How To Make A Thick Smoothie Bowl

How to make a thick smoothie bowl with mixed berries and chaga, which has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any food. A healthy, quick & easy allergy friendly breakfast, snack or dessert, made in just 5 minutes. Gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Information in this post and blog is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a qualified practitioner if you have any questions regarding medical problems and before making any changes to your current diet or treatment plan. This post contains affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you I will earn commission if you click on a link and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclaimer here. First published 11 June 2021. Last updated 11 July 2022.

For other healthy recipes, you may enjoy these 3 Different Flavours of Overnight Oats With Frozen Fruit, Golden Milk Panna Cotta With Agar Agar, Sugar Free Tropical Fruit Popsicles and Wild Blueberry & Lemon Healthy Bliss Balls.

Jump To Section:-

• Benefits of this recipe
• How to make a thick mixed berry smoothie bowl
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment needed
  • Step by step instructions 
• Ingredient substitutions & variations
• Toppings for smoothie bowl
• Storage
• Frequently asked questions 
• Diet requirements
• Other healthy recipes
• Recipe card

Benefits Of This Recipe

• Healthy. It’s made with 100% natural nutrient dense ingredients, which are packed full of fibre, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats, and free from refined added sugar. 

• Quick and easy. This smoothie bowl is made in just 5 minutes by simply blending all the ingredients together in a food processor. 

• Light and refreshing. Fruit and leafy greens are easy to digest and have a high water content (they’re 75-95% water), which helps keep us hydrated (1).

• Allergy friendly. It’s made without yogurt, milk, nuts and grains to make it dairy free, gluten free, lactose free, nut free, vegan and suitable for Elimination Diet Phase 1.

How To Make A Thick Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients

• Frozen berries. It’s important to use frozen fruit as fresh fruit releases a lot of water when blended which provides a thinner consistency. I love a combination of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. 

• Banana & Avocado. Both of these ingredients instantly add a thick creamy texture. Banana adds natural sweetness to the bowl, while avocado is a source of healthy fats. For a super thick smoothie bowl, cut them into pieces and freeze the ingredients for at least a couple of hours before using.

• Chaga mushroom powder (UK Link/US Link).
  • Supports our immune system. It has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any food and has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties (2).
  • One of the greatest food sources of melanin, which protects the skin from sun damage by absorbing the sunlight’s UV radiation (3).
  • Maximises the health benefits of sunlight for us by converting this radiation into energy for the body to use, which reduces fatigue and increases our alertness and energy levels throughout the day (4).
  • Omit for autoimmune protocol (AIP).

• Romaine lettuce. Dark leafy greens help balance blood sugar levels (5). It’s also high in chlorophyll which, like melanin in chaga powder, also protects the skin from sun damage by absorbing its UV rays and uses sunlight to produce energy for the body to use (6).

• Ceylon cinnamon powder (UK Link/US Link). Ceylon cinnamon is higher quality than regular cassia and has a sweeter more delicate flavour (7).

• Ground ginger (UK Link/US Link). Aids digestion and helps support the immune system with its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties (8).

Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full detailed ingredients list.

Equipment Needed

• Weighing scales (UK Link/US Link)

• Measuring spoons and cups (UK Link/US Link)

• Chopping knife (UK Link/US Link) – if freezing banana and avocado.

• Food processor (UK Link/US Link)

• Wooden bowl for serving (UK Link/US Link). Wood is an insulator, which keeps the smoothie bowl cool and maintains its thick consistency for longer. 

Step By Step Instructions

• If freezing the banana and avocado, chop them into pieces and line them in a single layer on unbleached parchment paper. Then place them in the freezer for at least a couple of hours.

• Otherwise, simply blend all the ingredients in a food processor on high for 2-3 minutes or until completely smooth and combined. Scrape down the sides of the food processor every 30 seconds if needed. 

• Transfer to a wooden serving bowl and top with extra berries.

Tip – Don’t add any liquid. A food processor can combine the ingredients together to provide a thick texture without the need for any liquid to help turn the blade. 

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

• Use any combination of berries you like or use just one type, such as all strawberries to make a strawberry banana smoothie bowl.

• Romaine lettuce can be replaced with other lettuces or greens, such as kale, spinach and pak choi.

• Add any spices you like, such as ground cardamom or cloves (omit for AIP).

Toppings For Smoothie Bowl

This smoothie bowl is topped with extra mixed berries. However, you could also add:-

• Any other fruit of your choice

• Desiccated coconut (UK Link/US Link)

• Tiger nut flakes

If not following Elimination Diet Phase 1, the autoimmune protocol, or if your diet requirements allow, other smoothie bowl topping ideas include:-

• Nuts and seeds, ideally activated and sprouted before to remove anti nutrients, increase the nutrient content and make them easier to digest, such as:-
  • Sprouted flaxseed (UK Link/US Link)
  • Activated almonds (UK Link/US Link)
  • Activated walnuts (UK Link/US Link)
  • Activated pecans (UK Link/US Link)
  • Activated pumpkin seeds (UK Link/US Link)
  • Activated sunflower seeds (UK Link/US Link)
• Sprouted buckwheat (UK Link/US Link)

Storage

This smoothie bowl is best enjoyed straight away after making. However, it can be made in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer in a glass airtight container. It’s best to avoid storing the toppings and only add them when ready to serve.

Fridge 

The smoothie bowl can be stored in the fridge in a glass airtight container for up to 24 hours. However, as frozen fruit will defrost in the fridge the consistency will become thinner the longer it’s stored. Also, the smoothie may turn brown and the nutrient content will reduce as it’s stored due to oxidation. Stirring in the juice from half a small lemon acts as a preservative to help minimise oxidation and preserve the nutrients and colour.

When storing in the fridge, fill the glass jar completely all the way to the brim to minimise the amount of oxygen and air the smoothie is exposed to. 

Freezer

The smoothie bowl can be stored in the freezer in a freezer safe glass airtight container for up to 2 months. Don’t fill completely – leave at least a 1 inch gap at the top of the jar as the smoothie will expand as it freezes. Label the jar with the date frozen so you know when to consume it by. 

To defrost it, transfer the jar to the fridge for around 8 hours, or overnight, or leave at room temperature to thaw for around 2 hours before eating. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Diet Requirements

This smoothie bowl is:-

• Gluten free

• Wheat free

• Dairy free

• Soy free

• Lactose free

• Nut free

• Seed free

• Grain free

• Oil free

• Refined sugar free

• Vegan

• Vegetarian

• Paleo

• Auto-Immune Protocol (AIP) friendly (omit chaga mushroom powder)

• Raw

Other Healthy Recipes

• Healthy Tropical Fruit Popsicles

• Golden Milk Panna Cotta With Agar Agar (Sugar Free)

• Rainbow Nourish Bowl (For Any Dietary Requirement)

• Carrot Cake Flaxseed Pudding

• Wild Blueberry & Lemon Healthy Bliss Balls

• Oven Baked Chocolate Pancake Recipe Without Eggs, Milk & Sugar

• Grain Free Porridge With Apple & Pear

 

Tag Me In Your Smoothie Bowl Creations

I really hope you enjoy this smoothie bowl. If you make the recipe I’d love to see your creations. Tag me on social media – I’m on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest & YouTube and also use the hashtag #lbhealthandlifestyle.

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Recipe Card