At home, yogurt, granola and fruit is a pretty pedestrian breakfast. But if you’ve ever had an acai bowl for breakfast, you know that “ho-hum” breakfast is next level when it’s topped with fresh fruit and crunchy nuts and seeds. There’s just something delicious and decadent about a smoothie bowl for breakfast.
You can recreate the magic of this tropical treat at home (it’s shockingly easy!). It’s a pretty straightforward formula that can be flexible and leads to a refreshing, healthy and flavorful breakfast.
The Main Components
A great smoothie breakfast bowl has the following important components:
Protein
Think of this as an important supporting actor. Include protein from yogurt, milk, chia or your favorite nut milk. Choose unsweetened varieties to prevent added sugars from sneaking into your bowl.
Fruit
The star of your smoothie bowl is flavorful fruit. Strawberries! Raspberries! Blueberries! Cherries! All of these juicy summer fruits are bursting with antioxidants and healthy fiber. Freezing them is a great way to preserve the best of the season.
The Boosts
The boosts that make the bowl special are:
Crunch
The best part about eating a smoothie is the texture that comes from dressing up a bowl. Add toasted nuts to boost protein and fiber and your favorite granola for more crunch.
Super-nutritious Extras
Bee pollen, hemp seed, cacao nibs and sesame seeds are healthy ingredients that add crunch and nutrition. They also make it colorful and beautiful!
Follow our simple recipe below and use it to create a special breakfast all your own:
Smoothie Breakfast Bowl
For the base:
- 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit or berries
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1/2 cup milk or nondairy milk (coconut, almond or hemp)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
Optional toppings:
- 1/4–1/2 cup yogurt or milk
- 1/4 cup fruit (Think: bananas, berries, pineapple, mandarin segments)
- Healthy crunch (Think: granola, toasted coconut, toasted almonds, pepitas, cacao nibs, hemp seeds, bee pollen)
Combine base ingredients and blend in a food processor or blender. Divide and transfer to individual bowls. Add toppings of your choice. Recipe makes 2 servings at 2 cups each.
Nutrition (per serving of smoothie bowl base): Calories: 49; Total Fat: 2g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 40mg; Carbohydrate: 7g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 2g; Protein: 1g
