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Home » Recipes » Smoothies

Blackberry Smoothie without Banana

Updated: Feb 27, 2024 · Published: Jul 27, 2023 by Danika Vanderpyl · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This blackberry smoothie without banana is easy to make. Even with no banana, it's super sweet and refreshing. This berry smoothie is a healthy way to start your day or enjoy as an energy-boosting snack.

I love creating recipes that are healthy and that have fruit flavors, that's why I make so many smoothie or muffin recipes! If you are a fan of blackberries make these muffins next!

Dark purple smoothie in a glass jar with blackberries spilling out of the top.
Jump to:
  • Reasons to Love This Smoothie:
  • Smoothies without banana
  • What can you use instead of bananas in smoothies?
  • Ingredients
  • Blackberries
  • Ingredients for a Healthy Smoothie
  • How to make
  • SMOOTHIE RATING
  • FAQ
  • Other smoothies...
  • Blackberry Smoothie without Banana
  • Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N

Reasons to Love This Smoothie:

  • Quick & Easy: Only 5 ingredients, taking no longer than 5 minutes to make, you are gonna love this berry blast. Blackberries pleassse! (No yogurt in this recipe)
  • Simple Ingredients: Whole foods that are easy to find locally.
  • Good for you: Nutrient-boosting berries (blackberry and strawberries), a good serving of zucchini increases vitamin C and fiber in your diet. No processed sugar or fruit juice.

Smoothies without banana

If you are not a fan of bananas in smoothies, or you don't have bananas in your house, or maybe you are allergic to bananas - this smoothie is for you! I used to not like bananas in my smoothies because it seemed like the flavor overpowered the whole smoothie! However, over the years my experience with smoothies has taught me that it depends on how ripe the banana is! If you don't like the taste of banana in smoothies, try a less ripe banana, ones without brown spots, and parts of the banana still being green. Anyhow let's get back to making this berry smoothie WITHOUT banana.

What can you use instead of bananas in smoothies?

There are many foods you can add to a smoothie to create a good creamy texture instead of bananas, here are the ones I have tried:

  • fresh zucchini
  • fresh avocado
  • frozen cooked cauliflower
  • frozen okra
  • cooked sweet potato
  • cooked quinoa (here's a recipe for a smoothie with quinoa!)
  • greek yogurt
  • thick coconut cream (the top white part in a can of coconut milk)

Some of the foods listed above will not be as sweet as a banana, this can be good for those looking for something low in sugar. If you want a sweeter smoothie add a tablespoon of honey. For today's smoothie, we will add zucchini and honey to our smoothie.

Ingredients

Below I will share what ingredients you will need to make this blackberry smoothie! For exact quantities look at the recipe card below.

Frozen blackberries, frozen strawberries, cut zucchini, honey, and milk on a plate.
  • Blackberries: you can use fresh or frozen berries for this blended snack. Frozen berries will make it colder and thicker.
  • Strawberries: this compliments the blackberries well. But feel free to use other berries instead. Like frozen blackberries, frozen strawberries will make this smoothie thicker and colder but you can also use fresh strawberries!
  • Fresh Zucchini: yes I know it's kinda different but it creates a creamy smoothie that is comparable to a banana!
  • Milk: any kind, plant-based, almond, cow, or whatever your favorite is!
  • Honey: this will sweeten the smoothie and bring all the flavors together.

Optional nutritional add-ins:

  • Hemp Hearts, Chia Seeds, or Protein Powder: This increases the protein in the smoothie, supports the body's blood sugar level, and will keep you full longer.
  • Spirulina or Moringa Powder: these green powders have different very beneficial nutritional properties that will support your body's systems! The color will be masked with dark purple blackberries.

Blackberries

The key nutrients of blackberries are fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Use frozen or fresh blackberries for this smoothie. If using fresh berries, when picking (either from the store or from the bush) choose ones that are dark black and purple rather than red. Fresh blackberries only last a couple of days, so each them right away, make them into muffins, or freeze them!

Looking for another blackberry recipe? Try my healthy blackberry muffins! or this chocolate berry protein smoothie!

Ingredients for a Healthy Smoothie

  • Use fruit: All fruit is healthy and has incredible vitamins and minerals so be sure to swap it up and cover your diet to get a good balance of the nutrients. If you want a smoothie lower in sugar use berries.
  • Add protein and fat sources: things like nuts, nut butter, or seeds(hemp heart, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds), this will keep you full longer and support brain health.
  • Use milk or water instead of juice: this will stop the blood sugar rush that juice creates because it lacks fruit fiber (which is exactly why smoothies are so good for you - fiber!)
  • Add kale or spinach: these greens don't taste strong and have nutrient-dense properties. If you want to start adding greens to your smoothie try my recipe for simple spinach smoothie or try my strawberry smoothie that has kale in it!

This blackberry smoothie without bananas is healthy. It includes whole fruit, there is no fruit juice or processed sugar, it contains a good serving of vegetables (zucchini) and you can add seeds and other supplements for an additional nutritional boost.

How to make

Zucchini and milk in the blender container for a smoothie.

1. First add the soft ingredients to the bottom of the blender, this is the zucchini, milk, and honey. Having these foods on the bottom supports the blending of the frozen fruit and is good practice for taking care of the blades.

Frozen blackberries and strawberries in the blender.

2. Then place the frozen fruit on top, this is the strawberries and the blackberries. Start the blender slowly and then turn to high speed. Use a blender tamper or scrape down the sides as needed. If you want the smoothie thinner add more milk!

Hint: Clean the blender right away so everything washes away easily and before the fruit dries onto the blender blade.

SMOOTHIE RATING

I like give ratings to my smoothies. 1 to 3 for thickness, sweetness, and if they are kid-friendly. Thickness, 1 means thin, and 3 means very thick. Sweetness, 1 means not very sweet, and 3 means sweet. Kid-friendly, 1 means not very liked by my toddler, and 3 means very liked by my toddler, (this rating often depends on the flavor and texture, and color). Blackberry smoothie without banana:

Thickness: 2 (Want a really thick smoothie? Try this easy banana strawberry smoothie!)

Sweetness: 2

Kid-friendly: 3

FAQ

What is a substitution for 1 banana?

A banana usually is about ½ cup of fruit. You can use raw zucchini, yogurt, or cooked sweet potatoes in replacement of a banana for a smoothie.

How do I make a thick smoothie?

To make a smoothie thicker add less milk or juice, increase the frozen fruit or add ice cubes.

What makes a smoothie unhealthy?

Unhealthy smoothies often have sugar, ice cream, sorbet, or a lot of juice in them. I recommend using real fruit, milk or water, and adding a little honey if you desire more sweetness.

What blender do you use?

I have a high-power vitamix blender. I use it every single day and defs recommend investing in one it's especially helpful for making all kinds of healthy food.

When are blackberries ripe?

Blackberries are ripe when they are dark black with some dark red parts. Enjoy them right away or wash and freeze the berries!

Purple smoothie with frozen blackberries on top.

Other smoothies...

Loving smoothies lately? Try these:

  • A light brown smoothie with tahini swirled into it with a sprinkle of cinnamon of top.
    Incredible Quinoa Smoothie (with cooked quinoa)
  • A flat lay photo of a dark red smoothie with hemp hearts, cherries, strawberries, and raspberries on top.
    Smoothie for Your Period
  • A brownish pink smoothie in a glass with tahini on top with raspberries.
    Luteal Phase Smoothie
  • A glass cup filled with light brown smoothie with pumpkin seeds on top, with leaves in the backgrounds.
    Pumpkin Seed Smoothie (Super Creamy)

Like this recipe for blackberry smoothie without banana? Give this smoothie a rating and share what you think down below the recipe! I love hearing from you.

Purple smoothie in a glass jar spilling over the side with blackberries on top.

Blackberry Smoothie without Banana

Danika Vanderpyl
This Blackberry Smoothie without Banana is easy to make. Even with no banana it's super sweet and refreshing. This smoothie is a healthy way to start your day or a perfect energy boosting snack.
4 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 3 medium smoothies
Calories 292 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup raw zucchini chopped
  • 1.5 - 2 cups milk any kind (I like unsweetened almond milk)
  • 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 2 cups frozen blackberries
  • 2 cups frozen strawberries

Optional for nutritional boost:

  • 2 tablespoon hemp hearts or chia or protein powder (adds protein!)
  • 1-2 teaspoon spirulina or moringa powder (increases nutrient density!)

Instructions
 

  • Place the chopped zucchini, 1.5 cups milk, and honey in the bottom of the blender. Add the frozen blackberries and strawberries on top. Add optional ingredients if using.
  • Start the blender on low and slowly increase to high speed. Add more milk if needed or if you desires the smoothie thinner.
  • Pour into glasses and enjoy this blackberry strawberry blend!

Notes

Nutritional Facts were calculated without optional ingredients. 
If your blender is not high powdered you may need to stop and scrape down the sides of the container a few times or add more milk. 
Fresh blackberries or fresh strawberries: if you do not have frozen berries, and you want to use fresh blackberries and strawberries you can! Decrease the milk to ½-1  cup and add more as needed. If you want it cold and thicker add ice cubes.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 78mgPotassium: 901mgFiber: 11gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 746IUVitamin C: 126mgCalcium: 301mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Blackberries, Dairy free Smoothie, No Banana, Smoothie, Strawberries, Zucchini
Did you love this recipe?Make sure to leave a comment below!
danika sitting in a chair

Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N

I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.

Learn more about me →

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4 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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Danika-vanderpyl-hiking-with-mountains

Hey hey! I'm Danika.

I'm certified in holistic nutrition and I create snack recipes! Because unprocessed, wholesome, nutrient-dense snacks are hard to find but I want everyone to know they are easy to make!

About me

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Blackberry smoothie on the counter with purple smoothie spilling out of it and blackberries on top.
Purple smoothie in a glass jar spilling over the side with blackberries on top.
Frozen blackberries, frozen strawberries, cut zucchini, honey, and milk on a plate.

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