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The very first time I added chia seeds to a smoothie, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I stood in my kitchen staring at this little bag of seeds, wondering if I was about to ruin a perfectly good drink.
Turns out chia seeds are one of the easiest superfoods to add to smoothies. They’re flavorless yet increase fiber, healthy fats, and a little protein with just a scoop. Ever since that first blend, I’ve been hooked. I toss chia seeds into smoothies, drinks and yogurt, whether the recipe calls for them or not. I created this chia fruit smoothie so you can see how perfect chia seeds can be in a smoothie.
This fruit smoothie with chia seeds is an easy breakfast, afternoon snack, or post-workout drink that comes together in minutes. If you’ve got a bag of chia seeds hanging out in the back of your pantry, this is the perfect recipe to put them to good use.
Want more ways to enjoy chia? Explore my collection of easy chia seed recipes or try my green chia seed smoothie with spinach! This recipe is also a great way to fuel up before a workout. Check out my other pre-workout snacks for more simple, nourishing ideas.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mixed Berries: a frozen berry blend adds natural sweetness, vibrant color, and a delicious mix of berry flavors.
- Banana: makes this smoothie perfectly sweet while balancing the tartness of the berries.
- Cauliflower: Frozen cauliflower is my favorite fiber-boosting smoothie ingredient. It creates a rich, creamy texture yet doesn’t alter the flavor when used in moderation.
- Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds blend right in while adding fiber, healthy fats, and a little protein. They also help thicken the smoothie as they absorb liquid. This is the brand of chia seeds I buy most often.
- Pomegranate Juice: This juice adds a bright, antioxidant-rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the berries.
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How to Make a Chia Fruit Smoothie
- Add frozen mixed berries into the blender.
- Pour in the pomegranate juice and add the chia seeds.
- Blend on high until smooth and the chia seeds are finely ground.
- Add the cauliflower and banana and blend it again.
- Pour the smoothie in serving glasses.
- Add blueberries and chia seeds on top and enjoy chilled.
Recipe Tips
- Boost it: Add a scoop of your favorite homemade protein powder, collagen peptides, or hemp hearts to turn this chia fruit smoothie into a more filling breakfast or post-workout snack.
- Let the chia seeds work their magic: For a thicker smoothie, let it sit for 5–10 minutes before drinking. The chia seeds will absorb some of the liquid and create an even creamier texture.
- Use frozen cauliflower: It helps create a thick, frosty smoothie without watering it down.
- Make smoothie packs ahead: Portion the ingredients into frozen meal prep smoothie packs. When you’re ready for a smoothie, just add pomegranate juice and blend.
Chia Fruit Smoothie
Jen HansardVideo
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed berries frozen
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 banana
- ½ cup cauliflower frozen
Instructions
- Add the mixed berries, chia seeds, and pomegranate juice to the blender.
- Blend on high until smooth and chia seeds are finely ground.
- Add the banana and frozen cauliflower, then blend again until smooth.
- Pour into glass and enjoy.
Recipe Notes
- Blend chia seeds well: Chia seeds naturally thicken as they sit, so blend the smoothie thoroughly and enjoy it soon after making it for the best texture.
- Make it ahead: To make it ahead, blend the smoothie and store it in the fridge. Chia seeds will continue absorbing liquid as it sits, so stir well before drinking and add a splash of pomegranate juice if needed to loosen the texture.
- Use a very ripe banana: A ripe banana brings more natural sweetness and gives the smoothie a creamier texture. This is especially helpful when using tart berries.
- Taste before adding sweetener: The banana and fruit provide plenty of natural sweetness, so blend everything first and taste before adding maple syrup, dates, or another sweetener.
- Watching carbs? Omit banana, swap pomegranate juice with water and add 1 serving protein powder.
Nutrition
Equipment
Common Questions
Not really! Frozen cauliflower has a mild flavor, so the berries and banana take center stage. It mainly adds body and creaminess without making the smoothie taste like vegetables.
No. You can add chia seeds directly to the blender. Blending them with the other ingredients helps distribute them throughout the smoothie, and they’ll continue to absorb liquid as the smoothie sits.
Chia seeds naturally absorb liquid, which can make your smoothie thicker as it sits. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add a splash of pomegranate juice and blend or stir until it reaches your desired texture.
You can stir them in after blending, but blending distributes them more evenly throughout the smoothie. If you prefer a smoother texture, blend the chia seeds with the rest of the ingredients.
Very very good! Only had blueberries. Used Flax instead of chia seeds. Only had 3/4 cup of pomegranate juice so topped it off with water. But either too much frozen stuff or blender container too small & didn’t have enough room to blend well so I ended up spilling at least 1/4 of it because frozen masses splashed into glass & got it all over… Oh, well, I’ll know better next time. Delicious & well worth the mess I made.
Another amazing way to use cauliflower. the smoothie tasted great
I enjoyed the consistency and flavor. I made fresh juice from two pomegranates, about 3/4c. My banana wasn’t overly ripe so I added a date. I used a strawberry/ blueberry/ blackberry blend. Would make again.
Very delicious. I substituted tart cherry juice since I didn’t have pomegranate on hand, and it tastes amazing!
Ok, this one really surprised, me. I do tend to make the same smoothie daily, which is why I really like participating in these challenges; to get me to think outside the box. I never think to add chia seeds, and I would have never thought to add frozen cauliflower. This was smoothie was really good. Thank you for sharing these creative, healthy concoctions with us all.