Let’s be honest: most of us don’t have the time to cook a nice breakfast and sit down with the paper and a cup of coffee before work or school. Oftentimes, it’s a quick bowl of cereal, oatmeal, or even a mere granola bar as we rush out the door.
While one solution to this dilemma is just to wake up earlier, there is still the issue of whether your early morning kitchen clatter will wake up your family members or roommates. I don’t know many people who would enjoy waking up at 5:30 a.m. to the sound of pots and pans being shuffled in the cabinets; even worse: the whirring of a blender.
However, what many people are figuring out in this golden age of meal prep is the magic of preparing breakfast the night before. As someone who lives for a fresh smoothie, I love being able to get up in the morning and have a strawberry-banana drink waiting for me, freshly made only a few hours prior. What’s even better is being able to have a healthy start to my day without making a mess or taking too much time in the process.
The Solution
Although overnight oats and chia pudding are popular go-to’s for many breakfast-preppers on Pinterest, there are plenty of other ways to have an easy, nutrient-dense morning.
Smoothie bowls are not only colorful and pretty to look at, but their simplicity makes them fairly straightforward (not to mention the health benefits of eating fresh fruit). The only effort required is to blend your favorite fruits together and sprinkle some granola or shredded coconut on top. Do half of these steps the night before, and you’re in business!
With the help of some of the serving suggestions below, you’ll be making Instagram-worthy smoothie bowls in no time, regardless of how quickly you need to get out the door in the morning.
1. Low-Cost Açaí Bowl
This recipe from Healthy and Psyched is an excellent way to have your morning açaí without breaking the bank.
Despite the ever-rising popularity of açaí bowls, it’s not a secret that they can be quite pricey. A single 8 oz bag of açaí powder alone can run up to $20. Although there’s not much room to get around the price itself, this recipe will show you how to get the most out of your açaí powder, while still retaining that signature taste.
According to Healthy and Psyched, the key to making your açaí powder last longer is to mix it into a frozen banana “nice cream” with a cup of frozen berries. The frozen banana provides a thick consistency, while the berries add a splash of color and a hint of tartness. Add some cacao nibs and goji berries on top, and you’re good to go!
Learn more about this recipe here.
2. Tropical Pitaya Smoothie Bowl
This recipe from Purely Kaylie will be sure to add a pop of color to your morning! The bright pink pitaya bowls of trendy restaurants never fail to draw people in, and there’s never a shortage of these vibrant entrées on Instagram.
Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, can be found in powder form, pre-frozen packages, and as a raw fruit in the produce section. In this case, Purely Kaylie recommends using frozen fruit for the sake of creating a thicker consistency. Simply throw your pitaya, banana, and mango slices in the blender, and you’ll have an Insta-worthy breakfast in no time!
Learn more about this recipe here.
3. Rainbow Berry Smoothie Bowl
What makes this smoothie bowl unique is not just its dynamic color spectrum, but its inclusion of chia seeds. Wallflower Kitchen acknowledges frozen bananas as a great way to give your smoothie a rich texture; however, chia seeds are a great option as well.
Similar to the rules of chia pudding, your smoothie bowl can gain some extra volume by letting it sit in the fridge, allowing the chia seeds to absorb and expand. Aside from that, the recipe is quite simple and easy to prepare. All you need is a cup of frozen berries, one banana, dairy-free milk of choice, and, of course, one tablespoon of chia seeds.
Learn more about this recipe here.
4. Mango Banana Green Smoothie Bowl
You may have seen plenty of pink and purple smoothie bowls by now, but are you ready for a green one? Amy Le Creations kicks it up a notch with this recipe, which calls for one banana, one mango, some almond milk, and enough spinach to make you look twice. Jumpstart your morning with some leafy greens and a hint of sweetness with this smoothie bowl!
Learn more about this recipe here.
5. Turquoise Smoothie Bowl
Now we’re starting to get crazy: a smoothie bowl that calls for blue algae powder. Not only does blue-green algae powder–also known as spirulina–provide this bowl with a vibrant turquoise coloring, it also can reduce inflammation and protect against cardiovascular disease.
The key to getting the hue right with this recipe from Dans Le Lakehouse is to use ingredients that are pale in color. Bananas, almond milk, and Greek yogurt make up the substance of this smoothie bowl and allow the algae powder to work its magic.
Learn more about this recipe here.
6. Mocha Banana Protein Smoothie Bowl
It looks like we’ve saved dessert for last! Not to worry though; this smoothie bowl from Ambitious Kitchen is as healthy after dinner as it is in the morning.
With all this talk of fruits and veggies, some of us (i.e. me) are probably on the lookout for some chocolate. With this smoothie bowl, not only do you get a dose of chocolate and coffee, you also get a boost of protein. Just add some chocolate-flavored protein powder or chocolate almond milk to a healthy mix of bananas and spinach, and you’re all set!
Learn more about this recipe here.
Conclusion
Breakfast doesn’t need to be bland or colorless. Whether you eat on the go, or while you’re in your pajamas before starting your day, smoothie bowls are an easy and vibrant way to begin your morning. By following some of the recipes above and preparing the base of your smoothie bowl the night before, you can stress less about the most important meal of the day.
