How To Make A Smoothie Bowl Thicker

You know you’re going to lose the plot when you make a smoothie bowl (just like the one you see online), and it’s too thin. All the pretty little elements you want to float on top just sink below the surface. It feels like you’ve failed. Never fear; I’m here to tell you exactly how to make a smoothie bowl thicker. It’s actually simpler than you would think. 

Why you’ll love a thick smoothie bowl

 Here are a couple of key reasons why you will want to make your smoothie thicker for your smoothie bowl:

• Number one reason by a country mile is that you will be able to float pretty ingredients on the surface. As opposed to them sinking under the surface like some kind of submarine.
• The smoothie will be a lot more filling and keep you satisfied for longer.
• You can pack in a lot of tasty and healthy ingredients into your fabulous smoothie bowl.
• They are super easy to make for either breakfast, a snack, or a healthy dessert, for that matter.
• Making smoothie bowls with frozen fruit and vegetables is more cost-effective than using fresh fruits.

Thick smoothie bowl ingredients

Here is a simple list of all you’ll need to gather to make yourself a lovely thick smoothie bowl.

For the smoothie

• 1 banana, peeled, frozen and sliced up
• ½ cup pineapple, peeled and chopped up
• 3 TBS milk, I like oat milk
• ½ cup mixed frozen berries

For the toppings

• 1 tsp chia seeds
• ½ fresh banana, sliced
• 3 sliced strawberries
• 1 TBS blueberries
• 1 TBS chopped fresh pineapple
• 1 TBS granola

How to make a smoothie bowl thicker (step-by-step)

Here is how to make a smoothie bowl thicker.

Step one:

So, let’s say you’ve added your frozen berries, pineapple, and strawberries into the blender, and you’re ready to add the milk.

Step two:

Add in 2 TBS of the 3 TBS of milk. Blend that all up. If, and only if, you feel the smoothie needs it, add in the other 1 TBS of oat milk. You want to go slow and see the consistency before just throwing in the whole lot.

Step three:

Once you have your optimal consistency, fill a bowl with the smoothie.

Step four:

In an organized and aesthetically pleasing manner, lay out the chia seeds, banana slices, berries, and granola in a pretty design. This is the fun bit so enjoy it.  

Tips and tricks

Here are a couple of pointers to ensure you get the very best smoothie bowl you can imagine:

• Ensure your fruit is frozen. This will help you achieve a lovely thick, ice cream-like consistency.
• Use either frozen banana or frozen avocado in your base. These ingredients are what build a thick, creamy texture.
•  Add in only a little liquid at a time when you’re making it. Don’t add in a whole lot of milk all at once.
• If your smoothie is still too runny, add in a few ice cubes to the blender and whizz them in. Ice cubes will often thicken up a smoothie. Adding in an extra frozen banana is another way to do this.
• Eat it soon after making it. That way, all the ingredients will stay nice, frozen, and thick.
• Soak your chia seeds in 1 TBS of water first. They will thicken up nicely and help add to the thick consistency of the smoothie bowl.
• Use tofu in your recipe. Not only will tofu give your smoothie bowls a lovely creamy consistency, but it will also boost the protein content.

 More useful tips for making smoothie bowls

• Adding nut butter can add a thicker texture and consistency. Choose sugar and salt-free nut butter if you’re concerned about keeping the ingredients clean and healthy.
• If you’re making a smoothie using yogurt, freeze the yogurt in ice trays before adding them to the blender or food processor.
• You can use any blender or food processor to make a smoothie. Having said that, a high-speed machine is likely to blend the ingredients faster than a slower one. This will keep the ingredients cold and frozen through the blending process. It’s less likely you’ll have any melting going on.
• If you’re going to add root vegetables like carrots to your smoothie mix, chop them up really fine so that they blend properly.

Smoothie bowl toppings ideas

Part of the joy and fun of making smoothie bowls is thinking about all the pretty elements you can top them with. Whether you are making multiple smoothie bowls for your family members or just one for yourself, it can be a super fun activity.

Here are some topping ideas for you to try:

• Toasted nuts, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds
• Chia seeds
• A sprinkle of matcha powder
• Sliced fruit such as bananas, star fruit, apple, apricots, berries, pineapples, passionfruit, pear etc.
• Fruit coulis
• Granola
• Mint and minted sugar
• Sugar-free vegan chocolate chips
• Toasted coconut
• Peanut or nut butter

FAQ

Does ice make a smoothie thicker?

Ice does make smoothies thicker and is a great way to thicken up a base that is too runny to be considered a smoothie bowl.

Frozen berries, avocados, and bananas all contribute to a smooth and thick consistency.

Why isn’t my smoothie bowl thick?

It’s likely that your smoothie is too thin because you’ve added too much milk or water to it. The other reason is that you may have used fresh fruit at room temperature instead of frozen fruit.

Are smoothie bowls actually healthy?

The answer depends on what you put into your smoothie bowl. Smoothie bowls have the opportunity to be very healthy if you use whole fruits and ingredients that are rich in nutrients and vitamins. If you want a healthy smoothie bowl, keep the ingredient list free from refined sugar.

Also, keep in mind that healthy is a relative term as everyone’s body and needs are different.

Does yogurt make smoothies thicker?

Using a thick Greek yogurt can make your smoothie thicker, absolutely. Other thickening ingredients include frozen vegetables and fruits that are full of good fiber.

Wrapping it up!

I tend to make smoothies and smoothie bowls more during the summertime than in the winter. No matter the weather through, I know I’m always in for a real treat. Let’s be honest – smoothies are like dessert, only healthier. 

I hope this article has helped you to figure out how to make a thicker smoothie bowl : )

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