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Breakfast Smoothies: How to Make, Including 7 recipes

By Ethan Boldt

March 10, 2026

A proven, nutrition-rich, energy-giving way to start your day is with a smoothie. But what makes the perfect breakfast smoothie? Are you missing out on anything, including certain nutrients, the right texture or any delicious ingredients?

We’re going to show you how to make the best breakfast smoothie possible — one that tastes great, is balanced in macronutrients and has perfect texture. You may even opt to add some superfood boosters. Let’s get to it.

What makes an ideal breakfast smoothie?

For the healthiest version of a smoothie, you’re going to want balanced macronutrients (protein, fats and carbohydrates) along with plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients. That kind of balance helps give you energy and also will help keep you full for hours.

An ideal breakfast smoothie should provide balanced nutrition, sustained energy and satiety. The best smoothies include a mix of protein, healthy fats, fiber-rich carbohydrates, and micronutrients to support steady blood sugar and keep you full until lunch.

A less complete breakfast smoothie will have you wanting a late-morning snack. Not these below!

How to build your breakfast smoothie

Build your breakfast smoothies with these simple four to five steps/ingredients.

1. Liquid — 8 ounces

A liquid base helps blend ingredients smoothly while contributing hydration. Generally, 8 ounces is the right amount of liquid for one scoop of protein and other ingredients.

Best liquid options:

• Water

• Plant-based milks like unsweetened almond or oat milk

• Light coconut milk: Even reduced fat coconut milk is high in calories so mix 1/3 cup with a 2/3 cup of water

• Regular or goat milk kefir

• Milk, from nonfat to whole

2. Add fruit (fiber-rich carbohydrates) — 1 cup

Fruit generally adds the most flavor to a smoothie, plus gives it the distinct color which makes it more fun to enjoy. It also usually offers fiber as well as multiple vitamins and minerals.

Ideally, choose frozen varieties because it’ll considerably improve the smoothie texture and also allow you to keep ice out of the equation.

Aim for one total cup, which can be a mix of fruits, such as half a frozen banana and half a cup of frozen berries.

Some of the best choices include the following:

• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

• Banana

• Cherries

• Mango

• Pineapple

• Peach

• Nectarine

3. Add a healthy fat — add around 50 calories worth

An overlooked element of the breakfast smoothie is fat. When you only add liquid, fruit and protein powder, for example, you often end up with a very low-fat smoothie. But some healthy fat will keep you satiated, help slow digestion and provide you energy — plus it assists with creating excellent texture.

Top performance fats to add to your smoothie include:

• Flax (1 tablespoon): Packed with fiber, omega-3s and lignans, all of which support digestive and heart health. The ground version is preferable for many.

• Chia seeds (1 tablespoon): Also full of fiber and omega-3s as well as protein. If you soak them for 15 minutes before adding, they’ll turn into a gel that aids texture.

• Hemp seeds (1 tablespoon): Containing all nine essential amino acids, they’re a complete protein source for vegetarians and vegans. In addition, they’re high in essential fatty acids.

• Almond butter (half a tablespoon): Offers vitamin E and minerals (magnesium and calcium)

• Avocado (1/4 cup): Healthy fats in the form of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and surprisingly doesn’t affect flavor too much

• Coconut milk (1/3 cup): It is a liquid and a fat. But as mentioned above, know that a little goes a long way.

• Kefir (1/2 cup): Also a liquid and a fat, it’s loaded with probiotics to aid digestion, plus it’s high in calcium and vitamin K.

• Greek yogurt (1/4 cup): Also containing probiotics and calcium, this yogurt is thicker, creamier and higher in protein than regular yogurt.

• MCT oil (half a tablespoon): From coconut oil, it’s considered a top performance fat and is odorless.

4. Add a protein powder — aim for 20–25 grams of protein

Protein will help keep you full, support the muscles and help stabilize blood sugar. Choose a protein powder that matches your goals and is without added sugars. Here are a few options from Ancient Nutrition:

• Multi Collagen Protein (2 scoops): Get 10 types of collagen in every scoop to support your skin, hair, nails, joints and gut. Available as unflavored as well as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry lemonade, cucumber lime and cold brew.

• Multi Collagen Advanced Lean (cinnamon): A formula that delivers fast, continuous and persistent collagen benefits that can help you get leaner, get stronger and feel incredible.

• Multi Protein: This all-in-one formula delivers 26g of complete protein from grass-fed whey, bone broth, A2/A2 milk protein and collagen peptides, as well as colostrum, probiotics and digestive enzymes. Some formulations include creatine. Available in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. (The recipe below uses Multi Protein + Creatine Dark Chocolate.)

• Whey Protein: With 23 grams of protein per scoop along with collagen peptides, this formula supports muscle maintenance and body composition goals. Available in vanilla cinnamon (Fat Loss blend), vanilla bean, milk chocolate and chocolate peanut butter.

• Bone Broth Protein: This nutritional powerhouse can support your healthy immune system, promote joint health and nourish your gut. Available in pure, vanilla, chocolate, turmeric and salted caramel.

• Multi Protein Plant-Based: This next-generation plant-based formula delivers 25g of complete protein from hydrolyzed pea, organic chocho and organic sacha inchi. Available in vanilla, chocolate and mixed berry.

5. Add nutrient-rich superfoods (optional) — 1 serving

Want to take your breakfast smoothie to an even higher nutritional level? Consider these superfood boosters:

• Fiber powder: Ancient Nutrition’s Organic Fiber (pineapple mango and raspberry lemonade flavors) can help keep you regular and reduce occasional bloating.

• Super greens: Ancient Nutrition’s Organic SuperGreens powder provides 25 organic superfoods in each scoop (and comes in flavors like mango and berry that can marry well with most smoothies).

• Colostrum: One of nature’s original superfoods, bovine colostrum is designed to promote your gut and immune system health. Ancient Nutrition's Colostrum powder comes in unflavored or lemon bar flavor, with both naturally slightly sweet.

• Matcha powder: Ancient Nutrition’s Superfood Matcha features a lightly sweetened matcha green tea flavor and contains 135 mg caffeine from matcha and organic coffee cherry. It supports healthy energy and reduces fatigue.

• Maca powder: This nutty, butterscotch flavored powder is an excellent source of protein, fiber and several vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper and iron.

• Noni fruit powder: Pairing well with citrus and berry flavors, noni is high in flavonoid antioxidants and contains 17 of the 20 essential amino acids.

• Acai powder: This berry powder is high in antioxidants (anthocyanins) and plant-based omega-3 fatty acids. Its flavor is earthy and slightly bitter.

• Camu powder: With a tart berry taste, camu is loaded with vitamin C and supports a healthy immune system.

• Spices: Cinnamon, turmeric and ginger contain healthy inflammation properties and add both extra color and flavor. Cinnamon works best with apple, banana, blueberry and peach fruits; turmeric pairs best with tropical and citrus fruits; ginger works with most sweet fruits and adds a little zing.

Smoothie texture hints

No one wants a smoothie that is too watery or chunky. Instead, for that coveted smooth and creamy texture, with just the right amount of thickness, follow these tips:

• Use frozen fruit: With bananas the top choices, frozen fruit will allow you to have thicker smoothies.

• Add extra ingredients: To get that creamy texture, you can add ingredients like nut butter, Greek yogurt (from nonfat to full fat), avocado and even cooked oatmeal.

• Chia seeds: When soaked in liquid, chia seeds expand and add thickness.

• Protein powder: It helps thicken smoothies, particularly whey proteins.

A thick breakfast smoothie can also be enjoyed in a bowl (smoothie bowl!). Simply sprinkle some granola on top if you prefer to “eat” your breakfast.

6 sample breakfast smoothies

1. High-protein chocolate smoothie

This smoothie is higher in protein than most due to its use of whey protein and Greek yogurt. It also contains cocoa powder and cacao nibs for extra nutrients and chocolate goodness.

• Calories: 275

• Macros: 21 g carbs, 6 g fat, 38 g protein

• Fiber: 3.1 g

2. Apple pie smoothie

With warming spices, oats, an apple and vanilla whey protein, this is a perfect breakfast smoothie for any time of year.

• Calories: 350

• Macros: 49 g carbs, 7 g fat, 28 g protein

• Fiber: 8.1 g

3. High-fiber green smoothie

This beautiful smoothie provides you seven ideal ingredients that give you plenty of fiber alongside a delicious taste that you'll love any time of year.

• Calories: 333

• Macros: 39 g carbs, 13 g fat, 30 g protein

• Fiber: 12.1 g

4. Piña colada smoothie

This breakfast smoothie is all about health and energy, with pineapple, coconut milk and chia seeds. It’ll make you want to get outside for at least part of your day.

• Calories: 372

• Macros: 40 g carbs, 17 g fat, 23 g protein

• Fiber: 6.7 g

5. Pre-workout smoothie

Wondering what to consume before a workout? This pre-workout smoothie inspired by one of our influencers has all you need, with fast-digesting carbohydrates, collagen protein and plenty of nutrients, including fiber. You’ll have plenty of energy for your exercise.

• Calories: 374

• Macros: 52 g carbs, 7 g fat, 31 g protein

• Fiber: 12.7 g

6. Coffee protein smoothie

With superfoods, healthy fats, a banana, protein and coffee, this is a great breakfast smoothie to start your day with.

• Calories: 391

• Macros: 38 g carbs, 18 g fat, 27 g protein

• Fiber: 8.1 g