What thickens up a smoothie?

Use frozen fruit or freeze fresh fruit overnight. Cut fruit into small pieces for easier blender. Freeze some of the liquid. Blend protein powder or greens first. Use the minimum amount of liquid. Add a scoop of raw oats or chia seeds. A handful of oats can add thickness to your smoothie while also adding in some extra protein and fiber. Adding in a tablespoon of chia seeds will add healthy fats that also make your smoothie thicker. They’re a natural thickener. This can be especially helpful if you’re not eating your smoothie right away. After just a few minutes, the chia will start to absorb liquid from the smoothie, and the seeds will expand, creating a thicker texture.

Bananas create a perfectly creamy base, which is beneficial for smoothie bowls as well. Simply adding a banana will instantly make your smoothie thicker, but you can also use a frozen banana for a smoothie recipe that’s even more ice cream-esque and frostier. Mangos are another “creamy” fruit that creates a thick, almost “fluffy” texture. Avocados easily enhance the viscosity of a smoothie and leave it with an almost velvety quality. A little bit of yogurt can help improve the textural balance of a smoothie. Chia seeds are master thickeners, often used in all kinds of recipes for their ability to gel up when soaked in water. Adding a spoonful or two of organic chia seeds to a smoothie will thicken it substantially within 10-15 minutes. Cooked sweet potatoes, yams and winter squashes like pumpkin can instantly enhance the makeup of a smoothie while keeping the sugar and calorie content low. Frozen fruit and vegetables can quickly make your smoothies thicker, try adding in a half to a full cup of frozen berries or frozen tropical fruit. Ice can turn a watery creation into a frosty blend in no time.