I’m a big fan of fruit smoothies – but I find that banana can be an overwhelming flavor. Even when I try to use only a quarter of a banana, it takes up such a significant portion the flavor profile. Have you ever felt the same way?
Whether you are a certified banana hater or (like me) simply don’t love the banana flavor totally dominating your daily smoothie, you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to share my favorite no-banana fruit smoothie recipe. With frozen fruit, a blender, and some ingredients you probably already have on hand, we will put together a quick and easy, creamy smoothie together. Let’s get to it.
How Do I Replace Banana in a Fruit Smoothie?
While you might not love the banana flavor, it is true that bananas add to the creaminess and sweetness of smoothies. So how can we replace these elements in a smoothie without bananas? Here are my top tips to keep your smoothies creamy and silky… even without banana.
#1: Invest in a Powerful Blender
Whenever you are making a smoothie with frozen berries involved, you will need some power behind the blades to ensure the consistency is just right. A berry smoothie is an excellent way to get your fruits in without letting banana dominate your tastebuds. Here are a few of my favorite blenders.
#2: Replace Banana With Other Healthy Fats
The creamy texture that banana lends to smoothies comes from healthy fats – think avocado, nut butter, coconut milk, or greek yogurt. Making a smoothie with these ingredients can help you replicate the smoothness that makes it taste oh-so-good.
#3: Sub Another All-Natural Sweetener
Banana smoothies are naturally sweet, so when you remove the banana, you might be missing a little bit of that natural sugar. You can bring that delicious sweetness back by adding in more of a sweet fruit (think pineapple, peaches, or even mango). Or, add a drizzle of your favorite organic sweetener: honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar all are great picks.
Benefits of a Healthy Smoothie
If you’re anything like me, you probably love the taste of a triple berry smoothie – but that’s not the only reason I enjoy drinking these delicious blends. Smoothies come with tons of health benefits. But you already knew that! When it comes to getting your daily dose of vitamins from fruits and veggies, smoothies (whether it’s a green smothie or a yogurt smoothie or anything in between) are an excellent way to start your day and pack some extra color into your diet.
A banana smoothie is chock full of potassium, so when you make smoothies without bananas, it’s crucial to ensure that you still get the potassium your body needs. That’s why an avocado smoothie is one of my favorite banana smoothie replacements. Avocados have similar amounts of healthy fat, they help thicken the smoothie, and they provide a high volume of potassium, too.
No matter what fruits you decide to include in your breakfast smoothie (or lunch, snack, or dinner smoothie!), you will likely experience an energy boost that comes with getting your vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Tips for Making Perfect No-Banana Smoothies
Making a smoothie sounds simple, right? Generally speaking, it is. Whether you are an avid green smoothie drinker or prefer a sweeter drink like a mango smoothie, I have a few tips that help me whip up the perfect smoothie… every single time.
One of the biggest considerations is ensuring you make your smoothies sweet and creamy. To do so – especially when you are making a banana-free smoothie – it is important to include thickening agents. For instance, chia seeds are a popular add-in (as long as the texture doesn’t bother you). I have also found that a using combination of frozen and fresh berries is a good way to keep your smoothe from getting too icy.
If you are looking to make a thick and creamy smoothie without any bananas in sight, look no further. This easy frozen fruit smoothie is a healthy treat perfect for any time of the day.
My Favorite ‘No Banana’ Berry Smoothie Recipe
I’ve nicknamed this smoothie the “berry blast” because it is SO delicious – I love this smoothie with my whole heart. And with my aversion to bananas, it hits the spot without that overpowering flavor. Even better, it takes just 10 minutes to make.
The best part? This recipe is totally flexible. I’ll share my suggested fruits and quantities, but you can mix things up to your liking. For instance, I usually make this smoothie with coconut water – but you can also substitute almond milk or coconut milk (or dairy milk, too). I typically use vanilla greek yogurt, but you can switch up your yogurt flavor or test out different yogurt varieties as well. Want it to be sweeter? Add a tablespoon of honey or maple syrup.
Basically, you can’t mess this one up. But to give you a strong starting point, here’s how my favorite no-banana smoothie is made. Follow along, and let’s enjoy this refreshing drink together.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh raspberries
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 6 strawberries (either fresh or frozen – personally, I like to use fresh berries here)
- 1/2 cup coconut water
- 1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt
- Optional: 1 tablespoon honey
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a powerful blender. Blend for at least 3 minutes on high, pausing to scrape down the sides of the blend as needed.
- Adjust the smoothie to taste. Add additional coconut water (or your chosen liquid) if the mixture is too thick, add additional honey or maple syrup if the mixture needs more sweetness. If the mixture is too sweet, you can also add a tablespoon of cocoa powder. The bitterness of the cocoa can help cut the sugar. Once you are happy with the taste, blend until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy. Any leftover smoothie can keep in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours.
Follow Along for More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Here on Nigermany, I am dedicated to sharing healthy recipes with you in pursuit of wholesome living. Just like you, I know that fueling your body is a crucial part of living your best life. Follow along to experience more of my delicious, healthful recipes – I can’t wait to share them with you.
