6 smoothie-bowl mistakes that food bloggers say are ruining your breakfasts - and what to do instead
Advertisement
Lauren Edmonds
Apr 7, 2021, 02:00 IST
A cinnamon swirl smoothie bowl created by Gillean Barkyoumb for Ninja Kitchen.Ninja Kitchen
There's an art to making the perfect smoothie bowl.
Insider spoke to a Ninja Kitchen expert and food bloggers about smoothie-bowl mistakes people make.
Using bananas that aren't ripe or ice cubes instead of frozen ingredients can lead to fails.
Advertisement
Smoothie bowls can be as beautiful as they are delicious.
The blended treat can include fruits or vegetables, nuts, protein powder, and other common pantry staples, and there are seemingly endless ways to make them - which can be the overwhelming part.
Insider rounded up some of the biggest mistakes people are making with their blended breakfasts at home.
Don't skimp on proteins and healthy fats, like avocados
Barkyoumb told Insider that she uses the following formula to create a nutritious smoothie bowl: a protein, frozen fruit or vegetable, and healthy fat.
"If you add that all together, you're going to get a great balance of nutrients," she said.
Nicole Renard, a former pastry chef and the blogger behind Nicole the Nomad, said her 2 million TikTok followers are shocked that she adds vegetables to hers - including frozen riced cauliflower and frozen butternut squash.
"If you do about a half of a cup, you can't even taste it, but it makes your smoothie bowl bigger," Renard said, adding that frozen vegetables can make the smoothie more filling and nutritious.
Advertisement
Adding too much liquid can instantly downgrade your smoothie bowl
Putting too much water in the blender can be a fatal flaw.
"You can always add more, but start with less so it stays thick," Barkyoumb said.
She and other food bloggers said that adding extra liquids to the ingredients can ruin a smoothie bowl's otherwise thick consistency.
A post shared by Ashley and Taylor Johnston (@twin_coast)
For the best consistency, Ashley and Taylor Johnston of the food blog and TikTok accountTwin Coast recommended using a quarter of liquid relative to the other ingredients in the blender.
Using ice instead of frozen foods can also ruin the texture
Using frozen fruits and vegetables is key to getting a thick and creamy smoothie bowl, said the Johnstons.
Advertisement
Brooke Balady, who goes by the username @SaltyBrooklyn, frozen fruit chunks typically take longer to melt than regular ice cubes.
A post shared by brooke ⋒ plant based (@saltybrooklyn)
Don't use green bananas in your smoothies - wait until they're ripe
Hannah, the creator behind Smoothiest, a TikTok account dedicated to the blended treat, told Insider that using a specific type of banana can alter a smoothie bowl's taste and texture.
"A less-ripe banana will create a starchy texture, while a super-ripe banana will create a creamy but somewhat soupy texture," she said. "In my opinion, the right level of ripeness is when it's not green, but doesn't have brown spots, either."
A post shared by Hannah ✨ (@smoothiestt)
Renard said that if bananas aren't available to you, mangoes are the next best option. She also suggested trying frozen coconut cream cubes as a tasty banana alternative.
Advertisement
Using the wrong type of blender can cause a mishap
"You can make a smoothie bowl with any blender, but you also have to realize that your smoothie bowl won't be as thick if you're not using a high-speed blender," Renard said.
A post shared by Ashley and Taylor Johnston (@twin_coast)
Renard recommended using a high-speed blender, like the Vitamix, to get a creamy texture and consistency.
When it comes to smoothie-bowl success, patience is key
Renard said that rushing the blending process - which can sometimes be time-consuming - can lead to issues with the appliance in the long-run.
"As soon as I start the blender, I start it on low and then I quickly go up to high. A lot of people hang out in the medium range just because they get scared of the sound," Renard said.
Advertisement
A post shared by Nicole Renard | TRAVEL | FOOD (@nicole_thenomad)
She continued: "You're going to hurt your blender if you keep it on medium. The motor is grinding, and if you have it up on high, those blades are spinning as fast as they can go, and that kicks in the cooling system in your blender."
When a blender overheats, it can melt a potential smoothie bowl before it's even done.
But with a bit of patience, a colorful blend of frozen produce, and a creative eye, smoothie bowl-making can be a breeze.
{{}}
NewsletterSIMPLY PUT - where we join the dots to inform and inspire you. Sign up for a weekly brief collating many news items into one untangled thought delivered straight to your mailbox.