Smoothie bowls are packed with good-for-you ingredients like bananas, berries, and chia seeds (depending on the recipe you are following). But, not all smoothies are created equal — certain concoctions are notorious for being high in sugar. The good news is that making your own low-sugar smoothie bowls can control which ingredients you are eating and in turn, help you create a super healthy breakfast or even post-workout snack.
First, you may be wondering what a smoothie bowl actually is. Well, as the name implies, it is a thicker smoothie that you serve in a bowl and eat with a spoon instead of slurping it up with a straw. Because you are able to create a smoothie-like base — unlike when you drink a smoothie — you can add some nutritious and interesting toppings to your recipe. The result? A balanced and nutrient-dense meal!
While there are countless ways to make delicious smoothie bowls, we’ve got a few hacks to make your blend ultra-delicious and healthy. Ready to get mixing? Read on for some delicious DIY low-sugar smoothie bowls and tasty topping tips! With these simple hacks, making a good-for-you creation will be a breeze.
5 Low Sugar Smoothie Bowl Recipes
Low-sugar smoothie bowls are great to have in your back pocket when you are ready to whip up a vitamin-packed bowl. The best part? They come together in minutes and only require a handful of wholesome ingredients.
How to Make a 2-Step Smoothie Bowl:
Step #1: Add the ingredients to a blender and blend until the ingredients are combined and smooth.
Step #2: Scoop into a bowl and then add with the toppings before enjoying. Toppings can include options like sliced fresh fruit, chia seeds, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, and natural nut butter. Part of the fun is deciding which toppings work best for you!
Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
Naturally rich in antioxidants, fiber, and prebiotics, dragon fruit is certainly a superfood in its own rite. Combining dragon fruit with berries and banana in this recipe makes this dish a powerhouse in the nutrition department. Low-sugar smoothie bowls for the win!
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup frozen dragon fruit
- ½ cup frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)
- 1 medium banana, frozen
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
Green Smoothie Bowl
Green smoothie bowls are a fantastic recipe to include in your breakfast rotation — especially if you have a hard time sneaking in your veggies every day. Plus, this is a simple way to start your morning routine with a boost of greens! Loaded with antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin K, this smoothie bowl is like a multivitamin that you eat with a spoon.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 medium banana, frozen
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup chopped kale
- ¼ cup spinach
- 1 tablespoon natural almond butter
Mint Chip Smoothie Bowl
Mint chip ice cream lovers, this recipe is for you. While a minty bowl of ice cream for breakfast isn’t the best for your health, this recipe is full of nutrient-rich ingredients and totally guilt-free. Trust us — it tastes like the real deal. Made with greens, banana, and even some almond butter for protein and healthy fats, this bowl certainly has it all.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 medium banana, frozen
- ½ cup chopped kale
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- Dark chocolate chips (to serve)
Optional:
- Any additional toppings of choice, such as nuts or seeds
Turmeric Spiced Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie Bowl
Turmeric has major anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a perfect addition to this smoothie bowl powerhouse. Aside from the extra boost of vitamins and minerals, mango provides this blend with a gorgeous orange color that makes it totally Instagram-worthy.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 medium banana, frozen
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie Bowl
Chocolate and peanut butter are a classic combo. If you are craving that sweet and nutty taste, try this smoothie bowl next time you’re craving a sweet treat.
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
- 1 medium banana, frozen
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 Medjool dates, pitted
Low Sugar Smoothie Bowl Topping Ideas
Now that you have made your smoothie bowl base, here comes the fun part — the toppings. While there are no “wrong” foods to add to the top of your bowl, some options can be loaded with sugar. Honey, maple syrup, dried fruit with added sugar, and some store-bought granolas can make your smoothie bowl a sugar bomb.
Instead, stick to low-sugar or sugar-free toppings that pack a punch in the nutrition department. Here are some good-for-you topping ideas.
Cacao Nibs
Cacao nibs, or crushed cocoa beans, are jam-packed with antioxidants that can help support our overall health. While these nibs don’t taste exactly like the pieces of chocolate that we all know and love, they give a similar taste and crunchy texture with a lot less sugar.
Bee Pollen
As a combination of flower pollen, enzymes, bee secretions, and nectar, bee pollen is a popular addition to smoothie bowls. This addition has over 250 active substances, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory substances.
Hemp Seeds
Adding these tiny seeds to your bowl will fuel you with plant-based proteins, healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber. Plus, they add a slightly nutty taste to your dish that can enhance the flavor in a major way.
Nut Butter
No matter whether you are a lover of walnut, peanut, almond, or cashew, adding a drizzle of nut butter on top of your bowl will give your dish some serious staying power, thanks to the protein and healthy fats that they provide. Adding nut butter can also help you avoid a blood sugar spike if your bowl is otherwise free from healthy fats and protein.
RELATED: The 5 Healthiest (& Budget-Friendly Ways to Make Homemade Nut Butter)
Berries
Sprinkling fresh berries on top of your bowl adds some natural sweetness without any added refined sugar. Plus, they’re packed with antioxidants and fiber, making them a healthy addition to any diet. From raspberries to blueberries to even bananas (did you know bananas are technically a berry?), topping your bowl with these fruits will give your dish even more nutrients and some delicious flavor.
Simple Smoothie Bowls: Sweet Without Added Sugar
Starting your day with a low-sugar smoothie bowl is a simple way to enjoy highly nutritious foods in a delicious way. As long as you are using the right ingredients and you aren’t adding loads of sugary additions into the mix, adding smoothie bowls into your breakfast rotation is a great habit to get into to support your health goals. So, load up your freezer with bananas and stock up on hemp seeds and cacao nibs for your toppings. You will thank yourself for having these ingredients in the mornings when you are ready to whip up your favorite smoothie bowl to enjoy before your day gets going.
