Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

• It’s incredibly creamy without any dairy. The magic here is the frozen banana. It whips up into such a luxuriously thick and creamy base that you’ll swear there’s cream or ice cream in there. It’s a fantastic plant-based option that feels like a real treat.
• You have total control over the toppings. This is where your personality can shine! Love crunch? Load up on granola and nuts. Want a burst of freshness? Pile on the berries. It’s a different experience every single time you make it.
• It’s a fantastic energy booster. Starting your day with this bowl gives you a steady release of energy from the natural fruit sugars and fibre. It’s light yet satisfying, so you won’t feel weighed down but you’ll stay full for hours.
• It’s a visual delight. Honestly, we eat with our eyes first, and arranging those colourful toppings is a little act of morning mindfulness. A beautiful breakfast just tastes better, and this bowl is guaranteed to brighten your day before you even take a bite.

Ingredients & Tools

• 2 large ripe bananas, previously peeled, sliced, and frozen
• 1 ½ cups frozen strawberries
• ¼ cup milk of choice (almond, oat, or coconut milk work beautifully)
• 1 tablespoon nut or seed butter (almond butter or tahini are great)
• 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (optional, depending on sweetness preference)
• A pinch of sea salt

Tools: A high-speed blender is highly recommended, a rubber spatula, and your favourite bowl.

The frozen fruit is non-negotiable for that perfect, spoonable thickness—it’s the foundation of the whole bowl. And that little pinch of salt? It might seem odd, but it really makes the strawberry and banana flavours pop. A little goes a long way in balancing the sweetness.

Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 0 mins | Total Time: 10 mins

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Freeze your bananas correctly. This is the most important step! Peel them first, then slice into chunks before freezing on a parchment-lined tray. This prevents one giant, rock-hard banana lump that your blender will struggle with.
• How ripe should the bananas be? The riper, the better. Those bananas with lots of brown spots are perfect—they’re naturally sweeter and have a stronger banana flavour, which means you might not need any added sweetener.
• Don’t skip the fat. The nut or seed butter isn’t just for flavour; it adds a richness that makes the bowl more satisfying and helps create a super smooth texture. It’s your secret weapon against iciness.
• Start with less liquid. You can always add more milk, but you can’t take it out. Begin with the ¼ cup and only add more, a tablespoon at a time, if your blender is really struggling. The goal is a thick, almost ice-cream-like consistency.

How to Make Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A side of scrambled eggs or tofu — If you need a bit more protein to power through a busy morning, the savoury contrast of well-seasoned eggs or tofu is fantastic alongside the sweet, creamy bowl.
• A slice of whole-grain toast with avocado — For a more substantial brunch situation, the creamy, fatty avocado on toast balances the fruity sweetness of the bowl beautifully.
• A small handful of spiced nuts — Tossing a few extra nuts on the side adds another layer of savoury, spiced flavour that makes the whole meal feel more complete and gourmet.

Drinks

• A hot cup of green tea — The slight bitterness and earthy notes of green tea are a wonderful, cleansing contrast to the sweet fruit, and it’s a gentle caffeine boost.
• A glass of sparkling water with lime — The bubbles and citrus zing are incredibly refreshing and help cleanse the palate between spoonfuls of the rich smoothie bowl.
• A cold brew coffee — For coffee lovers, the deep, smooth flavour of cold brew stands up nicely to the sweetness and makes for a truly energizing start to the day.

Something Sweet

• A square of dark chocolate — Enjoying a piece of high-quality dark chocolate (70% or higher) after your bowl feels like a decadent finish. The bitterness is a perfect counterpoint.
• A few fresh dates — If you have a real sweet tooth, one or two soft Medjool dates are like nature’s candy and complement the flavours in the bowl perfectly.
• A dollop of coconut yogurt — For a continuation of the creamy theme, a little extra yogurt on the side feels indulgent and adds a lovely tang.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using fresh, unfrozen fruit. This is the number one reason smoothie bowls turn out soupy. Without frozen fruit, you’ll just have a thin smoothie that you have to drink from a glass. The frozen element is crucial for thickness.
• Mistake: Adding too much liquid too quickly. I’ve messed this up before too… impatience leads to pouring in more milk, which leads to a sad, runny bowl. Trust the process and scrape down the sides instead.
• Mistake: Over-blending. Once it’s smooth, stop! Over-blending can actually warm up the mixture from the friction of the blades, causing it to melt and become thinner than you’d like.
• Mistake: Preparing the bowl too far in advance. This is a make-and-eat-immediately situation. If you let it sit, it will weep and lose its beautiful, thick texture. The toppings will also start to sink.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Pre-portion your fruit. On meal prep day, slice and freeze your bananas in individual zip-top bags—one bag with two bananas per serving. It makes morning assembly a total breeze.
• Tip: Add a scoop of collagen or protein powder. If you want to boost the staying power, blend in a scoop of your favourite unflavoured or vanilla protein powder. It can make the texture even creamier.
• Tip: Toast your toppings. Take an extra minute to toast your coconut flakes or nuts in a dry pan. It unlocks their oils and adds a deep, nutty flavour and extra crunch that is just next-level.
• Tip: Use your freezer to rescue a thin bowl. If you accidentally add too much liquid, don’t despair! Pour the mixture into a shallow container and pop it in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. It will firm up nicely.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie bowl ahead of time?
Honestly, it’s best enjoyed immediately. However, you can prep the components. Keep your frozen fruit portions ready to go and your toppings pre-chopped in containers. When you’re ready, just blend and assemble. The actual bowl itself doesn’t hold well because it will melt and separate. If you’re in a real pinch, you could freeze the blended base in a jar for a few hours, but let it thaw slightly before eating—the texture will be a bit icier, but still tasty.

My blender isn’t very powerful. Can I still make this?
Absolutely, you might just need a little more patience and a different technique. Let the frozen fruit sit on the counter for 5-10 minutes to take the hardest edge off. Use a tamper if your blender has one. If not, pulse repeatedly, scraping down the sides after every few pulses. You might need to add an extra tablespoon or two of liquid to get things moving, but go slowly. It might not be quite as perfectly smooth, but it will still be delicious.

What are your favourite topping combinations?
I love to mix and match! A classic for me is granola, chia seeds, and fresh berry slices. For a tropical twist, try toasted coconut flakes, mango chunks, and a drizzle of lime juice. When I want something really decadent, I go for cacao nibs, chopped almonds, and a tiny drizzle of peanut butter. The possibilities are endless—just think about combining something crunchy, something fresh, and maybe a little something creamy.

Can I use a different type of fruit?
Of course! The strawberry-banana base is a classic, but it’s a great template. Try mixed berries, mango and pineapple, or even peach and raspberry. Just keep the total volume of frozen fruit about the same (around 3 to 3.5 cups) to maintain the right thick consistency. The banana is key for creaminess, so I’d keep at least one in there.

Is this suitable for a post-workout meal?
It can be a great option! The carbohydrates from the fruit help replenish glycogen stores. To make it more recovery-focused, consider blending in a scoop of protein powder or serving it with a side of Greek yogurt to increase the protein content, which is essential for muscle repair. The natural sugars also provide a quick energy boost after exertion.