10 Quick Smoothie Recipes That Are Ready for the Day Waaay Before You Are

Fresh, frosty drinks when you want something fast and satisfying.

By
Mimi Young
Mimi Young
Mimi Young
Editor
Mimi Young is an editor and chef.
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Updated September 09, 2024
Overhead view of two coffee smoothies with glass straws

Serious Eats / Jen Causey

I like to think of smoothies as the ultimate "choose your own adventure" concoction—you can make it with just about anything you want. All you need is a blender and you're good to go. But how many times have you chucked a bunch of random ingredients into the blender, hoping for the tastiest result and ending up with the grossest? Been there...many, many times. This is where smoothie recipes can act as a springboard for our creativity.

We've rounded up our favorite smoothie recipes to set you off on the path to success. Whether you want a quick, nutrient-packed breakfast drink to jumpstart your morning, or an afternoon pick-me-up when you've hit the proverbial wall, there's a smoothie recipe that's for you. So, let's get that blender whirling!

  • Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie

    Banana smoothie in a glass cup with bananas in the background.

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    Like Elvis, I love the iconic pairing of bananas and peanut butter—hold the bacon. Here, peanut butter's creaminess and savory notes perfectly complement the natural sweetness and tropical flavor of banana, while blending in frozen sliced bananas yields a thicker, creamier texture. We recommend using unsalted natural peanut butter with no added sugar and then adding just a pinch of salt to enhance the sweet-savory flavor profile.

  • Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    Strawberry Banana Smoothie in a glass mug on white counter

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    This deliciously smoothie is reminiscent of the strawberry milk from your childhood—minus the artificial flavors and colors. Frozen strawberries, almost always packed at peak ripeness, chill the smoothie without the need for ice, while a bit of strawberry jam intensifies the berry flavor. Banana adds thickness while whole milk lends richness.

  • Coffee Smoothie

    Overhead view of two coffee smoothies with glass straws

    Serious Eats / Jen Causey

    If you're like me, a morning without coffee is like a false start to the day. While I usually take my Joe hot in the form of a latte, there is something extremely appealing about drinking it in smoothie form—especially when it can almost double as breakfast. This smoothie is layered with coffee flavor from strong-brewed coffee ice cubes, coffee yogurt, and chocolate-covered espresso beans, plus creamy almond butter and a little sweetened condensed milk. Good morning, indeed!

  • Avocado Smoothie

    Avocado smoothie in a glass mug

    Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

    This green smoothie is right up my alley: It's ultra-creamy from avocado, sweet from mango and banana, and slightly tangy from orange juice. There's also just enough spinach to pump up the vibrant color and provide a dose of green vegetable without me actually noticing its presence. That's a win-win in my book.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below

  • Spicy Chard and Pineapple Smoothie

    Chard jalapeño pineapple smoothie in a gold-rimmed glass

    Serious Eats / Autumn Giles

    Want to kickstart your day with a little heat? The spice in this smoothie comes courtesy of fresh jalapeño, which is blended with frozen pineapple and avocado, We like incorporating chard instead of the usual kale for a better flavor and because it blends more thoroughly. The avocado provides a rich, creamy base and satiating healthy fat, while the pineapple adds the right amount of sweetness to balance the spicy chile.

  • The Californian Smoothie (Avocado-Berry Smoothie)

    Berry and avocado smoothie in the tall glass

    Serious Eats / Robyn Lee

    What's more quintessentially Californian than avocados and dates? Avocado gives this smoothie its rich, creamy body, while frozen strawberries and raspberries provide a vibrant hue. We sweeten the blend with dates and honey, which lend caramel and floral notes. Choose your own adventure when it comes to the milk—any will do.

  • Blueberry, Ginger, and Kefir Smoothie

    The top of a blueberry, ginger, and kefir smoothie in a glass

    Serious Eats / Autumn Giles

    Whole milk kefir ice cubes are the key to making quick and creamy smoothies. All you have to do is pour the drinkable yogurt into ice cube trays and stash the frozen cubes in a zip-top freezer bag. Here, we blend the kefir cubes with fresh blueberries, more kefir, and freshly grated ginger, which adds more of a kick than the ground variety. Even though everything gets processed in a blender, you still want to use finely minced or grated ginger to ensure you don't end up with potent chunks in your smoothie.

  • Peach Basil Kefir Smoothie

    Peach basil kefir smoothie in a glass on marble surface

    Serious Eats / Autumn Giles

    This is the ideal smoothie to make at the height of peach season. The luscious fruit pairs beautifully with fresh basil, while frozen kefir chills down the smoothie and gives it a tangy peaches-and-cream vibe.

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  • Raspberry, Mint, and Kefir Smoothie

    A glass of raspberry, mint, and kefir smoothie on a marble surface

    Serious Eats / Autumn Giles

    Four ingredients come together in perfect harmony in this refreshingly bright and frosty drink. The sweetness of the honey tempers the tanginess of the raspberries and kefir, and cooling fresh mint ties it all together.

  • Coquito Smoothie

    Coquito smoothie garnished with pineapple in gold-rimmed glass

    Serious Eats / Autumn Giles

    Inspired by the Puerto Rican holiday punch, this creamy coquito smoothie is dairy-and egg-free. Using coconut milk from a carton (which you can find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store) provides the right amount of richness and coconut flavor without separating like canned coconut milk does when chilled. Frozen banana sweetens and thickens the smoothie, while maple syrup's caramel note mimics the flavor of rum and bourbon. Lastly, a sprinkle of ground nutmeg will make you feel like you're drinking a glass of eggnog.

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