Smoothie bowls are cool, colorful, and quick

by Betsy Lynch

Want to satisfy your family’s summertime cravings for something cool and creamy while sneaking in healthy ingredients?  The way to do it is with a smoothie bowl.  All you need is a good blender, a bit of imagination, and 10 minutes to artfully decorate your creation.  

Whether for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack, these smoothies are meant to be eaten with a spoon, not sipped through a straw. The secret is to blend the base just enough so the mixture is thick and frosty—more soft-serve parfait than milkshake. When transferred to a bowl, the surface becomes a colorful palette for arranging fresh berries, banana slices, seeds, nuts, granola, coconut shreds, fruit zests, chocolate shavings...you name it! If your kids enjoy cookie decorating, why not give them a chance to express their creativity with their own bowls?

Dairy or plant-based milks and yogurts (almond, cashew, soy, oat, coconut, hemp) combine well with a variety of frozen fruits and veggies. Acai berries, bananas, mangoes, kale, cauliflower, Swiss chard, and spinach are great for texture and flavor. Fruit provides natural sweetness, while additions such as peanut butter, avocado, silken tofu, and grains contribute to nutritional balance. They also make smoothies taste rich and satisfying.

Smoothie bowls with destination themes and exotic ingredients might be just the culinary vacation you need this summer!