This strawberry banana smoothie with kale and almond milk is high in fiber with 9 grams of protein; I find it a perfect snack or way to start the day. With other whole-food ingredients including almonds, flaxseeds, kale, and optional beets, you will be ready to hike a mountain! For a smoothie without all the extra add-ins, try this thick strawberry banana smoothie.
Quick Look: Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Kale
- Equipment Needed: Blender
- Time: 5 minutes
- Serves: 2 medium smoothies
- Calories: 437 per serving
- Protein: 9 grams per serving
- Dietary Info: Dairy-free
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: SUPER refreshing blend of strawberries, banana, kale, and almonds making it perfect to hydrate in the summer or after a long workout or hike.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Making a smoothie almost every morning has been my routine for over 9 years. For our house, it's one of the best ways we increase the nutrition we consume in a day. If you are a fan of this strawberry kale smoothie, you may also like my turmeric banana smoothie that's sweetened with dates.
Jump to:
- Quick Look: Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Kale
- Ingredients with nutrition insight and alternatives
- Tips for adding dates to smoothies:
- How to make a strawberry Kale Smoothie
- Danika's Top Tip
- Recommended for smoothies
- Other Wholesome Smoothies with Almond Milk
- Strawberry Banana Almond Milk Smoothie
- Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
Ingredients with nutrition insight and alternatives
Being Certified in Holistic Nutrition, I like to share my knowledge about the ingredients I choose for my recipes. Read why these smoothie ingredients are nutrient-dense and how they support the body below. I've also included what ingredients you can swap if needed.
- Kale is high in folate, iron, and magnesium. Alternatively, other leafy greens like spinach can be used in this recipe. If you are nervous about adding greens to your smoothie, I recommend starting with the smaller baby kale as it tastes less strong; however, mixing it with the sweet strawberry and banana in this smoothie doesn't make it too strong tasting! For another great kale recipe, try these green kale muffins next!
- Bananas are a good source of potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. I put banana in almost all my smoothie recipes to make them creamy.
- Frozen strawberries are the star of this smoothie, making it thick and flavorful. Key nutrients in strawberries include vitamin C, folate, potassium, and fiber. Love strawberries? Try this blackberry smoothie with strawberries, and this thick strawberry smoothie that's like the texture of a milkshake!
- Almond milk creates the right texture for this strawberry banana smoothie. It makes this smoothie dairy free, however, any milk can be substituted for almond milk if needed.
- Unroasted almonds are used in this recipe to increase protein and other nutrients. If you do not have a high-power blender (I use a vitamix), you can grind these nuts in a coffee grinder first until there are no chunks before adding them to your smoothie. Or swap the almonds and use nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter.
- Flax is rich in omega-3. Flax is also high in protein, fiber, magnesium, and more. If you don't have a high-powered blender, I recommend grinding flax before adding these seeds to your smoothie to improve the texture and the nutrition your body absorbs.
- Dates make this smoothie sweet. If you are pregnant and trying to eat more dates to support labour, having them in a smoothie like this is perfect (it's what I did in my pregnancies!). I like to use Medjool dates.
- Optional: Beets make this smoothie the bright pink color. I buy beets for smoothies that are pre-cooked and sliced. I find them with the frozen vegetables at the grocery store. Frozen or fresh-cooked beets can be used in this smoothie. There is only a subtle taste of beets in this smoothie, as ⅓ cup is all that is used. I would recommend a high-power blender if you use uncooked beets.
Tips for adding dates to smoothies:
- Remember to remove the pit if your dates are not pitted! I've learned this lesson the hard way. I preach the amazingness of high-power blenders, but even they cannot cut through a date pit. Look for black (that's mold!). When you remove the pit, I've found older dates can go moldly from time to time.
- If your dates have white crystals on them, this is the date's sugar crystallizing; they are still fine to consume!
- Dates are an awesome alternative whole-food sweetener if you are trying to stay away from white sugar.
- Next, try this delicious high-protein banana smoothie with dates in it.
How to make a strawberry Kale Smoothie
Here's step-by-step photos of my son and me making this wholesome smoothie together in our kitchen.
Step 1: Remove the pits from the dates if applicable.
Step 2: Place the soft, unfrozen ingredients in the bottom of the blender: bananas, dates, flax seeds, and almonds (or nut butter).
Step 3: I like to add the kale or leafy greens next. Then pour in the almond milk.
Step 4: Place the beets (if using), and frozen strawberries on top. Blend well.
Blend the smoothie until there are no more chunks of frozen strawberries or almonds. For me, that's about 45-60 seconds. Pour into cups; this makes 1 large smoothie or 4 small smoothies. Enjoy!
Danika's Top Tip
Layering a smoothie with everything soft on the bottom and everything frozen on top creates the best texture and is good practice to give the blender blades a longer life.
Recommended for smoothies
For a thick smoothie, a good blender is key! I use my Vitamix blender daily and think it is the number one purchase for making healthy food in the kitchen!
Yes, you can put raw kale into any smoothie. I personally recommend combining it with fruit to balance the flavor. Be sure to wash kale first, as it hides dirt in the leaves. Remove the thick, fibrous, light green stalk, as that can make your smoothie quite stringy.
You will have better results adding kale if you have a high-powered blender; if not, I recommend using spinach, as it will break down more easily in a regular blender.
Yes, you can replace almond milk for regular milk in any of my smoothies. It will lower the protein and fat content, and change the taste, but it is a great dairy-free alternative. For the healthiest almond milk, look for a carton that says 'unsweetened', as well as something with only a few ingredients like almonds, water, and sea salt.
Other Wholesome Smoothies with Almond Milk
I post only healthy snacks on this food blog; they have all been tested and tried by my family! For another smoothie with dates, kale, and banana, try this chocolate berry luteal phase smoothie; it's creamy and delicious.
🍓 Did you make this strawberry banana smoothie with almond milk? Would you take 5 seconds to give a star rating and review just below the recipe? I would be very excited to get feedback from you, and it truly supports the growth of my blog.
Strawberry Banana Almond Milk Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 bananas
- 3 large dates (I use medjool dates)
- ¼ cup almonds (or nut butter if you don't have a high-powered blender)
- ½ tablespoon flaxseeds
- 1 large-leaf kale
- 2 cups almond milk
- 3 cups frozen strawberries
Optional
- ⅓ cup beets cooked optional* I buy frozen cooked sliced beets
Instructions
- If there are pits in your dates, remove them. Place the bananas, dates, almonds, and flaxseeds into the blender. Add the kale and almond milk on top.
- Then place the beets (if using) and frozen strawberries in the blender container. Secure lid and blend until everything is smooth and there are no frozen chunks of strawberries.
- Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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.
Mariah says
Love the color and how well beets can hide in the smoothie!!
Denise says
Delicious! I was looking for a power packed smoothie. This is it! Great balance of greens and seeds, with banana and date sweetness.
danikavanderpyl says
So glad you found this recipe then! I think its an awesome balance too! Enjoy!
Erik says
Best way to start the day - sooo tasty!