Avocado Banana Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1/2 mediumavocado
• 1 small, ripebanana
• 240 ml (1 cup)almond milk (or regular milk)
• To tastehoney or maple syrup
• 1 handfulice
• To garnish, optionalpistachios, chopped

Instructions

1. 1

   Add ingredients

   Put the avocado, banana, almond milk or regular milk, honey or maple syrup, and a handful of ice into a blender.

2. 2

   Blend until smooth

   Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

3. 3

   Garnish and serve

   Top with chopped pistachios, if using, and serve immediately.

What is an avocado banana smoothie?

A smoothie is a blended drink made from fruit and a liquid, often served at breakfast or as a snack. This American-style version combines banana with avocado for a thick, creamy texture.

Ripe banana brings sweetness, while avocado adds richness without dairy. Almond milk keeps the blend pourable, and ice chills it as it blends.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 267 calories, 5g protein, 40g carbs, 16g fat.

The banana supplies most of the carbohydrates, while avocado contributes much of the fat; the milk and pistachios add some protein. Pair a glass with a source of fibre, such as oats or wholemeal toast, to make a more substantial breakfast.

Choosing the ingredients

Avocado: Use one that gives slightly when pressed so it blends smoothly and has a mild flavour.

Banana: A small ripe banana is naturally sweet and soft enough to blend easily.

Milk: Almond milk gives a light, nutty flavour; regular milk is an alternative. Choose whichever suits your preference.

Balancing the sweetness

Sweetener: Add honey or maple syrup gradually, tasting as you go. A ripe banana may provide enough sweetness on its own.

Texture: The handful of ice helps make the drink cold and thick. Blend thoroughly so no large pieces of ice or fruit remain.

Blending to a creamy finish

Add the avocado, banana, milk, chosen sweetener and ice to the blender, then blend until the mixture looks even and creamy. If needed, pause and scrape down the sides before blending again.

The smoothie is ready when it pours smoothly without visible chunks. Blend only until smooth, as it is best served straight away.

Serving the smoothie

Pour into two glasses and add chopped pistachios just before serving for a crunchy contrast. Leave them off for a nut-free garnish, or simply serve the smoothie plain.

For a more filling breakfast, serve it alongside toast or oats; for a quick snack, it can be enjoyed on its own.

Dietary notes

The listed combination with almond milk is dairy-free and gluten-free, provided the milk and any other packaged ingredients are labelled accordingly. Using regular milk makes it dairy-containing.

Honey is not vegan; choose maple syrup for a plant-based sweetener. The recipe includes pistachios only as an optional garnish.

Recipe notes & tips

• Use a ripe banana for the smoothest texture and best natural sweetness.
• Taste before adding all the honey or maple syrup.
• Chop the pistachios finely so they are easy to sprinkle over the drink.
• Blend the mixture until no visible fruit or ice pieces remain.
• Serve as soon as it is blended for the freshest texture.

Variations

• Use regular milk: Swap it for the almond milk if you prefer a dairy-based smoothie.
• Choose maple syrup: Use it instead of honey for a plant-based sweetener.
• Leave out the garnish: Serve without pistachios for a smooth finish.
• Adjust the sweetness: Start with a small amount of honey or syrup and add more to taste.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using an unripe avocado: Choose one that yields slightly to gentle pressure for a smoother blend.
• Adding too much sweetener at once: Start with a little, blend, then taste and adjust.
• Stopping before it is smooth: Blend until the fruit and ice are fully broken down.
• Making it too far ahead: Blend just before serving to preserve its fresh colour and texture.

How to store

This smoothie is best served immediately. If needed, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day, then stir or briefly re-blend before drinking; it may discolour and separate as it stands.

Frequently asked questions