Blueberry Caramel Smoothie Bowl (Vegan Gluten-Free)

This Blueberry Caramel Smoothie Bowl is creamy, thick and so satisfying packed with protein, fruits, hidden vegetables and gut healthy yoghurt. Top this vegan, gluten-free and nut-free smoothie bowl with homemade caramel for a delicious breakfast.

We may be well into the cooler months, but sometimes a smoothie bowl really hits the spot (even if you have a cosy jumper on at the same time) and this berry-caramel smoothie is one of my favourites. Made with fresh and easy ingredients, it’s quick to make and is great for adding any number of toppings. I have written my favourite toppings below, but you can go as crazy or keep it as simple as you like: that is the joy of smoothie bowls.

Why will I love this smoothie bowl?

This smoothie bowl is so dreamy, it is:

• Creamy, thick and so smooth
• Full of 3-4 of your 5-a-day
• Packed with hidden vegetables and delicious fruits
• High in protein with powders and chia seeds
• Naturally sweetened with bananas and dates
• Gut healthy with coconut yoghurt
• Easy to make in 5 minutes
• Great for a quick breakfast or dessert
• Fun to top with your favourite things
• Served with a delicious 3-ingredient caramel sauce

If you already love the sound of this Blueberry Caramel Smoothie Bowl then skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.

What ingredients do I need?

The ingredients are simple but delicious when combined in this way. For the smoothie, we need:

• Banana: the riper the better for smoothie bowls as riper bananas are sweeter (and softer) then un-ripe bananas. You can freeze the banana into chunks and add them or use a fresh banana as the other ingredients are already frozen.
• Frozen blueberries: these are easier to find out of season and much cheaper, too.
• Courgette: this is my favourite to add to smoothie bowls as it adds volume, a creamy texture and some hidden vegetables. There is no need to cook the courgette before, simple chop small and freezer overnight and it’s ready to pop in the blender.
• Chia seeds: for protein, fat and omega-goodness. You can use flax or seed, if you prefer.
• Vegan vanilla protein powder: vanilla flavour works best to compliment the berries and caramel sauce but you could use the salted caramel protein or even a chocolate one, too. Try the vanilla buttercream or salted caramel proteins from Macromike (AMB-AMY is my code for 10% off everything).
• Maca powder: this adds a lovely caramel flavour. but you can leave it out, if you don’t have it. I get mine in larger bags from KoRo and the quality is amazing.
• Mejdool dates: for the caramel-sweetness. The sticker and plumper your dates are, the sweeter and smoother the smoothie bowl will be. I also get these from KoRo, they are such good value.
• Coconut yoghurt: for gut health goodness as well as creaminess and texture. I love the Cocos Organic natural, vanilla or light yoghurt here as it’s so creamy and thick.
• Vanilla powder: or essence, adds the deliciousness vanilla-sweetness.
• Plant based milk: start with a smaller amount and add more as needed to keep this smoothie bowl thick. I like oat, almond, rice or coconut milk here, but use your favourite.

As for the caramel sauce:

• Nut or seed butter: any smooth, runny nut or seed butter is great. My favourite is cashew or tahini.
• Maple syrup: for sticky sweetness. You can use other syrups like agave or vegan honey.
• Coconut oil: for the smooth caramel-like texture.

And for the toppings, I chose:

• Coconut yoghurt: as above, the thicker the better.
• Fresh fruits and berries: use whatever is in season. I also like extra banana, kiwi or stoned fruits.
• Seeds: I used the Natures Heart Sunflower, Pumpkin and Chia seeds on top.
• Dark chocolate covered bananas: these are also from Natures Heart and are totally delicious. They are chewy and sweet enrobed in a thick dark chocolate shell and they melt in the mouth.

How do I make this smoothie bowl?

This smoothie bowl is easy to make:

• Add all the smoothie ingredients to a blender: and blend till creamy and thick.
• Make the caramel by stirring together the ingredients: till smooth.
• Prepare all your toppings: like chopping up fruit.
• Pour the smoothie into a bowl: and top with your desired toppings and the caramel sauce.

Is this gluten-free and nut-free?

Yes, this is gluten-free, just check your toppings if you are going to add cereals and granolas. To keep this nut-free, make sure that your yoghurt is nut-free (e.g. not based on almonds or cashews) and use tahini in the caramel sauce.

Can I make this into a drinkable smoothie?

Yes, you can use this recipe and add more plant-based milk (at least 200ml) to make this smoothie bowl into two drinkable smoothies. Add more or less milk as needed for your preferred consistency.

What else can I make?

I hope you are going to love this smoothie and for more breakfast ideas, how about my:

• Mango Passionfruit Blended Oats
• Chocolate and Fig Baked Oats
• Vegan Protein Pancakes 3 Ways
• Easy Vegan Snickers Oats
• Easy Vegan Porridge 3 Ways (Cinnamon Apple, Vanilla Berry and Chocolate Orange)

I look forward to hearing what you think of this Blueberry Caramel Smoothie Bowl so please let me know in the comments below and leave a star review above. If you do make this, I’d love to see so please tag me, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With caramel berry smoothie love x