Spoon-Thick Strawberry Banana Smoothie with Frozen Banana Coins & Vanilla Yogurt

By Sprig Originals ✓ · cooked up in Sprig

A straw-bending strawberry banana smoothie built the way smoothie bars do it: very ripe bananas sliced and frozen into coins, frozen strawberries, thick Greek yogurt, and just enough cold milk to get the blades moving. A spoonful of maple, a scrape of vanilla, lemon zest and a pinch of salt keep it tasting like fruit instead of candy — no ice, no watery finish.

Ingredients

• 2 very ripe bananas (heavily speckled), peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch coins
• 10 oz strawberries, hulled and halved (or frozen whole strawberries)

• 1/2 cup whole milk, very cold (or unsweetened oat milk)
• 3/4 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, cold
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup or honey, plus more to taste
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or seeds from 1/4 vanilla bean)
• 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 pinch fine sea salt

• 2 tbsp rolled oats, toasted in a dry skillet 3 minutes
• 1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flaxseed
• 2 fresh strawberries, sliced, for the glass

• 2 tall glasses, chilled in the freezer 15 minutes

Instructions

1. At least 4 hours ahead (or up to 3 months), spread the banana coins and halved strawberries in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan, keeping the two fruits separate, and freeze until solid, about 3 to 4 hours. Transfer to a zip-top bag. Solidly frozen fruit is the only thing standing between you and a thin smoothie — do not substitute ice.
2. Chill two tall glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes so the smoothie doesn't slump as you pour.
3. Load the blender in this order: cold milk first, then the yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Liquid on the bottom lets the blades catch immediately instead of trapping an air pocket.
4. Add the frozen strawberries, then the frozen banana coins on top. If using chia or flax, add it now.
5. Blend on low for 15 to 20 seconds to break the fruit down, then ramp to high and blend 45 to 60 seconds, using the tamper or stopping to scrape down the sides once. Stop as soon as it's smooth — over-blending warms the mix and thins it out.
6. Check the texture: it should mound on a spoon and hold a swirl. If the blades are stalling, add cold milk 1 tablespoon at a time. If it's looser than you want, add 3 or 4 more frozen banana coins and pulse 15 seconds.
7. Taste and adjust: another teaspoon of maple if your berries were pale, another few drops of lemon juice if it tastes flat.
8. Press a few sliced strawberries against the inside of the chilled glasses, pour in the smoothie, and top with toasted oats. Serve immediately with a wide straw and a spoon.

Chef's tips

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

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