Cow’s milk and other dairy products make drinks creamy and thick but it’s possible to make a satisfying smoothie without dairy. The trick is to use the right type of milk and combination of ingredients.
Most dairy-free smoothies are made with a base of plant-based milk. Examples include oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk.
Some versions use juice, but contain other creamy ingredients like frozen banana or plant-based protein powder.
When blended with fruits or vegetables, these ingredients create a delicious smoothie without the need for dairy.
Drinking fluids throughout the day is key for staying healthy. Your body needs fluids to do many important functions, from digesting food to controlling temperature.
Dairy-free smoothies can contribute to your daily intake. The fluids mainly come from plant-based milk and juice.
Fruits and vegetables, which are also used in smoothies, offer some water too.
This 4-ingredient smoothie uses almond milk as a base. It gives the drink a nutty flavor and creamy texture.To keep it healthy, be sure to use unsweetened plain almond milk. Flavored versions usually have extra additives and sweeteners.The recipe also uses almond butter, which emphasizes the nutty taste. It makes the smoothie richer.Frozen bananas help increase the thick consistency. But you're welcome to use any type of fruit in this dairy-free smoothie.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, Medjool date, almond butter, frozen bananas
For a dairy-free smoothie without nut ingredients, make this easy coconut milk smoothie.Coconut milk is thick and rich with a slight tropical flavor. It's also high in healthy fats that fight inflammation in the body.When making a coconut milk smoothie, always use the kind from the carton. Avoid canned coconut milk because it's too thick for drinks.In this recipe, coconut milk is blended with mango and banana for a tasty tropical treat. You can also use pineapple.Ingredients: Coconut milk, Medjool date, mango, frozen banana
Made with 5 ingredients, this dairy-free smoothie is excellent for fighting inflammation.It combines coconut milk with turmeric powder, which is high in anti-inflammatory compounds. Turmeric also has a warm, spicy flavor, but it's balanced by the coconut milk.The sweetness of date syrup, banana, and frozen pineapple help tone down the turmeric as well.If you want to increase the fiber content, replace the date syrup with a Medjool date. Be sure to chop it up if you have a low-powered blender, which will avoid chunks of date in your smoothie. Ingredients: Coconut milk, date syrup, turmeric powder, banana, frozen pineapple
A green dairy-free smoothie, this kale and mango recipe is packed with essential nutrients. It uses pineapple juice instead of milk. This offers a delicious sweetness that pairs well with baby kale.Chia seeds help thicken the smoothie, making it rich and satisfying without dairy. They also add healthy omega-3 fats that fight inflammation.You can replace the chia seeds with flax seeds or hemp seeds. These add-ins have similar health benefits and thickening effects in smoothies.Ingredients: Pineapple juice, chia seeds, kale, frozen mango
If you love oat milk, try this dairy-free mocha smoothie. It combines oat milk with frozen banana for an extra-creamy drink.The mocha flavor comes from espresso and cocoa powder. Be sure to use unsweetened, plain cocoa powder to keep it healthy.Note that cocoa powder is not the same as hot chocolate mix, which often has added sweeteners. Some versions also have milk powder.Date syrup provides sweetness, though you can use a Medjool date,honey, or maple syrup.Ingredients: Oat milk, espresso, date syrup, cocoa powder, frozen bananas
This dairy-free strawberry mango smoothie is easy, simple, and healthy. The recipe takes just 5 minutes to prepare in a blender at home.Unsweetened almond milk is used for the base, but you can use any plant-based milk you like. Try it with oat milk, hemp milk, or coconut milk from the carton.Soy milk is another great choice. It has a similar texture to cow's milk and it's high in plant-based protein.The smoothie also combines fresh mango and frozen strawberries, but you can use frozen mango and fresh strawberries for a similar flavor profile.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, Medjool date, chia seeds, mango, frozen strawberries
For a filling dairy-free smoothie, try this peanut butter oatmeal version. It's packed with tasty and satisfying ingredients.The recipe uses oat milk, a popular plant-based liquid for smoothies. Look for an unsweetened version without any flavoring.It also calls for rolled oats and frozen banana. Both ingredients are high in fiber, making them great for reducing hunger.To make the drink even more satiating, add a plant-based protein powder. Unflavored,vanilla, and chocolate protein powder will all taste good in this recipe.Ingredients: Oat milk, date syrup, peanut butter, ground cinnamon, rolled oats, frozen bananas
Made with pineapple juice instead of milk, this spinach smoothie is a delicious dairy-free treat.Pineapple juice is naturally sweet and tart, so you won't need to add sweetener to this drink. It balances the flavor of baby spinach well.Chia seeds and frozen banana give body to the drink. Plus, the seeds soak up liquid and form a gel-like texture, which adds thickness.To ensure your smoothie is cold and creamy, use frozen banana. Fresh banana will make the drink too watery.Ingredients: Pineapple juice, chia seeds, baby spinach, frozen banana
This vibrant beet smoothie uses apple juice, another alternative to cow's milk in smoothies. Apple juice has a natural sweet flavor, which tones down the bitterness of beet and kale. Use 100% apple juice to keep it healthy.Frozen mixed berries add even more flavor and sweetness. You can use frozen mixed berries from the grocery store, which usually include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.Another option is to use your own combination of frozen berries or just one type. It will still taste delicious.Ingredients: Apple juice, baby spinach, beet, frozen mixed berries
Cool down with this 4-ingredient cucumber smoothie. The drink only takes 5 minutes to prepare, making it quick and easy dairy-free recipe.It's also very hydrating, thanks to the combination of pineapple juice and fresh cucumber. Use English cucumbers, if possible. They have thin skin and no seeds.The thick texture mostly comes from frozen banana. A popular smoothie ingredient, banana offers fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins.For the best flavor, only freeze ripe bananas with a yellow peel and some brown spots. Avoid freezing unripe ones, which are bitter.Ingredients: Pineapple juice, baby spinach, cucumber, frozen banana
Thanks to the creamy texture of avocado, you won't need cow's milk to make a thick smoothie.The trick is to use a perfectly ripe avocado. You can tell an avocado is ripe if it has some give when you squeeze it.Oat milk and frozen banana add even more thickness to this avocado smoothie. Other types of milk, like hemp milk or soy milk, work well too.High in anti-inflammatory nutrients, this drink is one of the healthiest dairy-free smoothies you can make.Ingredients: Oat milk, honey, vanilla extract, chia seeds, kale, avocado, frozen banana
If you enjoy zesty flavors, you'll love this pineapple ginger smoothie. It's dairy-free and easy to make at home.Frozen pineapple and date syrup add sweetness, while fresh ginger offers a warm spicy kick.Peeling the ginger will yield the best texture, but it's not necessary. You can also chop or mince the ginger.The recipe uses unsweetened almond milk as a liquid base. However, coconut milk from the carton would taste good in this smoothie too.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, date syrup, fresh ginger, frozen pineapple
Bright pink and healthy, this dragon fruit smoothie is made with just 5 ingredients. It's also dairy-free, as it uses unsweetened almond milk instead of cow's milk. You can also use oat milk, hemp milk, soy milk, or cashew milk.Since dragon fruit has a mild flavor, it's a good idea to use date syrup and banana for sweetness. For additional fiber, use a Medjool date instead of the syrup.You'll get a lot of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals when drinking this smoothie. Plus, it's high in anti-inflammatory fats from the chia seeds.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, date syrup, chia seeds, banana, frozen dragon fruit
Coconut milk gives this 5-minute tropical smoothie a delicious and satisfying texture. Avoid using coconut milk from the can. It doesn't have the right texture for this recipe.Instead, use coconut milk packaged in a carton. You can find it in the same aisle as other plant-based milks.The tropical flavor comes from fresh mango and frozen pineapple, though you can also use frozen mango and fresh pineapple. Date syrup adds even more sweetness, making this a tasty drink.Ingredients: Coconut milk, date syrup, mango, frozen pineapple
For a more filling alternative to coffee, make this energy smoothie. The recipe is dairy-free and so simple.It calls for cold brewed coffee, which contains caffeine. The coffee should be plain without any sugar or milk.The smoothie also uses rolled oats, and frozen bananas. All these ingredients reduce hunger, giving you more energy throughout the day.To ensure this smoothie is dairy-free, use a protein powder made of plant-based ingredients. Avoid whey protein powder, which is made of dairy.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, cold brewed coffee, date syrup, vanilla protein powder, rolled oats, frozen bananas
White grape juice is another alternative for cow's milk in smoothies. It's naturally sweet and delicious.In this watermelon smoothie, 100% white grape juice is blended with watermelon and frozen strawberries. The result is a vibrant red drink that's packed with antioxidants.When choosing watermelon, pick the seedless kind. This will make it easier to chop and use in smoothies.The chia seeds also give the drink a thick texture. That's because chia seeds soak up water and form a gel.Ingredients: White grape juice, chia seeds, watermelon, frozen strawberries
To make a simple dairy-free mango smoothie, follow this quick and easy recipe. It's made with just 5 ingredients.It contains no dairy because the liquid base is unsweetened almond milk. Oat milk and coconut milk will also taste good in this drink.The thick texture is partly due to hemp seeds, which add body to smoothies. They offer anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats as well.If you don't have hemp seeds, feel free to use chia seeds for similar benefits. Like hemp seeds, chia seeds contain nutrients that fight inflammation in the body.Ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, hemp seeds, banana, frozen mango