How To Make A Creamy Smoothie

What Is A Fruit Smoothie

A fruit smoothie is a drink made from blended fruits with a liquid base of fruit juice, yogurt, milk, ice cream, or other dairy product. Once you blend all your fruity ingredients into a smooth mixture, you have your perfect smoothie.

You can use various fruits to make a fruit smoothie, including bananas, oranges, apples, kiwis, peaches, and more. First, we’ll look at some fruit smoothie recipes that you can try. However, before we dive in, let’s look at the steps to make a basic smoothie.

What Is The Best Blender For Thick Smoothies

Before we get into some other ingredients that can be used to thicken smoothies, lets talk about blenders.

When it comes to blending, there are two key factors that will determine how thick and creamy a smoothie you can make. The first is how powerful your blender is. And the second is whether or not your blender has a tamping feature.

Feature to look for: Power

To put it simply, the more powerful your blender, the creamier your end result. That is because beefier motors are better able to thicken and emulsify your ingredients. Additionally, more power means the blades are able to make quick work of blending. The reduced runtime also minimizes heating of the spinning blades, which would otherwise warm up your smoothie ingredients.

Feature to look for: A Tamper

The second, and perhaps more important feature, is whether your blender also comes equipped with a tamper. A tamper is a plunger that allows you to push down your ingredients into the spinning blades of your blender. Tamping is especially handy because it eliminates the air pocket that is sometimes created when blending thicker ingredients. That air pocket phenomenon is known as cavitation, and higher-end blenders go to great lengths to minimize its occurrence.

Spin the Food Tip

The Ingredients For A Healthy Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

• Cauliflower. This is a secret ingredient for making the smoothie creamy without banana, and adding hidden veggies! Youll steam fresh cauliflower first, allow it to cool, and then freeze it. This makes cauliflower easier to digest than fresh cauliflower.
• Peaches. Peaches are lower in sugar than bananas and add a neutral flavor so the orange can shine.
• Yogurt. I like to use Culina brand coconut yogurt.
• Fresh orange juice and coconut milk. Coconut milk helps to make the smoothie a bit creamier. You can also use almond milk.
• Vanilla and honey. This adds some added sweetness and richness.
• Coconut whipped cream. You can buy versions of this or make it yourself.

Recommended Reading: Small Smoothie Mcdonalds

Add High Fiber Veggies

You might need some core vegetables like spinach or kale, pumpkins, butternut, or carrot for a vegan smoothie. These can make you a real thick smoothie with the sought-after nutritional benefits. While beans, sweet potato, beets, lettuce, among other fresh vegetables, are great sources for fiber and even protein.

High fiber veggies are capable of making high-quality smoothies with great thickness. They also add a delightful taste to cap off the complete smoothie for you. Especially if you used the pumpkin puree, sweet potato, or butternut squash, youd turn your drink into something more than an absolute beauty of a green smoothie.

How To Make Creamy Strawberry Peach Smoothies

When my youngest was a high school athlete, he craved smoothies daily. If you keep your freezer stocked with fruit, its easy for your school age kids to whip these Creamy Strawberry Smoothies up for themselves anytime of day or night.

Heres proof! This is Adam making Creamy Strawberry Peach Smoothies in our old house back in 2013. You can see that creamy, milkshake consistency I was referring to. I especially love the shot on the right because if you look carefully, you can see his brother, Connor, in the background. He was working at the stove on one of his special omelets. Two boys in the kitchen at once. My job is done! Almost.

Also Check: Smoothie King Metabolism Boost Enhancer Ingredients

Why Many Choose To Use Bananas In Smoothie

First, lets talk about what role a banana plays in a smoothie.

Adds a smooth creamy texture. Most fruits are high in water so they create more of a slushy texture when blended. Not to say thats a bad thing but if youre looking for thicky creamy smoothie, bananas are a great choice.

Adds sweetness. The more ripe a banana is the more natural sweetness this brings to a smoothie. This makes a smoothie more palatable especially if youre adding ingredients like kale, spinach, or other greens that tend to add some bitterness.

Cheap and easy to find. Lets be honest, its a lot cheaper to add a banana to your smoothie than an avocado. Bananas are readily available in any grocery store and even the organic ones are very affordable.

Easy to freeze. Did you know that ripe bananas can be frozen? Yep! Simply, peel and put them into a freezer bag. When youre ready to use one just take it out and throw it into the blender or put them into a smoothie freezer pack. You can read more about freezing bananasin this post.

For these reasons, bananas are a popular choice when making smoothies.

Recommended Reading: Lowest Calorie Smoothies At Tropical Smoothie

How To Make Creamy Smoothies Without Yogurt Or Dairy

Robyn Openshaw – Feb 25, 2019 – This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

Before most people get on the green smoothie train, they usually think smoothies consist of two ingredientsfruit and yogurt.

While those two ingredients can be components of a smoothie recipe, there are many other better ways to add flavor, smooth texture, variety, and nutrition to your drink, especially if you want to make it into a meal. In fact, greens and superfoods are the very best things you can throw in your blender.

In this post:

• Green Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt

I love fruit in smoothies, but only in a minor way, as eating a lot of fruit at once can be a sugar overload. I prefer to use mostly low-sugar, whole foods ingredients as the crux of the smoothie.

As for yogurt, if youve been reading my website for a while, youll know dairy isnt on the menu here. First, the yogurts you often find in the store are sweetened, contain carageenan and other toxic additives, and third party testing shows that few of them even have active probiotic cultures. Homemade yogurt contains gut-healthy probiotics, but the ones on grocery store shelves are not a healthy food, despite the marketing.

Yogurt has a reputation as a healthy snack, but it often has unnecessary sugar and toxic additives.

So how do you get the creaminess of a yogurt-based smoothie without the yogurt?

Also Check: Smoothie King Center Seating Chart By Row

What Frozen Fruits Work Best

The truth is, nearly any fruit thats frozen is a good smoothie thickening agent. However if youre a texture person like me, using too many berries is a no-go. For instance, blueberries, while great for you, also tend to add a grainy crunchiness that is a bit much if more than a handful at a time is used.

When it comes to creating a creamy thick smoothie, there is one frozen fruit that reigns supreme, and that is the banana. Many frozen fruits can thicken a smoothie, but bananas especially give them that velvety, creaminess that you would otherwise have to use dairy to replicate.

While you can blend them unchilled, we found that freezing your sliced bananas ahead of time will give smoothies even greater volume. As far as the best way to freeze them, we recommend using this method.

Other fruits that work really well are frozen mangoes and pineapples. The two ingredients pair nicely together, as their sweetness and acidity are complementary flavours. However, these tropical fruits are quite high in sugars, so make these smoothies as a treat, not as a staple.

Creamy Sunny Berry Smoothie

This bright smoothie yields enough for a few servings, so you can pack them up to freeze for days ahead, or make them for the whole family in the morning. Its got plenty of fruit, but also contains a good amount of leafy greens like spinach, collard greens, chard, and kale.

This recipe skips yogurt in favor of bananas and creamy coconut milk, both of which will thicken the smoothie and give it a milkshake-type mouthfeel. The Creamy Sunny Berry Smoothie is a great meal thanks to the addition of nuts and seeds for protein, coconut for healthy fat, and fruits and veggies for gut-healthy fiber.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 kale stalks, with largest part of stalk on the end removed
• 1 apple or pear
• 1 peach or mango
• 1-2 bananas
• Several large spoonfuls frozen blueberries
• 1 cup fresh pineapple juice
• 1 cup creamy coconut milk
• 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 6-8 drops liquid stevia
• Sesame seeds, flax seeds, almonds, etc.

Combine and blend for 1-2 minutes, til smooth.

Recommended Reading: Smoothie King Seating Chart With Seat Numbers

How To Make It

Unlike baking recipes, for instance, smoothie recipes do not have to use exact measurements. You can adjust according to taste. The only difference in choosing between fresh or frozen fruit is how thick you want it to be. Frozen will make for a more milkshake-thick smoothie, whereas fresh will get thickened up slightly by the ice, but have a more liquidy texture. Or you can combine frozen and fresh fruit.

You can use any kind of soft fruit you want, such as berries, bananas, peeled peaches or nectarines, melons, even grapes, and puree, and know you can always add a bit more fruit or ice to thicken it or a bit more milk to thin it out.

Use Less Liquid And More Ice

We all have several liquids that we like to use as the base of our smoothies. Whether its just plain water or its liquid milk or yogurt, or fruit juice, be sure to freeze most of the liquid into ice before adding to the mixture and add only a little more liquid as little as possible.

Very high-powered blenders like Vitamix and Blendtec can blend mixtures with very little liquids in them compared to other blenders that may stop spinning the blades when the mixture gets too thick. So if you are the type that wants a thick smoothie every day, you should consider upgrading your blender too.

You May Like: Keto Champ Berry Net Carbs

What Are The Health Benefits

High in fiber, potassium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, and calcium, and low in fat and calories, green leafy vegetables are an important component of a healthy diet.

Drinking a green smoothie every day is an easy way to increase hydration and meet the daily recommendation for fruits and vegetables, which can often be a challenge for those with an on-the-go lifestyle.

The smoothies can help to lower cholesterol, improve digestion, aid in weight loss, provide energy, and the antioxidants protect your body against free radicals, no juice cleanses or detoxes required.

Above watch the video of how to make a green smoothie

• 1cupraw leafy greens, or 1/3 cup frozen
• 1cupfrozen chopped pineapple, banana, mango, or cherries
• 1cupjuice or milk of choice,such as coconut or almond milk
• sweetener of choice, as desired

Also Check: Proti Vlc Smoothie Base Mix

Be Patient & Use A Tamper

Making a super thick smoothie might take you longer than youd expect, and certainly longer than if making a thin smoothie. Plan on blending a super thick smoothie for 3 minutes at least. Use your tamper to help move ingredients around.

Stop, turn off the blender, and use a spatula to stir the smoothie when it wont turn. Add more liquid if you need it but in very small increments.

Also Check: Detox Organics Recipes

Tips How To Make Your Smoothies Thicker And Creamy

The type of liquid used in a green smoothie can change the consistency a lot. Liquids like water, green tea, and coconut water tend to blend thinner smoothies . Find out more about green smoothie liquid-bases here. When you want a thicker green smoothie, though, try using one of these liquids:

Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acid and contains essential fibers. For creamier and thicker results, add 2 tablespoons of flax seeds to 2.5 tablespoon water and let the water soften the seeds for 8 minutes before incorporating it to your smoothie. 9. Chia Seeds. Chia seeds can also make your smoothies thick and creamy.

Freeze The Ingredients Overnight

Frozen fruit and other ingredients come as a special addition to a smoothie. The ice-cold ingredients can save tons of effort and give a quick, easy result. Mango is traditionally frozen it contains small amounts of fats when compared to other types of fruits.

You should then toss the frozen ingredients in the blender for mixing and making a creamy smoothie. Banana has been identified as one of the best-frozen fruits when creating thick, ice cream-like smoothies.

You can as well freeze the liquid ingredients before adding to your smoothies. For example, almond milk or coconut milk can be frozen and then added to the blender with other contents for really healthy smoothies.

You May Like: Smoothie Detox Challenge

Using Fresh Or Frozen Fruit

If youre short on time, grab a bag of frozen mixed berries, or individual varieties to make your own blend. Typically frozen options come with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.

If you have ripe fresh berries, use them! However, to achieve a thick and creamy texture, freeze them in a single layer inside a large resealable bag until solidified. I usually do this the day before. If the strawberries are larger than 2-inches in size, halve or quarter them to make it easier to process when frozen.

Berry Purple Power Smoothie

This berry purple power smoothie is pure berry goodness. With yogurt, coconut water, and tons of juicy berries, this drink is thick, refreshing, and extra creamy. No bananas present in this power combo the berries are front and center.

Nothing brilliant or fancy here, just 6 easy ingredients. And surprise a banana is not one of them! Bananas are pretty common in smoothies so if youre not a fan OR are allergic to bananas, this is your power smoothie.

Recommended Reading: Protein Shake Smoothie King

How To Make A Banana Smoothie Recipe

When making a green smoothie I recommend blending the leafy greens + liquid first. Yet with this green-free smoothie, feel free to blend all your ingredients at once!

If this smoothie is too thick for your blender blades to handle, try adding a bit more liquid, stirring up the ingredients, then blending again. This should help.

If cashew milk isn’t your thing, then use the plant based milk of your choice! Oat milk will produce an equally creamy smoothie, while almond milk will make this smoothie a bit thinner.

Ways To Make Smoothies Thicker

Add chia seeds to your smoothie by making chia gel, chia pudding or simply tossing them in. To make chia gel, let 1/3 cup of chia seeds soak on 2 cups of water overnight. To make chia pudding, add 3 tablespoons of chia seeds on 1 cup of milk of your choice, add sweeteners and any flavors youd like and let it sit overnight.

Up to6%cash backHow to Make a Smoothie Thicker: Use or add frozen fruit , add more ice, or add frozen yogurt. Work your machine back up to its highest speed, and process for 20-30 seconds Tip: Add a variety of fruits/vegetables or greens in an assortment of textures.

Healthy smoothies are beneficial for your body and also easy to make, and thick ice-cream like smoothies are more even better. They keep us full of energy for the longer duration of time and are so satisfying that they dont also leave your carving junk for sweets or foods.

Flax seeds, chia seeds, nuts, and oats are all used to make smoothies thicker and creamier. Flax seeds are not only high in fiber and omega 3s but are also extremely useful when used as a smoothie thickener. One of the best tips on how to make a smoothie thicker is to use the seeds as they are or soaked 10-15 minutes prior to use.

Don’t Miss: Mielle Twisting Souffle Review

How To Make A Smoothie Ahead Of Time

Although smoothies dont take a long time make, sometimes 10 minutes is too long when youre running out the door. Although you cant blend a smoothie ahead of time and stash it in the refrigerator because itll separate and discolor, you can freeze it in drinkable portions . Then thaw it overnight in the fridge to enjoy it the next morning or throw a frozen portion in your bag on your way to work. Chances are, itll thaw during your commute.

How To Make A Perfect Smoothie Bowl

1. Follow the perfect smoothie formula:

• 1 cup frozen fruit
• 1/2 cup greens
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/2 cup yogurt of choice
• 1-2 scoops of protein powder

2. Blend the smoothie bowl.

Smaller blenders like the magic bullet are great, but I find they can be a little challenging if youre wanting to make a bigger smoothie bowl. Here are some great options for smoothie bowl blenders

• Vitamix blenders

3. Add Toppings! What are the best smoothie bowl toppings?

• Fresh berries

How do you make a smoothie bowl without a banana?

• 1 1/2 cup frozen fruit
• 1/2 cup greens
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/2 cup yogurt of choice or avocado
• 1-2 scoops of protein powder

What yogurt should you use to make smoothie bowls?

Personally, I love to use coconut yogurt as a dairy-free option! Culina coconut yogurt is for sure the best option. Its thick, creamy, and has the best ingredients.

If you can tolerate dairy, Greek yogurt is another great option!

How can you add more nutrients to your smoothie bowls?

• Steamed and frozen cauliflower. This is a popular trick to add hidden veggies and make the consistency thicker.
• Hemp hearts, chia seeds, or flax seeds. Hemp hearts particularly are nutrient-dense and delicious!
• Flax oil. Just a small bit of flax oil adds lots of added nutrients to your smoothie bowl.
• Healthy fats. Like avocado, coconut butter, nut, or seed butter.
• Protein powder. Protein is essential for feeling satiated! This levels up your smoothie bowl to more of a nutritionally balanced meal.

Also Check: Smoothie King Low Carb Options