Avocado Smoothie

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This cool and creamy Avocado Smoothie is made with Greek yogurt, fresh spinach, and a banana for sweetness. It has everything you need in a healthy breakfast or snack, and it will keep you full all morning long.

A glass of avocado smoothie next to a pile of spinach and half of an avocado.


 

When a smoothie is made with nothing but fruit (often tropical) and juice, you’re getting a lot of vitamins but not much of anything else. It’s great for dessert, but maybe not for breakfast.

For meal replacements, look for a smoothie with a good balance of fat, protein, minerals, and carbs. You can up the protein in healthy smoothie recipes with your favorite protein powder or a cup of Greek yogurt. This smoothie is also gluten-free.

Unlike my Spinach Smoothie which is made with flax seed, this Avocado Smoothie gets its healthy fats from ripe avocados. That means an extra-creamy smoothie and the banana (and maybe a bit of honey) add sweetness, too. Add a handful of blueberries for even more flavor.

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for an avocado smoothie.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Spinach: To take your spinach over the top, substitute a 10-ounce block of frozen spinach, thawed, for the 2 cups fresh. It’s intense but amazing!
  • Protein powder: You can use either Greek yogurt or protein powder in this smoothie. Protein powder is never a one-size-fits-all solution, but I wrote extensively about the Best Protein Powders for Smoothies because it’s something I care about. If you don’t currently have a favorite, you might be able to find one in the list.
  • Honey: Taste the smoothie before adding any sweeteners, then start with a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. If you use a vanilla-flavored protein powder, you probably won’t need anything.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. In the bottom of a blender, add water, banana, spinach, avocado, and protein powder or Greek yogurt.
Ingredients in a blender for an avocado smoothie.
  1. Blend until smooth. Taste and add honey if desired.
An avocado smoothie in a blender.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes about 2 cups of smoothie, enough for 1 serving.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Some separation may occur, so shake or stir to combine before enjoying.
  • Flax or chia seeds: Add 2 tablespoons of flax seeds or chia seeds for an extra boost of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. You can soak the chia seeds in water for 5 to 10 minutes if desired, but it’s not required. Bob’s Red Mill is my favorite brand for these. Hemp seeds are a great choice, too.
  • Dairy-free: While this recipe calls for water or almond milk, feel free to substitute your favorite milk alternative, be it soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
  • Banana Smoothie: This easy Banana Smoothie recipe is made with just 4 ingredients and no added sugar.
  • Beet Smoothie: This raw Beet Smoothie is sweetened with plenty of icy strawberries so you can enjoy all the beet benefits without the raw root taste. Add your favorite protein powder or Greek yogurt and a squirt of honey for a smoothie almost too pretty to drink.
  • Caribbean Passion Smoothie: This Jamba Juice copycat is sweet, refreshing, and easy to make at home, with mango passion fruit juice, strawberries, and peaches. It tastes EXACTLY like the real thing!
  • Carrot Smoothie: You’ll love the flavors of mango, bananas, and orange juice in this colorful, vibrant smoothie starring a secret ingredient: frozen carrots.
  • Mango Smoothie: This simple smoothie is flavored with mangoes and bananas with Greek yogurt for protein and milk for creaminess. 
  • Peach Smoothie: Packed with protein and vitamins, this Peach Smoothie is a nourishing breakfast or snack idea anytime.
  • Raspberry Smoothie: Made with just frozen raspberries, Greek yogurt (or your favorite protein powder), milk, and honey. It’s a quick and healthy breakfast or snack idea that will keep you feeling light anytime.
  • Spinach Smoothie: Fresh spinach, banana, pineapple, and yogurt make for a super simple, totally delicious way to eat more greens.
  • Strawberry Citrus Ginger Smoothie: Quench your thirst with this refreshing and fruity treat perfect for crushing your sweet cravings.
A glass of avocado smoothie next to a pile of spinach and half of an avocado.

Frequently Asked Questions

My blender always struggles with smoothies. How can I process smoothies easier?

If you don’t have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, your blender may find frozen fruit and ice challenging. Especially if you notice that your blender errs on the weak side, but really a best practice for all smoothie-makers, start by adding the liquid portion of the recipe, then add the fruit and vegetables on top. If frozen, let them thaw a bit before blending. Check out my guide to the best blenders.

What’s the key to a thick smoothie texture?

If you enjoy your smoothies on the thicker side, try a frozen banana and add a few ice cubes. If you prefer a juicer, straw-sippable smoothie, blend in fresh fruit and veggies.

How do I choose an avocado?

A ripe avocado yields slightly when you give it a firm, gentle squeeze. Look for avocados that have dark green, bumpy skin; two more signals that the avocado is ripe, according to Avocados from Mexico.

More avocado recipes

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A glass of avocado smoothie next to a pile of spinach and half of an avocado.

Avocado Smoothie

This cool and creamy Avocado Smoothie is made with Greek yogurt, fresh spinach, and a banana for sweetness. It has everything you need in a healthy breakfast or snack, and it will keep you full all morning long.
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings 1 serving (2 cups)
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Calories 384
5 from 3 votes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup water or almond milk
  • 1 small banana frozen
  • 2 cups fresh spinach about 2 ½ ounces (see note 1)
  • 1/2 medium avocado pitted
  • 1 scoop protein powder or ½ cup Greek yogurt (see note 2)
  • Honey to taste, optional (see note 3)

Instructions 

  • In the bottom of a blender, add water, banana, spinach, avocado, and protein powder or Greek yogurt. Blend until smooth. Taste and add honey if desired.

Notes

  1. Spinach: To take your spinach over the top, substitute a 10-ounce block of frozen spinach, thawed, for the 2 cups fresh. It’s intense but amazing!
  2. Protein powder: Use either your favorite vanilla protein powder or ½ cup Greek yogurt.
  3. Honey: Taste the smoothie before adding any sweeteners, then start with a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. If you use a vanilla-flavored protein powder, you probably won’t need anything.
  4. Yield: This recipe makes about 2 cups of smoothie, enough for 1 serving.
  5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Some separation may occur, so shake or stir to combine before enjoying.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 cupsCalories: 384kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 30gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 1274mgFiber: 11gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 5918IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 4mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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