How to make a smoothie without yogurt or milk is something we often get asked about. Most smoothie recipes include some kind of dairy product, but if you’re living a lactose-free lifestyle then it can be a bit frustrating. If you’re a vegan, then milk is a definite no-no in your smoothie.
In this article – we explain how to make a smoothie without yogurt or milk so you can enjoy a delicious yet dairy-free drink.
Plus, we share our favourite dairy-free recipe hack so your smoothies retain that creaminess without involving milk or yogurt.
- 3 Steps To Making a Smoothie Without Milk or Yogurt
- Dairy-Free Smoothies: How To Freeze Banana
- Other Milk & Yogurt Substitutes For Smoothies
- How To Make Your Own Plant-Based Milk
- Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipes
How To Make a Smoothie Without Yogurt Or Milk In 3 Simple Steps
Let’s dive straight into the basic ‘how to’ steps for creating delicious dairy-free smoothies…
- Put your main fruit or other flavourings in the blender cup (berries, peaches, pineapple, peanut butter, etc.)
- Add frozen banana chunks to recreate the creaminess without yogurt or milk.
- Blend until completely smooth and enjoy your dairy-free smoothie.
If you haven’t tried frozen banana in a smoothie yet, you’re in for a treat…
We’re not sure of the science behind it, but let’s just say that something ‘magical’ happens when you pop an average-looking banana in the freezer compartment for an hour or two. It changes the texture completely, and creates a genuinely creamy quality that is an ideal yogurt or milk replacement for dairy-free smoothies.
Tasty tip – Frozen banana actually makes a spectacular ice-cream substitute too, but that’s an entire article in itself and we need to stay focused here…
Dairy-Free Smoothies: How To Freeze Banana
If you’re tempted by the dairy-free dark side, then it’s handy to have a stash of banana slices in the freezer ready to blitz. Your dairy-free smoothies will be creamy and thick, but without the lactose which many people are intolerant of.
To prepare them, simply…
- Peel and chop a banana.
- Store in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag.
- Place in the freezer for 90+ minutes.
If you’re freezing several at once, then it’s worth arranging them in a single layer on a baking tray that’s been covered with parchment paper. This way they won’t get stuck together as they freeze.
You can transfer them to a single container after about 90 minutes (but this doesn’t really matter if you’re just freezing a single portion).
You might also like… Smoothie Storage Tips for Your Fridge & Freezer.
Substitutes For Milk & Yogurt In a Smoothie
If frozen banana isn’t your thing, then there are plenty of other substitutes for milk or yogurt in a smoothie. Avocado and plant-based milks are both great alternatives since they provide similar consistency smoothies without dairy.
Local supermarkets now offer a huge range of plant-based milk and yogurt options. Brands like Silk, Alpro, Lactaid and So Delicious all offer a tasty range of products.
In terms of liquids, Almond, Soy, and Coconut milk (proper milk, not the tinned stuff used in curries) are available pretty much everywhere. Rice, Oat, Hazelnut, and Cashew milks also make great smoothies but may not be as easy to come by.
Most of these brands also offer yogurt alternatives too, in all the usual flavour suspects… Vanilla, Strawberry, Peach, Cherry, and Chocolate. These make tasty additions to dairy-free smoothies and damn good standalone desserts too!
It’s worth noting that they’re all produced to last longer than nature intended, which means additional processing or preservatives. So, if you’re looking for a natural milk substitute, then check the labels carefully. Make your own choice based on:
- The number of ingredients – fewer is better
- Whether you can pronounce the ingredients easily – if you can’t, then they’re probably not natural
How To Make Nut Milk
Making your own nut or grain milk is totally doable, but until we’ve perfected a process that doesn’t involve muslin cloth and patience, we’re staying clear. In the meantime, there’s a tonne of DIY recipes on Pinterest. But to be honest, our hearts really lie with frozen banana deliciousness…
This video explains how to make your own plant-based milk using almonds, cashews, or oats.
Smoothie Recipes Without Yogurt or Milk
We have loads of smoothie recipes without yogurt or milk since we don’t do dairy. Here are some quick links to our favourites:
- Simple Strawberry Smoothies
- Carrot, Apple & Ginger Smoothie
- Almond Protein Smoothie
- Pear & Avocado Smoothie
- Simple Mango Smoothie
- Apple, Berry & Celery Smoothie
So, now you know how to make a dairy-free smoothie… If you’re interested in other banana-related tips then you might look at our Banana Smoothie Benefits Infographic.
FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions we get about making dairy-free smoothies…
Yes, you can use water, fruit juice, almond or oat milk, iced coffee, and pretty much any other liquid instead of milk in smoothies.
You can use water, fruit juice, plant-based milks, or iced coffee instead of milk and fresh or frozen banana, mango, avocado, nut butter, or plant-based ice-cream instead of yogurt in smoothies.
Yes you can use water instead of milk in smoothies, the texture will be less creamy but they’ll still taste delicious.
