Kefir Smoothie
This kefir smoothie recipe pairs tangy plain kefir with a frozen banana, mixed berries, and a spoonful of chia seeds for a thick, creamy, and probiotic-rich drink ready in five minutes.
Equipment
- Glass measuring cup
- Mason jar smoothie cups with lids - for serving or taking the smoothie on the go
- Small freezer-safe container or bag - for storing the pre-sliced frozen banana
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain whole milk kefir - 240 ml, or low-fat kefir
- 1 medium banana - sliced and frozen at least 2 hours ahead
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries - 150 g, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries work well
- 1 tablespoon raw honey - 15 g, or maple syrup for vegan
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds - 10 g
- 0.25 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon - optional
- 2 to 3 ice cubes - optional
Instructions
- Pour kefir, frozen banana, and frozen mixed berries into the blender jar.
- Add honey, chia seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ice cubes if using.
- Blend on low for 10-15 seconds, then increase to high and blend for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth.
- Check consistency and add more kefir or frozen berries if needed; adjust sweetness with extra honey.
- Pour immediately into glasses, add toppings if desired, and serve.
Notes
- Freeze the banana ahead of time: A fresh, unfrozen banana blended with ice waters down the flavor instead of thickening it the way a frozen one does.
- Add liquid ingredients first: Pouring kefir in before the frozen fruit keeps the blades from struggling against a dry pile of ice and fruit.
- Use full-fat kefir for a creamier result: Low-fat versions blend thinner and separate faster once poured into a glass.
- Don't over-blend: Running the blender for more than a minute can start to warm the mixture slightly, which softens the texture.
- Taste before adding extra honey: Frozen berries vary in sweetness by season, so tasting first avoids an overly sweet batch.
- Keep a stash of pre-portioned frozen banana on hand: Slicing and freezing three or four bananas at once means there's always a portion ready without any last-minute prep.
- Rinse the blender jar right after pouring: Kefir and berry residue dry onto the sides quickly, and a rinse while the jar is still wet takes seconds compared to scrubbing it later.
- Match the berries to the season: Fresh berries can replace frozen ones in summer, though an extra ice cube or two will be needed to keep the texture thick.
- Storage: Store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours; shake or stir before drinking. Freeze in popsicle molds for up to 1 month.
- Make-ahead tip: Pre-measure the dry ingredients (chia seeds, cinnamon) into a small container the night before to shave a minute off the morning routine.
Nutrition
Serving: 1smoothieCalories: 206kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 6gSugar: 26gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 4mg
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