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.
Tap stars to rate!
Easy Fruit Smoothie Recipe
email this recipe!
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.
Tap stars to rate!
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.
Thanks for the simple, easy and very informative instructions and tips. I can’t wait to try this out. Never made one before.
Yay! Well I can’t wait to hear what you think when you do- please let me know 🙂
Tropical green smoothie!! Only substitution was pineapple for half of frozen banana, Only because I had frozen mango and frozen banana!
🥭🌱🍌👌💯% delicious & perfect texture!
Ummm yes please!! That combo of tropical fruits sounds ah-maaazing, Ashley!! What a great idea! So happy to hear it had the perfect texture, too (SO not a fan of thick and clumpy smoothies!) Thanks for leaving a comment & rating- it means a lot. Can’t wait to hear what you cook up next! ❤ London
Really, super easy….
Love it ❤️
Yay! So glad you found it helpful 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Toni!
Enjoyed all recipes I’ve just started a new diet going to be doing a lot of new things probably
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Linda! That’s why I’m here! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
I just purchased a personal blender and I will be using your good base ingredients and switch out the fruit to have a variety of different flavors each day. I have most of the ingredients on hand but a trip to the grocery store is needed. Thanks for sharing this recipe. **
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Judy! You can’t beat smoothies in the morning. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Most delicious smoothie I’ve ever had it’s so creamy and I love it. I’m using this so much more now and I just act like protein powder. Oh my gosh, so good!
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! I love how creamy it is, too! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
I really want to know how to make smoothies
I hope this helps!
Hey there.
First of all, I just want to say thank you for sharing this awesome article on how to make a fruit smoothie. As someone who loves starting my mornings with a refreshing and nutritious smoothie, I was thrilled to stumble upon your post. Your step-by-step guide and mouthwatering pictures made it super easy for me to follow along and recreate your delicious creations in my own kitchen.
I must admit, I’m not the most skilled when it comes to cooking, but your instructions were so clear and straightforward that even a novice like me could whip up a fantastic fruit smoothie. I appreciate how you emphasized the importance of choosing ripe and quality fruits, as it truly makes a difference in the taste and texture of the final product. Your suggestion to add a handful of spinach for an extra nutrient boost was a game-changer for me. I never would have thought to sneak in some greens, but now I can enjoy a guilt-free and refreshing treat that’s packed with vitamins.
Overall, your article has inspired me to get creative with my smoothie recipes and explore different combinations of fruits and add-ins. I can’t wait to experiment with your suggestions and maybe even come up with a few unique creations of my own. Thank you once again for sharing your expertise and passion for smoothies. You’ve definitely made a positive impact on my morning routine, and I’m sure many others will benefit from your fantastic guide too.
Cheers,
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Alexander! These are such encouraging words! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!
Hi, can’t wait to try these recipes. Thank you for the pro tips. I’m confused because you mentioned that you like to use a banana but then at the bottom of the recipe you say skip the banana?
I’m only mentioning that if one prefers, they can skip the banana. It’s up to you!
How many servings does one recipe make? It says 16 ounces, which seems like one serving. It just seems like a lot of fruit for one serving.
The recipe, as written, makes 2 servings.
Thanks for sharing informative article.
Yay! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment and rating!