This is one of our base recipes. Dairy free smoothies are a great way to start your morning, fuel a workout, or satisfy a craving for something cold, creamy, and sweet!
Must-Know Cooking Skill
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Dairy-Free Smoothie
If you want to make smoothies for breakfast and are in a time crunch, place all of the non-frozen ingredients in your blender’s jar and place it in the fridge the night before. Add the frozen ingredients in the morning and blend!
If your smoothie is too thick after blending, add more liquid. If it is too thin, add more fruit or ice. Note that adding more optional ingredients will thicken the smoothie.
While we like the added nutrition boost that leafy greens add, they do change the color of the smoothie, so use caution if serving to picky eaters!
Ingredient Substitutions
- Liquid: use coconut water, 100% juice, or any dairy-free milk alternative.
- Fresh Fruit: use any fruit of your choosing. Use creamy fruits to yield creamy smoothies. Think bananas, avocados, mangos, etc. You can also use fruit or vegetable puree, such as mashed sweet potato, pumpkin puree, or applesauce.
- Frozen Fruit: use any fruit of your choosing. Choose options without any added sugars.
- Leafy Greens: use spinach or kale. If you are unsure about the flavor of greens in your smoothies, start with spinach. Spinach has a milder flavor than heartier greens like kale. Do not use arugula or mustard greens.
- Oats: use old-fashioned or quick oats. Do not use steel cut oats, as these need to be cooked.
- Seeds: use chia, hemp, or ground flaxseeds.
- Nut Butter: use almond, peanut, walnut, sunflower, soy nut, or any other variety of your choosing. Choose natural varieties (just nuts and salt) for optimal nutrition.
- Flavor Extracts: use vanilla, almond, coconut, or lemon. Start with 1/4 teaspoon, then adjust to taste.
- Spices: use sweet spices such as allspice, apple spice, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, or pumpkin spice.
Smoothie Base Recipe Variations
Remember that this is a base recipe, so the goal is for you to customize it to YOUR taste!
Use these recipe variations for inspiration, then have fun exploring other flavors, ingredients, and textures!
Which Blender is Best for Smoothies?
Any blender will work! While a Vitamix probably makes the creamiest smoothies, any full-size blender, single-serve blender, immersion blender, or even food processor will do the job.
Are Smoothies Healthy?
While eating whole fruit is normally best, a smoothie can be a great way to get lots of fruits and/or vegetables in one easy serving. This smoothie recipe is also free of dairy, so it can be a nutritious option for individuals trying to adopt a plant-forward diet. This recipe features fruit, dairy-free liquids, and leafy greens.
Fresh & Frozen Fruit
Both fresh and frozen fruits are healthy. Fruit contains fiber, water, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. All of these nutrients help your body fight, prevent, and manage diseases. Aim to include a variety of colors throughout the week.
Which Dairy-Free Milk Alternative Should I Buy?
It seems like there’s a new milk alternative coming out every other week. There are now options available made from pea protein, bananas, oats, flaxseeds, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, pecans, cashews, coconuts, and of course the originals: rice, soy, and almond. When choosing a milk alternative, try to limit added sugars, gums, and stabilizers.
Some varieties, like cashew or oat milk are creamier, and therefore create a thicker smoothie.
Need some recommendations? Here are a few of our favorite brands:
Trader Joe’s Unsweetened Nut Milks
Hungry for more? Read our plant based milk vs. cow’s milk article!
Leafy Greens
Leafy green veggies are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that promote health and help fight diseases. Blending spinach into a dairy-free smoothie is an easy way to help promote your health.
If you choose to add the optional ingredients, those will provide additional health benefits such as more plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
For more information about best choices, check out our ingredient guide!
Serving Suggestions
Dairy-free smoothies are a great accompaniment to a healthy breakfast. Pair with our overnight oats, energy bites, whole wheat muffins, or granola for a satisfying meal.
Will Smoothies Keep in the Fridge?
Keep leftovers in the fridge and enjoy the next day. They can hold for longer than a day in the fridge but often start to separate. Simply shake before drinking!
Want more healthy breakfast recipes?
Try out these favorite base recipes, and as always, adjust to YOUR taste!
Greek Yogurt Smoothie Base Recipe
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Whole Grain Pancakes Base Recipe
Dairy Free Smoothies Base Recipe
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- 1 cup liquid (100% juice, milk alternative, etc.)
- 1 cup frozen fruit
- 1 cup fresh fruit or fruit/vegetable puree
Additions to YOUR taste
- 1 cup lightly packed leafy greens
- ¼ cup old fashioned or quick oats
- 1 Tablespoon chia, hemp, or ground flaxseeds
- 1 Tablespoon nut butter
- ¼-½ teaspoon flavor extract
- ¼ teaspoon spice
- 6-8 ice cubes
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a blender and puree. Enjoy!
This Post Has 2 Comments
I’ve been loving making smoothies this summer! This is a perfect base recipe that is super customizable and delicious. I’ve been especially loving using almond milk lately (and I enjoy adding a spoonful of almond butter, too)!
So happy to hear! Almond butter is a great addition 😉