Healthy mixed berry smoothie without yogurt (vegan)

This dairy-free, vegan smoothie is a nutrition-packed treat, perfect for a quick healthy breakfast, energizing snack, or post-workout refreshment.

Full of delicious frozen fruits and wholesome ingredients, this berry smoothie without yogurt is one of the best ways to start your day.

And for the extra hot days, you should definitely try this 10-minute Acai bowl recipe.

Ingredients

For this smoothie with frozen berries, you'll need:

• Fresh or frozen banana, very ripe
• Red apple, such as Fuji, Honey-crisp, Red delicious, Gala
• Mixed frozen berries (such as strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and cranberries)
• Cold pineapple juice
• Flax seeds
• Quick oats
• Ground cardamom
• Ground cinnamon
• Maple syrup or agave, optional

Ingredient notes

The banana can be fresh or frozen. I like to leave my bananas on the kitchen counter until they get very ripe (with many dark spots on their surface). When the time is right, I peel them and I wrap them individually with plastic wrap. I then freeze them for later use.

Oats and flax seeds are added to the smoothie for nutritional and textural reasons:

They're both rich sources of dietary fiber and promote a feeling of fullness, which can be particularly beneficial in a smoothie that might otherwise lack the fiber typically found in whole fruits. 

They also give this smoothie a creamy texture. When blended, oats and flax seeds add a creamy consistency to smoothies, creating a velvety texture that can mimic the thickness often provided by yogurt.

This helps make the smoothie more satisfying and enjoyable.

Don't underestimate the spices: cardamom and cinnamon are added to the berry smoothie to enhance its flavor, aroma, and health benefits.

According to healthline.com cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels something that will fight cravings and help you feel satiated longer.

Overall, these spices will add complexity, natural sweetness, and a touch of warmth to the beverage, making it a delightful and well-rounded treat. You'll just can't have enough of it!

Instructions

1. Gather the ingredients and transfer them into the bowl of your blender.
2. Cover your blender and blend on high speed until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth.

Variations

Instead of flax seeds you can also use chia seeds. Both of these seeds have the ability to absorb moisture and will give the smoothie a thicker consistency.

Substitute the apple with mango (fresh or frozen) for a tropical twist. The flavor of mango will pair perfectly with the berries.

Instead of pineapple juice you can also use orange juice or apple juice. Orange juice will further increase the vitamin C but it will also increase the acidity. That's why pineapple juice is my favorite choice for this berry smoothie.

Another option is a non dairy milk such as almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk.

Add protein. A scoop of protein powder is the perfect solution if you want to increase the protein content of this drink.

If you want to keep it vegan, use plant based protein powder such as hemp protein.

Note that adding protein powder will make the texture more thick, so you may need an additional splash of almond milk or juice.

Another option for more protein and creaminess is to add 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter such as homemade almond butter or cashew butter.

The flavor of these nut butters is less intense than peanut butter and tahini (however you can also use these if you prefer).

As with protein powder, you may need some additional liquid.

How can I thicken my smoothie without yogurt?

There are a lot of ways you can thicken a smoothie without adding yogurt.

The most popular are:

• Adding banana: Banana will add a creamy texture and sweet flavor to your smoothie
• Quick oats: Quick oats will absorb moisture and give a velvety consistency to a smoothie recipe.
• Flax seeds or chia seeds: Both of these seeds act as thickeners to many recipes, sweet and savory.
• Protein powder: Because it is in a dry form, protein powder will absorb some of the liquids making your smoothie thicker.
• Nut butters: Nut butter will also make a smoothie thicker and creamier because they provide extra fat, protein and fiber.

Food pairing

Here are some suggestions that will pair well with this berry smoothie:

• Nut butter sandwich
• Homemade oatmeal bars recipe (granola bars)
• Greek yogurt parfait
• Mixed nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios
• Chia seed pudding
• Avocado toast
• Whole wheat bread with hummus
• Dark Chocolate
• Protein Balls or Energy Bites
• Oatmeal or Overnight Oats
• Trail Mix

Storage

Ideally, you should consume this mixed berry smoothie within 24 to 48 hours for the best quality and nutritional value. 

Pour the leftover smoothie into an airtight container or a glass jar and close well with a lid. Then store in the refrigerator for up to days.

After a while, some water may form at the bottom of the jar. Stir well before serving to give it the right consistency.

Tip: To prevent excessive oxidation and color changes, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice to the smoothie before storing. The citric acid in lemon juice can help preserve the color and freshness of the ingredients.

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