A blueberry banana smoothie is a fruit-based beverage with a frothy texture. It can be made simply with fruit and ice for a healthy snack, or it can be filled with other ingredients to serve as a meal replacement. The shake-like beverage has a low calorie count but a lot of flavor, making it a filling and healthy snack.
Fruit smoothies typically include a variety of fruits, ice, and a sweetener like honey or agave nectar. For a richer flavor, a liquid component such as milk or juice can be added. Cooks should be aware that including such liquids in their blueberry banana smoothie recipes will increase the final calorie count. Milk can also be substituted with yogurt.
Yogurt or tofu can be blended into a blueberry banana smoothie to add nutritional value. Protein powder or soy milk can be added to the smoothie to make it more protein-rich and filling. For added nutritional value, some people add flax seed to these smoothies. Cinnamon and other spices can be used to add a subtle heat element.
When making a blueberry banana smoothie, frozen fruits are recommended. When combined with the other ingredients, they work well. They’re also less expensive and easier to store and have on hand for making smoothies on a regular basis, if desired. Blueberries should be washed if they are fresh, and bananas should be peeled and chopped before being blended. Ice may not be necessary if frozen fruits are used, as the fruits will likely produce enough frothy volume without it.
Simply blend all of the ingredients in a blender until well combined and uniform when making the blueberry banana smoothie. If desired, the consistency can be thinned with more water, while adding fruit or yogurt can thicken a thin smoothie. When finished, the drink may be pale blue to dark purple, depending on the fruit ratio desired. Darker smoothies will result from recipes with more blueberries.
For added nutrients and flavor, any other berries or fruits can be added to the smoothie. Blueberry banana smoothies are often topped with strawberries or raspberries. Any garnishments, such as loose blueberries or mint sprigs, can be added to fruit smoothies for visual appeal as well as flavor. For a fresh, herbal note in the blueberry banana shake, some cooks prefer to add mint to the smoothie itself.