Confession: this is only the second time I’ve ever made a smoothie bowl.
Shocking, right? It’s kind of like I’ve been stuck in the year 2011, absentmindedly drinking my smoothies through a straw.
To be honest, I just didn’t really get what the big deal was about smoothie bowls. Like, it’s just a smoothie that you put in a bowl instead of in a glass? And then you eat it with a spoon? So what? It didn’t really seem all that Earth shattering to me.
But…I was kind of wrong.
I’ve come to appreciate two defining features of a smoothie bowl. One, is the toppings. The combination of a slightly thicker base AND a wider surface area means that you can get down with ALL THE TOPPINGS. Like all of them. Any combination of fruits, nuts, seeds, chocolates, etc. that you have on hand are totally fair game here. The smoothie bowl is your canvas, and you are the artist. Have fun with it!
And two, smoothie bowls have an intention about them that “regular” smoothies often don’t. I know for me, smoothies are typically the result of one of two scenarios: I either need to clean out my refrigerator OR I’m in a rush and I need something that I can consume while I’m running out the door. But a smoothie bowl requires you to sit, eat slowly and enjoy. It’s a rather nice way to start your day.
My Roasted Strawberry Smoothie Bowl is loaded with all kinds of superfoods: chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa nibs and fresh fruit. Oh and the color is rather charming too, don’t you think? I’ve kept it vegan, using almond milk and coconut milk yogurt. But you can certainly substitute other non-dairy alternatives, or your favorite cow’s milk yogurt instead.
Cheers,
Liz
Ingredients
- For the Smoothie Bowl
- 2 cups strawberries, stems removed
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- 1/3 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 1 frozen banana, peeled and cut into chunks
- 6 ounces coconut milk yogurt (or other non-dairy yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon shelled hemp seeds
- For Topping
- Chia seeds
- Shelled hemp seeds
- Cocoa nibs
- Sliced almonds
- Frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Roast the strawberries. Pre-heat your oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss the strawberries with the maple syrup and coconut oil. Spread the coated strawberries out onto a parchment-paper lined rimmed baking sheet. Transfer to your pre-heated oven and roast for 15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Make the smoothie bowl. Add the milk, banana, yogurt, chia seeds, hemps seeds and roasted strawberries (plus any juices) to your blender. Blend on high until smooth. Pour into a bowl(s).
- Top with a sprinkling of chia seeds, hemp seeds, cocoa nibs, almonds and blueberries. Enjoy immediately.
I was a little late hoping on the smoothie bowl bandwagon too Liz. I also preferred to drink my smoothies through a straw, but once I tried the bowl…hooked! So many good things packed into one bowl and so many options. Love the roasted strawberries in this one Liz and all those yummy toppings of course!
Thanks, Mary Ann! I think it’s safe to say that I’m hooked now as well! 🙂
Hi, On the roasted strawberry smoothie.It sounds delicious except I am not crazy about are the chia & hemp seeds .Can I leave them out or substitute with something else?
You can leave them out, if you prefer.
I think this is the most gorgeous smoothie bowl that I’ve ever seen, Liz! I love it! I used to not get the big deal about the bowls either, until I tried it. Now I love adding on the toppings and eating it with a spoon. So fun! I’m loving this roasted strawberry version! Sounds perfect for a Monday!
Thank you for the sweet words, Gayle!
Roasted strawberries are the BEST and I don’t do it enough! I have to admit, I’m still not fully into the smoothie bowl thing, but this could change my mind 🙂 xoxo
Well maybe this recipe will convince you! 🙂
I didn’t get the whole smoothie bowl thing either. But now, I am freaking hooked!! Seriously, can’t wait to try this version!
Yeah, I’m a bit addicted now too! Thanks, Lauren!
“But a smoothie bowl requires you to sit, eat slowly and enjoy. It’s a rather nice way to start your day.” I love this, Liz!! and you are sooo right! and you roasted strawberries!!! I LOVE this!
Thank you, Alice! You’re the best! 🙂
Gah roasted strawberries are a huge favorite of mine!! This sounds so good! I rarely ever make smoothie bowls (just because I’m always drinking my smoothie while doing other things) … but I really need to. It would be nice to actually slowly enjoy my breakfast!
I know exactly how you feel. If I make a regular smoothie, I’m usually sucking it down while I’m driving or cleaning or whatever else. But it sure is nice to stop for a few minutes and eat a “proper” breakfast every once in a while.
Slow food or fast food… the beauty of blended breakfasts! I love this Liz and you’ve made such an important point.. how we start our days. Often fast and furious, no time to waken the body and nourish it from the start. I love this. I’m completely drooling over this smoothie bowl.. the colors, ingredients and toppings…. yeah, toppings giving it that bit of crunch (hello cocoa nibs!). Something I don’t get outta my green smoothie! Love this Liz! Way to go… gettin on the Smoothie Bowl Train! Delicious!
Thank you so much, Traci! I definitely think the crunch factor is a key factor here. It’s part of what made me fall in love with smoothie bowls!
Sharing this, it’s gorgeous!
Thank you, Sue!
Same here. I thought what’s the point of a smoothie bowl? But that’s because I was always making smoothies to rush out with and never to relax and sit. I kinda like the idea of just sitting and enjoying all the toppings. Roasting the strawberries here… Genius!!
Thanks, Z! And the roasted strawberries are so good!
Yum! I have GOT to start roasting strawberries- this smoothie bowl looks incredible 🙂
Yes, it really brings out their flavor more intensely. I hope you try it, Medha!
This is a beautiful bowl and roasted strawberries are the absolute best! I have to confess (too) that I’ve been mostly drinking my smoothies, too. Must get on the smoothie bowl road!
Yes, you must try it out Jennifer! I think you’ll be converted!
For your second smoothie bowl ever, this is pretty darn beautiful, girl!! 😀
Aww… thanks, Sarah!
Um, I still haven’t tried a smoothie bowl. I still don’t really get what all the fuss is about – because smoothies are always for those rushing somewhere mornings around here! 🙂 Clearly I need to try them! Also, love the roasted strawberries – that alone made me want to try this immediately!
You should definitely try making one soon. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised! Thanks, Stacey!
Heck yes, ALL the toppings!! And you used roasted strawberries?!? So genius. I need to devour this ASAP. I’m all about smoothie bowls and I can get so down with this.
Yay yay! You’re going to love it, Rachel!
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How many calories is this recipe? Thanks!
I haven’t done the nutritional calculations. There are many free online nutritional calculators that you can search for and try. Good luck!
This looks delicious! I have a question regarding the strawberries? Do you think you could substitute for blueberries or other fruit besides strawberries?
Thanks,
Angelina
Hi Angelina. You can really make a smoothie with whatever your favorite fruits are. But the strawberries are the main ingredient in this recipe, so it certainly won’t be a strawberry smoothie bowl anymore. 🙂
Made this for breakfast this morning and it was delicious. I’ll confess to adding protein powder so it would fit the nutrition profile I prefer. And I think I might leave out the banana next time, because even a small one added more banana flavor than I would want. (I can’t abide strawberry-banana yogurt flavor.) But even with my peculiar flavor preferences, this is definitely a smoothie bowl I’d make again. The other thing I’d do is make sure my strawberries are at room temperature before mixing them with the melted coconut oil…
So glad you enjoyed it! And it’s a great idea to add protein powder!