Making smoothie bowls has become an increasingly popular and healthy breakfast option over the last few years. Smoothie bowls are thick, creamy blended smoothies that are topped with various fruits, nuts, seeds, and granola. They provide a nutritious and satisfying meal to start your day.
While you can make smoothie bowls in any blender, using a high-powered blender like the Ninja can create an extra smooth and creamy texture. Ninja blenders are well-suited for making smoothie bowls thanks to their strong motors and sharp blades that can thoroughly puree tough ingredients like frozen fruit and ice.
What is a smoothie bowl?
A smoothie bowl is a thick, ice cream-like blended smoothie that is served in a bowl rather than a cup or glass. It consists of a creamy liquid base made from blended fruits, vegetables, yogurt, milk, juice, seeds, nut butters, protein powders, or other ingredients.
Smoothie bowls are then topped with a variety of extras like fresh or dried fruit, granola, nuts, seeds, coconut, cacao nibs, nut butters, etc. The toppings add crunch, flavor, and texture to contrast with the creamy smoothie base.
Smoothie bowls are eaten with a spoon, allowing you to mix together the toppings into each creamy bite. Their thick consistency makes them extra filling and satisfying. The endless combinations of flavors, textures, and toppings also makes smoothie bowls a versatile and customizable breakfast or snack.
Benefits of smoothie bowls
There are many benefits to starting your day with a smoothie bowl:
- Convenient, quick, and easy to make
- Nutritious way to get servings of fruits and veggies
- The thickness helps you feel full and satisfied
- Highly customizable with unlimited flavor combos
- Can pack in protein, fiber, healthy fats, etc.
- Thick texture is naturally sweet and craveable
Can you use a Ninja blender to make smoothie bowls?
Yes, Ninja blenders are an excellent choice for making creamy, thick smoothie bowls at home. Here’s why:
Powerful motor
Ninja blenders contain powerful motors ranging from 900 to 1500 watts or more. Strong motors are key to being able to thoroughly blend thick, frozen smoothie bowls ingredients without the blender struggling.
Sharp blades
Ninja blenders utilize strong, sharp blades to easily pulverize tough smoothie ingredients like frozen fruit, ice, nuts, and seeds into a smooth texture.
Large pitcher capacity
Many Ninja blender pitchers can hold 64 ounces (2 quarts) or more. The large capacity gives you room to blend multiple servings of a smoothie bowl at once.
Specialty smoothie bowl attachments
Some higher-end Ninja blenders come with stacking blade assemblies or other attachments specifically designed for making thicker smoothie bowls and milkshakes.
Settings for smoothies/frozen drinks
Ninja blenders like the Ninja Foodi often have dedicated smoothie or frozen drink settings. These are programmed to blend thick ingredients to the perfect smooth consistency.
Overall, a Ninja blender’s power, blades, capacity, and settings allow it to blend up smoothie bowls with ease. You’ll get perfectly creamy, lump-free, and thick results every time.
Tips for making smoothie bowls in a Ninja blender
Follow these tips to make foolproof smoothie bowls in your Ninja blender:
Use frozen fruit and ice
The key to a thick, ice cream-like texture is to use frozen fruit and plenty of ice. Bananas and berries work great frozen. Cubed mango, pineapple, or other fruit also freezes well.
Blend liquids first
Add any liquids like milk, yogurt, juice, or coconut water to the blender first. Then top with the frozen fruits, veggies, greens, seeds, etc. Letting the liquids hit the blade first makes for better blending.
Blend in stages
If having trouble getting a smooth blend, try blending the liquid ingredients first, then add some frozen items and blend again. Finally, add any remaining frozen fruits, vegetables, or ice and blend until smooth.
Use the smoothie setting
If your Ninja has dedicated smoothie programs, be sure to use them when blending up your smoothie bowl. They are designed to handle thick frozen ingredients.
Add mix-ins after blending
Ingredients like nut butters, powders, or tender leafy greens can get over blended. Add them after blending the main smoothie ingredients, and pulse to gently mix in.
Blend in batches if needed
For large batches, you may need to blend in two or more batches to avoid overloading the blender. Divide the ingredients and blend one batch at a time, then stir together in a large bowl.
Don’t overfill the blender
Avoid packing too many ingredients into the blender pitcher. Leave at least 1-2 inches of room at the top so the blender blades can fully circulate.
Add liquid to reach desired consistency
If your smoothie bowl is too thick, add small splashes of liquid like milk or juice and blend again to reach the perfect creamy consistency.
Choosing a Ninja blender model for smoothie bowls
Ninja offers a wide range of affordable but powerful blender models. Any Ninja blender has the capability to make great smoothie bowls, but some are better equipped than others.
Here are some of the best Ninja blender models for smoothie bowl making:
Ninja Foodi Power Pitcher System
This model has a large 72-ounce pitcher, 1400 peak watt motor, and smoothie bowl making attachment. It crushes ice easily for thick, frosty smoothie bowls.
Ninja Mega Kitchen System
With a 1560 watt motor and 72-ounce pitcher, this blender packs serious power. It has 4 presets including frozen drinks/smoothies perfect for smoothie bowls.
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
This is another excellent choice thanks to its high wattage motor, large pitcher, and specialized smoothie bowl attachment.
Ninja Professional Plus Blender
A budget-friendly option, this 1100 watt model has a 72-ounce pitcher, 3 speeds, and pulsing function to blend smoothie bowls at any consistency.
Ninja Personal Blender
For single serving smoothie bowls, the 600 watt personal sized Ninja blender includes cups and lids for easy on-the-go blending and drinking.
Smoothie bowl recipe ideas for a Ninja blender
A Ninja blender allows you to make all kinds of creative and delicious smoothie bowl recipes. Here are some tasty combinations to try:
Green Ninja Bowl
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- Toppings: kiwi, strawberries, granola, chia seeds
PB & J Bowl
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- Toppings: granola, strawberries, coconut flakes
Carrot Cake Smoothie Bowl
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower
- 1/2 cup carrot juice
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Toppings: granola, raisins, grated carrot
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bowl
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup almond milk
- Toppings: strawberries, peanut butter drizzle, cacao nibs, coconut
Berry Banana Blast Smoothie Bowl
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup orange juice
- Toppings: fresh berries, granola, shredded coconut
Smoothie Bowl FAQs
Do you need a special blender to make smoothie bowls?
You don’t need a specialty blender, but it helps to use a high-powered model with at least 900+ watts. Models like Vitamix or Ninja can blend frozen ingredients extra smooth and creamy. But any countertop blender can work.
Can you use frozen fruit in smoothie bowls?
Yes, frozen fruit is actually recommended for getting a thick, ice cream-like texture in smoothie bowls. Bananas and mixed berries freeze particularly well. Frozen mangos and pineapple also work great.
How long do smoothie bowls last in the fridge?
The blended smoothie base will last 3-4 days in the fridge in an airtight container. The toppings also keep 1-2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze pre-portioned smoothie bowls up to 6 months.
Can you make smoothie bowls in advance?
Yes, smoothie bowls can be prepped in advance in a few ways. You can batch blend the smoothie base and refrigerate up to 4 days. You can also fully assemble bowls and freeze for up to 3 months.
Should you mix smoothie bowl toppings?
It’s best to layer rather than mix in the toppings when assembling your smoothie bowl. This allows you to customize each bite and get the contrasting flavors and textures as you eat. But mixing is fine too!
Conclusion
In summary, Ninja blenders are perfectly designed for making delicious, thick smoothie bowls at home. Models like the Ninja Foodi, Mega Kitchen System, and Professional Plus have the right combination of power, capacity, and special features like smoothie settings to blend smoothie bowls with ease.
Focus on using plenty of frozen fruit and ice for thickness. Blend liquids first, then add remaining ingredients in stages for the smoothest consistency. Top with your favorite fruits, nuts, seeds, crunchy bits, and drizzles to create a nutritious and satisfying smoothie bowl breakfast.
