The Ultimate Berry Smoothie Bowl
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This smoothie bowl is loaded with fresh fruit, topped with banana slices, berries, and sunflower seeds. It’s like a delicious soft serve you can enjoy for breakfast, or anytime you want a delicious, guilt-free snack. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a blender, and 10 minutes to make this cool and crave-worthy treat!
As much as I enjoy the usual pancakes, waffles, and French toast for breakfast, I like starting my day with fresh fruit from time to time. My go-tos include apple butter on toast, lemon blueberry loaf, and a fruit smoothie.
But why have a smoothie when you can enjoy a smoothie bowl? It’s filling, refreshing, a breeze to whip up, and my daughter describes it as “Instagrammable”.
It’s perfect for sunny mornings, lazy weekends, or those “I-need-a-win” kind of afternoons. My kids are crazy about this for snack time, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple recipe: Mix everything in a blender, pour into a bowl, and top to your heart’s content. That’s it!
- Fast to whip up and fun to eat
- Kid-approved: This smoothie bowl is creamy, colorful, and can be decorated with fun toppings – great for getting kids excited about eating something healthy.
- Meal-prep friendly: Prep smoothie packs ahead of time and blend in minutes for a fast, stress-free breakfast.
- Great for using up fruits: Got a freezer full of berries? Have a bunch of uneaten bananas on your counter? This is the best way to turn them into a delicious treat.
How to Make a Smoothie Bowl
Make this feel-good berry smoothie bowl in just 10 minutes! Just mix, pour, and add your favorite toppings. The bright colors and build-your-own vibe make this appealing for all ages – friends and family love it when I serve this for brunch. It brings the chill – and the cheer – with every spoonful.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
For the bowl:
- Dragon fruit cubes: Add natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a subtly tropical flavor. Use frozen cubes for a thicker, creamier texture.
- Mixed red fruits: I use a mix of frozen berries, raspberries, cherries, etc. Frozen berries give you that thick, soft-serve-like consistency and eliminate the need for ice.
- Banana: Acts as a natural sweetener and thickener. I use frozen. Also, the riper the banana, the sweeter the bowl – great for reducing the need for added sugar.
- Milk: Helps blend everything smoothly and creates a luscious, pourable texture. Whole milk is best for this recipe, as skim or low-fat milk won’t achieve the creaminess that we’re looking for.
For the toppings:
- Banana slices
- Kiwis
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Sunflower seeds: Add crunch, healthy fats, and a nutty finish to balance the fruitiness.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making a vibrant berry smoothie bowl is as easy as one, two, three! Prepping the toppings beforehand makes it even more convenient. You can make a bowl in just a few minutes – perfect for busy days!
Step 1: Blend
Combine the frozen fruit and milk in a blender cup. Blend the ingredients until smooth.
If the smoothie is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding more milk. If it is too runny, then add some ice cubes.
Step 2: Prep the toppings
Prep the toppings by washing, peeling, and slicing as needed. Remove any berry stems.
Step 3: Assemble
Pour the smoothie into a bowl and layer toppings in a slight curve along the side of the bowl, moving in toward the center with each ingredient. Slightly overlap each addition.
Serve immediately.
Substitutions
If you don’t have all the ingredients on hand, don’t worry! This recipe is flexible and endlessly customizable. There are plenty of substitutions you can make to fit what you’ve got in your kitchen. Let’s make it work – here are some ideal swaps you can try!
- Dragon fruit cubes: Frozen mango or acai packets work well if you can’t find dragon fruit.
- Mixed red fruits: Any berry combo works! Try strawberries, blackcurrants, or even grapes for a twist.
- Banana: Substitute with avocado for creaminess with less sweetness, or frozen mango for a tropical vibe.
- Milk: Any milk works, even dairy-free alternatives like nut, oat or coconut milk. You can also use fruit juice (like apple or orange) for extra flavor.
- Banana slices: Run out of bananas? Apple or pear slices offer a fresh crunch instead.
- Kiwis: Use green grapes or pineapple chunks, which have a similar sweet-tart balance.
- Strawberries: Replace with fresh cherries, raspberries, or pomegranate seeds.
- Blackberries: Use blueberries, mulberries, or dried cranberries.
- Blueberries: Substitute with diced figs or chopped grapes.
- Sunflower seeds: Replace with chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp hearts, or chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts.
Expert Tips
- Skip the ice: Ice waters things down, so skip it – make sure to use frozen fruits for this recipe!
- Don’t over-blend: Over-blending can make your smoothie runny because the blending heat may start to melt the frozen fruit. Blend just until smooth, then stop.
- Chill your bowl: Pop your bowl in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. It keeps your smoothie colder longer and helps hold toppings in place.
- Make it heartier: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder, Greek yogurt, or silken tofu to the base to turn it into a more filling meal. You can also boost nutrition with extras like spirulina or maca powder.
- Mix up the toppings: Use a combo of crunchy, juicy, and creamy toppings for the best texture contrast, like granola, chocolate chips, nut butter, and coconut flakes – go wild and make every bowl feel brand new.
- Taste as you go! If it’s too tart, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Too sweet? A splash of lemon juice can brighten it up.
How to Store This Recipe
To make ahead, make your smoothie bowl base the night before and store it in an airtight container (like a mason jar or reusable bowl with a lid) in the refrigerator. It will keep its creamy texture for up to 24 hours. Give it a quick stir before adding your toppings when ready to serve.
If using for meal prep, pour the blended base into a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes to slightly soften, then stir or re-blend for that smooth consistency.
If you’ve already added toppings, it’s best to eat the smoothie bowl within 12 to 24 hours, as the toppings can get soggy. If possible, store the base separately and add fresh toppings right before eating.
What to Serve with a Smoothie Bowl
A smoothie bowl is already a powerhouse, but pairing it with the right sides can turn your breakfast or snack into a full-on spread. For something light and energizing, try it alongside a handful of homemade granola, chia pudding, or a boiled egg for extra protein.
If you’re in the mood for something more indulgent, pair it with a slice of whole grain toast or quick bread, or a warm muffin for balance. For brunch vibes, serve it with herbal tea, iced coffee, or even a freshly squeezed green juice to round out the experience.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes To Try
10-Minute Berry Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
For the bowl:
- 1 cup dragon fruit cubes frozen
- 1 cup mixed red fruits frozen berries, raspberries, cherries, etc.
- 1 medium banana frozen
- 1 cup milk or dairy-free alternative like nut, oat or coconut milk
For toppings:
- 1 medium banana sliced
- 2 medium kiwis sliced
- 4 medium strawberries
- ¼ cup blackberries
- ¼ cup blueberries
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Combine the frozen fruit and milk in a blender cup. Blend the ingredients until smooth.
- If the smoothie is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding more milk. If it is too runny, then add some ice cubes.
- Prep the toppings by washing, peeling, and slicing as needed. Remove any berry stems.
- Pour the smoothie into a bowl and layer toppings in a slight curve along the side of the bowl, moving in toward the center with each ingredient. Slightly overlap each addition.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Ice waters things down, so skip it unless you need to thin the texture.
- Pop your bowl in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to keep your smoothie colder longer and to help hold toppings in place.
- Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder, Greek yogurt, or silken tofu to the base to turn it into a more filling meal.
- Use a combo of crunchy, juicy, and creamy toppings for the best texture contrast like granola, chocolate chips, nut butter, coconut flakes – go wild and make every bowl feel brand new.
- If it’s too tart, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. Too sweet? A splash of lemon juice can brighten it up.
