There are multiple ways to thicken a smoothie. For example, you can use frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit or include an avocado or banana in the recipe. Another option is to reduce the amount of liquids or freeze them before adding them to the smoothie. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the thickening properties of flaxseed, chia, gelatin or xanthan gum. Regardless of the recipe, you can thicken any smoothie quickly and easily.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Fruits and Vegetables
Step 1. Use frozen fruit to thicken the smoothie
Instead of using bananas, berries or other fresh fruits, put them in the freezer the night before. Buying frozen fruit is an option that can prove to be economically advantageous and allows you to find varieties that are not in season and are not available fresh.
Sometimes it is possible to find packages of mixed frozen fruit; it is a perfect solution for making a smoothie. Each pack contains a handful of different fruits ready to be combined with each other
Step 2. Add an avocado to the recipe to make the smoothie creamy
Avocado goes well with any smoothie. It will make it thicker and creamier and its delicate flavor will be easily covered by that of other fruits. Remove the peel and seed, slice the pulp and blend it with the rest of the ingredients, for example with cabbage, celery and fruit juice.
Step 3. Use a mango if you're craving a thick yet refreshing smoothie
Mango is a delicious fruit, low in fat and rich in vitamin C. It has a fresh taste and a thick, yet light texture. Cut it into pieces and blend it with pineapple, raspberries, ice and coconut milk when you crave a sweet, exotic and refreshing smoothie.
Step 4. Thicken the smoothie with a banana to fill up on potassium
Banana is the key ingredient in many smoothies. It goes well with berries and most other fruits, spreadable dried fruit creams, oat flakes and protein powders. It basically goes well with most ingredients and, in addition to giving a thick and creamy texture to the smoothie, makes it an excellent source of fiber and potassium.
Step 5. Enrich the smoothie with the pumpkin puree
Pumpkin puree gives an autumn aftertaste to the smoothie and thickens it at the same time. Try blending it with milk, bananas, and cinnamon. If you want, you can add a teaspoon of honey to emphasize the sweetness of the pumpkin.
Method 2 of 4: Using Cereals and Nuts
Step 1. Add a tablespoon of the dried fruit spread of your choice for a thicker, more protein-rich smoothie
You can use almond, walnut or hazelnut butter, local ingredients, delicious and rich in proteins that give creaminess, flavor and substance to the smoothie; or you can use the more exotic peanut butter. Blend a couple of tablespoons of your favorite spread with the other ingredients, for example with milk and bananas.
Step 2. Use chia seeds to increase the fiber content of the smoothie
Chia seeds absorb a large amount of liquid, which makes them ideal for thickening a smoothie, plus they are an excellent source of fiber and fatty acids. Use them if you want to make the smoothie more nutritious, as well as thicker. For a simple yet tasty recipe, you can pair them with blueberries, almond milk, and cinnamon.
Step 3. Take advantage of the satiating properties of oats
Oats are both an excellent thickener and a highly nutritious ingredient that can make you feel full for hours. You can use instant flour or oat flakes, they have the same nutritional value. For example, combine them with berries, banana and almond milk for a satisfying and delicious drink.
Step 4. Use flax seeds if you want to sweeten the taste of the smoothie
Their naturally sweet taste that recalls that of dried fruit is accompanied by a high content of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Crush them using a spice grinder or coffee grinder before adding them to the smoothie. They are great paired with yogurt, peanut butter, honey and banana.
Method 3 of 4: Alternative Thickeners
Step 1. Use xanthan gum if you want to keep the smoothie's taste intact
The main advantage of xanthan gum is precisely that it has no flavor. It is an ingredient of vegetable origin capable of thickening and emulsifying liquids. You can add ¼ teaspoon to any smoothie to thicken it without covering the flavor of the other ingredients.
Step 2. Use protein powders to meet your daily protein requirement
You'll get a double benefit: providing your body with some of the protein it needs and thickening the smoothie. Use chocolate or vanilla-flavored protein powders and pair with almond milk, banana and coffee for a satiating and energizing breakfast.
Step 3. Try jelly for its additional health benefits
In addition to thickening the smoothie, jelly is good for your hair, nails and joints. Add a teaspoon to a smoothie made from cabbage, celery, apples, and almond milk. The jelly is tasteless, so the smoothie will keep its original taste intact.
Method 4 of 4: Working on Liquids
Step 1. Reduce the doses
If you feel your favorite smoothie is a little too runny, simply decrease the amount of liquid you add. Try reducing them by a quarter and find out if the density of the smoothie suits you. If not, add a thickener, such as xanthan gum, and reduce the amount of liquids further next time.
Step 2. Replace milk with Greek yogurt
Used in place of a liquid ingredient, such as cow or coconut milk, it improves the texture and density of the smoothie. Greek yogurt is great paired with berries and bananas.
If you prefer, you can use traditional yogurt instead of Greek yogurt
Step 3. Freeze the liquid ingredients
Instead of adding them to the smoothie in their liquid state, pour them into the ice cube mold and freeze them early enough. This technique works with almost all liquids, for example with milk, fruit juices, cream and vegetable milk (such as coconut or almond milk). When it's time to make the smoothie, put the cubes in the blender and blend them with the rest of the ingredients.
