Smoothies are a speedy and flavor-packed way to get a lot of nutrients into your diet. I’ve shared a variety of smoothie recipes in the past, but this is the one I come back to time and time again. Having a smoothie almost every day has become part of my routine. WORTH KEEPING this spirulina smoothie for a healthy breakfast or snack because it’s convenient, healthy, especially short to whip up and you can take it with you on the go.

Whether you’re trying to get more veggies in, eat healthier or simply want a refreshing smoothie for breakfast or snack, this dish is for you! And if you want to learn more about spirulina and its health benefits, scroll down to the frequently asked questions for more info.

Ingredients needed

Filled with a healthy dose of antioxidants, packed with protein and so satisfying, this spirulina smoothie is my new regular. And the recipe is genuinely quite versatile – feel free to add or swap in your regular ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

Banana. You’ll need one ripe frozen banana for this shake recipe. A regular here using bananas in my shakes and smoothies because they are a natural sweetener and they will make your smoothie especially creamy and thick. Be sure to peel your banana BEFORE freezing it.
Yogurt. Any yogurt works great! And you can easily add more protein by using Greek yogurt or keep this dish vegan by using a plant-based yogurt.
Frozen fruit. Using frozen fruit is dependable as it helps keeps the smoothie cold and thick. Sometimes ice doesn’t blend as well, so it’s dependable to skip unless certainly necessary. Mango is my go-to in this smoothie!
English cucumber. Adds refreshing flavor and a boost of nutrients.
Liquid. I typically use oat milk in my smoothies, but anything goes, even water works.
Spirulina powder. Only 1 teaspoon of spirulina goes a long way! It adds nutrients and a handsome shade of green to this smoothie.
Sweetener. If this smoothie doesn’t taste sweet enough for your liking, you can add a 1/2 to 1 tablespoon maple syrup or 1 pitted Medjool date.
Kale. Adds lots of nutrients without changing the taste of the smoothie. Use any greens you like.

How to cook this method

This smoothie recipe couldn’t be easier! Simply add all of the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Smoothies tend to blend the go-to if you add the liquid and spirulina powder first, then the kale (or other greens), and last the frozen fruit and other mix-ins.

Once the shake is blended and in your glass, feel free to add some fun toppings, like chia seeds, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, or fresh berries.

Tips for the go-to smoothie

Smoothies are genuinely simple and straightforward to make, but here are several tips for a dependable drink every single time!

Use a high-powered blender. The simplest way to make a truly creamy, well blended smoothie or shake is by using a powerful blender!
Frozen fruit is a must! If you use fresh fruit, it will make your shake thin and watery. Using frozen fruit, will result in a especially cold, thick and creamy smoothie.
Spirulina powder. If you’ve never tried spirulina in a smoothie, I suggest starting with 1 teaspoon, taste, and then add an additional ½-1 tsp of powder depending on how you like the taste.
Blend. You want your smoothie to be nice and smooth, only like a milkshake! Start the blender on low speed and gradually raise the speed to blend well. Also, feel free to add a bit more liquid to get the ingredients moving, if needed. Last, before transferring the smoothie to a glass, give it a speedy stir to make sure it’s fully blended. If there are still a few chunks remaining, blend again.

Customize this method

Experiment with different ingredients for this spirulina smoothie your own! Here are some suggestions:

Liquid. Any liquid works! Worth keeping oat milk in this but any milk or even simply water would work well.
Fruit. Use whatever frozen fruit you happen to have in your freezer. We enjoy pineapple, peaches, mango or even an all-banana smoothie.
Greens. I typically use kale in this smoothie, but spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, or beet greens are all great additions.
Seeds. Ground flaxseeds, chia seeds and/or hemp seeds are a great source of healthy fats, fiber and minerals. I suggest up to 1 tablespoon of any of these or a combination.
Other mix-ins. Try adding any regular ingredient for flavor and a boost in nutrients – peanut butter, almond butter, avocado, protein powder, collagen, cinnamon, vanilla extract and the list goes on.

Frequently asked questions

What is spirulina?

Spirulina is seaweed and can be consumed by humans and animals. It’s a nutrient dense superfood that’s thought to be one of the oldest forms of life on the Earth. It’s high in protein and antioxidants and also contains some magnesium.

What are the benefits of spirulina?

The benefits of spirulina are still being researched but since it’s such a nutrient dense food, it has many benefits to your health and it is a great additive to your recipes. Many people use spirulina as a way to boost their immune system when sick or even simply to help prevent illness.

What does spirulina taste like?

You don’t want to eat spirulina on its own. By itself it has an unpleasant taste – kind of like the taste of sea or lake. However, when added into smoothies or other foods, it’s undetectable.

Where can I buy spirulina?

Spirulina can be found at most natural health food stores or organic grocery stores or can be found easily online on Amazon or other online health retailers.

What can I use instead of banana?

Not a fan of the banana flavor? Try subbing the banana with 1 cup of frozen cauliflower. It thicken the smoothie while sneaking in some extra veggies. And, I promise, you won’t taste it at all!