You can make a creamy smoothie bowl with forest fruits by blending frozen banana, quark or plant-based yoghurt and a scoop of protein powder into a thick, spoonable mixture, then topping it with fresh fruit, nuts, granola and a piece of dark chocolate. Ready in about five minutes, and thick enough to eat with a spoon rather than drink.
Below you’ll find the basic proportions, step-by-step instructions and a few variations, so you can make it slightly different every morning.
What exactly is a smoothie bowl?
A smoothie bowl is a thick smoothie that you spoon out of a bowl rather than drinking from a glass. The main difference lies in the proportions: you use less liquid and more frozen fruit, which keeps the mixture firmer and allows you to add toppings without them sinking.
It’s precisely this thick texture that makes it a lovely breakfast or snack. Frozen fruit does most of the work, and with a scoop of protein powder, you can turn the bowl into a good source of protein. The recipe below is for one generous portion and is ready to serve in about five minutes.
What do you need for a creamy smoothie bowl with forest fruits?
For one generous bowl, you’ll need a frozen banana, quark or plant-based yoghurt, frozen forest fruits and a scoop of protein powder, plus toppings of your choice. The quantities below are a guide – feel free to adjust them.
Base
- 1 frozen banana, chopped
- 150 g quark or plant-based yoghurt (e.g. coconut or soya yoghurt)
- 100 g frozen forest fruits (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
- A handful of fresh strawberries
- 1 scoop of protein powder
- A splash of (plant-based) milk or water, only if needed
Toppings
- Granola
- Mixed nuts
- Fresh forest fruits and strawberries
- A piece of dark chocolate
How do you make a smoothie bowl with forest fruits?
Blend the frozen banana, quark or yoghurt, frozen forest fruits and protein powder into a smooth, thick mixture, then spoon it into a bowl. Top with fresh fruit, nuts, granola and dark chocolate, and serve immediately.
- Put the frozen banana, quark or plant-based yoghurt, frozen forest fruits and protein powder into the blender.
- Blend until smooth and thick. Add just a small splash of milk or water if the blender starts to struggle, to keep the mixture thick.
- Spoon the smoothie into a bowl and smooth the top.
- Top with fresh forest fruits, strawberries, granola, nuts and a piece of dark chocolate. Eat straight away, as the texture is at its best then.
Why use frozen fruit?
Frozen fruit makes your smoothie bowl thick and creamy without the need for ice cubes or extra liquid. Fresh pieces of fruit result in a thinner, more drinkable consistency, whilst frozen banana and frozen forest fruits keep the mixture cold and firm.
It’s practical too: you can freeze ripe bananas in chunks before they turn brown, and you’ll always have frozen forest fruits to hand all year round. Cut the banana into small pieces before freezing it – this makes it easier to blend.
What variations can you make?
The best-known variation is the banana smoothie bowl: leave out the forest fruits and use extra frozen banana for a mild, creamy base with a neutral colour. If you’d prefer a fresher flavour, use a few more raspberries or add a handful of spinach for a green version.
If you add a scoop of protein powder, you’ll instantly turn your breakfast into a good source of protein. Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass. Choose a neutral or mild flavour so that the fruit remains the star of the show. You’ll find more combinations in our round-up of protein-packed smoothie recipes.
Variations
These fruit and flavour combinations work just as well with a scoop of protein powder (neutral or mild in flavour, whey or vegan); keep the base thick with frozen fruit.
- Mango and watermelon : blend frozen mango with a few cubes of watermelon for a refreshing, tropical smoothie.
- Blueberry, strawberry and kiwi : blend blueberries and strawberries to form the base and top with slices of kiwi.
- Pomegranate, blueberry and raspberry : a berry mix as the base, with pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top for a crunchy bite.
- Vanilla with kiwi, watermelon and apple : choose a vanilla protein powder and finish with fresh, crisp fruit.
- Strawberry and dark chocolate : blend frozen strawberries and grate a piece of dark chocolate over the top.
- Mango and mixed berries : combine frozen mango with a handful of mixed berries for a sweet and tangy contrast.
- Raspberry : extra frozen raspberries create a fresh, pink bowl; top with a few whole raspberries.
- Strawberry and granola : keep the strawberry base creamy and top with a generous layer of granola for crunch.
- Peach, blueberry and granola : blend frozen peach and blueberries and sprinkle with granola.
- Chocolate, banana and peanut butter : add extra frozen banana, a spoonful of peanut butter and some cocoa protein powder for a dessert-like feel.
- Cherry : frozen cherries create a deep red, slightly sweet-tart base.
- Dragon fruit : frozen dragon fruit (pitaya) colours the bowl bright pink; add kiwi to complete the look.
- Blackberries and gooseberries : blend for a dark, slightly tangier base.
- Avocado and coconut : half an avocado makes the bowl extra creamy, with coconut yoghurt and some grated coconut.
- Orange and forest fruits : a splash of orange juice adds freshness to the forest fruits.
- Apple and carrot : grated apple and a small piece of carrot for a mild, autumnal bowl.
- Nut breakfast bowl : top off a neutral base with extra mixed nuts and seeds for a more substantial breakfast.
- Fresh fig : place slices of fresh fig on a mild, creamy base with neutral protein powder.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make my smoothie bowl creamy and thick?
Use frozen fruit instead of fresh and keep the amount of liquid as low as possible. Frozen banana gives the most creaminess; only add milk or water a splash at a time, and only if the blender really gets stuck. Quark or full-fat plant-based yoghurt makes the mixture thicker than a runny yoghurt.
Can I make the smoothie bowl without dairy?
Yes. Replace the quark with plant-based yoghurt made from coconut, soya or almonds, and choose a vegan protein powder instead of whey. The rest of the recipe remains the same. For the plant-based version, check out our vegan protein.
Can I make a smoothie bowl in advance?
You can blend the base a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge; just give it a quick stir before eating. For the thickest texture, it’s best to make it fresh. Add the toppings at the very last minute to keep the granola crunchy. You can also freeze the blended base in portions and leave it to defrost the night before.
What toppings go well with a smoothie bowl with forest fruits?
Fresh forest fruits, strawberries, granola, mixed nuts and a piece of dark chocolate work well because they combine different textures: crunchy, soft and fresh. Add toppings with different textures in mind, and keep the whole thing balanced so the bowl doesn’t become too heavy or too sweet. Seeds such as chia or chopped pistachios are a lovely addition.
Give it a go yourself
Fancy making your own smoothie bowl? Our whey protein provides a creamy base with a neutral to mild flavour, and the vegan protein is the plant-based alternative for those who want to avoid dairy. Both can be added straight to the bowl. If you’d like to know more about protein in your daily diet, read about how much protein you need each day.
