This Blue Smoothie Bowl is an easy breakfast that is healthy, refreshing, energizing and beautiful. It’s made by blending vibrant blue spirulina with frozen fruit, coconut milk and a touch of vanilla, then topped with tasty mix-ins like granola, berries and honey.
Jump to:
Blue Smoothie Bowl
Not only is this Blue Smoothie Bowl a stunner, it’s also insanely nutritious, delicious, gluten free and super quick and easy to make. No wonder this vibrant blue superfood has taken the internet by storm! Even Jamba Juice created their own blue algae based smoothie called Vanilla Blue Sky.
Our version of the “Blue Mermaid Smoothie Bowl,” as you’ll often see it named, uses frozen pineapples and bananas to create a super thick and creamy consistency. We top ours with granola, fresh fruit and a touch of honey for some natural sweetness and a variety of different textures.
What is blue spirulina?
Blue spirulina, like green spirulina, is a blue-green algae that grows naturally in standing water like ponds and lakes. Besides its signature blue hue, it is considered a superfood and has huge health benefits including:
- Huge source of protein, antioxidants and vitamins
- Energy booster
- Promotes healthy bacterias which helps with both digestion and digestive health
- Helps with eczema and psoriasis
Ingredients in Our Blue Smoothie Bowl {Vanilla Blue Sky}
- Blue Spirulina Powder - besides the internet, you should be able to find blue spirulina powder at health food stores and specialty grocery stores.
- Pineapple - you can either freeze your own pineapple or purchase bags of frozen pineapples. Frozen mangos are also a great substitute.
- Banana - frozen bananas contribute not only sweetness but also an ice cream consistency once blended in. For the best flavor and texture, make sure you freeze super ripe bananas.
- Vanilla Coconut Milk - any kind of coconut milk will work. Otherwise regular milk, almond milk or any other kind of nut or plant-based milk will taste good. You could even substitute a fruit juice such as pineapple juice, apple juice or grape juice.
- Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract tastes best.
Toppings and Mix-In Ideas
- Granola
- Fruit (fresh berries, bananas, mango, kiwi, etc)
- Honey
- Nut butter
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Coconut
Smoothie Bowl Boosters Ideas
- Protein Powder
- Maca Powder
- Super Greens Powder
- Fresh Spinach
- Your favorite milk, coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk, almond milk, or regular cow milk.
- Yogurt or greek yogurt
- Juice, apple or grape juice
How to Make a Blue Spirulina Smoothie Bowl
- Freeze your fruit. Cut pineapples and bananas into 1" chunks, transfer to a sheet pay lined with parchment paper and freeze in a single layer for about 1 hour, or until completely frozen. (Note: if you are making this ahead of time, you can transfer the frozen fruit to a large freezer bag or container once frozen)
- Blend. In a high-powered blender, add the blue spirulina powder, frozen pineapple, frozen banana, coconut milk, and vanilla extract to the blender. Blend until completely smooth, adding a bit more coconut milk as needed until you have a thick frozen smoothie texture.
- Add your toppings. Divide the smoothie into 2 bowls, then top with granola, fresh strawberries, fresh bananas, and a drizzle of honey.
- Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
While both are derived from blue-green algae, the biggest difference between green spirulina and blue spirulina is that green spirulina is the whole food, while blue spirulina is an extract of the phycocyanin from the green.
Some of the more practical differences are that green spirulina has a super strong fishy smell and taste, while blue is fairly mild. Also, blue spirulina has quite a bit more nutrients packed into it than green.
Luckily, blue spirulina doesn’t have that same strong fishy flavor that green spirulina does. Blue spirulina tastes lightly of spinach, or a mild salty seaweed.
Not unless you use food coloring! Truly, the only natural way to get the signature blue color is with blue spirulina.
Your smoothie bowl is best eaten right after it’s made, especially since it will melt fairly quickly. If you do have any leftover in the blender you can freeze it for up to 1 month. When you want to eat it again, remove from the freezer and blend back up with a little more coconut milk. Voila!
Tips for Making a Blue Smoothie or Blue Smoothie Bowl
- Freeze your fruit- You can slice your fruit and lay it flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freezer for 12 hours or until frozen solid. Transfer to a covered container or freezer Ziploc bag to store until ready to use. This works great for bananas, pineapples, strawberries, mangos, or many more fruits.
- If you'd like to keep the bright blue hue, add fruits that are mild in colors such as pineapple, mango, and bananas.
- Add fruit to the blender and then your liquid. Use a tamper to tamp the fruit down.
Blue Smoothie Bowl Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon Blue Spirulina Powder
- 1 cup Pineapple sliced and frozen
- ½ cup Banana sliced and frozen
- ½ cup Vanilla Coconut Milk
- ⅛ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Toppings
- ¼ cup Granola
- ½ cup Strawberries sliced
- ½ large Banana sliced
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
Instructions
- Cut pineapples and bananas into 1" chunks, transfer to sheet pay lined with parchment paper and freeze in a single layer for about 1 hour, or until completely frozen. (Note: if you are making this ahead of time, you can transfer the frozen fruit to a large freezer bag or container once frozen)
- In a high powered blender, add the blue spirulina powder, frozen pineapple, frozen banana, coconut milk and vanilla extract to the blender. Blend until completely smooth, adding a bit more coconut milk as needed until you have a thick frozen smoothie texture.
- Divide the smoothie into 2 bowls, then top with granola, fresh strawberries, fresh bananas, and a drizzle of honey. Enjoy!
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes To Try
- Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola
- Chia Oatmeal Energy Balls
- Coconut Peanut Butter Power Balls
- Healthier Banana Muffins
- Berry Salad with Citrus Glaze
- More Breakfast Recipes
- More Gluten Free Options
If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest, feel free to leave a comment and photo there too. Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!
This amazing Blue Smoothie Bowl is nutritious, delicious, gluten free and super quick and easy to make. No wonder this vibrant blue superfood has taken the internet by storm.
Leave a Reply