1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Vanilla Banana Smoothie Bowl

Vanilla Banana Smoothie Bowl

Featured in Start Your Day Deliciously.

This vanilla banana smoothie bowl is a quick and delightful way to enjoy flavors reminiscent of ice cream, yet completely vegan and packed with nutrients. With simple ingredients like rolled oats, hemp seeds, plant milk, and frozen bananas, this bowl is smooth, creamy, and satisfying. Letting the oats soak ensures an ultra-smooth texture, while toppings like granola, berries, or chia seeds add extra flavor and crunch. A healthy, energizing choice, it's as easy to make as it is delicious. Ideal for breakfast or snacking, this bowl brings healthy indulgence to your table every time.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Rehan Magic House Recipes
Updated on Sat, 10 May 2025 22:31:14 GMT
A bowl of oatmeal with bananas and blueberries. Pin it
A bowl of oatmeal with bananas and blueberries. | magichouserecipes.com

This vanilla banana smoothie bowl has become my go-to breakfast option whenever I need something that feels indulgent but is actually packed with nutrition. The creamy texture and gentle vanilla flavor tricks my taste buds into thinking I'm having dessert for breakfast, but my body gets all the benefits of a balanced meal.

I started making this smoothie bowl during a particularly busy work week when I needed breakfasts that could fuel my mornings without requiring much effort. My family now requests it several times a week, and I love that I can customize the toppings based on what everyone prefers.

Ingredients

  • Rolled oats: Provide sustained energy and make the smoothie incredibly filling
  • Hemp seeds: Pack a powerful protein punch while adding a subtle nutty flavor
  • Plant milk: Creates the perfect consistency without dairy
  • Vegan yogurt: Gives a probiotic boost and creamy texture. Look for coconut yogurt for best results
  • Vanilla extract: Transforms this from a regular smoothie into something special
  • Frozen bananas: Create the ice cream-like consistency and natural sweetness
  • Ice cubes: Help thicken the mixture without diluting flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Soak the Base:
Combine rolled oats, hemp seeds, plant milk, yogurt and vanilla extract in your blender. Allow this mixture to rest for a full 10 minutes. This critical soaking period softens the oats and hemp seeds, ensuring they blend completely smooth rather than leaving gritty bits in your finished bowl.
Blend Everything Together:
Add your frozen bananas and ice cubes to the soaked mixture. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. If using a high powered blender like Vitamix, use the tamper tool to push ingredients toward the blades. For standard blenders, pause frequently to scrape down the sides and redistribute the mixture. Resist adding more liquid as this will make your bowl too runny.
Serve and Top:
Divide the thick smoothie mixture between two bowls. Immediately add your favorite toppings like fresh berries, granola, or a drizzle of nut butter. The contrast between the cold smooth base and crunchy toppings creates the perfect breakfast experience.
A bowl of cereal with bananas and blueberries. Pin it
A bowl of cereal with bananas and blueberries. | magichouserecipes.com

The frozen bananas are truly the magic ingredient in this recipe. I discovered through much trial and error that the riper your bananas are when you freeze them, the sweeter and more flavorful your smoothie bowl will be. I now keep a stash of spotty bananas in my freezer specifically for this purpose.

Storage Solutions

This smoothie bowl is definitely best enjoyed immediately after preparation when the texture is perfectly thick and scoopable. However, if you find yourself with leftovers, pour the remaining mixture into ice cube trays and freeze. These frozen cubes make excellent additions to future smoothies, saving you time and reducing food waste. I often make a double batch just to have these smoothie cubes on hand for busy mornings.

Nutrition Breakdown

The combination of carbohydrates from bananas and oats alongside fats from hemp seeds creates a perfectly balanced meal. Each serving delivers 5 grams of fiber to support digestive health and 10 grams of complete plant protein. The potassium content from bananas helps with muscle recovery, making this an excellent post workout option as well. I appreciate how this breakfast keeps my energy levels stable throughout the morning without the crash that comes from sugary options.

Creative Variations

While the vanilla base is delicious on its own, you can easily transform this recipe by adding different flavor elements. Try adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolate version, a handful of berries for fruity notes, or a spoonful of peanut butter for richness. During fall, I love adding cinnamon and a touch of pumpkin puree. My children enjoy helping create their own unique combinations, which has turned breakfast into a fun family activity rather than just another meal to rush through.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use fresh bananas instead of frozen?

Frozen bananas are key for achieving a thick and creamy texture. If using fresh bananas, add more ice cubes or frozen fruit to maintain consistency.

→ What toppings work best for this smoothie bowl?

Great topping options include granola, fresh berries, chia seeds, cacao nibs, nut butters, or additional hemp seeds for a nutritious boost.

→ Can I make this smoothie bowl ahead of time?

This smoothie bowl needs to be enjoyed immediately for the best texture. Leftovers can be frozen in an ice cube tray and reused in smoothies.

→ What can I substitute for vegan yogurt?

You can use regular yogurt, coconut cream, or omit completely, though it may slightly alter the creaminess and flavor.

→ Is this smoothie bowl suitable for meal prep?

While the smoothie bowl is best eaten fresh, you can pre-freeze toppings or portion the dry ingredients for quick assembly when needed.

Vanilla Banana Smoothie Bowl

Creamy vanilla banana smoothie bowl blended with oats and hemp. Perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes
By: Reham

Category: Breakfast & Brunch

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (2 bowls)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 1/4 cup rolled oats
02 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
03 1/4 cup plant milk
04 1/3 cup vegan yogurt, plain or vanilla flavored (e.g., coconut yogurt from Forager)
05 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
06 2 frozen bananas, sliced
07 1 cup ice cubes or 100 g of frozen coconut smoothie pack (1 package)

Instructions

Step 01

Add rolled oats, hemp seeds, plant milk, vegan yogurt, and vanilla extract to a blender. Let them sit and soak for at least 10 minutes to soften the oats.

Step 02

Add the frozen bananas and ice cubes (or coconut smoothie pack) to the blender. Blend on high until smooth. Use a tamper for a thicker mixture or a spatula to mix manually if using a standard blender. Avoid adding more liquid.

Step 03

Scoop the blended mixture into 2 bowls. Add your preferred toppings such as granola, berries, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cacao nibs, or peanut butter.

Notes

  1. This smoothie bowl is best enjoyed immediately. Leftover smoothie can be frozen in an ice cube tray for later use in other smoothies.

Tools You'll Need

  • Blender

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 277
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 42 g
  • Protein: 10 g