I mentioned that I’ve been cutting back on sugar with the help of a Go Sugar Free program and you guys? It’s TOTALLY working. My consumption of the sweet stuff has dropped at least 95% over the past several weeks, and the course has taught me to be more sugar selective moving forward.
That being said, I still crave a sweet treat at night every now and again so I’ve been turning to Blueberry Muffin Larabars which are naturally sweetened with dates, unsweetened dried blueberries, and blueberry juice concentrate. All natural ingredients but still, the grams of sugar in the nutrition label is OFF the charts.
So, I decided to throw a few Blueberry Muffin Larabar-inspired ingredients into a blender and voila, Blueberry Muffin Smoothies were born! This not-too-sweet, ultra-thick smoothie recipe tastes just like a Blueberry Muffin. It’s crazy!
Watch How to Make It!
Vanilla Greek Yogurt is blended with milk, frozen blueberries, frozen banana, lemon zest, ice, and uncooked oats until it’s thick, smooth, and perfectly sippable. So much healthier than a blueberry muffin and will keep you much fuller longer too.
I credit the blueberries for giving this smoothie such a superb blueberry flavor, of course, but the addition of lemon zest, vanilla yogurt, and raw, uncooked oats really takes it from blueberry smoothie to blueberry muffin smoothie.
If you’ve never added raw, uncooked oats to your smoothies, don’t be scared. Not only does it add a boost of heart-healthy goodness to each sip, but it reminds me of the crumble topping some blueberry muffins are garnished with. Gosh I love me some blueberry muffins but even before I got Celiac Disease and started the Go Sugar Free Course they made me feel like h-e-double hockey sticks after eating them. WAY too much. This smoothie recipe on the other hand is just the ticket for a perfectly satisfying breakfast, snack, or after-dinner treat!
Here’s your all-star-smoothie lineup.
Start by adding 1/2 cup milk into a blender. I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk but you can use whatever milk you’ve got. Next add an individual-sized container (4-6oz) Vanilla Greek Yogurt. The vanilla flavor is one of the things that really makes this smoothie taste like a muffin.
Then toss in 1/2 cup frozen blueberries. Anyone else’s children just bonkers for blueberries? Lincoln annihilates at least a pint a week. Fresh blueberries are really easy to freeze, too. Just toss them in a freezer bag and freeze flat so they don’t clump together.
Add 1/2 frozen banana next (or a whole frozen banana for extra sweetness.) I like to freeze bananas when they’ve got “cheetah spots.” To eat them at this stage would make me gag (it’s the texture, right?!) but they indicate the perfect ripeness level, and therefore sweetness level, to use in smoothies.
You never want to freeze a banana with the peel on as it’s next to impossible to peel frozen. All you have to do is peel then place inside a ziplock back and squish. There’s no need to uniformly slice the banana as the chunks will come right out of the bag.
Finally, add 1/2 cup ice, 1/4 cup raw uncooked certified gluten-free oats, and 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest. If you don’t want to buy a lemon just for this smoothie recipe, it’ll still be good without it. With the lemon zest though, it’s GREAT. Again, really drives home that muffin flavor.
Turn on the blender then blend until the smoothie is very, well, smooth.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!
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Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
Description
Skip the muffin and drink a healthy Blueberry Muffin Smoothie that tastes like one instead!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond breeze)
- 4 – 6oz vanilla Greek yogurt (1 individual-sized container)
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1/2 frozen banana (or a whole banana if you like your smoothies sweeter)
- 1/4 cup raw, uncooked certified gluten-free oats
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
Directions
- Add ingredients to blender in the order listed above then blend until very smooth, about 2 minutes.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
I’m telling you – thick, not-too-sweet, and bursting with blueberry muffin flavor. Love this combo! Enjoy!
love the banana freezing tip! i’m pretty sure that will change everything for me.
I am totally into blueberry smoothies right now and this kicked it up a notch. Will definitely be trying one soon! Im curious what your opinion is on truvia? I’ve been using that in my smoothies to make them a little sweeter since Ive been using plain greek yogurt. You looked great in your pictures from last weekend…Added bonus of no sugar!
Kristin, any suggestions for a substitution for someone who cannot eat bananas?
A couple pitted medjool dates would be good, or just more frozen blueberries with a drizzle of agave nectar or honey would also be good!
This smoothie looks AMAZING! I will definitely be saving this recipe and making it this weekend.
Sugar consumption is definitely something I need to work on. I was so surprised to see how expensive the Sugar Free course is, yikes! I will have to find some other resources to guide me.
Hi Ashley! Totally not trying to convince you to take the course – just wanted to explain why the price was set where it’s at for anyone else who’s curious too. The course includes a daily email for 9.5 weeks with lessons, “homework” and personal weekly check ins with Jacqueline, as well as lifetime access to course materials and a support group. Really the price reflects the lifetime value of the course. Again, not trying to talk you into it whatsoever, just wanted to give anyone reading a little insight! :)
Thanks so much for your insight, Kristin! I think the price is definitely justifiable with all that you will gain from it. I thought it was more of an “just” an e-book format, so thank you for clarifying. :)
Possible solution to cutting more sugar out of your yogurt consumption: Siggi’s Vanilla Skyr style yogurt. I know they sell it near you because I am an Iowa girl as well and love me some Hy-Vee action. Siggi’s is thick like Greek yogurt, possibly a little thicker, but no stirring required. Also, for a container of Greek yogurt you know the sugar is astronomical, for Siggi’s they usually keep it at 12g or under depending on the flavor. The protein is comparable to Greek yogurt, but the sugar is way lower and I think Siggi’s is better than Greek yogurt. Might be worth a try since you are lowering your sugar intake.
THANK YOU for the unpeeled frozen banana tip! I swear my fingers have nearly gotten frostbite trying to peel them in the past. Looks delish!
Yum! This looks so good. As a reader of 5+ years I would love to come and finally meet you tonight!
P.S. Fareway has a pint of blueberries on sale for $1 this week. Stock up time
This is a must try, looks so good! :)
This looks delicious and lovely and filling Kristin! :)
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I love blueberry anything these days! I love the idea of this smoothie! Also, that sugar course sounds interesting. I might be a sugar addict!
The trick to making your own larabars not insanely sweet is a higher nut to date ratio (that unintentionally sounds horrifically dirty). When I make blueberry ones I use about 3/4c almonds, dried blueberries, 8 medjool dates and a tiny splash of vanilla. Really all you need!
Blueberries+lemon zest=one of my favorite combinations. Love this smoothie!
Nothing like a smoothie that tastes as good as it looks. Thanks for a beautiful sweet treat.
Awww, why didn’t I buy any frozen blueberries at the grocery store. Back I go! Looks like a great breakfast.
This looks heavenly, it has me craving a smoothie real bad!
Can’t wit to give it a try!
I just realized…..
muffins in the morning = big butt and intense workout
blueberry muffin smoothie = still yummy blueberry muffin vibe minus the muffin middle I’m acquiring. Yay.
This is a recipe I have been waiting for- a good blue berry smoothie! Most blueberry smoothies I may are never really that good, so I am interested in trying your recipe!
I was thinking of doing a smoothie this morning instead of my usual oatmeal – I think this has swayed me!
I have a smoothie every single morning and this one looks like one I’d love. Plus, blueberries just arrived at our farmers market last week. score!
Do you know the nutritional values for this smoothie? Looks so good!
Danielle, you can check this or any other recipes on http://happyforks.com/analyzer. This smoothie has 72 kcal per 100g.
When I calculated the calories it came to about 280 which isn’t bad and it was filling. I did have to add a little more almond milk though as it was really thick with only 1/2 cup.