This blueberry banana smoothie is made with just five ingredients: blueberries, bananas, spinach, chia seeds, and cashew milk. Vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free.
Like so many children of the eighties, I grew up playing with Strawberry Shortcake dolls.
I had all of them – Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom, Huckleberry Pie, the Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak… Ya-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta, ta-ta-ta-ta!
I guess as a Food Blogger in Training, it’s fitting that my origin story started by playing with food centric dolls.
In fact, I even told my mom when I was four or five years old that I was going to someday name my daughter Blueberry Muffin after the little plastic doll in my toy chest.
My mom insisted that I’d change my mind once I grew up. I remember my first feelings of a rebellious streak.
I thought, “Oh, I WILL name my daughter Blueberry Muffin. Just you wait and see.”
I ultimately decided not to have kids, outside of my furry family members. So we were never able to see that challenge to its end. Haha!
Anyway, around then I remember trying blueberries for the first time. Blueberry Muffin was so cool, I figured blueberries would be equally magical.
I don’t know if it was just a lackluster container, but I walked away underwhelmed. Strawberries were so juicy and popping with flavor. The blueberries were on the drier, more muted side.
Of course, now I know that the key to getting the most flavorful fruit is making sure you get it when it’s at its peak of freshness.
Blueberries are best during the summer from a local farm, so that they haven’t been picked while they’re under-ripe and loaded onto a truck from who knows where.
Or if it’s off-season, buy frozen blueberries that were picked and packed while the blueberries were perfectly ripe.
Smoothies are a delicious, portable option for breakfast on the go or as a post-workout snack. Refreshing and fiber-filled, it’s an easy way to get in lots of nutrient-dense and hydrating foods.
How to freeze bananas for smoothies
Whenever there’s banana in a smoothie, I always recommend using frozen banana. It gives the smoothie a thick, creamy texture that you just don’t get otherwise.
(Frozen bananas are also essential for chocolate banana nice cream!)
It’s also a great way to make sure overripe bananas don’t go to waste. I mean, there’s only so much banana bread a person can make, right?
To freeze your bananas, just peel them, and break them into 5 equal parts. Then whenever a recipe calls for one banana, you’ll know that 5 sections equal one banana.
Put the banana chunks into a glass Pyrex container, pop on a lid, and throw it in the freezer.
Best greens for a smoothie
I rarely make smoothies without putting some greens inside. What I put in the smoothie varies by my mood and what’s in the crisper drawer.
I’ve used collard greens. Although, you have to be careful not to go overboard, as they can get bitter.
Kale is probably my most popular choice.
But if you want to make sure the greens won’t overtake the flavors, spinach is the way to go. Just a handful or two is easily masked by the flavors of blueberries and bananas.
Just the flax, ma’am (Or chia…)
Another thing I never miss in a smoothie? Chia or flaxseed. They are chock-full of omega 3’s. And they add a thick, whippy viscosity to a smoothie.
If you have a high-speed blender, you can put whole seeds right into the blender. They’ll blend without issue.
However, if you’re using a standard blender, you’ll want to either buy ground seeds or grind them in a coffee grinder first.
Blueberry banana smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 banana frozen in chunks
- 2 handfuls baby spinach
- ⅔ cup blueberries frozen
- ¾ to 1 cup cashew milk or other non-dairy milk
Instructions
- If using a non high speed blender, grind the chia seeds in a coffee or spice grinder before using. If using a high speed blender, you can skip this step.
- Add the chia seeds, chunks of frozen banana, baby spinach, frozen blueberries, and ¾ cup of cashew milk to blender. Blend until smooth. This makes for a thick smoothie. If you'd like a thinner one, add the remaining ¼ cup of cashew milk and blend.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally posted March 2015. Content updated April 2019.
Christina
You are adorable. That is all.
Cadry
Ha! Thanks, Christina! 😀
Shell
Cad, I love the new look! You know I’m a smoothie fan, so I also love this recipe. I never know what to do with the tamper while I’m using my Vitamix. I loved seeing a piece of Olive Pit Pottery as a nice little home for your tamper.
Cadry
Thanks, Shell! Good eye on the pottery. I had the same problem, and so I made that piece to be just the right height for my tamper. It’s especially nice when the tamper is covered in smoothie to have a place to quickly put it, and then I can just throw the pottery in the dishwasher. Oh, and do you like the necklace I’m wearing in the pictures? It was a Christmas gift! 🙂
Shell
I didn’t even notice the necklace! I’m so happy to see you wearing it!
An Unrefined Vegan
You two are the cutest! Looks as if you have so much fun together.
Cadry
Thanks, Ann! David makes ordinary, day to day life a lot more fun. 🙂
Cadry
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it! I actually rarely put spinach in my smoothies. Usually I stick with kale. However, lately spinach has been getting some love.
Alina
Wow, your smoothie recipe sounds delicious, Cadry! I tend to always overcomplicate my smoothies, sometimes stopping short of adding leftover mashed potatoes 🙂 Your recipe is going on the list of things to try!
Cadry
Ha! Well, I’m glad you stop short of mashed potatoes, especially if gravy is involved! 😉 I hope you enjoy the recipe, Alina!
Susan
This is going to be my breakfast tomorrow.
I loved Strawberry Shortcake, but I didn’t have all the dolls. I did have a little SS figurine, and it had a little ‘purse’ filled with a solid strawberry perfume I could rub on that I loved.
Blueberry muffin would make an excellent cat name or nickname! Unfortunately, while I like blueberry muffins, I am forever reminder of douchebag Scott Hope after Buffy described him as a blueberry muffin with crunchy bits on top to Faith. *sigh*
You and David are the cutest cute cutie-pies!
Cadry
I saw on Instagram that you had the smoothie this morning. I hope you enjoyed it!
Blueberry Muffin WOULD make a good cat name! I’ll have to keep that in mind the next time we’re adopting a cat into our family. I can make good on my promise from many years ago. Haha!
Susan
Made it as planned yesterday, and it was easy and delicious. I didn’t have anyone to make an adorable photo shoot with, so I drank the whole thing myself. 😉
Cadry
Aw, man! No photo shoot? I don’t even know if you really had the full smoothie experience. 😉 But seriously, so glad you enjoyed it!