Break out your blender this summer for these creative smoothie ideas made with just a few clean eating ingredients!
Nothing is more refreshing during the hot summer months than a blended cold drink. Whether it’s to start your day in the morning or as a healthy and energizing treat during those dreaded mid-afternoon slumps, these easy smoothie recipes are delicious, guilt free, and packed full of vitamins and protein to fill you up without packing on the calories.
The great thing about smoothies is that they are easy to customize with all of your favorite frozen fruits, veggies, yogurts, nut butters, protein powders, milks, juices, and flavorings. Simply mix them all up in your blender for a quick and healthy breakfast or refreshing snack.
With all of these smoothie recipes, you’re simply going to blend the ingredients together in a high quality blender, starting with the amount of liquid stated and slowly adding more if desired.
1. Chocolate Breakfast Smoothie
A healthy milkshake for breakfast? Yes, please! The frozen banana in this recipe adds natural sweetness and creaminess, along with all the nutritional benefits of fruit. Want to make it more indulgent? Add peanut butter or use chocolate syrup in place of the cocoa powder. Want to add protein? Mix in your favorite protein powder.
2. Blueberry Oatmeal Smoothie
This quick summertime breakfast is tasty, kid approved, and made with just a handful of clean eating ingredients. You can essentially use any frozen fruit that pairs well with oats along with your family’s choice of milk. Sweeten it to your liking with a bit of honey or maple syrup.
3. Creamy Peach Smoothie
Peaches and cream go together like peanut butter and jelly, making this creamy fruit smoothie extra satisfying for a sweet and cold breakfast or mid-day snack. You could also toss in some mangos or pineapples if you have them on hand. Want to turn it into dessert? Replace the greek yogurt with vanilla ice cream.
4. Tropical Green Smoothie
Don’t let the color of this smoothie scare you! It may be green but it’s sweet, refreshing, and bursting with flavor. Enjoy it as a pick-me-up during those 3 o’clock slumps or as an energizing start to your day.
5. Peanut Butter Smoothie
If you’re looking for a more filling, rich, and indulgent smoothie, peanut butter is the way to go! The frozen banana and yogurt make it extra creamy and delicious while also adding protein and potassium. You could additionally add some cocoa powder for a fun chocolate twist.
6. Antioxidant Berry Smoothie
This fruit and veggie loaded smoothie is perfect for those times when you want to treat your body to healthy, vitamin loaded ingredients without sacrificing flavor. It’s a fresh and invigorating, cold treat packed full of nutrients that you can blend together in less than 5 minutes!
7. Coffee Banana Smoothie
Instead of milk or juice, use cold coffee the next time you make a breakfast smoothie! As it turns out, you can enjoy your morning caffeine while also filling up your belly. Plus, it’s delicious and creamy like a milkshake thanks to the yogurt and frozen banana.
8. Strawberries & Cream Smoothie
Your kids are going to love this healthy way of making a strawberry milkshake! Sweeten it however you’d like with honey or maple syrup, and feel free to use whatever yogurt you have on hand. You could also add some frozen banana for extra creaminess.
9. Creamy Pineapple Smoothie
This simple recipe reminds me of Disney’s Dole whip, only much healthier with fewer ingredients. Imagine sipping on this fruity cold drink while sitting by the pool this summer. And totally guilt free!
10. Perfect Kiwi Smoothie
Such a tasty way to load up on fiber, protein, and vitamin C! Kiwi isn’t the first fruit that comes to mind when it comes to smoothies, but it’s uniquely delicious and fun to make.
Tips & Tricks For Making The Best Smoothies
- Always start with less liquid and add more as desired. In my opinion, there’s nothing worse than a runny smoothie.
- Add collagen powder or protein powder for an extra nutritional boost. You can also add ground flaxseed, matcha green tea, nut butters, or chia seeds to just about any smoothie.
- Spinach is a great way to sneak in some veggies without altering the flavor too much. This green veggie pairs especially well with berries and tropical fruit.
- Want to sweeten your smoothie? The popular choice is frozen banana because it adds a touch of sweetness and creaminess, but you could also add honey, maple syrup, dates, juice, flavored coffee syrup, or sweetened yogurt.
- To make a low calorie smoothie, replace full fat yogurts with non-fat, replace juice or milk with water, leave out any optional sweetener, and avoid nut butters or avocado.
- I always use FROZEN fruit because it makes it easy to achieve that thick and cold consistency without watering it down with ice.
- Want to turn these smoothies into dessert? Simply replace the yogurt with vanilla ice cream for a more indulgent summer treat.