14 Additions To Upgrade Banana-Based Smoothies

There's really no limit to what you can throw in the blender to make a perfect smoothie – well, okay, maybe there are some limits, but when it comes to smoothie bases, very few foods can beat the classic banana. When blended, bananas help bring a thickness and natural sweetness to smoothies, and if those bananas happen to be frozen, then you're in for a delightfully creamy treat to boot. While we could praise the fruit all day long, we do have to acknowledge that there's a little more that goes into your blended beverage to make it what it is. Bananas make for a sturdy smoothie base, but the additions help round out the drink, make it taste even better, and perhaps add a little nutritional boost, too. 

With so many smoothie ingredients out there, it can seem daunting to attempt something different, which is why so many people settle for sub-par smoothies. To make the smoothie enhancement task feel a little less overwhelming, we've compiled a list of the 14 best additions to upgrade your banana-based smoothie — some are as simple as a sprinkle of cinnamon, and others are more complex, like adding roasted bananas to the mix. They're suitable for transforming the flavor of your smoothie or bulking it up before you hit the gym.

Move over, jelly. Banana is the true companion of peanut butter, and if you're doubtful, try adding a few tablespoons of peanut butter to your next banana smoothie. Trust us. You won't go back to peanut butter-less smoothies afterward because the ultra-rich, creamy, nutty ingredient pairs extraordinarily well with bananas. Ideal for those looking to bulk up the fat content of their smoothie, peanut butter will do just that while also possibly adding protein, carbs, and even a little fiber. 

If peanut butter isn't your thing, or you just prefer other types of nut butter, you're in luck — just about any nut butter works well in a banana smoothie. We do stand firm on peanut butter and bananas being a true match made in heaven, but who says almond, walnut, or even cashew butter can't get in on the fun? They'll all add a distinct nutty flair that complements the banana flavor of the smoothie without overpowering it. And, if nuts are completely off the table due to an allergy or another reason, you can still enhance your beverage with sunflower seed butter.

We already know that bananas are going into your banana-based smoothie, but have you given much thought to how you could switch things up with the classic fruit? Sure, the easiest way to get your smoothie going is to simply peel a banana and toss it into the blender or perhaps open your freezer and reach for some pre-frozen banana chunks. If you want to get creative, however, then you might want to consider adding roasted bananas to your smoothie for some added excitement.

Those familiar with bananas Foster may see where this idea is going. By roasting bananas in the oven or under the broiler, you'll end up caramelizing them, which provides a rich depth of flavor that a plain banana just can't compete with. Yes, roasting the fruit does require some extra effort and may transform your smoothie into more of a milkshake, but after just one sip, something tells us that you won't be complaining about the extra decadence.

You may be most familiar with chia seeds in the context of pudding or overnight oats, but as it turns out, the tiny seeds make for a great banana smoothie, too. Though they won't really affect the taste of your smoothie, they will potentially amp up the nutritional value, increasing the beverage's calorie content, fiber, iron, zinc, and magnesium. One of the best things about chia seeds is that a little bit goes a long way, so it's a good idea to include them wherever possible.

If you don't have chia seeds on hand or aren't a fan of their slightly crunchy texture, then other seed alternatives may be more up to your speed. Hemp seeds or flaxseeds are the most comparable substitutes, both contributing their own slew of possible nutritional benefits without compromising how good your smoothie tastes — that is the most important thing, after all. 

Bananas are a type of berry, so it only makes sense that other berries might complement your banana-based smoothie. When in doubt, there's no way to go wrong by blending strawberries with bananas, seeing as the two fruits make for perhaps one of the most iconic smoothie combinations to ever exist. If strawberries aren't your thing, however, plenty of other berries are out there to fill the void. Blueberries will offer a nice mild flavor and some moisture to the smoothie, whereas more tart varieties like raspberries or blackberries will help cut through the smoothie's sweetness.

Another berry resort that may not initially come to mind is avocado — yes, avocados are not only a type of fruit but also a type of berry. And luckily for your smoothie, avocados are a type of berry that will provide a smooth, almost buttery contrast to the sweet banana. Thanks to avocados' high fat content, they'll also help bulk up your smoothie and help you feel full even once your berry-infused beverage is long gone.

Sometimes, we just need a little extra delight in our banana smoothies, and when such a desire strikes, there's no ingredient better equipped for providing decadence than coconut cream. Thick, rich, and conveniently dairy-free, coconut cream is a great smoothie addition for those who love the flavor of coconut and can't get enough of it from coconut milk alone. 

On the topic of coconut milk, it is important to note that coconut cream and milk are not the same thing, though you can make the former by separating it from the latter. Coconut cream is high in fat content, so it'll help add a certain richness to your smoothie that milk alone doesn't quite accomplish. For an ultra-coconutty banana smoothie, you can easily add both fresh coconut cream and a little bit of coconut milk to your blended beverage and maybe even throw in some shredded coconut to help add some texture amidst all that creamy goodness.

We'd be remiss not to highlight the absolute ingredient combination delight that is bananas and chocolate, and fortunately, you can accomplish such a combo in smoothie form, too. There are a few ways to do so, and perhaps the most obvious way — to a frequent baker, at least — is to reach into your pantry and grab the cocoa powder. While cocoa powder won't add any sweetness to the smoothie, it will add a rich, deep chocolate undertone, and you can easily sweeten up the smoothie in other ways if you so desire.

If you want the best of both worlds — chocolate and sweetness — then reach for that bottle of chocolate syrup, which will easily transform your banana smoothie. The good thing about chocolate syrup is that it will mix right in, and you can add as much or as little as you'd like. Finally, if neither powder nor syrup tickles your fancy, cocoa nibs are the way to go. They will add a certain bitterness to the smoothie while still providing plenty of chocolatey goodness. To ensure that your smoothie isn't too bitter, you may want to pair cocoa nibs with syrup to create a nice bittersweet balance.

Unlike milk, water does not give smoothies a creamy texture. But if your go-to liquid ingredient for your banana smoothie is plain water, then you know it gets the job done nonetheless. However, if you haven't tried replacing it with coconut water before, now's the time to branch out. By making the simple swap, you'll still enjoy a relatively neutral smoothie — but one with the added bonus of antioxidants and minerals.

Potential nutritional benefits aside, coconut water will also enhance the tasting notes in your smoothie without greatly impacting the flavor as something like milk or cream would. Coconut water has a very mild but distinct taste that's subtly sweet with just a hint of nuttiness. If that sounds pretty good to you, reach for a bottle of coconut water instead of the tap the next time you make your banana smoothie. Don't forget to thank us later.