Vanilla Banana Smoothie Bowl

Try this classic and creamy vanilla banana smoothie bowl for your next high protein breakfast—easy to make in just 5 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients. Vegan, gluten free, nut free and soy free.

Why You’ll Love This Smoothie Bowl

• Ultra thick and creamy
• Anti-inflammatory
• Has 28 grams of protein

This vanilla banana smoothie bowl is delicious and has 28 grams of plant derived protein in each bowl! Almost any topping combinations go well with the simple and sweet base of blended frozen bananas and protein powder. Only a handful of ingredients are required and none of them are difficult to find, so if you have a blender you can try this recipe.

Hemp seeds give this vanilla bowl a subtle nutty flavour and provide protein, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats. Consuming antioxidant rich foods is extremely important for maintaining health as we age. Chronic diseases develop over time as oxidative stress in the body rises. Healthy ingredients like hemp seeds and bananas are an easy way to consume more antioxidants.

Frozen bananas are used to create the base of this smoothie bowl. Bananas are high in fibre which acts as a prebiotic to good gut bacteria, helping maintain optimal gut flora levels. These common fruits are also one of the best sources of potassium, which helps to reduce bloating by flushing excess water from the body. Using frozen bananas is a great was to achieve a thick and creamy smoothie bowl consistency.

Ingredients Needed

These are the ingredients you will need to make this vanilla banana smoothie bowl.

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

Vanilla extract or bean: Both work well, use whichever you prefer.

Agave syrup: Adds sweetness.

Frozen bananas: Creates the thick, creamy base of the smoothie bowl and adds sweetness.

Coconut milk: The liquid that brings all of the other ingredients together to blend smoothly and adds a creamy consistency.

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.

Variations

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.

Experiment with toppings

Finding the perfect combination of toppings is one of the best things about smoothie bowls. The right toppings will add wonderful texture and flavour to your already delicious smoothie base. Keep things interesting and try new toppings often!

Optional add-ins

For extra vanilla flavour and some protein try adding 1-2 tbsp of vegan vanilla greek yogurt or 1 scoop of vanilla pea protein powder to the recipe. Be careful not to add too much yogurt or the smoothie bowl wont turn out as thick.

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 vanilla banana 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!

FAQ’s

How do I make this smoothie bowl without protein powder?

For a powder-free version of this vanilla smoothie bowl increase the hemp seeds to 4-5 tablespoons and the vanilla extract to 1 full teaspoon. Hemp seeds are naturally high in protein and taste delicious!

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 as thick as a fresh smoothie bowl.

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?

If you wish for your smoothie bowl to have a higher protein content, you can simply add (more) protein powder to the recipe. Plain unsweetened plant based protein will work in any smoothie bowl. Alternatively you can try adding hemp seeds or even silken tofu.

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