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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Tropical Blue Smoothie Bowl

    Published: Jun 22, 2021 · Modified: Jun 18, 2022 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This easy smoothie bowl tastes like the tropics and is made with five simple ingredients. Summer doesn't get much more delicious than this!

    Blue smoothie bowl with blueberries, banana slices, and granola as toppings served in a white bowl.

    This is my youngest daughter's absolute favorite smoothie bowl (and she just happens to be my pickiest eater!). I don't know if it's the flavor, or color. But whatever it is, she loves it!

    I had never heard of Blue Spirulina until a few years ago when I saw blue smoothie bowls at smoothie shops. I was wondering how they got them to be the color of the ocean and so I did a little research.

    It turns out that Blue Spirulina is the secret ingredient, no food dyes involved! So great!

    There are so many ways you can get creative with this smoothie bowl just by changing up the toppings. We've been loving it as pictured, with homemade granola, fresh blueberries, and sliced bananas.

    Other times we've enjoyed topping this with macadamia nuts, chocolate chips, chia seeds, and freeze-dried strawberries. There are so many options!

    For more healthy snack ideas for kids, try my lemon blueberry muffin, and energy ball, recipes! They are always a hit!

    Why This Recipe is so Great

    • Quick and easy recipe.
    • Contains 13 grams of protein per serving.
    • Simple ingredients.
    • No added sugar. Naturally sweetened with fruit.
    • Easily customizable with toppings for beach themed birthday parties.
    • Blue Spirulina is used instead of food dye to get a tropical blue color.
    • Also known as a mermaid smoothie bowl and blue spirulina smoothie bowl.
    • High in fiber and protein so kids feel full longer.

    Ingredient Notes

    One container of 2% low fat Greek yogurt and four white bowls, each one having one ingredient: frozen mango, frozen banana pieces, frozen pineapple, and one with blue spirulina. Each ingredient is labeled.
    • Blue Spirulina Use blue spirulina, not green. Spirulina contains copper, thiamin, riboflavin, iron, amino acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, among other nutrients. It's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory affects continue to be studied. Purchase a trusted spirulina brand from a reputable company that tests its products for contaminants.
    • Mango High in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Use frozen mango. Buying frozen mango (as opposed to freezing your own) will save you time and money.
    • Pineapple Contains manganese, copper, various vitamins (including vitamin C), and fiber. It also contains bromelain, an enzyme that is thought to help with digestion and reduce inflammation.
    • Banana High in fiber and potassium. Using a frozen banana is key to achieving the consistency that kids love.
    • Greek yogurt High in protein and good source of calcium. Greek yogurt is thicker than traditional yogurt, so it helps to give the smoothie bowl a nice thick consistency.

    Dietitian Tip

    Letting your kids 'dress up' their smoothie bowl by choosing what to use as toppings is an excellent way to increase acceptance and food expsure.

    One way to do this is to put topping options in individual bowls so the kids see what they have to choose from. Then, let them decide what and how much to add.

    One of my kids loves the 'aesthetics' of a well-topped smoothie bowl. If allowing her to decorate her own smoothie bowl means she'll thoroughly enjoy it, then great!

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Two step-by-step images, one with yogurt, blue spirulina, and frozen fruit layered (pineapple, banana, and mango) in a Vitamix blender and one image to the right showing the same ingredients in the middle of the blending phase with the tamper inside of the Vitamix.

    Here's a quick overview of the steps to make this smoothie bowl. For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.

    1. Blend all ingredients together in a high-speed blender.
    2. Serve and let your kids pick their toppings!

    Topping ideas

    • Freeze dried or fresh strawberries
    • Banana slices
    • Granola
    • Blueberries or other berries
    • Diced mango or pineapple
    • Chia seeds
    • Macadamia nuts or sliced almonds
    • Chocolate chips, mini or standard sized (an absolute kid favorite!)
    • Cacao nibs
    My Blue Spirulina Pick
    A little goes a long way with this Organic Blue Spirulina powder that is sourced in Hawaii.
    SHOP NOW

    Photo Credit: amazon.com

    One pouch of KOS brand blue spirulina powder. Image from amazon.com.

    Expert Tips

    • Start blending on the lowest setting. Gradually increase the blending speed.
    • Use the tamper that comes with your high-speed blender to press the frozen fruit down into the blades and to keep the ingredients moving.
    • If you choose to substitute one of the fruits, use a fruit that has a neutral color, so your kids are still served a pretty blue smoothie bowl.
    • Adding less spirulina than the recipe calls for will result in a green color, not blue.
    • Adding more spirulina than the recipe calls for will result in a darker blue color but will taste a little grittier which is less desirable for kids.
    • This smoothie bowl is made to be eaten right away. If you are making this to be served in even 5-10 minutes, then store it in the freezer.

    Recipe FAQs

    What's the difference between a smoothie and smoothie bowl?

    Smoothie bowls are made with more frozen ingredients and less liquid than smoothies. They need to be eaten with a spoon because they are too thick to drink. And because they are so thick, toppings can be added and enjoyed without sinking to the bottom.

    What is the blue powder in smoothies?

    The blue powder added to smoothies is called Blue Spirulina. Blue Spirulina is a nutrient-rich blue-green algae.

    Are smoothie bowls actually healthy?

    This one is! As with many other questions like this, the most appropriate answer is "it depends". It depends on what ingredients are used and how they are presented to kids... and what your definition of 'healthy' is.

    Blue smoothie bowl served in a white bowl, topped with blueberries, banana slices, and granola. Blueberries and a peeled banana are to the right of the bowl.

    More Smoothie & Smoothie Bowl Recipes

    • Island Green Tropical Smoothie
    • Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
    • Orange Carrot Oat Milk Smoothie for Kids
    • Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie for Kids

    Did your kids love this incredible tropical smoothie bowl? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!

    Don't forget to snap a pic of their delicious smoothie bowl with all of their favorite toppings and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!

    Blue smoothie bowl served in a white bowl and topped with granola, banana slices, and blueberries.

    Tropical Blue Smoothie Bowl

    Kristi
    This nourishing smoothie bowl tastes like the tropics, is made with simple ingredients, and is ready in just five minutes! It makes the perfect snack for kids!
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 3 mins
    Additional Time 2 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Breakfast, Recipes, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 231 kcal

    Equipment

    • High-speed blender
    • measuring cups and spoons

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cup 2% Greek yogurt
    • 1 teaspoon blue spirulina up to one scoop of KOS Blue Spirulina (about 1 ½ teaspoons)
    • 2 frozen bananas
    • 2 cup frozen pineapple pieces
    • 2 cup frozen mango pieces

    Instructions
     

    • Add ingredients to the blender in the order that they are listed.
    • Blend all ingredients together in a high powered blender. Use the tamper that comes with your blender to keep the frozen fruit from getting stuck and to keep the ingredients moving.
    • Divide into two bowls and let your kids top it with their favorite toppings.

    Notes

    This is made to be eaten right away. If making this in advance, freeze it in an airtight freezer-safe container to store.
    Start blending on the lowest setting. Gradually increase the blending speed. Use the tamper that comes with your high-speed blender to press the frozen fruit down into the blades and to keep the ingredients moving.
    If you choose to substitute a frozen fruit, use a fruit that is mild in color, so your kids are still served a pretty blue smoothie bowl.
    Let your kids top their own smoothie bowls - it helps encourage independence in the kitchen.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 231kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 13gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 56mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 4gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 1048IUVitamin C: 75mgCalcium: 156mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melanie Anders

      June 26, 2021 at 12:53 pm

      I can't wait to try this! I was at OCNJ and bought a $10 "Playa Bowl" and thought, I have got to recreate this at home and at a better price. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Kristi

        June 26, 2021 at 4:12 pm

        You're welcome!

        Reply

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    Kristi Ruth wearing a green long sleeved blouse and jeans, holding tri-colored carrots plated on a white oval platter with one hand and leaning on the counter with the other hand in a kitchen.
    Welcome! Kristi is a Registered Dietitian and busy mom of three, ages 7-15. After being displaced from a housefire in 2021, Kristi decided to say 'goodbye' to her long commute so she could turn her passion for sharing easy recipes and tips to help you learn what it means to feed your family well with less stress into a reality. Let's get cooking!

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