Tropical Blue Smoothie Bowl for Kids

This smoothie bowl tastes like the tropics, is loaded with 'good for you' ingredients, and is ready in less than ten minutes! Summer can't get much more fun and delicious than this!

I have always loved the idea of smoothie bowls, but didn't start buying them ($10 each-yikes!) until I started to see unique ingredients that I didn't have on hand at home being used.

When I noticed a 'blue' smoothie bowl being served, I wondered what had been added to create such a beautiful shade of blue. It turns out the 'secret' ingredient was blue spirulina - who knew?!

Blue spirulina is rather expensive, but when you compare it (per serving) to the price of buying a smoothie bowl, the cost is justified. Okay, well at least that's how I justify it, haha!

Seriously though, figuring I will be able to make over 30 smoothie bowls with one small pouch of blue spirulina, the cost comes out about $1 per smoothie bowl to add the tropical blue color, not to mention the nutrition benefits that it comes with!

And, if your kids love smoothie bowls as much as mine, you've got to try my Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl recipe!

And, for other healthy snack ideas for kids, try my lemon blueberry muffin, zucchini banana chocolate chip muffin, energy bite, beet chip (air fryer), and easy caprese bruschetta recipes!

Recipe Highlights

• Smoothie bowls are made with more frozen ingredients and less liquid than smoothies.
• Smoothie bowls need to be eaten with a spoon because they are too thick to drink.
• The thickness of a smoothie bowl allows toppings to be added and enjoyed without sinking to the bottom.
• Mango, pineapple, and banana provide plenty of natural sweetness. There is no need for additional sweeteners in this recipe.
• Blue smoothie bowls are also known as mermaid smoothie bowls and blue spirulina smoothie bowls.
• This smoothie bowl is high in fiber, protein, and vitamins.

Ingredient Notes

• 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 Mango is a stone fruit and is typically very sweet. Mangos are high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Buying frozen mango will save you time and money and it will help give this smoothie bowl the consistency that kids love.
• Pineapple 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 Using a frozen banana is key to achieving the consistency that kids love. Use a fresh overripe banana if you do not have a high powered blender. You will still get a thick consistency, just not as thick as if using all frozen fruits. Bananas are high in fiber and potassium.
• Greek yogurt Good source of protein and calcium. Greek yogurt is thicker than traditional yogurt, so it helps to give the smoothie bowl a nice thick consistency.

step-by-step instructions

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 powered blender.
2. Serve and let your kids pick their toppings!

Topping ideas

• Freeze dried or fresh strawberries
• Banana slices
• 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

Expert Tips

• Start blending on the lowest setting. Gradually increase the blending speed. Use the tamper that comes with your high powered blender to press the frozen strawberries and banana down into the blades and to keep the ingredients moving.
• Using frozen banana will make a thicker smoothie bowl, but it will also require more 'muscle' to keep the ingredients moving by using the tamper.
• Using a fresh overripe banana (instead of frozen) will make a softer smoothie bowl. It will still be thick enough to eat with a spoon and the flavor will be just as great!
• If using a standard blender, use a fresh overripe banana (instead of a frozen one) to avoid the frozen fruit getting stuck in the blades.
• 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.
• 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 more gritty which is less desirable for kids.
• Let your kids top their own smoothie bowls - it helps encourage independence in the kitchen.
• This recipe makes three one-cup smoothie bowls. It's the perfect sized snack for kids!

Questions you may have