Think smoothies need yogurt to taste creamy? These 20 dairy-free smoothies prove they don’t, and the post covers the best plant-based milks, protein swaps for whey and how to turn your favorite smoothie dairy-free.
These dairy-free smoothie recipes prove you don’t need milk, yogurt or a scoop of whey to blend something thick and creamy. Every recipe skips dairy completely and gets its milkshake texture from real foods like frozen banana, avocado, cashew milk and coconut. Dairy never sat well with me, so I started blending without it, and I haven’t looked back.
New to the dairy-free world? Start with the swaps below. Most smoothies you already love only need one or two ingredient changes. Then scroll down, pick a recipe and blend.
Dairy milk doesn’t sit well with me, so I reach for a lighter base, and there are lots to choose from.
Nut milks. Almond, cashew, coconut, pecan, walnut and macadamia milk all blend up creamy. Grab a carton or make your own so you control the ingredients (my guide to non-dairy milk alternatives breaks down every option). Then try it in my Almond Smoothie below.
Nut-free milks. Try oat milk, hemp milk, flax, rice or soy milk. Hemp and flax add fiber and healthy fat. Rice milk is thin and mild, so the fruit shines.
Tea. Chilled green or herbal tea adds flavor without adding calories. Matcha is a powder, so blend it with a creamy milk like in my Vanilla Matcha Smoothie.
Water and coconut water. Plain water works great with the right formula. Coconut water is lightly sweet and stars in my Coconut Water Smoothie. If it’s new to you, start with half coconut water and half regular water.
Something different. Kombucha adds a fizzy tang. A splash of fresh juice boosts flavor, but watch the natural sugar. Cold coffee or decaf pairs well with cacao, nut butter and vanilla, like in my Mocha Smoothie.
Top 20 Dairy-Free Smoothie Recipes
Every smoothie here is dairy-free and blends up in about 5 minutes. Sip one for breakfast, an afternoon snack or dessert.
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.
This watermelon smoothie starts light and sweet, while frozen cherries and strawberries add body and lime keeps it bright. Chia seeds and collagen bring it to 25 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber.
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.
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.
This sweet peach smoothie blends peaches, citrusy orange, creamy banana and a zing of fresh ginger into a light, refreshing drink that tastes like summer. Just four ingredients and 5 minutes for a morning or afternoon pick-me-up.
A spoonful of raw cashews and half an avocado make this avocado smoothie rich and silky, while frozen pineapple adds all the sweetness. It’s 5 ingredients, banana-free and has no added sugar, with spinach tucked in where you won’t taste it.
This green pear smoothie needs just 4 ingredients: a ripe pear, frozen peaches, a cup of spinach and water. The pear and peach bring all the sweetness with no banana needed, and you get 7 grams of fiber in a light, mellow glass ready in 5 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
No. Whey and casein are both milk proteins, so whey protein powder (even whey isolate) is not dairy-free. Swap it for a plant-based protein powder made from pea, hemp, brown rice or a blend. Use the same scoop size, and add a little extra liquid since plant proteins can blend up thicker.
Is lactose-free milk dairy-free?
No. Lactose-free milk is still cow’s milk with the lactose broken down, so it contains dairy. For a truly dairy-free smoothie, use a plant-based milk like cashew, almond, oat or coconut milk, or simply use water.
What can I use instead of yogurt in a smoothie?
Plain, unsweetened coconut, almond or cashew yogurt is the easiest one-to-one swap. No yogurt on hand? Half a frozen banana, a quarter of an avocado or a spoonful of nut butter gives you the same creamy texture. For tang, add a squeeze of lemon.
How do I make a smoothie creamy without milk?
Use frozen fruit instead of ice, especially banana or mango. Then add a creamy extra: avocado, rolled oats, cashews, hemp hearts, chia seeds or full-fat coconut milk. Blend on high for a full 30 to 60 seconds so everything turns silky.
Which dairy-free milk is best for smoothies?
Unsweetened cashew milk is my favorite. It’s creamy and nearly tasteless, so the fruit shines. Need it nut-free? Oat milk is just as creamy. Almond milk is lighter, and canned coconut milk makes the richest, most dessert-like smoothies.
What hidden dairy ingredients should I watch for?
Read labels on protein powders, collagen creamers, chocolate chips and flavored nut butters. Look for milk, whey, casein, caseinate, milk powder, butter, ghee and lactose. Plain collagen peptides are usually dairy-free, but collagen creamer blends often add milk powder.
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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.
I haven’t been able to tolerate milk for quite awhile now and so many recipes call for milk or yogurt— so thank you for making a list of ones that don’t use either! This makes its super helpful for someone like me who’s lactose intolerant.
Great Post.
Thanks Genevie— appreciate you stopping by for my recipes.
hi! love this smoothie recipe, do you have any food or smoothie recipe recommendations that would clear your skin? thanks
For sure! Check out our post + recipe on How to Get Clear Skin Naturally.
I haven’t been able to tolerate milk for quite awhile now and so many recipes call for milk or yogurt— so thank you for making a list of ones that don’t use either! This makes its super helpful for someone like me who’s lactose intolerant.
Thank you for all of the dairy-free ideas. The mango smoothie is my current fav!