While I'm personally not on the anti-banana bandwagon, I know a few people who are (my husband being one of them). And let's just say, that can make smoothies challenging. Go to any smoothie place and you'll find bananas lurking in everything! Whether you're allergic to 'em, trying to reduce your sugar intake, or simply looking to shake up your daily smoothie routine, we've got you covered.
Here are 5 creamy, dairy-free smoothie recipes that don't include bananas! Add in a little Naked Almond powder for protein, healthy fats to aid digestion, and superfood nuts and seeds for extra nutrients, and you've got yourself a well-rounded meal in a glass.
But why stop with bananas? We've tried just about every healthy smoothie recipe under the sun. Give these low-sugar smoothies, no fruit smoothies, or even this almond smoothie for healthier hair a go, and let us know what you think!
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Why No Banana Smoothies?
Smoothies sans bananas? No problem! You still get a bunch of benefits.
First off, you avoid the banana flavor takeover, allowing other fruits to shine. Plus, it's a game-changer for those who are watching their sugar intake or have a banana allergy.
And if you're worried that your smoothies will be dull and lifeless (or worse, watery), you can load up on berries, mangoes, or even avocado for creaminess. The possibilities are endless!
Protein from Almond Powder
Because smoothies tend to be on the sweet side, it's important that you add protein to balance blood sugar and keep you feeling full longer.
But if you're anything like me, you may have found that those "clean," vegan protein powders can still set off your stomach. Even if they don't contain dairy, they usually do contain legumes, artificial sweeteners, or fillers that may trigger your food sensitivities. That's why Naked Almond protein powder is a favorite in our dairy-free household.
Unlike other protein powders, Naked Almond:
- Contains only one ingredient: almonds. No salt, no sugar, no fillers.
- Has just 70 calories and 2g of natural sugar - and over 10g of protein - in each serving.
- Mixes well and is ultra-fine fine so you don't get the settlement on the bottom
- Has a mild flavor, making it a perfect addition to smoothies, oatmeal, banana bread, cookies, you name it.
- Doesn't have that hard-to-hide metallic taste you'll find in other protein powders.
5 Banana-Free Smoothie Recipes
We did a lot of testing to find the best banana-free smoothies that still look and taste great. The secret is to include creamy ingredients, such as avocado, greek yogurt, or almond butter to help everything meld. A good, high-speed blender doesn't hurt either.
1. Protein Smoothie Bowl Recipe
This refreshing smoothie bowl combines the wholesome goodness of Greek yogurt, dark sweet cherries, creamy almond butter, and a dash of cinnamon that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied all morning long.
—1 cup baby kale or spinach
—½ cup Greek yogurt
—1 ½ cups frozen dark sweet cherries
—1 tablespoon almond butter
—½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
—1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
—Toppings: bee pollen, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, cacao nibs
Place kale, Greek yogurt, frozen cherries, almond butter, and cinnamon into a blender. Blend until smooth. You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides. If absolutely necessary, add a little water if your blender is having trouble. The mixture is supposed to be thick and spoonable.
Transfer to a shallow bowl. Garnish with desired toppings. Eat immediately.
2. Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie Recipe
A fruit-free smoothie that isn't super sweet? That's a win in my book. Cashew milk, almond butter, flaxseeds, and cinnamon come together in this blood-sugar-friendly smoothie that tastes remarkably like a cookie. And if you need some greens in your diet, feel free to add some spinach just before blending. You won't even taste it!
—1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
—1 cup cashew milk
—1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal or chia seeds
—1 teaspoon cinnamon
—½ avocado
—1 tablespoon almond butter
—Handful of ice
—Stevia (optional)
—1 cup spinach (optional)
Add ingredients in a blender and blend thoroughly. Add stevia, if desired, or a handful of spinach. Drink immediately.
3. PB&J Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
If you like your smoothies on the sweet side but don't want to wreck your blood sugar, berries are the way to go. This smoothie balances the sweetness of frozen berries with healthy fats, like peanut butter and chia seeds, and nutrient-rich kale. And if you need a little boost, you may want to use green tea for all-day energy.
—1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk or cold green tea
—1 tablespoon chia seeds
—1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
—1 cup frozen berries
—½ cup kale
—1 teaspoon honey, if desired (you may want to use more if you opt for the green tea)
—1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
Add all ingredients to the blender (place the liquid in first) and blend until smooth.
4. Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
This chocolate avocado smoothie is a nutrient-packed way to indulge in a chocolate craving. With the added benefits of spinach and avocado, it's a delicious and healthy treat.
—½ ripe avocado
—1 cup fresh spinach leaves
—2 tablespoons cocoa powder
—1 cup unsweetened almond milk
—1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
5. Cherry Almond Smoothie
This chocolate cherry almond smoothie is a delicious and filling way to start your day. With the added crunch and flavor of almond butter and the sweetness of honey, it's a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
—1 cup frozen cherries
—2 tablespoons cocoa powder
—¼ cup almond butter
—1 cup unsweetened almond milk
—1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
This post was made in partnership with Naked Nutrition.
📖 Recipe
5 Protein-Packed No Banana Smoothie Recipes
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
Protein Smoothie Bowl Recipe
- 1 cup baby kale or spinach
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ cups frozen dark sweet cherries
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
- Toppings: bee pollen, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, cacao nibs
Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie Recipe
- 1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
- 1 cup cashew milk
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal or chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ avocado
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- Handful of ice
- Stevia optional
- 1 cup spinach optional
PB&J Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
- 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk or cold green tea
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
- 1 cup frozen berries
- ½ cup kale
- 1 teaspoon honey if desired (you may want to use more if you opt for the green tea)
- 1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- ½ ripe avocado
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
Cherry Almond Smoothie
- 1 cup frozen cherries
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop Naked Almond protein powder
Instructions
Protein Smoothie Bowl Recipe
- Place kale, Greek yogurt, frozen cherries, almond butter, and cinnamon into a blender. Blend until smooth. You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides. If absolutely necessary, add a little water if your blender is having trouble. The mixture is supposed to be thick and spoonable.
- Transfer to a shallow bowl. Garnish with desired toppings. Eat immediately.
Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie Recipe
- Add ingredients in a blender and blend thoroughly. Add stevia, if desired, or a handful of spinach. Drink immediately.
PB&J Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
- Add all ingredients to the blender (place the liquid in first) and blend until smooth.
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Cherry Almond Smoothie
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
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