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Today I’m sharing the secret sauce, er… liquid, that is dairy-free smoothies. Your smoothie doesn’t need dairy to be creamy, delicious, smooth or drinkable. Don’t believe me? Give one of these dairy-free smoothie recipes a blend n’ sip, then try to tell me I’m wrong!

I’m prepared to shock you with a creamy Caramel Protein Shake and a thick Cinnamon Date Smoothie with no dairy in sight.

Table of Contents

oat milk in a glass container next to a jar of oats on a white counter.

While this recipe list includes smoothies already made without dairy, I’m also giving you all the swaps to turn any smoothie into a dairy-free one with just an ingredient or two. You might even find a new favorite option!

And I threw in a mix of healthy protein shakes, green smoothies and fruit smoothies so you can blend exactly what you want.

What’s Wrong with Dairy?

Nothing, if you’re one of the 30% of the world’s population that doesn’t have a dairy intolerance. If you’re like me, dairy often gives you issues with digestion. Instead of suffering through the painful side effects of consuming dairy, I started searching for non-dairy options.

Discover the incredible world of non-dairy milk alternatives and dairy-free smoothies along with me!

The Best Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipes

These recipes are all delicious, whole-food options that can be blended in minutes and enjoyed as a snack, meal or dessert. They are so easy to make and enjoy. Let’s get blending!

A quick note: Just because a smoothie is dairy-free doesn’t make it vegan. Make sure you read the ingredient list to ensure these don’t use honey, collagen powder or another ingredient that’s not what you’re looking for.

Green and white striped straw in a jar of green smoothie.
1

Best Green Smoothie Recipe (4-Ingredients)

Power up your morning with this quick and delicious green smoothie recipe. It blends sweet mango, juicy pineapple, creamy banana, and vibrant spinach for a 5-minute boost of energy and nutrients. Light, refreshing, and naturally sweet, it tastes like fruit—not greens.

Best Green Smoothie Recipe (4-Ingredients)

Coffee smoothie in a lidded container on coffee beans.
2

Mocha Coffee Smoothie

Skip the drive-thru mocha. This coffee smoothie blends your bold morning brew with rich, dark cacao, creamy frozen banana, and a caramel-sweet medjool date into a frosty, milkshake-thick breakfast — ready in 8 minutes, no syrups required.

Mocha Coffee Smoothie

Glass of fat-burning smoothie surrounded by fruits and vegetables.
3

Fat-Burning Smoothie

This fat-burning smoothie blends sweet pineapple with fiber-rich kale and celery to satisfy your tastebuds, promote fullness and help boost your metabolism.

Fat-Burning Smoothie

Creamy cinnamon date smoothie topped with oats and star anise in a glass.
4

Cinnamon Date Smoothie (banana-free)

This cinnamon date smoothie is a cinnamon roll in a glass — no baking, no added sugar. Caramel-y medjool dates sweeten it naturally, blended rolled oats thicken it to milkshake consistency (no banana needed!), and warm cinnamon and vanilla make every sip cozy. Five minutes from blender to the best-smelling breakfast in the house.

Cinnamon Date Smoothie (banana-free)

Meal replacement smoothie for weight loss.
5

Meal Replacement Smoothie

This meal replacement smoothie blends sweet-tart blueberries, creamy banana, and rich almond butter into one thick, satisfying sip — with kale hiding quietly behind all that berry flavor. Hearty oats give it a milkshake-like body that actually keeps you full. Just 5 minutes from blender to breakfast, lunch, or wherever your day needs rescuing.

Meal Replacement Smoothie

Light yellow smoothie in a glass with a pineapple wedge.
6

Weight Gain Smoothie

This weight gain smoothie is creamy, naturally sweet, and packed with nourishing ingredients to support healthy weight gain. Frozen pineapple and banana create a thick, tropical base, while full-fat coconut milk and raw coconut flakes add satisfying healthy fats. This high-calorie smoothie blends up in just five minutes and is filling without feeling overly heavy.

Weight Gain Smoothie

Two tall glasses of creamy papaya spinach smoothie.
7

Spinach Papaya Smoothie

This sweet and creamy spinach papaya smoothie blends fresh papaya, pineapple, and lime into a smooth, tropical drink with a light citrus finish. The spinach and cucumber keep the flavor clean and refreshing, while ginger adds a gentle zing that brightens every sip. It’s a silky, naturally sweet smoothie that tastes indulgent but feels light and energizing.

Spinach Papaya Smoothie

Green and white straw in a green smoothie.
8

Clear Skin Smoothie

This Clear Skin Smoothie is light, tropical, and ultra-refreshing. Sweet pineapple and creamy avocado blend perfectly with hydrating coconut water and spinach you can’t even taste. It helps flush out toxins, reduce inflammation, and nourish your skin from the inside out—leaving you with a healthy, natural glow.

Clear Skin Smoothie

Jar of green smoothie surrounded by fruits and greens.
9

Pre-Workout Smoothie

This pre-workout smoothie has a bright, lightly sweet flavor with a refreshing tropical finish. Juicy pineapple and peach bring natural sweetness, banana adds creaminess, and coconut water keeps it clean and hydrating, while the spinach blends in unnoticed for a smooth, fresh taste that goes down easy before a workout.

Pre-Workout Smoothie

Two glasses full of anti-inflammatory smoothie topped with berries.
10

Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie

Blend this anti-inflammatory smoothie with earthy beets, spicy ginger, and sweet pineapple coming together to support your body from the inside out. Kale and chia seeds pack in fiber, omega-3s, and nutrients your joints and hormones will thank you for.

Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie

Coconut water smoothie in glass with straw
11

Coconut Water Smoothie

This refreshing coconut water smoothie blends pineapple, banana, orange, and kale into a bright, hydrating drink that comes together in 5 minutes. Made with unsweetened coconut water for natural electrolytes, it's lightly sweet, energizing, and perfect for breakfast or a pre-workout boost.

Coconut Water Smoothie

Two jars with banana oatmeal smoothie.
12

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie (Easy Breakfast Smoothie)

This oatmeal smoothie is creamy, comforting, and perfect for breakfast. Made with rolled oats, banana, coconut milk, cinnamon, and vanilla, it blends into a filling smoothie that feels like a warm bowl of oatmeal—no stove required.

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie (Easy Breakfast Smoothie)

13

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

Cacao adds rich chocolate flavor as well as a big boost of iron and other vitamins and minerals coupled with healthy fats to this chocolate smoothie bowl.

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

Pregnancy smoothie in a mason jar surrounded by fresh fruit.
14

Nourishing Pregnancy Smoothie

Fuel your pregnancy with this nutrient-packed smoothie made with leafy greens, coconut water, fruit, and super seeds. Supports digestion, boosts energy, and provides essential nutrients for your growing baby—all in one delicious, easy-to-blend recipe.

Nourishing Pregnancy Smoothie

Glass with healthy vanilla protein shake recipe in it.
15

Healthy Vanilla Protein Shake

This creamy, sweet and nourishing healthy vanilla protein shake makes a great post workout recovery smoothie or meal replacement for a busy day. We've snuck in some cauliflower to boost the fiber and chill everything down— yet don't worry (you won't even taste it!)

Healthy Vanilla Protein Shake

Overhead view of a banana chocolate protein shake with sliced bananas on top.
16

Banana Chocolate Protein Shake

This velvety banana chocolate protein shake delivers 30 grams of plant-based protein — from hemp hearts, almond butter, and real whole foods, not just powder. Rich cacao brings true chocolate flavor, a medjool date adds caramel-y sweetness, and frozen cauliflower (trust me) makes it impossibly creamy. Breakfast, snack, or post-workout refuel: it's dessert that does its job.

Banana Chocolate Protein Shake

Detox island green smoothie in a mason jar with a paper straw.
17

Detox Island Green Smoothie (Upgraded)

This is my homemade version of the Detox Island Green from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. It tastes just like the one you order, with the same mango, pineapple, and fresh ginger, but there's no ice thinning it out. So you get a full 16 ounces of plants, 23 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fiber.

Detox Island Green Smoothie (Upgraded)

Straw in a jar of almond smoothie on a table with almonds.
18

Epic Almond Smoothie

This almond smoothie is creamy, cozy, and naturally sweet. With simple, whole-food ingredients and a hint of cinnamon, it blends into a balanced drink that’s nourishing, satisfying, and easy to make any time you need a quick, feel-good option.

Epic Almond Smoothie

A vanilla matcha smoothie surrounded by fresh ingredients.
19

Vanilla Matcha Smoothie

This is the creamiest matcha smoothie you'll ever make — and whole cashews are the secret. They blend with frozen banana into a silky, milkshake-thick sip, while vanilla warms up matcha's earthy green tea flavor and a hint of fresh ginger adds a gentle zing. Naturally sweet, gently energizing, and ready in five minutes flat.

Vanilla Matcha Smoothie

Top-down view of a mango smoothie garnished with an orange slice, mango chunks, and a paper straw.
20

Golden Mango Smoothie — 30g protein

This mango smoothie is pure tropical sunshine in a glass. Sweet mango and juicy orange blend with creamy Greek yogurt and cashew milk, while a pinch of turmeric adds gorgeous golden color and subtle warmth. With 30 grams of protein, it's as filling as it is beautiful — ready in 5 minutes, no banana needed.

Golden Mango Smoothie — 30g protein

Strawberry banana smoothie recipe in pint glass with straw.
21

Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Extra Creamy, 17g Fiber)

This Strawberry Banana Smoothie is the ultimate blend of flavor and nutrition. Sweet strawberries, creamy banana, and hidden cauliflower create a luscious, energizing drink packed with fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3s. It’s a refreshing, guilt-free treat that supports your health—and tastes like dessert in a glass.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie (Extra Creamy, 17g Fiber)

What Can You Use Instead of Milk in a Smoothie?

So. Many. Things. I’m not kidding. Once you start exploring the world of dairy-free smoothies, you’ll find a vast amount of liquid bases. A smoothie with dairy milk no longer sounds appetizing to me (or my stomach). I’d much rather reach for lighter nut milk or coconut water.

Nut Milk Options

With the explosion of non-dairy milk brands on the market, it’s no surprise that nut milk is a popular base for dairy-free smoothies. Almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, pecan milk, walnut milk, macadamia milk and more can all be used in smoothies.

Use store-bought or learn how to make your own almond milk (or any other milk) for a creamy texture and to know exactly what ingredients are in it.

Nut-Free, Dairy-Free Milk Bases

If nut milk isn’t an option for you, no sweat. Check out oat milk, hemp milk, flax milk, rice milk or soy milk. The possibilities are endless.

I tend to choose my dairy-free smoothie recipes based on what my body needs that day. If I’m looking for a fiber and healthy fat boost, I’ll make some hemp or flax milk. Rice milk is super thin and great for a tasteless option so that the other smoothie ingredients can shine.

Tea

This unique liquid base totally takes that smoothie to the next level. Choose a caffeinated tea like green tea for a natural energy boost as well as a metabolism mover. Herbal teas work great to soothe the stomach and calm the body. Try a smoothie like my Green Tea Smoothie for a boost of energy without the crash.

Use tea to your advantage by incorporating the one that will help you the most. I believe ingredients should work for us instead of against us, so I typically gauge what my body needs before deciding on the right liquid base for my smoothie.

If using matcha powder, then combine it with water or cashew milk for smoothies. Matcha typically comes in powder form instead of in a tea bag, so I view it more as a supplement instead of a true liquid base. It creates a creamy, light base for smoothies.

Water or Coconut Water

The number one, Best Green Smoothie in the whole wide world uses *gasp* WATER. It’s 100% dairy-free and proud to be and people can’t get enough of it. I know a lot of you hesitate to use water in a smoothie, but trust me, when you’ve got the right formula, water is a great smoothie base.

Coconut water is a unique beverage that has been touted as nature’s Gatorade. It’s loaded with electrolytes and is a must in workout recovery. It can be an acquired taste, so if you’re new to coconut water, try doing half coconut water and half regular water in your first Coconut Water Smoothie, then increase your ratio as you fall in love.

brown smoothie in a glass jar with a black lid on a bed of coffee beans with no dairy in it.

More Dairy-Free Liquids

While the above liquids are more popular, I like to get creative with my liquid bases. Here are a few more super fun and delicious options.

Kombucha– I’m not kidding! This is a great probiotic option, and the sky’s the limit on flavors. My Probiotic Smoothie is equal parts delicious and unique.

Fresh squeezed juice– While 100% juice has natural sugar, it is still a higher sugar option. Remember that when adding it to your smoothie. My Pineapple Smoothie uses both whole pineapple and pineapple juice for the best flavor.

Coffee– This base works great in smoothies including cocoa or cacao, nut butter, vanilla, you name it. I love blending my Coffee Smoothie to combine my morning beverage with my morning breakfast of choice. Need a caffeine-free option? Just use strongly brewed decaf coffee to enjoy the flavor without the buzz.

As you can see, dairy milk is far from the only liquid base for smoothies. Don’t be afraid to get creative. Mix and match any of these bases until you find your favorite.

How to Thicken a Smoothie

A lot of people use dairy milk or yogurt because it naturally thickens whatever beverage is in your blender. You can make an epically thick smoothie with a super creamy texture without the dairy. Here are my go-to thickeners:

  • Vegan yogurt: There are several dairy-free yogurts that produce the same level of creaminess as regular, yet without dairy.
  • Frozen fruit: This not only chills your smoothie, but it can also help thicken it more than fresh fruit.
  • Hemp seeds, chia seeds or flaxseed: These superfoods are great additions to smoothies for extra omega-3s, protein, fiber and can be used to thicken a smoothie that’s on the thinner side.
  • Nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter and more can be used to thicken your drink. Plus, they taste delicious!
  • Protein powder: I love turning smoothies into meals using my Homemade Protein Powder. It can be added to any smoothie you make and helps to thicken as well as provide extra protein.

Dairy-Free Smoothies FAQs

How do you thicken a smoothie without milk?

Dairy is often used to make beverages creamy, yet it’s not necessary for a smoothie. If I’m looking for an extra creamy base that’s dairy-free, then cashew milk, oat milk, or full-fat coconut milk are all great options. Avocado, coconut cream, banana and dairy-free yogurt as well as hemp hearts and chia seeds are also great smoothie thickeners.

Which dairy-free milk is best for smoothies?

My go-to milk option is currently cashew. It is virtually tasteless, yet adds protein, healthy fat and a creamy texture to smoothies. Although, as you can see from the list above, you can use any dairy-free milk you want!

Are smoothies better with milk or water?

Honestly, it depends on the smoothie. I like water better in green smoothies and milk better in protein shakes. Everyone’s preferences are different, so there’s no right or wrong answer. Just get in that daily smoothie!

So, which one of the above dairy-free smoothies are you ready to make? Drop a comment and let me know your fav!

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About the Author

Jen Hansard

I’m the mom who swapped Lucky Charms for green smoothies— and never looked back. Here you’ll find smoothie recipes and plant-based recipes made simple and tasty.

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Comments

    1. Hey Irene.

      Great question. Please chill your green tea after you have brewed it. 🙂 Cheers!

  2. I started my green smoothie challenge yesterday for the purpose of adding nutrients to my diet that I otherwise skip. My choice for my first smoothies was to use some Greek yogurt with probiotics, almond milk, frozen blueberries, a banana, and fresh baby spinach. It tastes great! One question I have for you since I saw a can of pears packed in their own juice in my cabinet this morning- would it be all right to use them instead of a banana one day?

    Reply

    1. Hey Lisa.

      Welcome! So happy to hear you are saying YES to you health and blending with us! 🙂 You can use canned, but we prefer fresh or frozen. (Some times canned are sitting in extra sugar.)

    1. Hey Carol.

      Great question. If you are looking for a plant-based protein that is free of animal products, your best option is hemp protein or raw vegan protein powder. Feel free to add 2-4 tablespoons to your morning green smoothies! You can buy hemp protein at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or even online at Sunwarrior.com. Hope that helps. Cheers!

      https://simplegreensmoothies.com/plant-based-protein-powder

  4. I have a question! My husband is severely allergic to all nuts so using nut milk is going to be a no no in our house. I don’t even allow it in the house. What would be the best thing to substitute for almond milk that would give a similar taste and consistency? Hemp milk? Coconut milk? Thanks!

    Reply

    1. Hey Tiffany.

      Thanks for the comment. Yes, please use Oat Milk, Rice Milk, Coconut Milk.

      Happy blending!

  5. Just wondering if you can use green tea as a substitute in the recipes that want almond milk or coconut milk/water?

    Reply