Smoothies make for a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack. They are quick and easy to make, requiring just a blender, some fruit and/or vegetables, a liquid base like milk or yogurt, and maybe some extras like protein powder or sweetener. But topping off your smoothie is an great way to add extra flavor and nutrients. With the right smoothie topper, you can take your drink to the next level.
Why top your smoothie?
Adding toppings to your smoothie can provide a variety of benefits:
- Extra flavor – Toppings like cacao nibs, cinnamon, or citrus zest can enhance the flavor of your smoothie.
- Added nutrition – Ingredients like chia seeds, nut butter, and oats will boost the fiber, protein, healthy fats, and overall nutrients in your blend.
- Texture – Toppings can provide a nice crunch or creaminess to contrast the liquid smoothie texture.
- Visual appeal – An aesthetically pleasing smoothie with a nicely layered or swirled topping will be more appetizing.
So toppings are an easy way to take your smoothie from basic to next level.
What makes a good smoothie topping?
When choosing a topping for your smoothie, you’ll want to consider a few factors:
- Flavor – Will the topping enhance or complement the flavor of the fruits and veggies in your smoothie? Citrus zest, cinnamon, cacao nibs, and vanilla are examples of ingredients that add flavor.
- Texture – Look for toppings that will provide a nice contrast to the smooth liquid texture. Granola, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit add crunchy texture.
- Nutrition – Select nutrient-dense toppings like chia seeds, nut butter, oats, or avocado that will boost the nutritional value of your smoothie.
- Purpose – Consider if you want the topping to add flavor, creaminess, protein, fiber, healthy fats, etc and choose accordingly.
- Balance – The flavors and textures of the topping should compliment the smoothie, not overwhelm it.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to smoothie toppings, but sticking to whole food ingredients will ensure you get the most nutritional bang for your buck.
Fruit Smoothie Toppings
Fruit smoothies made with bananas, berries, pineapples, mangos and other fresh or frozen fruit are delicious on their own, but can be further enhanced with these tasty topping ideas:
Fresh Fruit
Fresh berries, sliced banana, mango, cherries or peach are classic smoothie toppers that add color and flavor. The fresh fruit will also add fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Some delicious options include:
- Sliced banana – Slices of ripe banana on top of a berry or tropical fruit smoothie add natural sweetness.
- Berries – Whole raspberries, blueberries or strawberries make for a pretty topping with extra fiber and antioxidants.
- Mango – Cubed mango is a refreshing topping for pineapple-based or green smoothies.
- Cherries – These red gems look and taste great atop a banana smoothie or mixed berry blend.
- Peach – Fresh peach slices complement berry and banana smoothies with a pop of color and nutrients.
Aim for 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of fresh fruit as a smoothie topping to get an added dose of nutrients without overdoing the natural sugars.
Diced/Shredded Vegetables
For savory smoothies, try shredded or diced veggies on top. Options like beets, carrots, cucumber, or zucchini will provide fiber, vitamins and minerals. Some ideas:
- Shredded beets – For pink color and earthiness.
- Shredded carrots – Natural sweetness and vitamin A.
- Diced cucumber – Cooling and refreshing with vitamin K.
- Matchstick zucchini – Low cal and full of nutrients.
Aim for around 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup of shredded or diced veggies as a smoothie topper.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds make excellent smoothie toppers, providing healthy fats, plant protein, fiber and crunch. Try:
- Sliced almonds – Great source of vitamin E.
- Chopped walnuts – Omega-3 fats and antioxidants.
- Ground flaxseed – Fiber and omega-3’s.
- Chia seeds – A superfood with protein, fiber and omega-3’s.
- Sunflower seeds – Nutty flavor and vitamin E.
1-2 tablespoons of nuts/seeds is a good amount to aim for as a topping.
Nut Butters
Nut and seed butters like almond, peanut, cashew, sunflower seed and tahini blend beautifully into fruit smoothies while adding protein, healthy fats and creaminess. A dollop on top adds even more richness:
- Almond butter – For nutty flavor.
- Peanut butter – Classic pairing with banana.
- Sunflower seed butter – Great sunflower seed taste.
- Tahini – Nutty sesame flavor.
1-2 tablespoons makes a good smoothie topping.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a sweet and chewy topping for smoothies. Dried figs, mango, cherries, blueberries or pineapple add concentrated flavor along with fiber and antioxidants. Examples:
- Dried fig slices – For honey-like sweetness.
- Dried mango – Tropical and colorful.
- Dried cherries – Bursting with tart cherry flavor.
- Dried pineapple – Naturally sweet tang.
2-3 tablespoons of chopped dried fruit is a good amount for smoothie toppings.
Coconut
Coconut in flaked, shredded and chip form can be used to top off fruit smoothies with a tropical flair. Benefits include healthy fats and fiber. Ways to add coconut:
- Shredded coconut – For classic piña colada vibes.
- Toasted coconut chips – Crunchy texture.
- Dried coconut flakes – Chewy and coconutty.
1-3 tablespoons makes a nice coconut topping.
Cocoa Powder or Cacao Nibs
For chocolate flavor, a light dusting of unsweetened cocoa powder or sprinkling of cacao nibs on fruit smoothies like banana, cherry, strawberry or mango takes it up a notch. Benefits include antioxidants and richness.
Cinnamon
A dash of cinnamon brings warmth, spice and antioxidants to fruit smoothies. It’s especially delicious with apples, bananas, peaches and mangos.
Citrus Zest
Lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit zest infuses bright citrus flavor and makes smoothies like strawberry, mango and pineapple really shine. Grate only the outermost colorful peel, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
Green Smoothie Toppings
Green smoothies packed with leafy greens, vegetables and fruit get an added crunch or creaminess from these toppings:
Nuts and Seeds
Just like fruit smoothies, green smoothies pair well with nuts and seeds. The crunch and healthy fats complement the blended veggies beautifully. Some options:
- Sliced almonds
- Chopped walnuts
- Crushed pecans
- Ground flax or chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
1-2 tablespoons makes a nutritious topping.
Nut or Seed Butter
Nut and seed butters lend protein, healthy fats and creaminess to green smoothies. Choices like almond, cashew, sunflower seed or tahini work well.
Oats
Rolled or steel-cut oats sprinkled on a green smoothie provide excellent fiber to help keep you full.
Granola
For crunch and extra carbs, a sprinkle of homemade or store-bought granola makes a tasty topping for green smoothies.
Diced Fruit
Fresh fruit like bananas, strawberries, mango, kiwi or pineapple add nutrients plus flavor and texture contrast to veggie-packed green smoothies.
Shredded Veggies
For an extra veggie boost, top green smoothies with shredded raw beets, carrots or zucchini.
Fresh Herbs
Herbs like mint, basil, cilantro or parsley lend fresh flavor and phytonutrients when sprinkled on green smoothies.
Spices
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cardamom complement the flavors of leafy greens and vegetables in smoothies. dust lightly on top.
Protein or Meal Replacement Smoothie Toppings
Smoothies make a handy meal replacement when you add protein, fiber and healthy fats. Dress up a protein and veggie-packed blend with these topping ideas:
Nut or Seed Butter
As mentioned for the other smoothies, nut or seed butters work perfectly to add creaminess and plant-based protein.
Nuts/Seeds
Nuts and seeds provide crunch plus protein and healthy fats to balance out a meal replacement smoothie’s texture and nutrition.
Oats
Rolled or steel-cut oats make an excellent topping for a protein smoothie, supplying sustained energy from whole grains along with fiber.
Chia Seeds
Protein smoothies get an extra protein and fiber punch from a sprinkle of chia seeds on top.
Granola
Homemade granola with nuts, seeds, oats, coconut and dried fruit provides valuable carbs and crunch.
Nutritional Yeast
This inactive yeast flakes supply a savory, cheesy umami flavor plus B vitamins and protein to complement smoothies intended as full meals.
Diced Vegetables
For additional veggies, protein smoothies can be topped with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, beets or other favorites.
| Topping | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Nut butter | Protein, healthy fats, creaminess |
| Nuts/seeds | Protein, healthy fats, crunch |
| Oats | Fiber, carbs, sustained energy |
| Chia seeds | Protein, fiber, nutrients |
| Granola | Carbs, crunch, fiber |
| Nutritional yeast | B vitamins, protein, umami flavor |
| Diced vegetables | Extra veggies, texture |
Conclusion
Smoothies make for a quick, nutritious snack or light meal, and toppings provide an easy way to enhance their flavor, texture, appearance and nutrition. Fruit smoothies pair well with fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, coconut, cacao and citrus zest. Green smoothies are complemented by nuts, seeds, nut butters, oats, herbs and spices. And protein-packed meal replacement smoothies benefit from mix-ins like nut butter, chia seeds, oats, granola and diced veggies. Get creative with your smoothie toppings and take your blended beverages to the next level!
