This smoothie method never lets me down.
It still amazes me that people add ice to smoothies when a combo of fresh and frozen fruits with a hint of liquid does the job SO much better!
This simple swap is a life-changer when it comes to making richer, more flavorful drinks with almost no effort.
All you have to do is follow my easy smoothie recipe below, toss in your favorite fruits and other add-ins, and in under 5 minutes, you’ll be sipping a thick, creamy, made-for-you smoothie!
Really, super easy….
– Toni
Love it ❤️
Ingredient and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Sweetener (Optional): Depending on the fruit, you may or may not need extra sweetness. Bananas usually add enough, but tart fruits like berries or kiwi may need a little honey, agave, maple syrup, or stevia. Blend first, taste, then add sweetener only if needed!
- Frozen Fruit: Essential for a thick, creamy smoothie. Not enough, and you’ll end up with a thin, liquidy drink. Use store-bought frozen fruit or freeze fresh fruit in 1–2 inch pieces for at least 4–5 hours before using.
Pro Tip: Let it sit out for 5–10 minutes before blending for easier mixing. - Fresh Fruit: A mix of fresh and frozen fruit gives the best texture and flavor. Many recipes use all frozen fruit, but that just means adding extra liquid to blend. A medium banana is usually perfect.
No fresh fruit? Let 1 cup of frozen fruit thaw for 30 minutes as a substitute. - Liquid: Milk creates the creamiest consistency, whether dairy or non-dairy (oat, almond, cashew, etc.). No milk? Juice or water work too, but the smoothie will be more icy than creamy.
- Yogurt: A must for a rich texture and balanced flavor. Unsweetened or plain Greek yogurt is best, but plant-based options work too. Sensitive to lactose? Goat milk yogurt is a great alternative.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Add ingredients to your blender.
You can use either a small individual-sized blender (like a Nutribullet or Ninja), or a larger high-speed blender (I love love LOVE my Vitamix when making multiple smoothies!) And as a last resort, a food processor will get the job done, it just might take a little longer.
For easier blending, add ingredients in this order: liquids first, then fresh fruit, yogurt, or nut butters, followed by leafy greens, frozen or hard ingredients, and dry add-ins last. This helps everything blend smoothly without sticking.
Blend until smooth and creamy.
Start blending on a low speed and gradually increase to high, blending for about 1-2 minutes, or until you reach the perfect creamy consistency. If your blender has trouble, stop and stir, or add a bit more liquid.
You may also need to scrape down the sides of the container to ensure everything is well mixed. Add additional sweetener, to taste, and re-blend if needed.
Best Fruits for Smoothies
A great smoothie starts with the right mix of fresh and frozen fruit. Here are some of the best options, grouped by flavor and texture:
- Creamy & Naturally Sweet: Bananas, mango, peaches, papaya
- Tangy & Tart: Pineapple, kiwi, cranberries, passion fruit
- Berry Varieties: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries
- Mild & Versatile: Apples, pears, cantaloupe, honeydew
- Juicy & Refreshing: Oranges, watermelon, grapes, pomegranate
For the best consistency, use a combination of frozen and fresh fruit. Bananas are a great fresh option, but if you’re out, just let some frozen fruit thaw slightly before blending.
Other Smoothie Add-Ins
This fruit smoothie is a great base recipe, but if you want to change it up a bit, here are some easy add-ins to have fun with:
- Leafy greens: Spinach or kale blend in easily without changing the flavor too much.
- Protein powder: A scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein makes this smoothie more filling. (Pea protein is awesome for this!)
- Gluten-free oats: I love adding these into smoothies for extra fiber which also keeps me full longer.
- Nut butter: Almond, peanut, or cashew butter adds protein, creaminess, and a hint of nutty flavor.
- Avocado: Makes it ultra-creamy and adds good for you fats.
- Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flaxseed oil: Blend them in for an omega-3 boost.
FAQs
A full-fat, unsweetened milk is the best liquid to add to smoothies. It adds a nice creaminess while also helping to balance out the natural sweetness of the fruit. You can also use fruit juice or even coconut water!
You can either use more frozen fruits instead of fresh, add less liquid, or blend in a handful of gluten-free oats, chia seeds, or flax seeds to thicken it up!
To keep the creamy consistency, an avocado can be substituted for a banana along with a tablespoon or two of sweetener.
Yes! You can prep smoothie ingredients in advance to make mornings easier. Measure out the frozen fruit and yogurt and store them together in a freezer-safe bag for 3–4 months. When you’re ready to blend, let the bag sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, add your liquid of choice, then blend and enjoy.
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Easy Fruit Smoothie Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup yogurt
- 1 cup fresh fruit
- 2 cups frozen fruit thawed for 5-10 minutes
- 1-2 tablespoons sweetener optional
- Optional add-ins (see note)
Instructions
- Pour liquid into a blender along with yogurt, fresh fruit, frozen fruit, sweetener, and any optional add-ins. (In this order if using a traditional blender or in the reverse order if using a personal blender.)½ cup milk, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 cup fresh fruit, 2 cups frozen fruit, 1-2 tablespoons sweetener, Optional add-ins
- Blend ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Serve immediately.
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Video
Notes
- Serving: One serving equals 8 ounces of smoothie.
- Fresh Fruit: A banana is a great fresh fruit to use. An avocado can also be used along with a tablespoon or two of sweetener.
- Yogurt: It’s best to use a plain, unsweetened yogurt and then adjust the amount of sweetener to taste. If you’re slightly lactose intolerant, goat’s milk yogurt is a wonderful alternative that tastes very similar to cow’s milk yogurt.
- Optional Add-ins: Nuts, seeds, oils, spices, oats, and protein powder can all be added in. Start by adding a little bit and then taste after each addition to make sure you still like the flavor!
- Sweetener: You’d be surprised how sweet fruit can be! Wait until the end to stir in any additional sweeteners like honey, pure maple syrup, or agave nectar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Fruit Smoothie Recipes
Now that you’ve got the basic formula for making fruit smoothies, there are so many flavor combinations you can try.
Can I use almond milk instead?
Hi Deedee, you can definitely use almond milk!
I didn’t follow to the letter as I had no frozen fruit only fresh. I added chia seeds and half an avocado, but no sweetner. It’s quite delicious without it.
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Marti! I’m glad you could make it work and enjoyed it. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
I’m new to smoothies I’ve maybe tried 2 in lifetime, each time I’ve like them ,I’m trying to loose weight and i haven’t been eating so are smoothies good for weight loss? And is there any with vegetables? I’m more personal to fruits but I know I need veggies to, any insight would be greatly happy! Thank you for sharing
Hi Trisha! Smoothie’s are a great way to start your day when you’re trying to eat better. For some added veggies, try this Spinach Fruit Smoothie )https://www.evolvingtable.com/tropical-fruit-and-spinach-green-smoothie/)
Love this recipe!
I used Dole mixed berry & added a fresh banana
Thank you!
Ohhh Cheryl- that sounds SO good! And what a great idea to use the mixed berry package. I bet that gave the smoothie SO much flavor! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating. Happy cooking! ♡London