Smoothies are an amazing way to combine a variety of foods and maximize nutrient intake. While recipe options are endless, we have put together a simple list that includes dry fruits and veggies that make for a delicious, nutritious, and easy power smoothie recipe you can whip up in a matter of minutes.
1. Dried Bananas
It’s no secret that chefs love fruit powders for their versatility, ease of use, and bursting flavors. Apart from pie fillings, cake batters, and other sweet treats, dried fruit powders are also excellent in smoothies. So let’s start with a smoothie staple: Bananas! Dried banana powder adds a smooth sweet flavor that is unlike any other fruit. With high levels of potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins, you can expect a good burst of energy. Better yet, since bananas contain natural sugars with a low glycemic index, you don’t have to worry about a sugar crash.
2. Dried Blueberries
Our second fruit choice is dried blueberries. Reason being, the health benefits of dried blueberries are amazing – a long list of vitamins and minerals is just the beginning. Above all, these tiny, blue bundles are bursting with fresh flavor that complements any smoothie recipe we could imagine.
3. Dried Spinach Flakes
You can cook with dried spinach in so many different ways – it’s that good. And using spinach flakes to make a green power smoothie is one of our favorite things to do. A short rehydration time means you can just toss them in with the rest of your ingredients and get an instant veggie boost. When spinach flakes are mixed with sweet fruits like banana and blueberry, the taste is almost undetectable. It’s the perfect way to trick picky eaters into getting their leafy greens.
4. Optional Ingredient: Protein Powder
If you are interested in making a protein smoothie, there are plenty of options, including unflavored TVP (textured vegetable protein), rice protein, pea protein, hemp protein, etc. The taste of protein powder is highly varied, so it may be best to try some samples before you commit to one type.
5. Liquid Brings It All Together
Lastly, every smoothie needs something to make it creamy, cold, and, of course, smooth. Chilled almond milk, coconut milk (or water), and dairy milk are all excellent choices – it’s simply a matter of taste preference or dietary restriction. For optimal texture, allow your dried fruits to soak in liquid for a few minutes before adding the other ingredients or blending.
Making The Perfect Smoothie Can Be Easy
Using dehydrated vegetables and dried fruits in smoothies makes the whole process much easier! All of the ingredients we included in this article can be poured or sprinkled right into your blender – no peeling, cutting, or waste. The dried ingredients are a breeze to store in their containers and also have a significant shelf life. The only thing you need to worry about is putting the blender lid on before hitting the “mix” button – enjoy!