Blackberry Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowls

Backstory

I drank tons of peanut butter banana protein smoothies when training for Ironman Coeur d’Alene many moons ago. So I was recently inspired by my homemade peanut butter granola to make a peanut butter banana smoothie bowl topped with more banana, chocolate chips, and that granola.

But I don’t run enough right now to be regularly eating that. So this one – this strawberry blackberry banana smoothie bowl – is relatively guilt free.

The base of this mixed berry smoothie bowl is frozen fruit and a thick yogurt of your choice. This is one the few recipes where frozen fruit works as well if not better than fresh fruit.

If your bananas are over-ripe, you have two choices. You can make a banana bread like this Nutella banana bread or one-bowl chocolate chip banana bread. Or you can freeze them for future smoothies.

Tip from the wise quacker: peel your bananas before you freeze them! If you don’t, the peel will stick to the frozen banana and make them challenging to peel.

Variations and substitutions

• Sub in different fruit. Mango, pineapple, peaches, and cherries all could work here.
• Change up the toppings. Try nuts or seeds or some dried fruit.
• Add some protein powder.

Making the smoothie

Load everything into your blender and give it a whir. You might need to unplug it and stir things around with a spoon or spatula if your blender doesn’t have a powerful motor. Please unplug your blender before sticking things into it, because that’s one of the common hazards in your kitchen!

If you’re making a smoothie, that’s it! You’re done unless you want to thin the smoothie with a little milk of your choice. Pour the smoothie in a glass and pop in a compostable straw.

Making the smoothie bowl

Smoothie bowls need to be thicker than smoothies because you eat them with a spoon. Pour your blended smoothie mixture into a bowl without thinning it, and sprinkle on your toppings. Pick from toppings including fresh fruit, granola, and toasted coconut flakes.