You’ll learn How to Make a Fruit Smoothie that comes out perfectly creamy and loaded with flavor every time once you know this basic recipe. With this simple smoothie formula, you’ll be able to mix it up with fresh berries and frozen tropical fruits, add in greens such as spinach or kale, and even make them vegan and dairy-free.
Frozen Fruit Smoothie Recipe
When that moment strikes and I have literally NOTHING else to make, a frozen fruit smoothie can always save the day.
It doesn’t even matter what fresh or frozen fruits I’m working with. They can ALL be turned into a creamy and delicious smoothie.
That is, if you have this go-to smoothie recipe on hand.
Table of Contents
- Frozen Fruit Smoothie Recipe
- Basic Smoothie Formula
- How to Make a Fruit Smoothie
- Blender Tip
- Frozen Fruit Tip
- Fresh Fruit Tip
- Liquid Tip
- Yogurt Tip
- Sweetener Tip
- Add-Ins Tip
- Best Blenders for Smoothies
- Serving Smoothies
- Are smoothies healthy for you?
- What’s the best liquid for making smoothies?
- Fruit Smoothie Tips
- Fruit Smoothie Recipes
- How to Make a Fruit Smoothie
Basic Smoothie Formula
A very simple recipe can guide you when making homemade fruit smoothies. Here are the ingredients you will need and the recommended amounts to make roughly 16 ounces:
- 2 cups frozen fruit
- 1 cup fresh fruit
- ½ cup liquid
- ¼ cup yogurt
- 1–2 tbsp. sweetener
- Add-ins, optional
(Read below for more details about each ingredient.)
How to Make a Fruit Smoothie
While the recipe for a fruit smoothie is pretty basic, there is a special way of adding in your ingredients so it blends with ease. This can change depending on if you’re using a personal-sized blender or a larger, more traditional blender, so make sure you pay attention to the special note at the end!
Here are the steps for making the perfect frozen fruit smoothie in a traditional blender:
- Pour in liquid. It doesn’t really matter when you add this in since it will inevitably sink towards the blade.
- Add yogurt. This more liquid ingredient will help to blend up the other ingredients to it’s best if it’s placed closest to the blade.
- Add fresh fruit. This is when fresh bananas, berries, or even an avocado go into the blender.
- Toss in leafy greens. These are also easier to blend than frozen fruit so it’s good to place them closer to the blade.
- Add frozen fruit. Make sure you’ve let it thaw for 5–10 minutes before this step so the blender does not get hung up.
- Toss in add-ins. This is the time to add anything extra to give your smoothie a nutritional boost!
- Blend it up! Start the blender on low so the ingredients slowly get mixed together. Once it’s churning, ramp up the speed to medium and blend until everything looks smooth and creamy.
Blender Tip
A personal-sized blender, such as a Nutribullet or Ninja, will have the blade on the TOP instead of the bottom when you add in ingredients. In order to prevent the blades from getting stuck, you’ll want to reverse the order of ingredients: Add frozen fruit, leafy greens, fresh fruit, yogurt, and liquid. The optional add-ins can be tossed in at any time.
Frozen Fruit
It’s essential that you use enough frozen fruit in your smoothie to make it perfectly creamy—not enough and you’ll end up with more of a liquid drink instead of a thick slushy consistency.
You can either buy the already frozen fruit at your grocery store or freeze fresh fruit that you have cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces. If you are freezing your own fresh fruit, make sure it has been in the freezer for at least 4–5 hours to ensure it is completely frozen.
Frozen Fruit Tip
Just before making your smoothie, pull the frozen fruit out for about 5-10 minutes so it thaws slightly. This will make it much easier for all of the ingredients to blend together.
Fresh Fruit
Using a mix of fresh and frozen fruit in a smoothie is a little secret I like to use. Many other recipes and websites call for ALL frozen fruit. But do you know what happens? You end up needing to add in a bunch of milk or other liquid in order to blend it up.
So instead, using a combination of fresh and frozen fruit gives you just the right consistency while also packing in the most fruity deliciousness!
Normally, 1 medium-sized banana is about what you’ll need for the fresh fruit component.
Fresh Fruit Tip
If you don’t have any fresh fruit on hand, you can always remove 1 cup of frozen fruit from the freezer and let thaw for at least 30 minutes. This will give you enough softened fruit to work with so your blender doesn’t have trouble mixing up the ingredients.
Liquid
Unsweetened milk is the liquid of choice when making frozen fruit smoothies since it makes them incredibly creamy and helps to balance the sweetness of the fruit.
Regular cow’s milk or a dairy-free alternative both work.
If using a plant-based milk, here are some of the recommended ones:
- Oat milk – My personal preference since it tastes the closest to regular milk and is super creamy.
- Almond milk
- Cashew milk
- Soy milk
- Coconut milk
Liquid Tip
Out of milk but still want to make a smoothie? No worries! Orange juice, apple juice, and even water can be added in. Just know the smoothie will end up being a little more icy than creamy.
Yogurt
I once thought yogurt was optional in smoothies. But the more I’ve made them, the more I’ve come to realize that yogurt is actually a pretty crucial component to the smoothie formula and essential for that creamy texture.
Not only is it thick and adds a wonderful creaminess to the mix, but it’s also got a slightly tangy bite that helps balance out the sweet fruit.
Unsweetened yogurt or plain Greek yogurt is preferred. However, if you like your smoothies on the sweet side, you can always try a flavored yogurt instead.
Plant and nut-based yogurt also work equally as well and can be used if on a vegetarian or vegan diet when you’re craving a great smoothie.
Yogurt Tip
Sensitive to lactose but still want that classic yogurt taste? Try using goat milk yogurt! It has less lactose than regular cow’s milk yogurt and is easier to digest for most people with lactose intolerance.
Sweeteners
Depending on the types of fruit and their ripeness, you may or may not need to add a little extra sweetener.
Typically, if I’m making a smoothie with a banana in it, a sweetener is not needed.
However, if more tangy fruits such as berries and kiwi are blended together, a little extra sugar is needed.
The best sweeteners to add into smoothies include:
- Honey
- Agave nectar
- Pure maple syrup
- Stevia liquid extract
- Coconut nectar
Sweetener Tip
Make your smoothie first without adding any sweetener to it. Try it, and then add the additional sweetener to taste. Remember, you can always add more to it but you can’t take it away!
Optional Add-Ins
This is where the fun comes in! There are so, so, so many things you can add into your smoothies to really up-level their nutritional benefits:
- Nuts and nut butters (peanut, almonds, cashew)
- Seeds (chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds)
- Oils (fish oil, flax seed oil, cod liver oil)
- Oats (use quick-cooking since they’re smaller and will blend up more easily)
- Protein powder (unflavored or sweetened)
- Spirulina powder
- Citrus zest (limes, lemons, oranges)
- Spices (turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper)
- Puree (pumpkin, sweet potato)
- And so much more!
Add-Ins Tip
Be a little cautious when adding in extra ingredients. Start with a little bit and then taste the smoothie after each addition to make sure you still like the flavor!
Best Blenders for Smoothies
Okay, you’ve got all of your smoothie ingredients prepped and ready to go. Now how are you going to blend them up?
The key here is power.
You want to use a blender capable of completely mixing up all of the ingredients until they are smooth and creamy.
Here is a list of the best blenders for making fruit smoothies:
- Nutribullet – A wonderful personal-sized blender option. Make sure you use the larger cup in order to fit all of the ingredients without going over the max fill line.
- Ninja Blender is also another great option!
- Vitamix – The most powerful of the traditional blenders and will give you a silky smooth smoothie every time. It is more of a splurge, so only spring for this if you make smoothies, soups, or sauces on a regular basis.
- Food Processor – Sort of a last resort, but will work if you don’t have another blender on hand!
Serving Smoothies
No smoothie would be complete without a fun straw to sip them up!
And there are so many different kinds you can use:
- Paper straws. (As you see pictured here.)
- Bamboo straws. A great re-usable option.
- Metal straws. Another option that can be rinsed and re-used.
- Plastic smoothie straws. These are not the most eco-friendly option, however, if you buy the larger ones you can easily rinse and re-use them numerous times!
Are smoothies healthy for you?
Yes! When smoothies are made at home, they are full of health benefits and a great way to get plenty of nutrients. The majority of a smoothie is made from antioxidant-packed fruit, protein-loaded milk and yogurt, and any other nutritious add-ins. They are relatively high in sugar and carbs, so they may not be suited for diabetics or those on a low-carb diet.
Also, there are so many add-ins you can mix into a smoothie to make them healthier. Nuts, nut butters (like almond butter), seeds, oils, spices, oats, and protein powders are all great additions and add healthy fats and protein.
What’s the best liquid for making smoothies?
Unsweetened milk is the best liquid to add to smoothies, either non-dairy milk or a regular version. 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!
Making vegan smoothies is also easy to do. Simply use a plant-based milk alternative, such as oat, cashew, or soy milk, and a nut-based yogurt alternative along with the fresh and frozen fruits.
Fruit Smoothie Tips
- Skip the bananas. An avocado can be substituted for a banana along with a tablespoon or two of sweetener.
- Go for the goat yogurt. If you’re slightly lactose intolerant, goat’s milk yogurt is a wonderful alternative that tastes very similar to cow’s milk yogurt.
- Add and adjust. Start by adding a little bit of optional ingredients and then taste after each addition to make sure you still like the flavor.
- Sweeten it last. You’d be surprised how sweet fruit can be! Wait until the end to stir in any additional sweeteners.
- Pay attention to the blade. You want to add your softer ingredients closer to the blade and the harder (frozen) ingredients further away for easier blending.
Fruit Smoothie Recipes
Now that you’ve got the basic formula for making fruit smoothies, there are so many flavor combinations you can try.
Some classic mixes, like Strawberry Kiwi Smoothie, Peach Banana Smoothie, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, and a Mixed Berry Smoothie are delicious.
Both the Tropical Green Smoothie and the Pineapple Coconut Smoothie will make you feel like you’re on a beach.
And this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is dessert in a glass!
Check out this post that answers the question of Are Fruit Smoothies Healthy?
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How to Make a Fruit Smoothie
Email this recipe!
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk oat, coconut, or nut-based
- ¼ cup yogurt regular, Greek, or plant-based
- 1 cup fresh fruit or avocado
- 2 cups frozen fruit thawed for 5-10 minutes
- 1-2 Tbsp. sweetener optional
- Optional add-ins Nuts, seeds, oils, spices, oats, and protein powder
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.)
- Blend ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Serve immediately.
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Video
Notes
- One serving equals 8 ounces of smoothie.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Skip the bananas. An avocado can be substituted for a banana along with a tablespoon or two of sweetener.
- Go for the goat yogurt. If you’re slightly lactose intolerant, goat’s milk yogurt is a wonderful alternative that tastes very similar to cow’s milk yogurt.
- Add and adjust. Start by adding a little bit of optional ingredients and then taste after each addition to make sure you still like the flavor!
- Sweeten it last. You’d be surprised how sweet fruit can be! Wait until the end to stir in any additional sweeteners.
- Pay attention to the blade. You want to add your softer ingredients closer to the blade and the harder (frozen) ingredients further away from the blade for easier blending.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This sounds really good. Can you make the smoothie without yogurt or sweetener
Hi Nancy! While you can omit the yogurt, the resulting smoothie won’t have that creamy texture. If you are sensitive to lactose, try using goat milk yogurt! It has less lactose than regular cow’s milk yogurt and is easier to digest for most people with lactose intolerance.
Perfect made a good smoothie
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Rebekah! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
This was so good – thank you for the recipe! Perfect for those of us who are still learning how much of each ingredient is needed. It worked out beautifully!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, NK! I’m so glad it worked out. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
🙂Thank you for all the tips & tricks to making a smoothie at home .. I’ve been on a WaWa mango smoothie kick for sometime now & spend wayyy to much $$ on them !! I have a nutria Bullet ( my old room left when he moved out ) & I bought a full size blender awhile back .. In hopes that instead of buying them – I could just make them @ home!! 🤩 Im going to try it out tomorrow!! Thank you again for all the great ideas!! 🧋🍌🥭🫐🍓🍉🍑🍍😋😍🤩👏
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Laura! I hope you enjoyed the smoothie at home! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
Great post, London! Thank you so much for making it super easy by giving clear, detailed instructions. I’m going to go and make a smoothie now! 🙂
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Alison! I’m so glad the directions were clear and easy to follow. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Thank you for all of your instructions. I’m new to using a blender and to smoothies. It’s great for beginners and Is great
How do you get your smoothies so creamy when you fill your cup to the max?
I use a nutrininja with the same size cup you use, and if I put in as much fruit as you do in your videos my smoothies turn literally to ice milk, so stiff I can’t pour it from the cup.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks.
Dennis
Sheboygan Wisconsin
Pbadam1512@yahoo.com
For one, the Nutribullet is incredibly powerful, so I’m not sure if that might be the difference. Two, I let my frozen fruit thaw out for at least 15 minutes, if not more. This makes it much easier to blend up. And three, make sure you place the ingredients in the correct order as outlined in the post – doing this will help blend it up, too!
Thanks for your reply London.
My Ninja is a 1000 watts, so that shouldn’t be an issue. I do, however, use the fruit while frozen. I’ll try letting it thaw first before I blend my smoothies.
Dennis
Of course! Let me know how it turns out for you!
Hi London,
I did what you said by letting the fruit thaw. I used a pack of organic pre-mixed smoothie mix of berries and spinach which I get from Costco. I usually use only half the package at a time because it will stiffen and turn into sherbet rather than a smoothie. However, after thawing I was able to use the whole package, and less almond milk then i usually do plus some nuts, and it blended perfectly. That was the last piece of the puzzle I needed in order to make a perfect smoothie.
Thanks so much for the advice.
Dennis
You’re welcome! I am so happy to hear this Dennis. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Well this is more of a question than a reply but if you have Crohn’s is there something better or I don’t know how to say it something that I shouldn’t use or is something that I should use?
Hi Crystal! As I am unfamiliar with the foods that are tolerable for someone with Crohn’s, this might be a good question for your nutritionist! Anything that is highly inflammatory will probably be off-limits so I would try to stick to lower-sugar fruits that are higher in fiber. Hope this helps!
Anything that has Gluten in it.
This is great. Just new at this, but very helpful info.
Cheers
Marcy
Yay! So happy it was helpful for you Marcy. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating 🙂
This recipe just made the best strawberry banana recipe I have ever had!
WooHoo!! So happy to hear that. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating 🙂