Easy Raspberry Smoothie

This 4-ingredient banana raspberry smoothie is thick and creamy, naturally sweet, tart, and a healthy, refreshing breakfast or snack with no added sugar! Plus, it’s ready in just 5 minutes!

Fresh, Creamy, Sweet, and Tart Banana Raspberry Smoothie

For anyone who cycles between craving decadent chocolatey treats and vibrant, fruity, tangy flavors, easy smoothies like citrus mango smoothie, pineapple kale smoothie, and this healthy raspberry smoothie recipe are a must-try. They’re simple, inexpensive, fresh, fruity, and can be thrown together in minutes on busy mornings (+ afternoons/evenings!) as a healthy breakfast or snack.

This banana and raspberry smoothie is made up of just 4 ingredients: combining fresh or frozen raspberries with banana (or an alternative), dairy-free milk, and optional lemon, lime, or orange juice. The result is a fresh, bright, and vibrant yet creamy drink you can enjoy year-round (including summer poolside sipping!).

It’s full of beneficial nutrients, too – like healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and several vitamins and minerals (including vitamins C, A, and B6, calcium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and more). Plus, while its simplicity is one reason we love it, If you’d prefer extra protein, antioxidants, nutrients, and/or like to play with flavors – keep reading for our favorite flavor and/or nutrient-boosting mix-ins to make this smoothie your own.

Jump to:

• Table of contents
• Fresh, Creamy, Sweet, and Tart Banana Raspberry Smoothie
• The Ingredients
• What Could I Add To A Raspberry Smoothie?
• How to Make a Raspberry Smoothie
• Pro Recipe Tips
• Storage Instructions
• More Vegan Smoothie Recipes
• Easy Raspberry Smoothie

The Ingredients

• Raspberries: We prefer using frozen raspberries for a thicker smoothie, but feel free to use fresh berries if preferred.
• Banana: For the sweetest flavor, use very ripe bananas with plenty of dark spots on the peel. Use frozen ones for a creamier, more soft-serve-like consistency.

Don’t like bananas? Replace them with an avocado, plant-based yogurt, or even some frozen cauliflower. You could also replace it with other fruits, like blueberries, strawberries, mango, peach, pineapple, etc.

• Plant-based milk: Use any dairy-free milk based on your desired creaminess and flavor. I.e., almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc. For a creamier smoothie, replace up to half the plant-based milk with vegan yogurt.
• Lime: (Optional) Fresh lime juice (or lemon/orange) is best, especially if you want to add lime zest (in it or for garnish). However, bottled works in a pinch. This adds brightness, zing, and creates a raspberry lemonade smoothie flavor.

If the berries are very tart, optionally add some maple syrup, agave, 1-2 Medjool dates, a sugar-free sweetener (like erythritol), etc.

What Could I Add To A Raspberry Smoothie?

This recipe for raspberry smoothie is easy to adapt to your flavor and dietary preferences with simple pantry add-ins. Here are our top favorite options.

• Protein powder: Add 1 scoop of plant-based plain, vanilla, berry, or chocolate protein powder.
• Other berries: Replace some raspberries with other berries. We especially love a raspberry blueberry smoothie, but strawberries, cherries, and blackberries also work.
• Raspberry spinach smoothie: 1-2 handfuls add lots of nutrients & antioxidants.
• Raspberry chocolate smoothie: Add 1-2 tbsp cocoa/cacao powder per portion.
• Coconut raspberry smoothie: Use canned coconut milk and add shredded coconut/ coconut flakes (raw or toasted) to garnish.
• Peanut butter raspberry smoothie: Make a PB&J smoothie with 1 tbsp nut butter per serving. It also adds filling power with healthy fats and protein. Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc., also work.
• Vanilla extract: ½-1 tsp adds dessert warmth to a raspberry and banana smoothie.
• Almond extract: Just a few drops complement the berries amazingly.
• Oats: ¼ cup of rolled oats add fiber for a more filling banana raspberry smoothie.
• Ground seeds: Add 1 tbsp flaxseed, chia seeds, or hemp seeds for fiber, plant-based protein, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids to fight inflammation.
• Mint leaves: Added to taste.

How to Make a Raspberry Smoothie

• Add all the ingredients to a blender, placing the liquids and softest ingredients closest to the blades.

• Blend on the highest setting for about a minute until smooth and creamy.

If the smoothie is too thick, add more plant-based milk to your desired consistency.

• Divide the smoothie between two glasses, optionally garnish with lime zest. Then serve and enjoy!

Pro Recipe Tips

• To adjust the consistency: For a thinner smoothie, add more plant-based milk. For a thicker smoothie, either use less plant-based milk, add some ice cubes or oats, OR use all frozen fruit (which creates a soft serve consistency).
• For the easiest blending: It’s best to add the liquids and softest ingredients closest to the blender blades, then the harder/frozen ingredients. Pause the machine, if needed (usually if using lots of frozen fruits), to scrape down the sides, too.
• Sweeten if needed: Depending on how tart the raspberries are and your sweet tooth.

Storage Instructions

This frozen raspberry smoothie is best consumed immediately for the best texture. However, fresh fruit smoothies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a day. Just note the nutrients deteriorate over time.

You can freeze any leftovers for up to 3 months in Ziplock/Stasher bags (spread flat into a thin layer) to re-blend from frozen with a splash of extra liquid or thaw first.

You can also pour the raspberry banana smoothie leftovers into popsicle molds for a delicious, healthy frozen treat.

More Vegan Smoothie Recipes

• Banana beet smoothie
• Mixed berry mint smoothie
• Strawberry kale smoothie
• Orange creamsicle smoothie
• Fruity ginger smoothie
• Cherry chocolate smoothie

Photos by Alfonso Revilla