This blue spirulina smoothie bowl is a perfect breakfast for the 4th of July or really any day of the year! My kids always ask for it when I do smoothie bowls because they love the color so much. We especially love it during the summer because it is so refreshing during the hot months. You can top it with any toppings you like to create a meal!
Smoothies and smoothie bowls are a staple in our house. They are quick, customizable, and you can fill them with nutrient-dense foods! Other favorites are these strawberry mango smoothie bowls, or this mint chocolate chip smoothie. And if you are interested, you can read how to make a smoothie bowl in the Ninja Creami here.
What is Blue Spirulina?
Blue spirulina comes from blue-green algae and has been used for its health benefits for hundreds of years. The Aztecs used it for endurance, to boost the immune system, and to treat diseases. You can read about many of its amazing health benefits here.
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Ingredients
Milk - Any plant-based milk will work in this smoothie. The purpose of liquid in a smoothie or smoothie bowl is to help things blend. There are many different types of liquid you can use in a regular smoothie: almond milk, coconut milk, water, juice, or coconut water. If I am making a smoothie bowl, I like using plant milk because it adds more body. If you use water or juice it could thin out your smoothie bowl too much.
Frozen Fruit - Frozen fruit is a must for smoothie bowls. If you are making a smoothie you can get away with fresh fruit and ice. But that won’t work if you want a nice thick smoothie bowl.
I used a tropical theme for this smoothie for two reasons. One, because it is delicious! And two, because the bright blue color of the spirulina isn’t overpowered by the bananas, mango, or pineapple. You can add different fruit but the end color probably won’t be the same.
Blue Spirulina Powder - There are two main types of spirulina you can buy: green and blue. Blue is a little on the pricier side. But a little goes a long way. If I am making it for my kids I use a teaspoon for the vibrant color. That is what the recipe calls for. If I am just making it for myself then I will use less. The color isn’t as vibrant but the benefits of the spirulina are still there.
Most spirulina powder you can buy is green, so double check that it is the blue variety if you want to have a blue smoothie bowl. I haven't seen it in any of my grocery stores so I just bought some on Amazon.
Other optional ingredients - you can add maple syrup if you want a sweeter smoothie bowl or protein powder for some added protein.
See the recipe card for measurements.
Instructions
Add the milk to the blender first. Then add your frozen bananas. Top with the rest of the fruit and spirulina powder. Blend until you get a smooth and creamy consistency.
Blending Tips for a Perfect Smoothie Bowl
- Blend on a low speed.
- Use your tamper during blending. Or stop the blender every few minutes to stir things around with a spoon. This will help things blend better and get rid of any air pockets that form during blending.
- Be patient! It takes a while for things to come together. But it will pay off!
Topping Ideas
We love to make this healthy breakfast on the Fourth of July so I stuck with a red, white, and blue theme. But you can use whatever toppings you like! Here are some of our favorite toppings to get you started:
- Peanut Butter
- Almond Butter
- Cashew Butter
- Coconut Chips or Flakes
- Granola
- Cacao Nibs
- Chocolate Shavings
- Fresh Berries
- Chia Seeds
- Hemp Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Nuts
Storage
I recommend eating your smoothie bowl as soon as you make it. But if you have some leftovers, or you know you won’t have time to make one in the morning, you can freeze it!
Put your smoothie bowl into an airtight container and store it in the freezer. When you are ready to eat it, pull it out of the freezer and let it thaw for about 10 minutes. The perfect amount of time to pull out all your toppings!
If you are freezing leftovers, try to scrape the toppings off and store them separately.
FAQ
The less liquid you add to your smoothie bowl the thicker it will be! The trick is to be patient with your blender. If you need to stop your blender to give it a break and scrape stuff into the middle then do it!
If you have a tamper this is a perfect time to use it. While the blender is running, use your tamper to push your food toward the blade.
What Can I Use Besides Bananas to Make it Thick and Creamy?
You can try silken tofu, plant-based yogurt, or coconut cream.
It has a slightly bitter, seaweed taste. But once you combine it with all the fruit you can't taste it.
You can use a less powerful blender! You will just need to stop it and scrape down the sides more often. You could also use a food processor if you have one.
Blue Spirulina Smoothie Bowl
Equipment
- 1 high-speed blender
Ingredients
- ½ cup plant-based milk
- 2 frozen bananas
- ½ cup frozen mango
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- 1 teaspoon blue spirulina powder
- Toppings of choice see notes
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Blend ingredients until smooth and creamy, using a tamper if necessary.
- Transfer to a bowl and top with desired toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- I used strawberries, bananas, coconut, and blueberries for a red, white, and blue theme. I also added chia seeds and cacao nibs. You could also use other types of fruit, nuts, seeds, granola, etc.
- This recipe comes out quite sweet on its own, but if you want it sweeter you can add some maple syrup.
- Nutrition facts are calculated without the toppings.
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