Description
This classic strawberry banana smoothie is a refreshing, naturally sweet blend of fresh strawberries, ripe banana, creamy yogurt, and milk. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s the perfect healthy breakfast or snack that both kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled (or frozen strawberries)
- 1 large ripe banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup ice cubes (reduce or omit if using frozen fruit)
- Optional add-ins: 1 handful spinach, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 scoop protein powder
Instructions
- Prepare Your Fruit: If using fresh strawberries, rinse them under cold water and remove the green hulls and stems. Slice the banana into chunks. If using frozen fruit, no prep is needed—use them straight from the freezer.
- Layer Ingredients Properly: Add ingredients to your blender in this order for best results: liquid (milk) first, then yogurt, fresh fruit, frozen fruit or ice last. This layering helps create a vortex that pulls ingredients down toward the blade for smoother blending.
- Blend on Low First: Start blending on low speed for 10-15 seconds to break down the larger pieces. This prevents chunks and helps protect your blender motor.
- Increase to High Speed: Increase to high speed and blend for 30-60 seconds, or until completely smooth and creamy with no visible chunks. The exact time depends on your blender’s power—high-powered blenders may only need 30 seconds, while standard blenders might need a full minute.
- Check Consistency: Stop the blender and check the texture. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk (2-3 tablespoons at a time) and blend again. If it’s too thin, add a few more ice cubes or a bit more frozen fruit and blend until desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste your smoothie. If it’s not sweet enough, add honey or maple syrup one teaspoon at a time, blending briefly after each addition. Remember that the sweetness depends heavily on how ripe your fruit is.
- Serve Immediately: Pour into tall glasses and enjoy right away for the best texture and temperature. The smoothie will start to separate if it sits too long, though you can simply stir or shake it to recombine.
Notes
- Frozen Fruit Tip: Using frozen strawberries and a frozen banana creates the thickest, most ice-cream-like texture without watering down the flavor. Simply peel ripe bananas, break into chunks, and freeze in a bag overnight.
- Make it Vegan: Use plant-based milk (almond, oat, or coconut) and swap Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt, or simply use an extra ¼ cup of milk.
- Protein Boost: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder, 2 tablespoons of nut butter, or use extra Greek yogurt.
- Hidden Veggies: Toss in a handful of fresh spinach or kale—you won’t taste it, but you’ll get extra nutrients!
- Texture Preference: For a thinner, more drinkable smoothie, use 1¼ to 1½ cups of milk. For a thick, spoonable smoothie bowl, use only ¾ cup milk.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 smoothie (16 oz)
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 10mg