Mango Smoothie (plus mango smoothie bowl)

Mango smoothie is a creamy, healthy and super rich in flavor breakfast option! Using fresh or frozen mangoes, choose to add dairy or make it with plant-based ingredients only and have a breakfast smoothie full of goodness.

When I want a quick and fulfilling breakfast, I always go for a smoothie. I can get one ready in less than 5 minutes, and that makes it my choice for busy days. I can even let the ingredients ready the night before to blend as soon as I wake up.

Health benefits of mango fruit

Mangoes don’t only taste amazing: they’re full of goodness! A mango has a good amount of fiber, vitamin C and beta-carotene. All this is great for your guts and immunity system.

Including mangos into your diet can also be good for your cholesterol levels and skin. So many reasons for making this smoothie a breakfast staple, right? What’s the difference between smoothie and juice?

You can say the major difference is fiber: while there’s a lot on smoothies, there’s very little in juices - especially if you make them on a juicer.

And as I said above, it’s super important to add more fiber to your diet. It’s great for your gut, and a smoothie full of fiber will keep you feeling satisfied for longer.

Should I use plain yogurt or Greek yogurt?

Plain yogurt will make a smoothie less thick. Using Greek yogurt for this smoothie makes the recipe more similar to a mango bowl/nice cream. If you’re in the mood for that, use Greek and top with your favorite fruit bowl toppings!

If you’re looking for a more liquid result, try it first with plain yogurt.

I always use an unsweetened version of it, but it’s ok to use it sweetened, as long as it’s plain sweet yogurt or a mango-flavored one.

Should I use fresh mango or frozen mango in my smoothie?

Mango is one of my favorite fruits and makes an outstanding addition to a smoothie. They’re best when in season, from late May to September.

You can use both frozen of fresh mangoes to make your smoothie. Good-tasting fresh mangos are not always easy to find, specially if out of season. So if you don’t have this option, try buying frozen mangoes: they will also make a great drink!

I love adding it frozen to my smoothies. Adding frozen mangoes allows me to skip the ice, making an even more flavorful smoothie by adding less water and more fruit. Hubby is not a big chia fan, so I also skip this ingredient by using frozen mangoes.

You can buy them frozen, or you can choose a good, ripe mango, peel it and freeze it cubed the night before you plan to make this smoothie.

How many cups of frozen mango should I use to get 1 mango?

Use 2 cups of frozen mango cubes if you’re making your smoothie with frozen fruit. Every version of this recipe makes enough to fill a tall smoothie glass.

How to make this smoothie

1. Prepare your ingredients.

• Peel your mango and cube it. Store in a freezer safe bag or airtight container if choosing to freeze it.

• Separate the remaining ingredients: honey, lemon juice and plain yogurt for a classic version; honey, plain yogurt, milk and spices for a mango lassi version; and your favorite plant-based milk, lemon juice, maple syrup and half an avocado or a plant-based yogurt for a vegan version.

2. Blend ingredients for 1 minute.

Blend the ingredients until your smoothie comes together.

3. Serve right away.

Smoothies are always best when consumed as soon as they’re made.

Tips for getting a delicious smoothie every time

• Freeze your mangos! I don’t use banana on my mango smoothies, as I find its taste too overpowering. Instead, I peel, cut into cubes and freeze a fresh mango the night before.

• If you’re using fresh mangos without freezing it first but still want a thick smoothie, add ½ a tablespoon of chia seeds to improve the consistency, or substitute plain yogurt for a Greek version. You can also add 1 cup of ice cubes.

• Use extra-ripe mango for a sweeter taste. That’s a secret tip for every fruit smoothie: extra-ripe fruit do not look pretty, but the amount of sugar they have gives the most amazing taste to your smoothie.

• If you find it too thick, add ¼ cup orange juice/milk/coconut milk and blend again.

Can I turn this into a smoothie bowl?

Yes! With a few modifications, this recipe makes an amazing smoothie bowl.

For classic and mango lassi: substitute plain yogurt for Greek yogurt, use frozen mangoes, and add 3 cups instead of 2.

For vegan version: use frozen mangoes and add 3 cups instead of 2.

Blend all ingredients until they’re well combined. Top your mango smoothie bowl with berries, nuts, seeds, and even mango chunks.

What other fruit goes well with mango?

If you want to add another layer of flavor to your mango smoothie (or bowl!), try one of these options:

• Berries (strawberries, blueberries or raspberries are delicious with mango);
• Orange;
• Coconut;
• Banana;
• Papaya;
• Pineapple.

Looking for more smoothies?

• Guarantee a good night of sleep with this Chamomile Kiwi Smoothie;
• Turmeric Orange Smoothie will give your immunity system an extra hand.