There are so many liquids you can blend into a smoothie, and most aren’t dairy! This roundup shares 22 of my favorite dairy-free smoothie recipes made with almond milk, coconut water and more.
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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 theserecipes a blend n’ sip, then try to tell me I’m wrong!
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!
Nothing, if dairy works well for your body. 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 blending with non-dairy milk alternatives.
The Best Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipes
These vegan smoothie 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!
1
Green Smoothie
4.89 (2280)
This is the best green smoothie recipe for beginners: it tastes like a silky, tropical fruit smoothie, with barely a hint of spinach. It takes four whole-food ingredients plus water, one blender, and five minutes, and it’s vegan.
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.
My fat-burning smoothie blends grapefruit, chilled green tea and chia, ingredients people reach for to support their goals, with kale, cucumber and pineapple. With 32 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber, it keeps you full.
This cinnamon date smoothie tastes like a cinnamon roll in a glass, with no baking and no added sugar. Medjool dates sweeten it, rolled oats make it milkshake-thick without banana, and cinnamon and vanilla do the rest in 5 minutes with 11 grams of fiber.
This meal replacement smoothie blends blueberries, banana and almond butter with rolled oats and protein powder into a thick, milkshake-like drink with 34 grams of protein and 10 grams of fiber. A cup of kale hides behind the berry flavor, ready in 5 minutes.
This weight gain smoothie blends frozen pineapple, banana and full-fat coconut milk with pineapple juice and a scoop of protein powder into a thick tropical shake that tastes like Dole Whip. About 660 calories in one glass, in 5 minutes.
Papaya, ginger, cucumber and celery are the ingredients I reach for in a smoothie for bloating, and here they blend with spinach, frozen pineapple and lime into a light, sweet tropical smoothie. Just 132 calories and five minutes.
My clear skin smoothie is all about hydration: coconut water and spinach, sweet frozen pineapple, and a little avocado for healthy fats and a silky texture. A scoop of collagen blends right in, and it is ready in 5 minutes.
This light tropical pre-workout smoothie blends pineapple, peach and half a banana with coconut water and spinach, so you can sip it right before you move. A spoonful of coconut oil adds a little richness, and it is ready in 5 minutes.
Earthy beets, fresh ginger and pineapple anchor this anti-inflammatory smoothie, with kale, mixed berries and chia seeds for 18g of fiber. It’s banana-free and nut-free, and the fruit makes the beets taste bright instead of earthy.
In this coconut water smoothie, kale, orange, pineapple and half a banana blend with unsweetened coconut water and chia seeds for 11 grams of fiber. It tastes bright, lightly sweet and tropical, and blends up in 5 minutes before a workout or a busy morning.
This banana 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.
Spoonable and silky, my chocolate smoothie bowl whips frozen avocado, cacao powder and coconut milk into a pudding-like base. Top with strawberries, raspberries and cacao nibs, and it serves two.
My nourishing pregnancy smoothie pairs folate-rich Swiss chard with mango, peaches, carrots and coconut water, then adds chia, hemp and flax for 14g plant protein, 15g fiber and omega-3s. Tropical, easy and ready in five minutes.
This vanilla protein shake packs 32g per glass from whey isolate, cashew milk and raw cashews, while two Medjool dates sweeten it and frozen cauliflower makes it thick and cold. You will not taste the cauliflower, promise.
Real cacao, half a banana, a Medjool date and almond butter make this chocolate protein shake taste like a milkshake, and frozen cauliflower makes it extra creamy. With hemp hearts and protein powder, it hits 30g protein and 16g fiber.
My homemade island green smoothie blends mango, pineapple and fresh ginger with spinach and kale, a copycat of the Detox Island Green. No ice thinning it out, so you get 16 ounces of greens, 23 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber.
Raw almonds go straight into the blender with almond milk, banana and frozen strawberries, so this almond smoothie gets extra creamy without any dairy. A pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of maple make it taste a little like dessert.
Whole cashews and cashew milk blend with frozen banana into a milkshake-thick matcha smoothie, and vanilla softens the earthy green tea flavor. A bit of fresh ginger adds zing, no syrups needed.
Frozen mango and a juicy orange blend with Greek yogurt and cashew milk into a tropical mango smoothie with no banana needed. A pinch of turmeric adds golden color and gentle warmth, and collagen brings it to 30 grams of protein in 5 minutes.
This strawberry banana smoothie with almond milk tastes like a classic shake, while hidden cauliflower and two tablespoons of chia make it extra creamy with 17g fiber. No added sugar, and kids never spot the cauliflower.
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What Can You Use Instead of Milk in a Smoothie?
Plenty. Once you start exploring dairy-free smoothies, you’ll find a huge range of liquid bases. A smoothie made with dairy milk no longer sounds appetizing to me (or my stomach). I’d much rather reach for a lighter nut milk or coconut water.
Nut milks. With so many non-dairy milk brands on the market, nut milk is a popular base. Almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, pecan, walnut and macadamia milk all work. Buy them store-bought, or make your own almond milk (or any other nut milk) for a creamy texture and full control over the ingredients.
Nut-free options. If nuts aren’t an option for you, try oat milk, hemp milk, flax milk, rice milk or soy milk. I choose my base based on what my body needs that day. When I want a boost of fiber and healthy fat, I make hemp or flax milk. Rice milk is thin and nearly tasteless, so it lets the other ingredients shine.
Tea. Tea takes a smoothie to the next level. Green tea gives a natural energy lift and gets your metabolism moving, while herbal teas soothe the stomach and calm the body. Try my Green Tea Smoothie for energy without the crash. I believe ingredients should work for us, so I pick the tea that fits what my body needs. Matcha is the exception: it’s a powder, so I think of it as more of a supplement than a true liquid base. Blend it with water or cashew milk for a creamy, light smoothie.
Water and coconut water. Both are 100% dairy-free, and I know many of you hesitate to use plain water. Trust me, with the right formula, water makes a great base. Coconut water, often called nature’s Gatorade, is loaded with electrolytes and is perfect for workout recovery. It can be an acquired taste, so start with half coconut water and half regular water, then increase the ratio as you fall in love.
More creative bases. Kombucha is a great probiotic option with endless flavors, and my Probiotic Smoothie is equal parts delicious and unique. Fresh-squeezed juice works well, too, but it has natural sugar, so keep that in mind when you add it. My Pineapple Smoothie uses both whole pineapple and pineapple juice for the best flavor. Coffee pairs well with cocoa or cacao, nut butter and vanilla, and if you want a caffeine-free option, strongly brewed decaf gives you the flavor without the buzz.
Common Questions
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!
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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.
Hi Jennifer,
Not too savvy on brands of green tea, but we usually get some green tea bags from Trader Joe’s. Not remembering any specific name brand right now…
I love Celestial Seasoning green tea bags. They also have K-cups. I love them because it’s the only brand I’ve seen at my grocery store that has both regular and decaf versions! In case you have your smoothie at night and don’t want to be kept up!
I just tried one of the smoothies, soooo gooooood. Unfortunately I recieved some bad news from my doctor bout my heart and im only 21….you can imagine my horror when he told me I needed to start loving up on a lot more greens in my life. I’m horrible when it comes to eating veggies but I’m super in love with the green smoothie! Even my boyfriend is drinking one with me as I write this. Thank you guys for making this much easier 🙂 Going to be making these a lot more from now own!!!
Totally agree Megan, but it’s still a great liquid-base option for green smoothies.
I’m not saying it’s a bad liquid-base for smoothies, but in the main text of the blog you’re claiming almond milk “will provide you with vitamin E, protein, and fiber.” So you might want to edit that.
I am allergic to tree nuts…is it ok (and will it taste the same) to use unsweetened soy milk instead of almond milk?! Or what would be another suitable alternative? And PS – I am so unbelievably excited to have been introduced to this website! I have loved every smoothie and I’ve even gotten a bunch of co-workers to “go greeen”!
Hi Sarah,
We are not big fans of soy, personally. We would suggest coconut or rice milk 🙂 Surprisingly, unsweetened coconut milk does not have a lot of coconut-y flavor!
In what recipes do you recommend using green tea as a base?? I’m not sure about the flavor the smoothies will get using it as a base so it would be great to know which recipes taste good with it. Thank you 🙂
Hi Mj, I haven’t tried the green tea yet in smoothies, but I think it would be very good. I do make green tea and chai green tea and then put it in a blender while it it hot with 1 T cocoa and raw honey per cup of tea. It is a wonderful hot cocoa. You can use coconut milk for this recipe as well.
What is a good green tea that you recommend to drink hot or cold. .? Thank you
Hi Jennifer,
Not too savvy on brands of green tea, but we usually get some green tea bags from Trader Joe’s. Not remembering any specific name brand right now…
I love Celestial Seasoning green tea bags. They also have K-cups. I love them because it’s the only brand I’ve seen at my grocery store that has both regular and decaf versions! In case you have your smoothie at night and don’t want to be kept up!
I just tried one of the smoothies, soooo gooooood. Unfortunately I recieved some bad news from my doctor bout my heart and im only 21….you can imagine my horror when he told me I needed to start loving up on a lot more greens in my life. I’m horrible when it comes to eating veggies but I’m super in love with the green smoothie! Even my boyfriend is drinking one with me as I write this. Thank you guys for making this much easier 🙂 Going to be making these a lot more from now own!!!
We are here for you, Gri! So glad your boyfriend is doing it with you and encouraging you 🙂
FYI Almond milk is NOT a significant source of fiber or protein.
Totally agree Megan, but it’s still a great liquid-base option for green smoothies.
I’m not saying it’s a bad liquid-base for smoothies, but in the main text of the blog you’re claiming almond milk “will provide you with vitamin E, protein, and fiber.” So you might want to edit that.
I am allergic to tree nuts…is it ok (and will it taste the same) to use unsweetened soy milk instead of almond milk?! Or what would be another suitable alternative? And PS – I am so unbelievably excited to have been introduced to this website! I have loved every smoothie and I’ve even gotten a bunch of co-workers to “go greeen”!
Hi Sarah,
We are not big fans of soy, personally. We would suggest coconut or rice milk 🙂 Surprisingly, unsweetened coconut milk does not have a lot of coconut-y flavor!
In what recipes do you recommend using green tea as a base?? I’m not sure about the flavor the smoothies will get using it as a base so it would be great to know which recipes taste good with it. Thank you 🙂
Hi Mj, I haven’t tried the green tea yet in smoothies, but I think it would be very good. I do make green tea and chai green tea and then put it in a blender while it it hot with 1 T cocoa and raw honey per cup of tea. It is a wonderful hot cocoa. You can use coconut milk for this recipe as well.