My Smoothie Bowl?
I’ve seen lots of smoothie bowl and smoothie recipes that use ice as a way to make them thick and creamy. I prefer to use frozen ingredients plus soaked chia seeds.
I also like to have other frozen ingredients on stand by for smoothies and smoothie bowls to use instead of ice. Try freezing your favorite milky beverage in ice trays – coconut, almond, soy, or regular milk. This will help thicken your smoothie bowl will also adding flavour and valuable nutrients.
Do You Add Any Liquid To This?
Yes, but don’t add too much liquid or your smoothie bowl will end up like a smoothie. Start with just 1/4 cup of a liquid of your choice, and add more as needed. Be patient, and scrape down the sides of the blender so all the ingredients are blended.
Do Smoothie Bowls & Smoothies Taste Good If I Add Veggies?
Yes, this happens to be one of my favorite things to add to the smoothie, or bowls. I call them sneaky greens. It’s the perfect place to sneak them in for added nutritional value. With the sweetness of the fruit, the kids will never know.
There’s a vast variety of vegetables you can add, and they will still taste great. Any number of leafy greens can be added that don’t need cooking can be added. These are normally too bitter and little tricky for young kids to eat in salads, but add them to a smoothie and they’ll be none the wiser!
Try lettuce leaves – there are an infinite number to try, each with their own array of vitamins and minerals – spinach, kale or cucumber. Cooked beetroot and carrot are also easily incorporated.
Click here for more veggie options to add to your smoothies, and smoothie bowls.
MORE SMOOTHIE BOWL RECIPES FROM BUSY LITTLE CHEFS
- Acai Smoothie Bowl
- Blueberry Cashew Breakfast Bowl
- Raspberry Honey Smoothie Bowl
- Orange Coconut Smoothie
- Powerhouse Protein Smoothie
- PUMPKIN PIE SMOOTHIE
How To Make A Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl Step-By-Step
- Start by adding your milk to the blender along with the chia seeds. This gives the chia seeds chance to gel and thicken, while you prep the other ingredients.
- If using frozen Greek yogurt in ice cube trays (recommended – see details above) break them down first to make it easier on your blender. Place the yogurt cubes in a plastic baggie, and break them with a mallet or rolling pin into smaller pieces. Then add to the blender.
- Now add the frozen strawberries and bananas to the blender. Start on medium speed and then increase to high. This can take 3-5 minutes depending on your blender.
- Scrape down the sides, and add more liquid if needed. Be patient, and don’t add too much or it the consistency will become too thin, and you’ll end up with a smoothie.
- Once all blended and smooth, spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings. We added sliced bananas, strawberries, and kiwi. (We were going for the holiday color scheme!) Then sprinkle the top with Chia seeds.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce bag frozen strawberries
- 2 small frozen bananas
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, ideally frozen (in an ice cube tray)
- 2 tablespoons Chia seeds
- 1/4-1/2 cup milk (or favorite milk alternative, soy, almond, hemp, oat, etc)
TOPPINGS
- 1/2 small sliced bananas
- 2-3 sliced strawberries
- 1 sliced kiwi
Instructions
- Start by adding your milk to the blender along with the chia seeds. This gives the chia seeds chance to gel and thicken, while you prep the other ingredients.
- If using frozen Greek yogurt in ice cube trays (recommended – see recipe notes) break them down first to make it easier on your blender. Place the yogurt cubes in a plastic baggie, and break them with a mallet or rolling pin into smaller pieces. Then add to the blender.
- Now add the frozen strawberries and bananas to the blender. Start on medium speed and then increase to high. This can take 3-5 minutes depending on your blender.
- Scrape down the sides, and add more liquid if needed. Be patient, and don't add too much or it the consistency will become too thin, and you'll end up with a smoothie.
- Once all blended and smooth, spoon into bowls and add your favorite toppings. We added sliced bananas, strawberries, and kiwi. (We were going for the holiday color scheme!) Then sprinkle the top with Chia seeds.
You are AMAZING! Thank you thank you thank you so much for this. I was considering doing the same thing and you’ve just made the task a lot less daunting.
Great, hope you love the recipe!❤️