Frozen Fruit Smoothie Bowl

Would you believe that this frozen fruit smoothie bowl uses just ONE ingredient? No frozen banana, ripe bananas and no mango yet still thick and superbly refreshing! Make it sweeter, richer, thicker, smoother, with more frozen fruit if you like OR simply add your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Extra Thick Smoothie Bowls Recipe

How to make a super thick smoothie bowl? Easier than you think, whether it's fruit or vegetables that you fancy, it must be frozen. Emphasis on frozen.

Do you need a high-powered blender to make a thick smoothie bowl recipe? No you don't. While a Vitamix blender or any other high quality blender is built for this sort of method, you can use a regular blender or a food processor too.

It's not only the appliance that makes the difference, it's also the ingredient combination. With protein powder + frozen banana + high-speed blender = ultra smooth smoothie bowl (image below).

I've been loving making quick smoothies lately since the days eventually seem to be getting warmer!
She says, eyes rolling because today happens to be raining, more eye-roles.

Years ago I posted a lot of smoothies on my blog but as the blog seemed to flow in a different direction, I focused more on pasta dinners, meat roasts, stew and curry. Smoothie recipes were removed from my blog because I thought, that's not really me since I didn't grow up on smoothies right? Wrong!

Turns out, years later, I am still absolutely loving all kinds of smoothies. Lesson: creativity stops when we limit ourselves to what we think we should and should not do.

Can I Use A Nutribullet?

Sure you can! I made this very same smoothie in a nutribullet. It's a bit of a stop and start situation when you have to scrape the bowl but it still gives you delicious smoothie bowls.

With the vitamix tamper, it helps a lot to get less ice and the right consistency.

It's important to stop and scrape the bowl, especially with the nutribullet because you don't have that much control over the speed.

If the blender is not moving, (this is for all cup blenders) try turning the blender cup upside down just before placing it on the base of the blender. Give it a shake so the fruit moves to the bottom, closer to the blade.

What Is A Smoothie Bowl?

Unlike regular smoothies that you can pour into a glass or on-the-go mug, smoothie bowls are meant to be eaten out of a bowl, hence thicker than a drinking smoothie.

Creamy Smoothie Bowl Recipe Tips

Although an easy recipe I'm sharing a few tips that can help you make the best frozen fruit smoothie recipe. 

Less liquid: Blenders need a good amount of liquid to blend but when making a frozen smoothie, it needs less liquid or it will be a drinking smoothie.

Be Patient:  It only takes a few minutes and is worth a thick smoothie. If you notice the blender not moving don't be hasty and add liquid. Use a spatula or spoon to mix it and loosen it all up, place the lid on, shake and try again. With the vitamix, use the tamper or a ladle to check that nothing is stuck under the blade.

Stop and Scrape:  How often should you stop and scrape the sides of the blender cup? As often as your blender tells you too, it will sound 'off' or won't move.

I strongly suggest adding the liquid one tablespoon at a time for a thicker smoothie.

1-Ingredient Frozen Smoothie Bowl Recipe

With just one ingredient, the type of fruit that you choose for your frozen smoothie bowl should be considered because that's all the taste (besides the toppings).

In this recipe, I used frozen blackberries because they are plump with a light sweet note and a little tart and I love them 🙂 The toppings and sweeteners gave it the perfect finish.

Should you decide to use a packet of mixed frozen berries, it has a multitude of flavors and you may find it more tart than sweet. In which case, you would need to add sweetener once you've passed the frozen crushed stage.

Ideas For Delicious Toppings 

This is a fun way to get creative and there are many options.

Nuts & Seeds: Shaved almonds, hemp seeds, chopped almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds (very similar to pepitas and also known as “little seeds of squash” in Spanish - The Kitchn), sesame and flax seeds (also linseed which are best absorbed when ground before adding to smoothies).

Fresh fruit: And most commonly used are blueberries, strawberries, kiwi and banana but any seasonal fruit that you prefer will work. Try figs when in season!

Coconut: Another fruit with good fiber to add is coconut flakes or shredded coconut.

Nut Butters, Seed Butters and Plant-Based Options: Pop the nut butter into the microwave for about 30 seconds with 10-minute blasts for a pouring consistency. Amond butter, Macadamia, Cashew butter, sun butter and peanut butter.

Granola: It's all about texture when it comes to granola.

Sweetners: Honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, dates, gogi berries and molasses.

Chia Seeds: You can eat chia seeds in a yogurt bowl not only smoothies, they are packed with nutritional goodness. Omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and fiber.

Cocao Nibs and Gogi Berries: These have several health benefits. We currently can't get enough of Wazoogles Ultimate Breakfast Topper . Top it over everything not just smoothies!

Ingredients

Frozen fruit: Use one type of frozen fruit or combine a few, the taste will depend on the fruit that you use.

Best fruit choices for smoothie bowls are frozen berries, frozen mango and frozen pineapple.

Liquid: Water, coconut water, plant-based milk (coconut milk, oat milk and almond milk) or dairy milk as long as it's just a splash of milk.

How to Make a Thick Berry Smoothie Bowl With Frozen Fruit 

The full printable recipe can be found below this post, in the recipe card.

Step 1: Into the jug of a vitamix, cup of any blender or the jar of a food processor, add the frozen fruit and 2-3 tablespoons of water. The food processor takes less liquid than a blender but it's always best to start with less liquid.

Step 2: Blend the fruit until you have a thick consistency. You'll need to stop the blender a few times to scrape down the inside of the cup. In a vitamix the tamper helps, either way, as mentioned earlier, patience is key before being tempted to add any liquid at all.

Step 3: Transfer your thick smoothie into a bowl and use the back of a spoon to make a swirl on the top.

Step 4:  Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

• Get the frozen fruit and toppings out before you start. It goes pretty quick and as pretty as it will look, a frozen smoothie will melt quickly too.

• Slice the fruit into smaller bite-sized pieces, it's easier on the blade and goes quicker.

• Add the liquid into the bowl first and then the frozen fruit.

• Blend slowly, starting on low speed and increase as the fruit breaks down.

Smoothie Bowl Variations

• Frozen fruit or frozen vegetables like cauliflower, zuchini and broccoli can also be used when making vegan smoothie bowls.

• Beetroot:  You can buy beetroot powder which is convenient or you can make a batch of your own roasted and pureed beetroot (also a 1 ingredient recipe) and add it as needed to your smoothies. 

• Protein powders: When using non-dairy milk, adding protein powder is a great idea to make up the protein content that lacks in the non-dairy milk. I like alternating on some days with less protein powder, then add a little hemp powder.

• You can also use collagen powder although it's not a complete protein and is missing some of the essential amino acids. I do however, like to add a little of both into my smoothies because collagen has a whole host of other health benefits.

• Hemp powder: Hemp protein powder contains omega-6 and omega-3 fats in an ideal 3:1 ratio that promotes heart health, slightly higher in calories because of it.

• Vanilla protein powder works best since it does not change the color. We currently use the Vanilla Sky Superfood Protein Blend from Wazoogles and love it! No preservatives, sugar free, gluten-free, nutrient dense breakfast smoothie.

How To Make Smoothies Taste Better?

Nut butters, honey, cinnamon spice, cinnamon sugar, nutmeg, turmeric powder, protein powder, fresh lemon, cocao,cocoa nuts, mixed seeds, maple syrup, frozen fruit, ripe bananas, frozen banana (excellent emulsifier) dates, unsweetened milk and Greek yogurt. To name a few.

When I buy bananas, I buy them in bulk, peel and slice them all then pack them in small freezer bags, 2 sliced banana's per bag.

​More Healthy Recipes

Stay in touch!

If you’ve tried this Frozen Fruit Smoothie Bowl don’t forget to rate the recipe and please leave me a comment below. I always love hearing from you!

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