Bananas are often used in smoothies due to their natural sweetness and creamy texture.
However, not everyone is a fan of banana. Some may even be allergic.
If you are one of them, this post is dedicated to you. I’ll be sharing with you how to make yummy banana-free smoothies that are still thick and creamy.
Smoothies may sound like an ideal healthy drink. But if you are not careful, you could be throwing in more sugar than you think. Some fruits, such as bananas, have a high sugar content. So, if you are looking to reduce your sugar intake, you can also benefit from replacing the banana in your smoothie with a fruit of lower sugar content or any of the substitutes below.
No-Banana Smoothie Recipes
Mixed Berries Smoothie Without Banana
Berries (especially blueberries) are one of my favorite smoothie ingredients. They are low in sugar but packed with anti-oxidants. Unfortunately, they can be rather pricey during off-seasons.
Frozen berries are the perfect solution as they come at a more affordable price and gives the smoothie a more creamy texture. These berries are picked at the peak of their freshness when they are in-season and flash frozen to retain the nutrients. So you can enjoy them all year round.
I’ve used coconut water in this recipe as the natural sweetness can balance the tanginess of the greek yogurt. Like banana, coconut water is also high in potassium.
Ingredients
- Frozen berries (blueberries or mixed) – 1 cup
- Chia seeds – 1 tsp
- Greek yogurt – 1/2 cup
- Coconut water – 1 cup
Instructions
Add a cup of frozen berries into the blender, followed by the chia seeds, greek yogurt and finally the coconut water. Blend the ingredients to your desired consistency. You can always add more coconut water if it’s too thick.
Dairy-Free Mixed Berries Smoothie Without Banana
Here’s a dairy-free recipe for those looking to make a blueberry smoothie without yogurt. Chia seeds are added to thicken the smoothie and provide a nutritional punch. If you are new to using chia seeds. do read on for our tips.
I’m using unsweetened oat milk in this recipe, but feel free to use any plant-based milk of your choice such as cashew milk, almond milk or soy milk.
Ingredients
- Frozen berries (blueberries or mixed) – 1 cup
- Chia seeds – 1 tbsp
- Unsweetened oat milk (or any plant-based milk) – 1 cup
Instructions
Add a cup of frozen berries into the blender, followed by the chia seeds and unsweetened oat milk (or any plant-based milk). Blend the ingredients to your desired consistency.
If you prefer a more liquid consistency, you can add the chia seeds near the end of the blending.
Kiwi Cucumber Avocado Spinach Smoothie
I like this green smoothie as it hydrating and refreshing. This can be a dairy-free recipe depending on your choice of milk.
Ingredients
- Kiwi – 1 fruit
- Avocado – 1/4
- Cucumber – 1 cup
- Baby Spinach – 1 handful
- Chia Seeds – 1 tsp
- Unsweetened Oat Milk – 1 cup (or any milk of your preference – dairy or plant-based)
Berry Spinach Smoothie
Ingredients
- Frozen Mixed Berries – 1 cup
- Avocado – 1/4
- Baby Spinach – 1 handful
- Chia Seeds – 1 tsp
- Unsweetened Oat Milk – 1 cup (or any milk of your preference – dairy or plant-based)
What is a good substitute for banana?
You can still make creamy smoothie by replacing banana with the following substitutes:
- Greek Yogurt
Adding yogurt is probably one of the most common and effective way of creating a creamy smoothie without adding bananas. Greek yogurt has a thicker consistency and comes with higher protein content, compared to the regular yogurt. However, it taste more sour.
- Frozen Fruits
Frozen fruits gives a thicker texture compared to fresh fruits, without losing the natural sweetness.You can use fruits such as mango, coconut or peach for an extra creamy texture.
p.s. mango is also a high sugar fruit, so enjoy it in moderation
- Avocado
Avocado provides a rich creamy texture and is a good source of healthy fats, which is not commonly found in other smoothie ingredients. It’s mild flavor makes it suitable to pair with almost any fruits and veggies.
You can use 1/4 to 1/2 avocado in a smoothie.
- Chia Seeds
Chia seeds may look tiny, but they are packed with nutrients. They act as a binding agent to thicken the consistency of the smoothie. Chia seeds thicken more than flax seeds, which is another alternative.
You can add up to 1 tablespoon chia seeds to the smoothie, but don’t overdo it or you will find your smoothie in a gel consistency. In some recipes, I’ve only added 1 teaspoon as I prefer a more liquid consistency. So, do test it out to determine your own preference.
- Oatmeal
Grind rolled oats into a powder first and add 1/4 cup to the smoothie. This is a great way of adding more fiber to the smoothie.
- Frozen Zucchini or Cauliflower
Veggies such as Zucchini and Cauliflower are pretty legit in adding creaminess to the smoothie. They have a mild and neutral flavor after freezing so you don’t have to worry about them affecting the overall taste of the smoothie.
Unfortunately, it’s not as simply as popping the cut zucchini and cauliflower into the freezer. To ensure that you preserve the color and texture, you will need to blanch the chopped zucchini and cauliflower first before freezing them. Do not forget to remove the skin and seeds for the zucchini!
- Silken Tofu
Siken tofu does not have a very distinct taste and gives a smooth creamy texture, making it a great source of protein and ingredient for vegan or dairy-free smoothies.
More Tips on Using Chia Seeds to Thicken Smoothies
Adding chia seeds is a very healthy way to thicken smoothies without the added sugars in a banana. However, it does the job so well that it is best you don’t add more than 1 tablespoon. If not, you’ll probably find yourself needing a spoon.
Timing
For a thicker smoothie, you can add the chia seeds at the beginning of the blending so that there will be more time for the chia seeds to soak in the liquid mix. However, if you prefer a more liquid consistency, add them near the end of the blending.
If you find that the smoothie is too thick and gel-like for your liking, simply add more liquid and give it a quick blend.
Caution
The only downside about using chia seeds to thicken smoothies is that it you can’t leave the smoothie sitting around for too long as it can get really thick and gel-like .
What’s Next?
Hope you have enjoyed the tips and recipes we’ve shared so far. We will continue to include more delicious banana-free smoothie recipes.
Since you are here, why not bookmark the page so you can always come back to check them out?