This easy berry granola smoothie is a great breakfast for busy mornings. It's delicious, easy, and made with ingredients like yogurt, frozen berries, banana, and spinach that you may already have in your kitchen.
[This recipe was originally posted in August 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
We all need a good and easy smoothie recipe in our back pocket. This berry granola smoothie is super easy, made with ingredients you may already have, and it's adaptable-meaning you can just ingredients that you have already.
It's based on a smoothie I used to get from Jamba Juice in college. The berry smoothie was creamy, thick, and topped with sliced bananas and granola. I like to blend in the banana because it's easier, but top with granola for crunch.
This smoothie recipe makes one serving, so you won't be left with another serving if you're making breakfast for one.
Plus with the addition of fiber filled granola, the berry granola smoothie is more filling breakfast than most smoothies.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the smoothie with granola recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Yogurt: I usually use plain Greek yogurt, it's what I have in the fridge. But use any berry, vanilla, or similar flavored yogurt that you have.
- Banana: A fresh or frozen ripe banana adds sweetness and creaminess to this smoothie. I love adding bananas to smoothies.
- Frozen Berries: I usually have a big bag of frozen berries in my freezer, so that's what I use, but use one type of berry if that's what you have. Frozen fruit makes for a creamy, thick smoothie with granola.
- Spinach: It's one of my fave smoothie add-ins and a great way to use up spinach that's starting to wilt. It blends up well, melds the smoothie flavors together, and doesn't leave you with a spinach-y flavored smoothie. Yum!
- Milk: I like using protein-rich milk in smoothies. It doesn't change the flavor a lot, and makes the smoothie blend easier.
- Vanilla: I don't always add vanilla to smoothies, but with plain yogurt and berries, it's a nice sweet tasting addition.
- Granola: I like to mix in granola instead of blending it in for a nice crunch. It makes your smoothie more satisfying and, well is something a bit different!
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1.Add all ingredients, except granola to blender jar. I like to start with the yogurt and banana for easier blending.
Skip adding vanilla if you're using vanilla yogurt, unless you love vanilla.
2. Sprinkle granola over your berry granola smoothie. It's great with pumpkin flaxseed granola or this Homemade Peanut Butter Granola.
I recommend eating this smoothie with a spoon, or sip it.
Storage Tips
You can store leftover granola smoothie, but it doesn't keep well. I recommend drinking it at once.
I haven't done this, but you could possibly pour leftovers into an ice cube tray and blend into a future smoothie (for you) to reduce food waste.
Substitutions/Tips
- Use whatever kind of yogurt, fruit, granola that you have. It will taste a bit different with substitutions, but you can always taste it and adjust after if needed.
- If using fresh fruit, add a couple ice cubes to thicken the smoothie.
- Freeze bananas that are too ripe to eat (make sure to peel the peel off before freezing). You can use these in smoothies, banana bread, and you can make banana ice cream with them.
- Use wilting spinach (or kale) in this berry granola smoothie recipe. No need to throw it away. Or add a couple Tablespoons of frozen spinach.
- Other great add-ins: flaxseeds, chia seeds, ice cubes, etc
FAQ
Ice can definitely go into a smoothie, but it doesn't add any flavor, if you want to use flavorful ingredients, add frozen fruit to make it thick and cold.
Fruit smoothies, like this berry granola smoothie often have lots of nutrients in them, from the fruit. If you add yogurt and milk, there's also protein and calcium. All foods can fit into a healthful diet.
Definitely. You can either blend granola with your smoothie for it to be smooth or add it on top and stir with the smoothie for granola bits in your smoothie. It adds extra flavor and fiber, I highly recommend this addition.
What to do with leftover ingredients
When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
- Frozen Berries: Overnight Oats with Yogurt, include them in a Waffle Bar, Yogurt Bowl.
- Spinach: Thai Beef with Spinach and Fried Garlic, Grapefruit and Avocado Salad, Microwave Egg Bowl, or Arugula Basil Pesto
- Greek Yogurt: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, Chicken Salad Pita, or Peanut Butter Yogurt/Dip
- Banana: Bananas Foster Pancakes, Overnight Oats with Yogurt, or Berry Oatmeal Cups.
- Granola: Yogurt Bowl.
Did you make this berry granola smoothie? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Berry Granola Smoothie
Equipment
- High powered blender
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ½ cup yogurt of choice or individual container
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen berries
- handful spinach
- ½ cup milk or enough to get desired consistency
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons granola of choice
Instructions
- Add ½ cup yogurt, 1 banana, 1 cup frozen berries, a handful of spinach, ½ cup milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla to blender. Blend on high until combined.
- Transfer to glass, top with granola, enjoy immediately
Video
Notes
- Use your favorite yogurt, I prefer plain so the fruit flavors really come out.
- Use a fresh or frozen banana, same with spinach, just use about ⅓ of a handful of frozen since it's concentrated.
- Use whatever granola you have, I like this Homemade Peanut Butter Granola or Chocolate Protein Granola.
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Elaine Benoit says
I'm always looking for fun smoothies to make and this berry smoothy looks perfect! Especially with the addition of the granola as it gives me something to chew!
Rebecca says
ohhh yes, something to chew is so important! that's part of why I love adding granola, just didn't quite realize it haha
Kelly Anthony says
Love this fast and easy breakfast that will be sure to satisfy everyone.
Rebecca says
thanks!
camila says
I love putting granola in my smoothie! This looks great!
Rebecca says
me too! thanks!
Jamie Young says
I love when you have something delicious that you find out at a restaurant (or in this case, the student center) and it inspires you to make a really tasty recipe at home. My kids will love this! Thank you!
Rebecca says
right?! it's the best
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
This sounds like the perfect breakfast for any day of the week!
Rebecca says
it totally is! thanks
Beth says
Smoothies are such a quick, easy, healthy breakfast! Perfect for busy mornings on the go! I love all of the berries in this one! And the crunchy granola!
Rebecca says
thanks!
Kelly Anthony says
What a great way to start your morning. My kids won't even know I've added some veggies to their breakfast. Thanks for this delicious recipe.
Rebecca says
totally!
Cindy Gordon says
We have been wanting to UP our smoothie game. I love this idea of adding in granola!
Rebecca says
yay!
Mikki says
Love how you worked the spinach in there! Looks delicious!
Rebecca says
thanks Mikki
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
This sounds so amazing! I am just getting back into making smoothies, so will give this a try!!
Rebecca says
let me know how it turns out
Deborah Brooks says
Simple and delicious I love granola in smoothies
Rebecca says
isn't it the best?!
Kelly says
Berries are my favorite fruit, so I'm totally in on tripling and making a sweet smoothie like this!
Rebecca says
right?! they're the best
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
Everything's better with granola! Love how easy this is!
Rebecca says
right?!
GiGi Eats says
Mmm!! Sounds and looks like a satiating breakfast! 🙂
Rebecca says
thanks! it really is
Abbey Sharp says
Really love the granola topping for a nice balance of crunch! Great way to start the day
Rebecca says
right?! it's delish
Jamie Young says
Adding spinach to my grocery list now so I can make these for breakfast tomorrow! Delicious recipe!
Rebecca says
yay! let me know how it turns out
Danielle says
We love adding granola to our smoothies too. It makes it much more of a filling meal.
Rebecca says
yes! it does
michaela says
I have all of the ingredients for these on hand! This will be breakfast today! Thanks so much!
Rebecca says
yay! it's so delicious! let me know how it turned out
Nicole Triebe says
As silly as it sounds, i've never thought to put granola on my smoothie! This looks delicious!
Rebecca says
I didn't either before getting it in college! it's a game changer
Cindy Gordon says
This is delicious and perfect for the busy back to school mornings I have coming up!
Rebecca says
exactly! good luck with back to school