Smoothies are a great way to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet in a delicious and convenient way. And this blueberry banana chia smoothie recipe is a perfect example of that!
Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the chia seeds, this smoothie is a nutritious and satisfying breakfast or snack. Plus, with the sweet and tangy flavors of blueberries and bananas, it's a treat for your taste buds as well.
I and my husband practice intermittent fasting and one of our favorite ways to break the fast is with a smoothie. Smoothies are so convenient as we can flavor them to our preference.
I always have assorted frozen fruits at home. And any banana not consumed at the right stage goes into the freezer as well to be used for smoothies. This way there is never an excuse to not make this banana blueberry smoothie.
Not just for breakfast but my boys love smoothies as their after-school snack. My younger one especially loves playing around with flavors and his favorite happens to be this Blueberry Banana smoothie. I add in the chia seeds and some vegetarian protein to add more nutrition.
Why use bananas and blueberries in smoothies?
We grow blueberries at home, but that never makes it far enough to make it into a smoothie. Frozen blueberries are so easy to find and such a blessing not just for making smoothies but for many other recipes as well like these Vegan Blueberry Banana muffins, Lemon Blueberry Bread, or Yogurt Blueberry Banana Parfait.
I love bananas in my smoothies. It adds a layer of flavor and sweetness to the smoothie and also keeps me filled up for a longer time. Not to forget, bananas have many health benefits as well which makes it ideal to include in a breakfast blueberry banana smoothie.
- Rich in antioxidants - Blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect the cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. This can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
- Brain boosting - Blueberries are also known for their potential cognitive benefits. They contain compounds called anthocyanins, which help to improve memory and cognitive function.
- Anti-inflammatory - Blueberries contain compounds that can reduce inflammation in the body.
- Heart-healthy - Blueberries can lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels. Bananas are low in sodium and high in potassium. These are important factors in reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Digestive health - Blueberries and bananas are good sources of dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health. Fiber also helps keep us feeling full and can prevent constipation and other digestive issues.
- Energy-boosting - Bananas are a great source of carbohydrates, which are the body's primary source of energy. Eating a banana before or after a workout can help you maintain energy levels and perform at your best.
- Nutrient-rich - Bananas are packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, and manganese.
Chia seeds for added health benefits
Along with the benefits of fruit, chia seeds make a perfect addition to a smoothie. They are flavorless but are loaded with goodness. If you are looking to add them to a muffin check out these Lemon Chia Seed Muffins. It adds a beautiful crunch to the muffin.
- Chia seeds are packed with nutrients, including fiber, protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- The high fiber content in chia seeds along with bananas and blueberry help promote regular bowel movements, prevent constipation, and support healthy digestion.
- Chia seeds help promote weight loss by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
- Chia seeds are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients for bone health.
- Chia seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants that are heart-healthy.
Ingredients needed
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipes.
Banana - I love to use frozen bananas for smoothies. If you don't have frozen ones, use fresh bananas.
Blueberry - Both fresh and frozen blueberries work in the smoothie recipe. I almost always use frozen ones as fresh ones never stay long in our house. If using fresh blueberries, use some ice in the smoothie.
Milk - I use dairy milk in the blueberry banana smoothie, but if making it vegan, use any plant-based milk of your choice. I personally like almond milk, but we could use soy milk as well. I am not a fan of coconut milk.
Chia seeds - This is completely optional but adds a lot of health benefits.
Protein powder - I use Whey protein powder to add the extra dose of protein. Use any of your favorite protein powders or even skip it.
Honey - This is entirely optional and if made just for me and my husband, I don't use any sweetener. My boys though like their smoothies a little sweeter and I use honey in that case. If vegan, use maple syrup.
Step-by-step process
I use my regular blender or single-serve smoothie blender to make my smoothies.
Combine all the ingredients in the blender jar.
Blend everything well and pour it into a tall glass and enjoy.
If using fresh fruits instead of frozen, add a few ice cubes. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk.
How to serve?
I love serving the smoothies in tall glasses. When serving for my boys, it is a mason jar or some kind of fancy glass.
We could make the blueberry banana chia smoothie a little thicker and serve it as a smoothie bowl. When serving as a smoothie bowl, I add more fresh fruits and chia seeds on top. I also add granola for texture. My favorite granola is this homemade peanut butter granola.
When on the go, pour the smoothie into a travel mug and add a straw for ease.
Expert Tips
- Use frozen fruits if possible for the smoothies.
- Mix up the berries for a change in flavor.
- We could add yogurt to the smoothies for added probiotics.
- Make the banana blueberry smoothie fresh and consume them right away.
Frequently asked questions
I like to use frozen blueberries as it adds creaminess to the smoothie. But we could use fresh ones as well.
Absolutely. We could use any kind of non-dairy milk to make the smoothie vegan. I like almond milk the best but we could also use soy milk or coconut milk.
Yes, we could add kale or spinach to the smoothie to make it healthier.
More quick breakfast recipes
If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter
Recipe
Blueberry banana chia smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Blueberries I used frozen blueberries
- 1 large Banana I used frozen banana
- 1 cup Milk I use dairy milk
- 2 teaspoon Chia seeds
- 2 Tablespoon Protein powder I use whey protein powder
- 1 teaspoon Honey optional
Instructions
- I use my regular blender or single-serve smoothie blender to make my smoothies.
- Combine all the ingredients in the blender jar.
- Blend everything well and pour it into a tall glass and enjoy.
- If using fresh fruits instead of frozen, add a few ice cubes. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk.
Notes
- Use frozen fruits if possible for the smoothies.
- Mix up the berries for a change in flavor.
- We could add yogurt to the smoothies for added probiotics.
- Make the banana blueberry smoothie fresh and consume them right away.
Ksenia says
The color and sweetness levels were just perfect! I mde this for my 1.5 year old and she loved every sip.
Brushjl says
Agree with other reviewers, easy, delicious and pretty!
Amy Liu Dong says
I love the flavor of this smoothie. I made this and it was really delicious, super easy smoothie recipe. I love it!
Jamie says
This is such a great-looking smoothie that I've seen so far. It definitely looks so delicious and very tasty! I love the color too, it makes this so enticing and tempting!
Gen says
This was so so tasty! I absolutely loved the color, too. Blueberries and banana are such a winning combo!
Jenny says
I love how easy and healthy this is. I often crave a smoothie but am bored with the flavor of what I usually make. In your recipe, all the ingredients shine. This recipe will be an excellent addition to my breakfast rotation. Thanks so much.
Madelyn Tipps says
This makes a delicious smoothie although we didn't use protein powder and used vanilla almond milk.
Kristina Tipps says
This smoothie turned out wonderful- i used coconut water because i didn't have milk and the flavor was fantastic.
Claire says
This smoothie sounds so delicious and nutrition! We're always looking for different smoothies to keep our breakfasts interesting and this sounds like just the thing. Pinning for later!
Elizabeth says
I love smoothies, especially for breakfast. I have not added chai to my smoothies before. This recipe sounds delicious!
Tristin says
This was such a great smoothie recipe. I used a combination of fresh and frozen blueberries.
Amanda Dixon says
I made this for breakfast this morning, and it was the perfect start to the day. The banana and blueberries were so good together, and it really kept me full all morning.
Julie says
I made this for my boys and they loved it! The chia seeds are such a nice addition and I love the extra vitamins I'm giving them!
Sharon says
This smoothie is a great way to get a healthy start to the day. I love the combination of blueberry and banana together in it.
Mindy says
We've made this several time. It was super yummy and always a treat!
Marie-Pierre Breton says
Look at that lovely colour! I definitely do this for the kiddos tomorrow morning! Thanks for sharing!
LaKita says
This smoothie recipe is so thick, creamy, and delicious! Love the addition of chia seeds and protein powder, it definitely kept me fuller longer.
Gloria says
Love the colour of this smoothie. Nutritious ingredients too.
Jennifer says
The color is gorgeous! I walked into work with this smoothie and everyone wanted to know what it was! Yum!
Tammy says
I made this for an afternoon snack and it was really tasty! Bonus that it's much healthier than my typical snacks. This recipe is a keeper!
Rachna says
I love that you have not used any added sugar in the recipe. Also the use of frozen berries and banana was so convenient. This was perfect for my post-workout meal.
Kris says
This was so refreshing and creamy! SO good! Will make again. 🙂
Healing Tomato says
This incredible protein and antioxidant recipe was the perfect start to the day. I had so much energy throughout the day and never had any sugar pangs. Will be making this smoothie for breakfast frequently.
Anne says
This is a tasty smoothie and so pretty too!
Sharon says
First, you grow blueberries at home?! Jealous! haha Secondly, I love this recipe. It is such a quick and easy breakfast and the protein powder really keeps you full. Thanks!
Sue says
Delicious smoothie! I made mine with frozen blueberries and almond milk, and no sweetener. I enjoyed every sip!