31 Easy and Healthy Smoothie Recipes That Actually Taste Amazing
You want to eat healthier, but do you have the time? The answer is yes: From berry smoothies to protein shakes to acaí bowls, drinking your breakfast is a quick, simple way to up your fruit and veggie count for the day without much fuss. Not only are smoothies great for getting energized first thing in the morning (sorry, caffeine), but they’re also the ultimate post-workout meal. Just choose ingredients you love and give them a whirl in your blender—it’s that simple.
Here are 31 easy, healthy smoothie recipes worth getting out of bed for, plus tips from a dietitian for making them as nutritious as possible. (Psst: Not sure what to try first? Our favorites include a blueberry ginger smoothie, a raspberry-coconut smoothie bowl with collagen and dark cherry smoothie bowls.)
21 High-Protein Smoothies That Will Keep You Full Until Lunchtime
Meet the Expert
Dr. Felicia Stoler, DCN, is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and exercise physiologist. She's the author of Living Skinny in Fat Genes: The Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Feel Great and the former host of TLC's Honey, We're Killing the Kids.
The Best Easy, Healthy Smoothie Recipes
1. Green Smoothie with Avocado and Apple
Erin McDowell
Calories: 417
Protein: 9 grams
Get your vitamins and minerals without really noticing. Banana, coconut water and honey add sweetness to this nutritional powerhouse that calls for three cups of spinach, a whole avocado and one Granny Smith apple. Add chia seeds for crunch and as a thickener.
2. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Blueberry Cauliflower Smoothie
The Clean Plate
Calories: 259
Protein: 7 grams
Whoa, we had no idea cauliflower could look this gorgeous. It takes over for banana, making the smoothie filling minus the carbs and sugar. Get celebrity-status skin from antioxidant-rich blueberries, protein from almond butter, brightness from fresh lime and a pinch of sweetness from almond milk and a chopped date.
3. Salted Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Calories: 854
Protein: 23 grams
Dessert for breakfast? Don’t mind if we do. Treat yourself to a peanut butter and banana mash-up, spiked with cocoa powder and vanilla almond milk. Add a scoop of whey protein powder to make it even more filling. We’re topping ours with shredded coconut and flaky sea salt.
4. Green Machine Smoothie Bowl
Kerri Axelrod
Calories: 316
Protein: 9 grams
No straw? No problem. Whip up wellness blogger Kerri Axelrod's morning gem in less than 15 minutes. It also includes maca powder, an energy booster made from the Peruvian maca root. (Green tea lovers, feel free to go wild with the matcha, too.)
5. Blueberry Ginger Smoothie
Erin McDowell
Calories: 244
Protein: 6 grams
We can’t get enough of this spicy, immunity-boosting root. After a spin in the blender with blueberries, coconut milk, coconut yogurt and honey, it mellows out and turns tangy. We’ll take ours with an extra dusting of cinnamon, please.
6. Juicy Green Pineapple Smoothie with Mint, Basil and Spirulina
Rawsome Superfoods
Calories: 114
Protein: 3 grams
You’ve seen spirulina on the menu at every fancy juice bar, but what the heck is it? It’s a blue-green algae that’s packed with protein, iron, B12, beta-carotene, iodine and lots more your trainer will be psyched about. Don’t bother squeezing the lime—just throw the whole thing in the blender, seeds and all, a la Reese Witherspoon. (Mmm, fiber.)
7. Raspberry-Coconut Smoothie Bowl with Collagen
Alena Haurylik/Coconuts and Kettlebells
Calories: 741
Protein: 11 grams
Breakfast for you, a spa day for your hair, skin and nails. A scoop of powdered collagen peptides can help reduce wrinkles and inflammation. Even better, you can top it with basically any fruit or crunchy bits you want. (We like sliced dragon fruit, chopped walnuts and coconut flakes.) Did we mention it’ll only take you five minutes to make?
8. Triple-Berry Smoothie Bowl
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Calories: 598
Protein: 19 grams
Rise and shine with this vibrant number, starring blueberries, strawberries and raspberries. It’s as simple as adding Greek yogurt (yay, protein) and ice and blending. Top it off with your favorite granola, flaxseeds or extra berries.
9. Avocado Power Breakfast Smoothie
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Calories: 322
Protein: 5 grams
This five-ingredient gem is a no-brainer because it’s packed with two cups of baby spinach, lots of parsley and half an avocado. Its sweetness comes from chopped pineapple and agave. Good morning indeed.
10. Green Smoothie Bowl
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Calories: 754
Protein: 12 grams
Isn’t she pretty? Ditch cereal for a mix of banana, spinach, avocado, apple and almond milk. You can top it off with whatever you’re in the mood for, but we love the look of toasted coconut, macadamia nuts and goji berries, the latter of which are packed with amino acids and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
11. Vanilla-Oat Smoothie Bowl
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Calories: 685
Protein: 27 grams
If a sugary bowl of instant oatmeal is one of your go-tos, consider this a healthier remix. Rolled oats are blended with banana, Greek yogurt, almond milk, vanilla and cinnamon, plus just a tad of turbinado sugar. Top with cocoa nibs for a decadent finishing touch.
12. Hibiscus Ginger Zucchini Smoothies
Feed Me Phoebe
Calories: 145
Protein: 2 grams
Combine tart, fragrant hibiscus concentrate with frozen raspberries, zucchini and a hefty chunk of ginger. If it’s too savory for your taste, add a banana or a drizzle of honey. This version is topped with chopped nuts and bee pollen (a surprisingly good source of antioxidants), but go with whatever your heart desires.
13. Creamy Coconut Spirulina Superfood Smoothie
Cotter Crunch
Calories: 231
Protein: 6 grams
You might’ve never thought to use cardamom, maple syrup or grated ginger in your morning smoothie, but once you do, you won’t go back. It’s complex yet balanced with buttery avocado and acidic orange. You might want to cut corners with the presentation if you’re drinking this solo, but a little layering and swirling makes the bev worthy of some Instagram love.
14. Açai Smoothie Bowl
Lexi’s Clean Living
Calories: 530
Protein: 13 grams
Meet açai, the trendiest superfood out there. These South American berries are packed with fiber, protein, antioxidants, healthy fats and all the vitamins and nutrients. Search for an unsweetened pack in the frozen fruit section of your supermarket.
15. Green Keto Smoothie
Low Carb Yum
Calories: 223
Protein: 1 gram
Mint, cilantro and lime juice make this beyond refreshing. The recipe calls for full-fat coconut milk, which is loaded with medium-chain fatty acids that break down rapidly for an instant energy boost. If you’re keto, use a low-carb sugar substitute instead of honey or sugar.
16. Mango Spinach Smoothie
Half Baked Harvest
Calories: 608
Protein: 12 grams
Passion fruit. Coconut meat. Fresh mango. Hello, tropical getaway in a glass. The recipe includes maca powder, but if you’re in a pinch, ginseng or raw cacao powder work too.
17. Green Goddess Smoothie
Ambitious Kitchen
Calories: 235
Protein: 4 grams
Six ingredients, one blender, all the potassium and omega-3s. It’s also rich with fiber (we’re talking more than 9 grams per glass) and gluten free. Use a sweet apple variety, like Honeycrisp or Gala.
18. Pumpkin Coconut Smoothie
Cook Eat Paleo
Calories: 292
Protein: 3 grams
All the perks of a PSL with way less sugar. In this morning glory, the autumn flavor comes from pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. You can also substitute cinnamon and ginger to taste if you don’t have any pie spice on hand.
19. Blueberry Coconut Water Smoothie
Sweet Peas and Saffron
Calories: 301
Protein: 17 grams
Ready to graduate from flaxseeds and chia? Enter hemp hearts. They’re nutty and packed with protein (10 grams per serving, y’all), magnesium, calcium, zinc and tons of vitamins and nutrients. Substitute or add any berries you have on hand.
20. 2-Minute Green Smoothie
Half Baked Harvest
Calories: 609
Protein: 35 grams
OK, get ready for a hack that will make busy mornings a total breeze. Fill a freezer bag with all your produce, protein powder, hemp seeds and add-ins. Store it until you’re ready to use. When the time comes, all you’ll have to do is dump and blend.
21. Feel-Good Pineapple Smoothie
Gimme Some Oven
Calories: 266
Protein: 5 grams
If you have psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis or another form of chronic inflammation, meet your new daily wakeup call. The secret ingredient? Antioxidant-rich turmeric. It’s meant to be healthy, but we won’t tell if you add a splash of coconut rum.
22. Paleo Strawberry Coconut Smoothie
Cook Eat Paleo
Calories: 346
Protein: 8 grams
This smoothie borders on milkshake territory, even without any dairy or added sugar. Vanilla extract and coconut milk make it sweet and creamy. Don’t skimp on the collagen protein powder—your hair will thank you later.
23. Creamy Golden Milk Smoothie
Minimalist Baker
Calories: 295
Protein: 4 grams
Golden milk is one vegan trend that's worth the hype. The anti-inflammatory sipper is made with non-dairy milk, turmeric and varying spices that give it a gorgeous color and warm flavor. Here, fresh carrot juice and ginger take it over the top.
24. Rainbow Coconut Smoothie Bowls
How Sweet Eats
Calories: 639
Protein: 9 grams
Coconut milk and meat are blended with bananas, honey and hemp seeds before being topped with the whole color spectrum, from raspberries to plums. Add a sprig of fresh mint or a sprinkle of shredded coconut as a pretty topper.
25. Raspberry Sunrise Smoothie
Damn Delicious
Calories: 220
Protein: 5 grams
Just pretend it’s your favorite tequila cocktail. You’ll still feel like you’re on an island when sipping this four-ingredient beauty. Go the extra mile and blend the raspberries and mango separately for a layered color effect, or throw it all in the blender at once. You do you.
26. Dark Cherry Smoothie Bowls
Damn Delicious
Calories: 636
Protein: 17 grams
Yup, you’re having chocolate for breakfast. Slurp down tart frozen cherries, protein-packed peanut butter and crunchy chia seeds in just ten minutes. Dress it up with granola, slivered almonds and lots of chocolate chunks.
27. Peach Pie Smoothie
Foodie Crush
Calories: 209
Protein: 3 grams
The moment the clock strikes summer, we load up on peaches like it’s our job. Save a few for this sweet starter with a tasty secret ingredient you won’t be able to put your finger on. (OK, we’ll spill: It’s almond extract.)
28. Açai Pomegranate and Raspberry Smoothie
Foodie Crush
Calories: 112
Protein: 2 grams
Hello, superfoods. Bring on all the antioxidants, courtesy of açai and pomegranate juices. The best part? There’s no need for added ice cubes. Frozen berries make the smoothie frosty and thick on their own.
29. Easy Mango Smoothie
Foodie Crush
Calories: 288
Protein: 16 grams
A five-minute meal that’s as healthy as it is creamy and delicious? We’re in. Top your glass with a drizzle of honey, chia seeds or coconut shreds. Substitute dairy milk for soy, coconut or almond if you want to make it vegan.
30. Kale-Strawberry Smoothie
Salt and Wind
Calories: 246
Protein: 5 grams
The best way to squeeze lots of leafy greens into your glass without it being too obvious. The recipe calls for kale, but Swiss chard is just as nutritious. If you’re thirsty for a break from almond milk, try walnut instead.
31. Cinnamon Walnut Date Shake Smoothie
Salt and Wind
Calories: 225
Protein: 12 grams
Make your own homemade walnut milk with walnut halves and cold water or save time by using store-bought. Want something extra decadent? Replace the plain Greek yogurt with vanilla or pistachio ice cream.
Tips for Making Smoothies
Before you get your hands dirty, here are a few tips for blending your most delicious breakfast yet:
How to Build a Healthy Smoothie
To make every sip as nutritionally worthwhile as possible, here are a couple of expert tips to follow:
Is It Healthy to Have a Smoothie Every Day?
"Smoothies [can be] the caloric equivalent of a meal or snack, depending upon the ingredients and one's taste preferences," says Stoler. "Smoothies can be consumed daily if preferred, but once again, chewing one's food takes longer than drinking liquid. I'm a big advocate for chewing your food versus drinking it because it takes longer to chew all of the ingredients, [so] you'll stay fuller for a longer duration of time."
That said, if drinking your produce is an easy shortcut to you actually consuming it, blend away. (It's better than letting your fruits and veggies rot in the crisper drawer, no?)
15 Healthy Juice Recipes, Plus a Nutritionist’s Tips for Making It at Home
