Description
A creamy and nutritious green smoothie packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and fiber. Perfect for a quick breakfast, snack, or post-workout boost!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted
- 2 cups fresh spinach, washed thoroughly
- 1 frozen banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess and protein)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional, for added fiber and omega-3s)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for flavor)
- Ice cubes (as needed, for desired consistency)
- 1/4 cup water (adjust to reach desired consistency)
Instructions
- Prepare the Spinach: Wash spinach thoroughly under cold running water.
- Prep Avocado and Banana: Cut avocado, remove pit, and scoop out flesh. Slice frozen banana.
- Combine Ingredients: Add spinach, avocado, frozen banana, almond milk, Greek yogurt (if using), chia seeds (if using), honey/maple syrup (if using), and vanilla extract (if using) to a blender.
- Add Water: Pour in 1/4 cup of water.
- Blend on Low: Start blending on low speed.
- Increase Speed: Gradually increase speed to medium and then high, blending until smooth and creamy (1-2 minutes).
- Check Consistency: If too thick, add more almond milk or water. If too thin, add ice.
- Adjust Sweetness (Optional): Taste and add more honey/maple syrup if desired.
- Add Ice (If Needed): Add ice for a colder, thicker smoothie.
- Final Blend: Blend one last time to ensure everything is combined.
- Pour and Serve: Pour into a glass and serve immediately.
Notes
- Frozen Banana is Key: Freezing the banana beforehand is key for a thick, creamy smoothie. If you don’t have a frozen banana, you can use a fresh one, but you’ll likely need to add more ice.
- Spinach: If you don’t have fresh spinach, you can use frozen spinach. Just make sure to thaw it slightly and squeeze out any excess water before adding it to the blender.
- Sweetness: If you’re avoiding honey or maple syrup, you can use other natural sweeteners like dates (pitted) or stevia.
- Liquid Alternatives: If you don’t have almond milk, you can use other types of milk, such as cow’s milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. You can also use water or coconut water.
- Make it Ahead: While best fresh, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. Combine the spinach, avocado, banana, chia seeds (if using), and any other dry ingredients in a freezer-safe bag or container. Store in the freezer. When you’re ready to make the smoothie, simply add the frozen mixture to the blender with the liquid and blend until smooth.
- Blending Tips: If your blender is struggling to blend the ingredients, try adding the liquid first, followed by the leafy greens, and then the frozen ingredients. This can help the blender to process the ingredients more easily.
- Clean Up: Clean your blender immediately after making the smoothie to prevent the ingredients from sticking and hardening. Rinse the blender jar with water and then wash it with soap and water.
- Variations:
- Add Protein Powder: For an extra boost of protein, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the smoothie.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. You can add a squeeze of lemon juice for a tangy twist, a pinch of ginger for a spicy kick, or a handful of berries for added sweetness and antioxidants.
- Make it a Green Detox Smoothie: Add a small piece of ginger and a squeeze of lemon to enhance the detoxifying properties.
- Nut Butter Boost: Add a tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter for healthy fats and a richer flavor.
- Chocolate Avocado Smoothie: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist. You might need to add a bit more sweetener to balance the bitterness of the cocoa.
- Tropical Twist: Add a 1/2 cup of frozen mango or pineapple for a tropical flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes