Blueberry Apple Crisp Smoothie Bowl

A blueberry apple crisp smoothie bowl is a satisfying and delicious way to start the day and it’s complete with hidden greens!

I go on breakfast kicks all the time. Right now I’m on a Raisin Bran kick. I know, so boring! But gimme a break, we just started the back-to-school routine so I’m sticking to the basics. I stumble out of bed, get dressed, head downstairs, start the coffee, and enjoy my bowl of Raisin Bran for a few minutes before it’s time to get the kids up.

Those early moments of quiet are so important for my sanity before the chaos of the day starts. I love the chaos but ooooh I also love that early morning quiet, just me and my coffee. It’s actually HOT when I drink that first cup! It’s an amazing thing.

Once I get out of the Raisin Bran rut, it’s going to be smoothie bowls. I’m a sucker for anything with toppings. Chili, salads, baked potatoes, and smoothie bowls. The toppings are so fun! Pile on whatever your heart desires (or whatever you have in the fridge).

I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship between me and smoothie bowls.

About This Smoothie Bowl Recipe

• Tastes like a dessert: Fruit crisps are my favorite dessert so I modeled this smoothie bowl after apple blueberry crisp. I added warm spicy cinnamon to the smoothie bowl, along with apples, blueberries, and Greek yogurt. As for toppings, I wanted the bowl to really seem like a crisp so I made a mixture of oats and chopped toasted pecans, sweetened with a bit of maple syrup.
• Healthy ingredients: Even though the smoothie bowl tastes like a dessert, it’s packed with nutrition. Nonfat Greek yogurt has lots of protein so you won’t be hungry by 10 AM. Fruits provide complex carbs along with antioxidants and fiber. A handful of spinach adds green power. Oats and nut also have health benefits. The smoothie bowl has very little added sugar; in fact, you can omit it if you like.
• Very versatile: Take a look at your refrigerator and decide what you want to add to your smoothie bowl. I love this combination but you can change it up easily. Take a look at some of the suggestions below.

How To Make A Smoothie Bowl

You’ll need a blender, preferably a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. A regular blender will work but the smoothie may not be quite as …..smooth.

There are two parts to a smoothie bowl: smoothie and toppings. The smoothie consists of Greek yogurt, a chopped apple, frozen blueberries, a handful of baby spinach, and a bit of maple syrup. Blend until smooth.

Freezing the blueberries helps thicken the smoothie. If you want it even thicker, add a couple of ice cubes to the blender.

Mix the oats, pecans, and a teaspoon of maple syrup in a small bowl. I find that the pecans are much tastier if they are toasted lightly. Learn how to toast pecans, it’s super easy and you can do it in the microwave if you want.

Pour the blended mixture into a shallow bowl. Top with fresh blueberries, chopped apple, and the oat mixture. Enjoy!

Change It Up

• Yogurt: Choose whatever type of yogurt you like: Greek or regular; nonfat, 2% or whole milk. I like to use unflavored plain yogurt because it doesn’t have added sugar.
• Fruit: Choose whatever fruit you like or happen to have. I love this blueberry/apple combination but feel free to use what you have in the fridge. Take a look at this tropical smoothie bowl for more inspiration.
• Greens: I like baby spinach because it’s very tender and I always have it in the fridge. You could substitute other tender greens or omit the greens if you prefer.
• Toppings: I choose the oats and pecans combination because it reminds me of a fruit crisp. You could replace it with your favorite granola. Use any type of nuts or seeds, or omit them altogether.

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

Smoothie bowls are best eaten immediately once they are assembled.

Make ahead: Freeze the smoothie portion in an airtight container. It’s best to freeze the mixture, not refrigerate it, because it tends to get watery when refrigerated.

Store the granola topping in another container. It doesn’t have to be refrigerated. The fresh chopped apples and blueberries can be tossed with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning, placed in an airtight container, and refrigerated.

To serve: Remove the frozen smoothie from the freezer and let it thaw for 10 minutes or until you can stir it. Add the toppings and enjoy!