This simple and sweet strawberry banana smoothie takes just 5 minutes to make. See how to make it with 5 ingredients, plus blender tips from an expert.
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Recipe Highlights
- A strawberry banana smoothie is a cold pureed drink that’s naturally sweet, filling, and healthy.
- The drink is made by blending unsweetened almond milk, date syrup, hemp seeds, banana, and frozen strawberries.
- Rich in fiber and antioxidants, this 5-minute smoothie is a great addition to a healthy diet.
RELATED: Strawberry Banana Yogurt Smoothie
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Health Benefits
Decreases Hunger
Strawberries and bananas are packed with fiber, a nutrient that makes you full.
Fiber is digested slowly by the body. This increases satiety, or fullness.
Plus, hemp seeds have plant-based protein and healthy fats, which also contribute to fullness.
Reduces Oxidative Stress
As antioxidant-rich fruits, strawberries and bananas are great for managing oxidative stress.
Antioxidants are beneficial compounds that work against oxidative stress.
Over time, oxidative stress can increase the risk of disease, so it’s important to eat a lot of antioxidants.
Supports Digestion
If you’re looking for a tasty way to get more fiber, drink this strawberry banana smoothie.
The fiber in the fruits is essential for digestive health. It reduces issues when going to the bathroom.
Promotes Heart Health
High cholesterol can lead to heart disease. However, eating fruits like strawberries and bananas can help reduce the risk.
Both fruits have soluble fiber, a type of fiber that lowers high cholesterol. It works by removing extra cholesterol from the body.
Helps Immune Function
Drinking this strawberry banana smoothie is good for your immunity.
Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that helps your cells fight germs.
Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning it can protect your cells from oxidative stress and damage.
RELATED: Strawberry Smoothie
Ingredient Notes
- Unsweetened almond milk
Almond milk has a mildly nutty and somewhat neutral flavor, making it ideal for smoothies. If you don’t want to use almond milk, try soy, oat, or dairy milk. - Date syrup
As a natural sweetener, date syrup brings out the flavor of fruits in smoothies. It’s made of Medjool dates. - Hemp seeds
Hemp seeds add a light nutty flavor, along with plant-based protein and fiber. - Banana
Fresh bananas add creaminess and sweetness. - Frozen strawberries
Frozen strawberries give this smoothie a thick and cold texture. Use halved or sliced frozen strawberries, if possible. It will be easier for your blender to break down the fruits.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Pour almond milk and date syrup into the blender.
For the smoothest blend, add liquid ingredients first. - Add hemp seeds.
- Add banana.
- Add frozen strawberries.
- Blend until smooth.
Start on a low speed, then increase to high. - Pour into a cup. Serve immediately.
Optional Add-Ins
Nut butter
Many fruits, including strawberries and bananas, are tasty with nut butter.
Try adding 1 or 2 tablespoons to this recipe. You can use hazelnut butter, cashew butter, peanut butter, or almond butter.
For a nut-free option, use sunflower seed butter.
These add-ins will provide protein and healthy fats, along with a thickening effect.
Leafy greens
Adding 1 cup of leafy greens will turn this drink into a green smoothie.
Baby spinach and kale are popular options. Both are high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
When loading leafy greens into the blender, add them after the powders and seeds but before fresh fruit.
Protein powder
Protein powder is a nutritional supplement that’s high in protein. It can be made from animal sources or plant-based foods, like soy or pea.
When added to smoothies, protein powder adds thickness and volume. The protein content also increases satiety and supports muscle growth.
For this strawberry banana smoothie, many protein powder flavors work well. Try unflavored, vanilla, or chocolate protein powder.
Collagen powder is another option. This supplement is best for healthy skin and joints.
Blender Tips
Chop fruit into chunks.
For bigger fruits like banana, cut it into pieces before putting it in the blender. This will ensure a smooth blend.
The chunks can be about the size of a quarter of an apple, as long as your blender is powerful.
If your blender isn’t very strong, cut fruit into even smaller pieces.
Add ingredients in the right order.
An easy way to avoid air pockets is to load ingredients from lightest to heaviest.
This means liquids, including liquid sweeteners, should go in first. Follow with add-ins like nut butters, powder, seeds.
Leafy greens and fresh fruit should go in next. Finish with heavy ingredients, including frozen fruit and ice.
Blend on high to avoid overheating the motor.
When you’re ready to blend the ingredients, run it on low first.
After about 10 seconds, quickly increase to high speed. Continue for the time listed.
Don’t blend on low for too long, as this can damage the blender’s motor.
Rotate ingredients with a tamper.
A tamper is a long tool that you can insert through the blender’s lid.
It’s helpful for pushing ingredients toward the blades as they move.
For best results, move the tamper in a circle. This will remove air pockets and promote an efficient blend.
Scrape out leftover smoothie.
Avoid wasting smoothie by removing every last drop from the blender.
A blade scraper makes this easy to do. It helps you remove leftover smoothie from under the blades.
If you don’t have a blade scraper, a thin spatula works too.
Expert Tips
- Feel free to use frozen banana and fresh strawberries. The combination will create a similar flavor.
- If freezing your own strawberries, cut them in half or slices first. It will be easier for your blender to puree cut frozen strawberries.
- For a thicker drink, add a few extra frozen strawberries to the blender before pureeing. You can also use a few ice cubes.
- To thin your smoothie, add a splash of almond milk and blend for 10 seconds to combine.
- Omit the date syrup for a less sweet smoothie.
- Keep leftover smoothie in an airtight container, like a glass jar. Drink it within 1 or 2 days for the best flavor and texture.
Questions You May Have
Strawberry banana smoothies made with minimal sweeteners and whole fruits are healthy drinks. Both strawberries and bananas are great sources of antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins.
Feel free to use any type of milk for your smoothie. Oat milk, hemp milk, and coconut milk from the carton are tasty options. For added protein, use soy milk or dairy milk.
If you like thicker smoothies, you can add a few ice cubes to this recipe. But don’t add too many, which will make the smoothie too watery.
Related
- 17 Best Strawberry Smoothie Recipes
- Strawberry Mango Smoothie (No Yogurt)
- Strawberry Smoothie Bowl
- Strawberry Protein Smoothie Bowl
- Strawberry Banana Protein Shake
- Strawberry Protein Shake
- Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
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Strawberry Banana Smoothie
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon date syrup
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 banana (sliced)
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
INSTRUCTIONS
- Put unsweetened almond milk, date syrup, hemp seeds, banana, and frozen strawberries into a blender. Secure lid.Place ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.Start the blender on LOW speed for 10 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for a full minute.
- Pour smoothie into a cup. Serve immediately.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- If you don’t want to use almond milk, try soy, oat, or dairy milk.
- Feel free to use frozen banana and fresh strawberries. The combination will create a similar flavor.
- If freezing your own strawberries, cut them in half or slices first. It will be easier for your blender to puree cut frozen strawberries.
- For a thicker drink, add a few extra frozen strawberries to the blender before pureeing. You can also use a few ice cubes.
- To thin your smoothie, add a splash of milk and blend for 10 seconds to combine.
- Omit the date syrup for a less sweet smoothie.
- Keep leftover smoothie in an airtight container, like a glass jar. Drink it within 1 or 2 days for the best flavor and texture.