How to Make a Smoothie Without Banana

Before you start

Banana is the default smoothie thickener because it is cheap, sweet and freezes into something like soft serve. Many people dislike the flavor or need to skip it, though, and other ingredients can do the same job. What banana really provides is three things: body from soluble fiber and starch, sweetness, and a creamy, non-icy texture when frozen.

You can replace each of those separately. Frozen mango and peaches add body and sweetness; avocado and nut butter add fat for creaminess; Greek yogurt and soaked oats bring thickness and protein; a date or a spoon of honey covers sweetness. This base recipe combines frozen mango, Greek yogurt and a little avocado for a smoothie as thick as a banana version, with flavor you can adjust with any berries or fruit you like.

Ingredients

• 150 g (1 cup) frozen mango chunks
• 75 g (½ cup) frozen berries or peaches
• ¼ medium ripe avocado — about 35 g
• 120 g (½ cup) plain Greek yogurt
• 180 ml (¾ cup) milk or juice
• 1 tbsp chia seeds or rolled oats — optional, for extra body
• 1-2 tsp honey or maple syrup — to taste

Method

1. If using oats, pulse them dry in the blender until powdery. Chia seeds can go in whole.
2. Add the milk or juice, yogurt, avocado and sweetener to the blender jar.
3. Add the frozen mango and berries on top.
4. Blend on low for 10 seconds, then on high for 45 to 60 seconds, until thick, glossy and smooth.
5. Taste and adjust: a squeeze of lime sharpens the fruit, extra honey sweetens it, and a splash of liquid thins it.
6. Pour into a glass and drink soon. Chia and oats keep thickening the drink over the next 10 to 15 minutes.

Tips for success

• Mango is the best single banana replacement: it freezes creamy, tastes sweet and has a mild flavor that suits most fruit.
• Only a little avocado is needed. Too much and the smoothie tastes savory.
• Use mostly frozen fruit and very little or no ice. Ice adds cold but also water and an icy, crunchy texture.

Substitutions

Frozen mango

Frozen peaches, pineapple or cooked frozen sweet potato all add body. Sweet potato needs extra sweetener and spice.

Avocado

1 tbsp almond or cashew butter, or 2 tbsp canned coconut milk, adds the same creaminess.

Greek yogurt

Silken tofu or soaked cashews make a dairy-free smoothie with similar thickness.

Variations

Berry avocado

Use all berries instead of mango and add 1 tsp honey to balance the tartness.

Peach oat

Use frozen peaches, oats and a pinch of cinnamon for a cobbler-like flavor.

Troubleshooting

Icy and thin

Too much ice or liquid. Use frozen fruit as the cold element and reduce liquid by 30 ml at a time.

Not sweet enough

Banana usually provides sweetness. Add a pitted date, a little honey or ripe mango.

Tastes flat

Fat and dairy can mute fruit. Add lemon or lime juice, or a few tart berries, to brighten it.

Storage

Drink within 30 minutes. Leftovers can be kept covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours; the avocado may darken slightly and chia will thicken it, so re-blend with a splash of liquid.