How to Make a Smoothie

Name: How to Make a Smoothie
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup milk or juice ((dairy or non-dairy, high fat or low fat)); ½ cup plain Greek yogurt ((or flavored) about 125 grams); 1 frozen banana ((cut into or frozen in chunks) about 115 grams); 1 cup frozen berries ((strawberries, blueberries, or watermelon, cherries, pineapple, mango -- options are endless!)); add ins and extras as desired ((protein, nut butter, oats and other grains, extracts, etc))

How to Make a Smoothie: my formula for the thickest, creamiest, most delicious fruit smoothie every time! Tons of options for your liquid, your fruit and your add-ins!

three different smoothies in glasses with a variety of fruit in the background

What Should I Put in My Smoothie?
Smoothie liquids:
Smoothie fruits:
Smoothie Add-In Ideas
How to Make a Smoothie
Healthy Fruit Smoothie FAQs
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How to Make a Smoothie Recipe

Whether it’s a Strawberry Smoothie, a Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, or an Apple Crisp Smoothie, smoothies make a great breakfast, snack, or even dessert.

But, as simple as they are to make, they’re also surprisingly easy to mess up. They can be too thick, too thin, too sweet, not sweet enough, too chunky, too icy…yeah, you get it.

Well, I’m going to show you just How to Make a Smoothie! This is my formula for making the perfect one every time with just the right amount of liquid, fruit, yogurt, and add-ins.

I’ve also included plenty of variation ideas so you can customize it just how you like!

What Should I Put in My Smoothie?

The great thing about a fruit smoothie recipe is that the customization opportunities are virtually endless. Here’s a quick run through of what I usually put in my smoothies:

Milk or Juice: you can use dairy milk, non-dairy milk, juice, or even coconut water — really any liquid goes! You can even use cold tea.
Greek Yogurt: yogurt is a great way to kick the protein up a notch and to make a deliciously thick and creamy texture. Dairy-free, plant-based yogurt works well, too, and you can skip it if you need (it just won’t be as thick).
Banana: I love to keep frozen, sliced banana on-hand. The frozen banana makes it extra creamy and acts as a natural sweetener.
Berries/Other Fruit: any frozen fruit work great in smoothies! Pineapple, mango, and berries are our favorites. You can even use watermelon like in this refreshing Watermelon Smoothie!
Add-Ins: you can customize it with so many different add-ins. Protein powders, nuts or seeds, oats, extracts, sweeteners, even avocado!

Smoothie liquids:

We’ve gone over the basics above, but here are a few more fun options:

Chocolate milk or chocolate almond milk
Cold coffee or tea
Pineapple or mango juice
Oat, almond, soy or coconut milk.
Kombucha or kefir — for some fermented goodness!

some liquid options for smoothies including juice and milks

Smoothie fruits:

Frozen is best because they create a thick and refreshing smoothie! If you have fresh fruit, try to balance it out with a frozen banana or a cup of ice.

I use frozen banana for almost all of my smoothies! It makes them rich and creamy.
Apples (not peeled) or oranges (peeled)
Berries — they are full of antioxidants and fibre! (this Blueberry Smoothie is one of our favorite berry smoothies!)
Pineapple, mango, kiwi — these are fun tropical flavors (they pair well with coconut milk — like in this fun Tropical Smoothie!)
Peaches, cherries or other stone fruits (grab a bag of frozen and skip paying the high price when they are out of season)

frozen fruit options for smoothies in glass bowls

Smoothie Add-In Ideas

Nut Butters: give it a boost of nutrition and nutty flavor with a scoop of peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter.
Seeds: add in a sprinkle of flax seeds, chia seeds, or hemp hearts.
Grains: add a scoop of quick oats or even cooked brown rice or quinoa.
Protein: make it more filling with a scoop of your favorite protein or collagen powder.
Make it creamy: Cream cheese and cottage cheese make an incredibly thick and creamy smoothie.
Veggies: a handful of fresh spinach or kale, half an avocado, or even a handful of frozen cauliflower is a great way to add some extra nutrition. Cauliflower and avocado also create an extra smooth and creamy texture!
Sweeteners: prefer it sweeter? Try adding a drizzle of honey, agave, pitted Medjool dates, or simple syrup.
Extracts: add a dash of vanilla, almond or maple extract to add some extra flavor.
Spices and Powders: try Acai powder, maca powder, spirulina, cinnamon, nutmeg, you name it.

nut butters seeds grains and powders options for smoothie mix ins

This healthy snack comes together in a quick 5 minutes! Here’s how:

Add ingredients to the blender: Add all of your ingredients to a high powered blender in order from softest to firmest.
Blend: Blend until smooth, stopping to stir if needed.
Adjust as needed: Check the flavor and texture, adjust as needed, then serve right away!

three different smoothies in glasses with pineapple smoothie in the front

Healthy Fruit Smoothie FAQs

What fruits are best for smoothies?

You can pretty much use any fruit you like in a smoothie. Try strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana, mango, peaches, cherries, pineapple, watermelon, you name it. For the best results, use frozen fruit. It makes for a creamier smoothie!

Are smoothies best with milk or water?

I definitely recommend using milk for your smoothie. It creates a creamier texture and better flavor. Dairy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are all great options.

Do you put ice in a smoothie?

If you’re using frozen fruit, no. It isn’t necessary to use ice in a smoothie. Frozen fruit is the best way to get a cold and creamy smoothie without watering it down. If all you have is fresh fruit, or you like your smoothies super cold, it is fine to add ice.

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