Blueberry Apple Crisp Smoothie Bowl
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A blueberry apple crisp smoothie bowl is a satisfying and delicious way to start the day and it’s complete with hidden greens!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: A smoothie bowl is not only nutritious and delicious, it’s beautiful to look at. Treat yourself!
How long it takes: 10 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: blender
Servings: 1
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!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 large large apple, roughly chopped, about 2 heaping cups (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt (see note)
- 1 cup tightly packed baby spinach
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, optional
Toppings:
- 2 tablespoons rolled oats (quick oats are fine, too)
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon chopped toasted pecans (see note)
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- In a blender, add blueberries, apple (be sure to reserve some for topping), cinnamon, yogurt, and spinach. Blend until smooth. Taste and add maple syrup to taste. If you like it thicker, add ice cubes.
- Mix oats, pecans, and maple syrup in a small bowl (see note).
- Pour smoothie mixture into a shallow bowl and top with oat mixture, reserved apple chunks, and fresh blueberries. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Any type of plain unflavored yogurt can be used, Greek or regular. Keep in mind that Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt so the bowl will be creamier.
- Learn how to toast pecans. Use your favorite nut or seed; it doesn’t have to be pecans.
- The oats, nuts, and maple syrup mixture is a simple unbaked granola, much like muesli. If you prefer, substitute granola.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
Doreen says
Tasted great, but looked more green than the pretty purple in your photo.
Rachel Gurk says
Could it be that you used more spinach than directed? That would make it more green.
zaza says
hey, do the apples need to be frozen?
Rachel Gurk says
Nope! They can be fresh.
Kenzidy says
Good recipe overall. But there was no liquid there-fore the smoothie was very thick. I added about 1 1/2 cups of milk to thin it out.
Rachel Gurk says
Hi Kenzidy,
It is very thick because it’s a smoothie bowl that’s meant to be eaten with a spoon (imagine healthy ice cream!), not through a straw. You definitely need to add liquid if you want to make it drinkable.
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Oh my goodness, yes, the quiet moments before the kids wake up are pure gold! And so are these smoothie bowls! They look gorgeous! Love all the toppings you added! Pinned :)
denise says
yum
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
I freaking love this. Smoothie bowls are so satisfying!! Your apple + berry version looks perfect :)