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!
Jackie 07.10.2014
This sounds amazing!
Shira 07.10.2014
Looks great. Just wanted to suggest potentially exploring homemade almond milk (or organic dairy milk) – my husband went through cancer treatment this winter that really encouraged me to review labels (he was on a special diet) – the seaweed additive (and salt!) in processed almond milk is really no bueno. Making it yourself (and storing in a mason jar for a week) is really easy!!!
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar 07.10.2014
I am totally sold! A smoothie that tastes like a muffin sounds perfect! I love the oatmeal addition. And I just so happen to have blueberries and bananas in my freezer – yay!
Chicago Jogger 07.10.2014
I LOVE making smoothies with frozen blueberries, but I’ve never tried it with oats before. Definitely adding this to my list to make soon! I usually pair my blueberry smoothie with almond butter, or a few scoops of PB2. A “PB&J” smoothie. Yum :)
Amanda B 07.10.2014
Just made this but added a handful of baby kale and used plain Greek yogurt and added a little vanilla extract! Yummy!!
Francesca @ Love.Bake.Read 07.10.2014
I recently began having a smoothie every day in place of my overnight oats since it’s too hot outside to enjoy warm oats. This smoothie looks super delish!! Looove extra ripe bananas for smoothies!
Alaina {Fabtastic Eats} 07.09.2014
I drink a smoothie a day! This is totally calling my name..happening tomorrow! I LOVE oats in smoothies!
Debtgirl 07.09.2014
Ah hem…. Where’s the new pic of Lincoln???? I love to see them!!! Xoxo
Kristin 07.09.2014
11 month update coming on Tuesday! :)
Julianne 07.09.2014
Looks so delicious! Another simple blueberry shake is to use a light whey protein powder (i like chocolate), with blueberries and milk. so delicious as well. this seems a little more fresh though, which is awesome!
xo Julianne
http://reallifesurreallife.blogspot.com/
Emily 07.09.2014
Kristin, have you noticed real weight loss and/or clothes fitting better after doing this sugar detox? I’m sure you have – candy and sweet things are my weakness, too.
Kristin 07.09.2014
I’m still dealing with some celiac disease issues so my weight is up and down right now. That said, yes, one of the big bonuses of eliminating processed sugar is losing some weight. The course also helps you eliminate refined grains if you choose, which can tend to pack on the pounds too!
Katy 07.09.2014
I just made this smoothie with a few minor changes and I’m LOVING it :)! I subbed lemon chobani, as that’s what I had in the fridge, and used a whole banana. It came out fabulous! Totally love the addition of oats to a smoothie!
Alexa 07.09.2014
Just tried the Maple Brown Sugar Instant Chex Oatmeal this week. Mmmmmmmm, delicious (but not low sugar by any means!)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche 07.09.2014
This looks amazing, what a great idea! Perfect way to use up the blueberries in my fridge :)
Cara @ Little Chickadee 07.09.2014
YES! Another way to use up the 100lbs of bluebs I picked now that they’re in season! Adding a drop of butter extract for extra muffiny-ness :-)
Polly @ Tasty Food Project 07.09.2014
Yum! I love adding berries in my smoothies! Blueberries are one of my favorites!
Matt Robinson 07.09.2014
What an amazing smoothie, absolutely beautiful too!
Amber Jordan 07.09.2014
Do you have to use a frozen banana or can you use one that’s still ripe fresh off the counter? :-)
Tracy 07.09.2014
You could reduce the sugar by using plain yogurt and adding vanilla extract! I also like using Nunaturals vanilla stevia in my smoothies.
This smoothie combo sounds delish! I especially can’t wait to try it with the lemon zest :)
Sara 07.09.2014
Looks perfect! After making raspberr zucchini bread this morning, I
Made a zucchini and raspberry smoothie to take and sip during my kids’ swim lessons this morning. Hopefully the smoothie tastes as good as the bread smells ;)
Rachel 07.09.2014
You could also try using plain yoghurt and sweeten it yourself! With honey or another less-refined sweetener.