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
- 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
- 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
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 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
Yes, simply omit the banana if you wish. However, the banana adds sweetness. To maintain the sweet flavour you can make a no banana smoothie bowl by using a couple of medjool dates instead.
Yes, this can be made in a blender. However, as no liquid is used, a high speed blender is needed to combine the ingredients together and create a smooth texture. Using a regular cheaper blender would require liquid to be added to help turn the blade which would cause the smoothie bowl to lose its thick consistency. The best high speed blenders are:-
– Vitamix (UK Link/US Link) or
– BlendTec (UK Link/US Link).
You still may have to stop the blender every 30 seconds and push the ingredients down with a wooden spoon to allow the ingredients to be fully combined.
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
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Recipe Card
Thick Smoothie Bowl (Mixed Berry & Chaga)
Equipment
- Chopping knife if freezing banana and avocado
- Wooden bowl to serve
Ingredients
Smoothie Bowl
- 0.5 cups frozen strawberries
- 0.5 cups frozen raspberries
- 0.5 cups frozen blackberries
- 0.5 cups frozen blueberries
- 1 medium banana chopped and frozen for super thick texture
- 1/2 medium avocado chopped and frozen for super thick texture
- 3 ounces romaine lettuce
- 1 tsp chaga mushroom powder
- 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon powder
- 0.25 tsp ground ginger
Topping
- 1 cup mixed berries
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend on high for 2-3 minutes or until a smooth liquid is formed, with no lumps remaining.
- Transfer to a wooden bowl and serve straight away, with additional berries on top.
Notes
Nutrition
This sounds really good, I am just starting to look into foods and the benefits and smoothies are a way I usually go for these, am definitely going to be trying this out
Thanks for your comment Samantha. I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think 🙂
I’ve never tried Chaga mushrooms before. Can you taste them in this? I’m always up for new smoothie recipes!
Thanks for your comment Karen. No you can’t really taste the chaga mushroom in it, the taste of the berries and banana dominates 🙂
I’ve never had a smoothie bowl before but I do love smoothies and this does sound right up my street, so I will have to give this recipe a go!
I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it Wince. Smoothies bowls definitely make me feel more satisfied than smoothies as a meal 🙂
I really need to start having things like this to get a bit healthier as I don’t think i’ve had a smoothie bowl before x
I love smoothies bowls, they’re so light and refreshing, especially in this summer heat. I hope you enjoy it if you try it 🙂 x
I love smoothie bowls, and this one was delicious! I had never heard about mushroom powder before, a great addition to this recipe!
Thank you so much Jeri, I really appreciate it. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Cannot wait to make this! So healthy and looks fabulous!
Thank you so much Melissa, I really hope you enjoy it! Please let me know what you think 🙂
This smoothie bowl is packed with so many amazing and nutritious ingredients! Definitely excited to try this one! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your comment. I hope you enjoy it!
All my favorite ingredients! Yum! I can’t wait to make this one. I need to get chaga first. Thanks for introducing this superfood to me.
Thank you Natalie, I appreciate your comment. I really hope you enjoy it and enjoy trying Chaga for the first time!
This bowl was sooo good. I love all of the berries and the ginger added a nice twist to it.
Thank you so much for your comment and letting me know Amanda. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This smoothie bowl is amazing!
Thank you so much Andrea, I really appreciate that. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Love this smoothie bowl and all the amazing health benefits packed into every bite. It’s so refreshing and such a great way to start your morning!
Thank you so much Anaiah, I really appreciate it! It’s definitely a refreshing breakfast for the hot summer months! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This beautiful bowl is so vibrant and incredibly delicious with the berries! What a wonderful way to start the day; thank you for the recipe!
Thank you so much for your comment Emily, I really appreciate it! You’re welcome, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂