Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie

There’s something very reassuring about having a go-to smoothie you can make with your eyes half closed. For me, that’s always a strawberry banana smoothie. It’s sweet, creamy, bright in color, and feels a little bit like a treat even when it’s made with simple, everyday ingredients.

Why This Smoothie Is a Keeper

Strawberries and bananas just belong together. One brings tangy, berry flavor and that beautiful pink color, the other adds natural sweetness and a silky texture. When you blend them with milk and a little yogurt, you get a smoothie that tastes like a milkshake but still feels light and fresh.

This version is straightforward, but not boring. It’s thick enough to enjoy with a straw or a spoon, easy to customize, and quick enough to throw together before work, after a workout, or as an afternoon snack. No fancy powders required—just real fruit and a few small pantry additions that make the flavor pop.

Ingredients

(Serves 2)

• 1 large banana, sliced (fresh or frozen)
• 1 ½ cups strawberries, hulled (fresh or frozen)
• 1 cup milk of choice (regular, almond, oat, etc.)
• ½ cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional, to taste)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but lovely)
• 4–5 ice cubes (if using fresh fruit and you want it extra cold and thick)

You can easily double everything if you’re making smoothies for more people, or halve the recipe for a single large glass.

Prep the Fruit

If you’re using fresh strawberries, rinse them well, remove the green tops, and pat them dry. Cut any very large berries in half so they blend more easily.

Peel the banana and slice it into chunks. If you like, you can use a frozen banana for extra creaminess and thickness—this gives the smoothie that ice cream-like texture without actually adding ice cream.

Using at least one frozen fruit (either strawberries or banana) is a simple way to make the smoothie naturally cold and thick.

Add the Liquid and Yogurt

Pour the milk into the blender first. Starting with the liquid at the bottom helps the blades catch everything faster and makes for smoother blending.

Add the yogurt next. Plain yogurt gives a soft tang and creaminess, while vanilla yogurt adds a gentle sweetness and a dessert-like flavor. Both work well—just choose what you like or what you already have in the fridge.

The combination of milk and yogurt is what makes this smoothie feel rich and satisfying instead of thin and icy.

Add the Strawberries and Banana

Add the sliced banana and strawberries into the blender on top of the milk and yogurt.

You will see the blender jar fill up with soft pinks and pale yellows—that’s already a good sign. Try to distribute the fruit somewhat evenly so it doesn’t all clump in one spot when you start blending.

If you’re using frozen fruit, you may want to start with a lower speed and gradually increase it, especially if your blender is on the smaller side.

Sweeten and Flavor

Add honey or maple syrup if you want a sweeter smoothie. The exact amount depends on how ripe your banana is and how sweet your strawberries are. Start with a small amount; you can always blend again and add more later.

Add the vanilla extract if you’re using it. It might seem like a tiny detail, but vanilla gives the smoothie a rounded, almost bakery-style flavor that makes it feel extra special.

If you like a little extra brightness, you can also squeeze in a teaspoon or so of lemon juice. It won’t make the smoothie sour, but it can lift the strawberry flavor.

Toss In Ice (If Needed)

If you’re using fresh fruit and you want a thicker, colder smoothie, add the ice cubes.

If you’re using mostly frozen fruit, you can skip the ice or just add one or two cubes if you want it extra chilly. Too much ice with frozen fruit can make the smoothie more like a slush, so adjust based on how thick you want it.

Blend Until Smooth and Creamy

Secure the lid on your blender. Start at a low speed to pull everything down toward the blades, then gradually increase to high.

Blend until the smoothie looks completely smooth—no big chunks of fruit, no pieces of ice. This usually takes 30–60 seconds depending on your blender.

If it seems too thick and the blades are having trouble moving, stop, add a splash more milk, give it a stir with a spoon, and blend again.

If it looks too thin for your taste, you can add a bit more frozen fruit or an extra piece of banana and blend again.

Taste and Adjust

Now the most important part: taste.

Take a small sip and ask yourself:

• Is it sweet enough? If not, add a little more honey or maple syrup.
• Is it thick enough? If not, add more banana or frozen strawberries and blend again.
• Does it need more strawberry flavor? Add a few extra berries.

This is your smoothie, so adjust it to match the way you like to drink it. Sometimes the difference between “good” and “wow, I’m making this again tomorrow” is just one more spoonful of fruit or a tiny drizzle of sweetness.

Pour and Serve

Pour the smoothie into two glasses.

If you want to make it look pretty, you can:

• Garnish with a strawberry on the rim
• Add a banana slice on top
• Sprinkle a few chia seeds or oats
• Use a fun straw or glass jar

Enjoy it right away while it’s cold and silky. The texture is best fresh, but it can be chilled for a little bit if needed.

Easy Variations to Try

Once you’re comfortable with this base recipe, it’s very easy to change it up without losing the strawberry banana vibe. Here are some ideas:

• High-protein boost: Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt extra, or a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
• Green twist: Add a small handful of spinach. The color will shift, but the flavor stays mostly strawberry-banana.
• Chocolate version: Add 1–2 teaspoons of cocoa powder for a chocolate-covered strawberry feel.
• Oat breakfast smoothie: Add 2–3 tablespoons of rolled oats for more fiber and a slightly thicker, more filling drink.
• Nutty smoothie: Add a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter for richness and extra creaminess.

You can keep the same base ingredients and simply tweak one or two things depending on your mood or what’s in your kitchen.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Strawberry banana smoothies are always best fresh, but you can still plan ahead a little.

• Short-term storage: If you have leftovers, store them in a closed jar in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Shake well before drinking, as the texture can separate slightly.
• Smoothie packs: Add sliced bananas and strawberries to freezer bags in “portion packs,” then just dump a bag into the blender with milk and yogurt when you’re ready. This is a great way to use up ripe fruit before it spoils.

If the smoothie thickens too much in the fridge, stir in a splash of milk until it loosens into a drinkable consistency again.

Can I Make This Strawberry Banana Smoothie Without Yogurt?

Yes, you can. If you skip the yogurt, use a bit less milk at first so the smoothie doesn’t become too thin. You can also add half a frozen banana extra to keep the texture creamy. Another option is to use a small spoonful of nut butter or a bit of silken tofu for body. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious and fruity.

Can I Turn This Into a Smoothie Bowl?

You can easily turn this into a smoothie bowl by making it thicker. Use frozen fruit, reduce the milk slightly, and skip the ice. Blend until very thick, then pour into a bowl instead of a glass.

Top with sliced strawberries, banana, granola, coconut flakes, nuts, or seeds. Eating it with a spoon makes it feel more like a dessert than a drink, even though it’s still just fruit, milk, and yogurt.