Two easy vegan smoothies (yoghurt or banana split)
Mixed berry yoghurt smoothie (The Simple Veganista)
Smoothies are one of the easiest ways to make something delicious in just a few minutes. All you really need is a blender, some ripe fruit and a handful of ingredients from the fridge or cupboard. And when you make them at home, you can decide exactly how virtuous you want to be!
These two vegan smoothie recipes sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. The first is creamy, fruity and refreshing, made with vegan yoghurt for a lovely everyday breakfast or snack. The second is inspired by a classic banana split, turning dessert into a thick, chocolatey and wonderfully indulgent smoothie.
Creamy vegan yoghurt smoothie
For a smoothie that feels fresh and nourishing, reach for your favourite plant-based yoghurt. Coconut or oat yoghurt work beautifully, depending on the flavour and texture you prefer.
Start with a ripe banana for natural sweetness and plenty of creaminess. Add a handful of berries — strawberries, raspberries or blueberries are all delicious — followed by a few spoonfuls of vegan yoghurt and a splash of plant milk.
Blend everything until completely smooth and creamy. If you like your smoothie really cold and thick, use frozen banana or frozen berries.
You can also customise this smoothie with a little cinnamon, vanilla extract, ground flaxseed (for some omega 3s) or a spoonful of nut butter (Meridian has no palm oil).
For a more substantial breakfast, add some oats before blending.
Pour into a tall glass and top with a few fresh berries or a sprinkle of seeds. It’s quick, colourful and perfect for busy mornings.
Vegan banana split smoothie
This smoothie takes all the best bits of a banana split and puts them into a glass. It’s rich, creamy and chocolatey, making it perfect when you fancy something that feels much more like a dessert than a healthy snack.
Blend a ripe banana with plant milk, cocoa powder and a little maple syrup. For extra creaminess, add a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a spoonful of vegan yoghurt. A little nut butter adds richness and giving the smoothie that classic sundae-shop feel.
Pour into a large glass and get creative with the toppings. Try Coconut Collab vegan whipped cream, sliced banana, chocolate shavings, chopped nuts or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. A couple of fresh strawberries on top make it look even more like a traditional banana split.
For an extra-thick smoothie, freeze the banana beforehand and use just enough plant milk to get everything moving in the blender.
Why whizz up vegan smoothies?
Vegan smoothies that you make yourself are not only cheaper and tastier than storebought ones (that tend to only be the same two or three flavours) but you can pack in more nutrition – whizz in a bit of spinach (check medication before eating lots of leafy greens), add some nuts or seeds for protein, and use up leftover fruit, to stop it going to waste.
Homemade smoothies are a brilliant way to use up fruit that’s a bit too ripe, slightly tired-looking berries or bananas with brown spots (sweeter!)
Do you need an expensive blender?
No. But do invest in a quality one with a glass jug, the cheap plastic ones will have the motor burn out, if you make them regularly.
It’s now UK law that any shop selling electrical goods has to take old ones back for recycling (even if you don’t buy anything). So it’s the ideal time to take that rusty fat fryer or sandwich maker you never use back to the store, and use the cupboard space to invest in a nice little smoothie maker!
A few blender tips
- Add your liquid first, followed by softer ingredients and then frozen fruit. This helps the blades move more easily.
- Avoid filling the blender become recommended capacity.
- If your smoothie gets stuck, stop the blender and give the mixture a stir. Don’t force it while the blender is running.
- Always ensure the lid is firmly secured. You don’t want a ‘smoothie on the ceiling’ as this requires a lot of clean-up and a ladder!
The basic homemade smoothie formula
- Fruit provides flavour, natural sweetness and colour. Bananas are good for a creamy texture while berries add sharpness. You could also add chopped peaches, pears or apple. Or tropical fruits.
- Frozen fruit is good to make thick smoothies without lots of ice. Pack’d offers organic fruits in paper packs (blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, cherries, peaches, banana and tropical fruit).
- Dairy-free yoghurt is the easiest choice, or use a ripe banana or nut butter (no palm oil). Adding in some oats (full of fibre) also gives a thick creamy texture.
- Oat drink is the best choice. Start with a small amount and add more if needed. It’s easier to thin out a thick smothie than ‘rescue one’ that has become too watery.
- Add your extras. A bit of leftover spinach gives extra nutrition and you won’t taste it. Or add some stoned medjool dates for sweetness, or even a little grated fresh ginger.
- Blend until smooth. If the mix is too thick, add another splash of plant-based mylk. Smoothies are best fresh, so only make what you need.
