While this delicious smoothie bowl is not a low-calorie food, personally, I feel really good about eating it because it’s made with simple, natural ingredients and sweetened naturally with bananas. Try it for a truly decadent, seriously delicious and guilt-free breakfast, lunch, dessert or snack.

A healthy smoothie bowl is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of nourishment and vibrant flavor. With each spoonful, you will treat your body to a medley of nutrients, from protein to antioxidants, while delighting your palate with the sweetness of fruit and the lovely creaminess and subtle flavor of coconut. You can customize your toppings to your heart’s content and relish the energy-boosting start to your day that this bowl provides. Whether you are looking for a post-workout refuel or a wholesome breakfast, this smoothie bowl has you covered.

Ice-cream for breakfast? Um, yes, please! This smoothie bowl truly is like ice-cream in every way. It’s thick, it’s creamy and it’s flavorful. Made with frozen bananas its exquisite creaminess comes from full fat coconut milk that’s frozen in the form of ice-cubes. I recently learned this wonderful smoothie bowl hack and it’s a true game changer!

Bowl, cup, straight out of the blender… no matter how I serve it, I love a good smoothie. But I love it SO MUCH MORE with lots of toppings to make a more serious meal out of it. This beautiful, macro-friendly coconut, vanilla protein smoothie bowl is EVERYTHING. This recipe is one of those ones that I say ‘Holy Yum’ to!

Smoothie bowls are similar to smoothies but tend to be thicker, so they are ‘eaten’ rather than drunk. People sometimes question whether a smoothie bowl is healthy. Well, let me tell you, smoothie and smoothie bowls absolutely CAN be a healthy choice – so long as they are what is considered a balanced meal!

The idea of a balanced meal is one that contains – 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 30% healthy fats. If its unbalanced, such as when you have a high amount of carbohydrates, little protein or healthy fat, it is not so healthy and will spike your blood sugar level for hours.

Balanced meals have a less severe effect on our blood sugar levels so after eating, our hunger hormone leptin decreases, and the appetite-suppressing hormone ghrelin is raised. This allows us to stay full for longer, and get on with our day without searching for a snack every half hour and often succumbing to eating unhealthy choices.

Smoothies and bowls that provide a balanced nutrient profile ARE a healthy choice. They will keep you fuller for longer, provide you with a variety of vitamins and minerals to nourish your cells, and maintain steady blood sugar levels to keep you functioning at your very best!

Sometimes people even question the high calorie nature of a smoothie or smoothie bowl. Ah, the calorie debacle. Let’s clear this one up.

Calories are a measure of energy. Just like centimetres are the measurement units for the length of a table, calories are the measurement units for the energy in the food we eat. But what does this actually mean? Our bodies are constantly using energy – even when we are laying at rest, the basic metabolic processes in our body need energy to keep functioning. Then, when we are going about our days, working, exercising, even just standing – our need for energy increases.

Food is the fuel for our bodies – so eating provides us with this energy. Keeping in mind the balanced meal idea, it is crucial to understand that different macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) have different caloric values and different effects on our bodies.

Protein and fats will keep you fuller for longer whereas carbohydrates provide a shorter and sharper source of energy. So despite the caloric content, a balanced smoothie bowl should keep you full and satisfied until your next meal!

Also, remember that food has much more value than just energy – it is hydrating, contains essential nutrients, provides you with mental clarity, maintains blood sugar levels, strengthens your bones, feeds your muscles, reduces out of control food cravings, boosts your immune system, and satisfies your SOUL!

So keep in mind: Calories = energy.

Calories ≠ great health outcomes.

Banana Coconut Smoothie Bowl

This Banana Coconut Smoothie Bowl is like decadent creamy vanilla ice-cream that only takes 6 simple ingredients to make. It is full of the goodies you need to give you the energy you need to start your day right. Imagine having ice cream for breakfast. Yesss, me too!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword banana coconut smoothie bowl, clean eating breakfast, clean eating dessert or snack, clean eating smoothie bowl, coconut banana protein smoothie bowl, protein coconut smoothie bowl

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, sliced, frozen
• 6-8 frozen coconut milk cubes from 1 can full fat coconut milk frozen in an ice-cube tray (see notes below)
• 1/4 cup cottage cheese or thick Greek-style yogurt
• 1/3-1/2 cup almond or oat milk or your choice of milk
• 2 scoops protein or collagen peptides powder, vanilla or unflavoured
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings Your Choice – One Or More

• Chopped nuts
• Fresh fruit or berries
• Coconut flakes
• Seeds like hemp, pumpkin or sunflower
• Drizzle of nut butter
• Granola
• Chocolate chips

Instructions

• The day before making the smoothie bowl (or earlier), freeze the bananas and coconut milk cubes (see below in notes). Peel and slice the bananas, lay them out flat on a cookie sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour.

  Shake the can with coconut milk really well, open and pour into an ice cube tray. Place in the freezer overnight or until completely frozen. You will have some left over for your next smoothie bowl.

  To make your smoothie bowl pour ⅓ cup almond or oat milk in a bowl of a high speed blender. Add frozen bananas next, then coconut milk cubes, cottage cheese or yogurt, protein powder and vanilla extract.

  Blend the mixture using the tamper to move the solids around. If needed, turn the blender off, stir and blend again until smooth and ice-cream consistency, adding more milk, if needed.

  Add your smoothie to 2 bowls and top with your choice of toppings.

  Notes:

  The best way to freeze coconut milk is to use full fat coconut milk, make sure it is at room temperature and shake the can well. Open the can and pour into an ice-cube tray. Silicone ice-cube tray works best because it’s super easy to pop the coconut milk cubes out when you are  ready to use them.

  To make the thickest smoothie bowl go easy on the liquid! Start by adding ⅓ cup almond milk (or other milk) to the blender and blend with the frozen bananas and coconut milk cubes.

  If the mixture is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time. If you add too much liquid right away, you will end up with a smoothie that’s not as thick as a smoothie bowl.

  Blend smoothie ingredients until smooth. If you want it nice and thick, use a blender with a tamper so you can move it around. If you like it a little thinner, you might need a little bit more liquid.

Notes

Frozen Coconut Cashew Cubes

Plain coconut cubes are a great way to add healthy fats to any smoothie. They are easy to make and keep in the freezer to have on hand any time. This recipe has the addition of cashew nuts to make it even more nutritious. You can easily toss these super healthy coconut cubes for the ultimate healthy fat boost into any smoothie or smoothie bowl for a boost.

Adding healthy fats to smoothies can help nourish your skin and help your body break down the carbs for longer-lasting energy.

Healthy fats are an important part of a healthy diet. Smoothie cubes of all kinds are great additions to smoothies depending on the boost you need and will help keep you fuller for longer!

2 cups cashews

1 (15-ounce) can coconut milk full fat

Place cashews into a blender. Pulse about 10 times for 1-2 seconds each, or until cashews are finely ground.

Add coconut milk and blend again until smooth and creamy. You should have about 4 cups of liquid.

Fill two, 16-well standard ice cube trays or equivalent molds, with the coconut milk mixture. Each well should hold about 2 tablespoons each. Tap on counter to remove air bubbles. Place in freezer for several hours or overnight.

Remove frozen coconut milk smoothie cubes from the tray and store in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To use, add 4 cubes per 16 ounce serving in your favorite smoothie recipes.

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites