what can i use to replace banana in a smoothie

What can I substitute for a banana in a recipe?

I realized in many cases you can actually substitute one of these ingredients for the banana called for in a recipe. Or you can use them to invent your own smoothies. 1. Oatmeal

Can you substitute avocado for bananas in smoothies?

Avocado is used in dips, spreads, milkshakes, desserts, salads, soups, and many other dishes. As a substitute for bananas avocado can be used in smoothies, muffins, or other baked goods. Maybe you will have to add some sweetener since avocado is not sweet but you will get a similar soft texture.

What fruits can you use to make a banana smoothie?

You can use avocado, applesauce, or mashed cooked potato. If you are making smoothies or shakes there is a variety of fruits you can use. Pineapple, mango, avocado, or strawberry you can even use chia seeds and Greek yogurt. 1. Plantains As we mentioned before plantain is one kind of banana that is less sweet than other types of bananas.

How to substitute bananas for sweet potatoes?

To substitute bananas with sweet potatoes simply just boil some sweet potatoes until they have a soft texture and mash them up until you get a smooth product. This way this substitute can be a great binding agent instead of eggs in baking, in pancake recipes, sauces, and soups.

What can I use instead of bananas?

While any pureed fruit can work wonders, applesauce is undeniably the top choice. Applesauce is commonly used in recipes and acts as a superior replacement for bananas. Prunes are also a great option because of their sweetness, but they may alter the color of your baked goods.

How can I thicken my protein shake without a banana?

Here are six ingredients that can do the trick.Oatmeal. The key to using oatmeal in a smoothie is to finely grind it first. ... Avocado. Avocado has a different flavor profile (and color!) than banana, but it can be used to make a very thick and creamy smoothie. ... Frozen Fruit. ... Yogurt. ... Silken Tofu.

What is a good thickener for smoothies?

How to Thicken a Smoothie with 8 Easy IngredientsBananas. ... Mangos. ... Avocados. ... Yogurt. ... Chia Seeds. ... Sweet Potatoes. ... Frozen Fruit & Vegetables. ... Ice.

What's the best liquid to put in a smoothie?

Liquid: Your choices include milk, non-dairy milk, coconut water, iced coffee or tea, and juice. If you want to punch up the protein, go for milk or pea protein milk, which contain 8 to 10 grams per cup. If you're getting ample protein from another source, coconut water or almond milk are lighter ways to go.

How do I make my protein shake thicker?

The short answer is that you can use the following common kitchen ingredients to thicken up your protein shake really easily:Xanthan Gum.0% Greek Yoghurt.Fruit.Oats.Ice.Double Cream.Coconut Cream.Soft Cheese.

How can I thicken my protein shake without adding calories?

Xanthan gum! Xanthan gum will add almost no calories to your recipe and 1/2 teaspoon or less to a shake or smoothie will instantly turn your consistency thick. Seriously, that's all you need. It's like a food genie in a bag. Xanthan gum can be purchased at most grocery stores nowadays for a couple bucks.

How can I thicken a smoothie without yogurt?

A little bit of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter can go a long way in your smoothies, both as a thickening agent and as a delicious flavor. Try a nut butter smoothie with bananas or apples for a perfect taste combo!

How do you make creamy protein shakes?

A tablespoon or two of nut butter is enough to cream-ify your smoothie. Use gluten-free flours like chickpea, coconut, almond, rice, tapioca or amaranth flour to add creaminess, fiber and plant-based protein to your smoothie.

1. Sweet Potato

This fall staple seems an unlikely component for a smoothie, but cooked sweet potatoes offer a rich texture that pairs well with chocolate, acai, blueberry, apple, and other fruits. All you have to do is bake a couple fresh sweet potatoes, blend them into a puree, and add it to your smoothie for instant creaminess.

2. Chia Seeds

Because they're binding agents, chia seeds are the perfect “glue” for your smoothie. After adding about 1 tablespoon of the seeds to your smoothie, allow it to set for a minute for an even thicker texture. Now you can enjoy your smoothie sans banana, superfood health bonus included.

3. Avocado

Looks like avocados are good for more than just being millennial scapegoats. Bananas clearly have some competition—believe it or not, avocados are high in potassium as well. This versatile ingredient adds a subtle flavor and velvety texture to your smoothie.

4. Canned Pumpkin

Similar to the sweet potato puree, canned pumpkin will add a distinct fall flavor to your drink while smoothing out and thickening the texture. Roughly ½ cup of organic canned pumpkin will be enough to substitute for one banana.

5. Frozen Veggies

Yes, you read that right. It turns out that cubed cucumbers and zucchini lose their distinctly “vegetable taste" when you put them in the freezer, so when you add them to your smoothie, you get a satisfying ice cream-like texture without the veggie undertones. Replace your frozen banana slices with about the same number of frozen veggies.

6. Coconut Cream

Aside from being a creamy texture enhancer, coconut cream packs a punch of flavor that every smoothie needs. It also adds healthy fats and nutrients to your drink, as included in this cocoa coconut low-carb shake recipe. Prepare to experience some serious summertime nostalgia.

7. Rolled Oats

Rolled oats offer a fiber-filled alternative for your smoothie that keeps you satisfied for the day. You can either directly add about ½ cup of oats into the blender or soak them in milk or water for an hour to create a smoother texture.

2. Frozen butternut squash

Squash is in season for fall but you can use frozen squash anytime. “Frozen butternut squash is a go-to for me to make smoothies [creamier] and to get an extra vegetable into my toddler’s diet,” Jones says. It also provides potassium and antioxidant carotenoids to support the immune system.

5. Zucchini

This might be one of the more surprising substitutes for banana in smoothies, but trust us: It's pretty legit. “If using zucchini in smoothies, you definitely want to peel the zucchini first and then halved lengthwise before deseeding as the seeds will inhibit the ability to get as smooth of a texture as you’re looking for,” says Jones.

Greek Yogurt

Adding plain yogurt to your smoothies is an effective way to get that creamy texture without adding bananas to them. Sometimes, the banana taste can be pretty strong and can dominate over all the other flavors.

Apple Sauce

Apple sauce is made from pureed apples and granulated sugar but sometimes it can contain spices like cinnamon. This is a great banana substitute for when you want to get a thicker texture on something or to use it as a binding agent instead of eggs.

Eggs Or Egg Whites

Egg whites mixed with chia seeds or flax seeds can work great as a binding agent in recipes. Banana has that mushy texture and is used as an egg substitute. Mixing flax seeds with your egg whites or eggs, in general, is a great way to add some volume to your recipes as well as big amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Pureed Fruit

Every fruit that has been pureed or mushed, has these binding properties as bananas do. I mean, most of these fruits that have a solid texture can be used as binders in pancake recipes, smoothies, and bread recipes. You can substitute bananas for mashed frozen fruits, mashed apples, apricots, peaches, and even some pineapple.

Coconut Cream

Coconut cream is a great way to give your recipes a smoother texture and a sweet but mild flavor at the same time. It’s made from coconut meat, water, and some type of additional sweetener.

Sour Cream

Sour cream basically is very similar to regular yogurt except it is sourer and creamier. You can use sour cream instead of bananas in savory dishes to add some sour flavor and a creamier texture. I love adding sour cream in soups for a thicker, stew-like texture.

Canned Pumpkin Puree

Canned pumpkin puree is perfect for every type of dish no matter if it’s sweet or savory. You can also use fresh pureed pumpkin as well. Pumpkin puree is used in soups, baked food, sweet recipes like muffins, and cocktail or beverage recipes.

1. Oatmeal

The key to using oatmeal in a smoothie is to finely grind it first. Start with about 1/4 cup regular rolled oats per smoothie. Grind the oats into a powder right in the bowl of your blender before adding the other ingredients.

2. Avocado

Avocado has a different flavor profile (and color!) than banana, but it can be used to make a very thick and creamy smoothie. Try 1/2 to 1 avocado per smoothie.

2. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds can act as a binding agent and thickener. Add 1 tablespoon to your blender or simply stir chia seeds into a smoothie and give it a minute to thicken.

4. Frozen Fruit

Frozen fruit can thicken a smoothie and provide natural sweetness, so it’s a win-win. Plus, it’s an easy ingredient to always have on hand in your freezer. Try mango, peach, or young coconut for extra creaminess.

5. Yogurt

Any kind of yogurt can make a smoothie creamy, but if you’re after a thick smoothie, opt for strained or Greek-style yogurt, which also boosts the protein level.

6. Silken Tofu

Not only does silken tofu have a neutral flavor and smooth, creamy texture that works great in smoothies, but it’s also a great vegan protein source.

1. Plantains

As we mentioned before plantain is one kind of banana that is less sweet than other types of bananas. They are also bigger than bananas and contain more starch.

2. Avocado

Avocado has a creamy, soft texture and mild flavor. It is used in sweet and savory dishes. Because of its high-fat content avocado is also used as a substitute for meat. Avocado is used in dips, spreads, milkshakes, desserts, salads, soups, and many other dishes.

3. Apple sauce

Apple sauce is made from apples, sugar, and some spices like cinnamon, and allspice. It has a sweet and slightly tart flavor and thick texture. Apple sauce is used in cakes, bread, sauces, dressings, and muffins.

4. Sweet potatoes

There are many ways you can prepare sweet potatoes. You can bake, fry, boil them or use them as a base for pasta, soup, or roast.

5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is made from processed oats. You can use them for making cookies, cakes, bread, or you can simply add them to your muesli and porridge.

6. Mango

Mango is a tropical fruit with a sweet, mixed peach and pineapple flavor. It can be found in different colors like red, yellow, orange, green, or as a combination of these colors.

7. Chia seeds

Chia seeds are small oval seeds containing high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. They have a crunchy texture and mild nutty flavor.