Strawberry Basil Smoothie Bowl

This strawberry basil smoothie bowl is bursting with juicy strawberry and fresh basil flavour! Made with simple and healthy ingredients in just 5 minutes. Vegan, gluten free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie Bowl

• Antibacterial
• Promotes gut health
• High in antioxidants

This strawberry basil smoothie bowl is a unique combination of sweet and savoury flavours! It’s a nice alternative to a basic strawberry banana smoothie bowl. The consistency is super thick and creamy, perfect for adding a handful of toppings! Fresh basil provides impressive health benefits, making this smoothie bowl a healthy choice any time of the day.

The main ingredients of this smoothie bowl are frozen strawberries and bananas. These fruits create the ultra thick consistency we are going for. Other ingredients like cashew butter and coconut milk make the smoothie bowl nice and creamy.

Strawberries and bananas are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibre, making them great for gut health. The fibre found in bananas acts as a prebiotic, helping to balance good bacteria levels. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, an essential for optimal immune system function. Cashew butter adds protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin K and magnesium to this recipe. Enjoy this smoothie bowl regularly for maximum health benefits.

Basil for Health

Basil is a fresh herb with powerful antibacterial properties. It can be combined with fruits in smoothie bowls to increase the health benefits and provide a sweet, slightly spicy taste. Basil may help to regulate blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation in the body and reduce oxidative stress. Basil lowers oxidative stress because it contains flavonoids and polyphenols. Vitamins A and C are also found in basil, making it an antioxidant powerhouse.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this strawberry basil smoothie bowl.

Fresh basil: Use fresh basil. Carefully wash any dirt from the leaves before adding to the blender. Avoid using dried basil in this recipe as it may not taste as fresh. Dried basil may also leave unpleasant bits in this smoothie bowl which ruins the texture.

Cashew butter: Don’t skip this! Gives the smoothie bowl a nice creaminess, preventing an icy texture. For a nut-free option use sunflower seed butter instead. Almond butter can be used in a pinch but it will be more dominant in the overall flavour than cashew butter.

Himalayan salt: Balances out the sweetness and brings depth to the other ingredients.

Agave syrup: Optional, but recommended. Adds sweetness to balance any tartness from the strawberries. Date syrup also works.

Frozen strawberries & banana: Creates the thick creamy base of the smoothie bowl and adds natural sweetness. Be sure to freeze bananas completely (overnight) for a properly thick result.

Coconut milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds creaminess. Use the type of coconut milk that comes in a carton. The coconut milk in cans tends to be too thick.

For ingredient amounts and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Benefits

High fibre

Easily get more fibre in your every day diet! In addition to being generally healthy, getting enough fibre can be extremely helpful for weight loss as it helps keep you feeling full for longer, without adding calories. Fibre also helps improve our gut health.

Nutrient dense

Vegan smoothie bowls are a great way to get more nutrient rich foods in each day. By blending them into a single meal, it’s super quick, easy and fun! Choose ingredients like dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds and fruits to make your smoothie bowls nutrient rich.

Quick and easy

It’s incredibly fast to make a yummy smoothie bowl. Gather your ingredients and toss them in the blending container, blend, and you’re already done! Rinse the blender container. It doesn’t get much more simple than that. Smoothie bowls rarely take more than 5 minutes to make. This makes them a great option if you find yourself short on time for a healthy meal.

Topping Ideas

Fresh strawberries are almost a must as far as toppings go, but there are plenty of other delicious options as well! Toppings can be as healthy or as indulgent as you like. Make this thick strawberry basil smoothie bowl into a healthy dessert with some vegan dark chocolate and nuts! Here are some more delicious ideas:

• Strawberry slices
• Fresh basil leaves
• Freeze dried berries
• Cashew butter
• Almond butter
• Chia seeds
• Hemp seeds
• Strawberry granola
• Vegan white chocolate chips
• Cashews
• Dried mulberries
• Toasted coconut chips
• Melted dark chocolate
• Raw cacao nibs
• Raspberries
• Protein bar chunks
• Goji berries
• Banana slices

Variations

Coconut milk alternatives

This recipe uses coconut milk but you can try using any plant based milk you prefer. Some alternatives include soy, almond, hemp or cashew! You can also make your own plant milk from scratch in a blender. The key is to avoid using just water to blend. We want to use something more creamy, it makes the smoothie bowl thicker in texture.

Adjust the consistency

If you prefer a thicker consistency you can try the recipe using a bit less liquid than what is suggested. If you want a thinner consistency try adding a bit of extra liquid to the recipe. This strawberry basil smoothie bowl is also delicious as a drinkable smoothie. For a smoothie version swap the coconut milk for 2 cups of oat milk.

Make it without banana

This recipe really is best with the combination of strawberry and basil. If you really dislike banana it can be omitted from this recipe. Replace the banana with frozen mango or pineapple chunks. Banana is slightly sweeter than mango or pineapple so you may want to add an extra spoonful of agave syrup. The overall flavour will be more tropical than the original banana strawberry combo.

Instructions 

• Add all ingredients to blender.

• Start blending at low speed for 5-10 seconds. Increase to high speed and blend for 1-2 minutes. Use the blender tamper to push ingredients down towards the blades.

• Scoop into a bowl and add desired toppings. Serve your strawberry basil smoothie bowl immediately!

Prep & Blending

Add ingredients in the correct order

Always add liquid ingredients to your blender first. Then add powders, nut butters, nuts and seeds. Then add fresh greens and fresh fruit. Finally add your solid ingredients like frozen fruit. If using a small blender container with a twist on lid, reverse the order so that when you turn the container over to blend the frozen ingredients are farthest away from the blades.

Use a tamper

Push ingredients down towards the blades while blending using the tamper that comes with your blender. This helps to avoid thick smoothie bowls from getting stuck, so you don’t have to stop blending and scrape down the sides of the container.

Avoid over blending

Try to blend your smoothie bowl for less than a couple of minutes. If blended for too long, even thick smoothie bowls will become thin. This is because the heat generated by the blades and motor of the blender heat up your ingredients while they are being blended.

Use a high power blender

For smoothie bowls that have a perfectly smooth and creamy texture use a high powered blender such as a Vitamix. A Vitamix can break down any ingredients to much finer particles than standard blenders, and more nutrients are released. A high speed blender also reduces the time you need to blend your recipe, which helps keep it nice and cold.

Chill your bowl

By placing your bowl in the freezer for a few moments you can help your smoothie bowl stay cool for longer. This way it won’t start melting instantly while you are eating it. This is especially helpful if you’re in a hot climate. Pop it into the freezer while you are prepping and blending, then take it out when it’s time to pour your finished smoothie bowl!

How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies

There are different ways to freeze bananas for making smoothies and smoothie bowls. This method is the simplest way to freeze plenty of ripe bananas for smoothies at one time.

1. Peel your fully ripe bananas.
2. Break each banana into two or three pieces.
3. Freeze the banana pieces overnight in a reusable freezer bag.

FAQ’s

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?

The strawberries must be frozen when making this smoothie bowl. Using fresh strawberries or bananas will create a smoothie-like result, which is not what we are going for here. So keep all of the fruits frozen for a thick smoothie bowl that can be enjoyed with a spoon. If freezing your own strawberries or bananas at home leave them in the freezer overnight before using.

Can I lose weight with smoothie bowls?

Smoothie bowls are an excellent weight loss food! This is because they are generally healthier and higher in fibre and nutrients. Due to high water content, the large volume of a smoothie bowl helps your stomach to feel satiated. And the fibre keeps you feeling full for longer, without feeling weighed down or tired.

Can smoothie bowls be refrigerated?

Smoothie bowls are best enjoyed immediately after blending, while they are freshest. However you can refrigerate most smoothie bowls for 1-2 days in an airtight container such as a jar. Be aware the consistency will not be thick, but you will have a drinkable smoothie to enjoy later.

Can I make smoothie bowls without a high speed blender?

Yes, you can still make smoothie bowls with a regular blender. It might take more patience depending on the recipe, but it can work. Turn off the blender to scrape down the sides of the container, and secure the lid before continuing to blend. Repeat as needed. Alternatively you can add a small amount of additional liquid to the recipe, which should help.

How can I increase the protein?

For a high protein version of this smoothie bowl add 1-2 scoops of a vegan protein powder. Flavours like strawberry, vanilla or plain work best in this recipe. Sweetened or unsweetened types both work. Avoid adding more than 2 large scoops of protein powder. Adding too much will change the texture and make it unpleasant.

Related

Simple Strawberry Basil Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

Low Calorie Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

White Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie Bowl

Thick Strawberry Mango Smoothie Bowl

Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl

Save Recipe for Later