Most people either hate bananas or love ’em. Jen and I are huge fans of bananas, so you’ll find them in many of our green smoothie recipes. Bananas add a creamy texture to green smoothies and they’re the perfect natural sweetener! But if you’re a banana hater, or allergic, or you’re just looking for a fresh smoothie taste, we want to share a few of our favorite banana-free green smoothie recipes with you.
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PinDescription
Enjoy this mildly sweet green smoothie— perfect for those watching their sugar intake. If you buy organic peaches, go ahead and keep the skin on for extra fiber.
Ingredients
- 2 cups spinach
- 2 cups coconut water
- 2 cups grapes*
- 2 peaches*
Instructions
- Blend spinach and coconut water
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth
Notes
*Freeze at least one of these fruits to make the smoothie cold.
PinDescription
This banana-free recipe is packed with brain boosting healthy fats and plenty of fiber to keep all the food flowing through your body with ease.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups coconut water
- 2 ripe pears*
- 1 cup mango*
- 1/2 avocado*
Instructions
- Blend spinach and coconut water
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth
Notes
*Freeze at least one of these fruits to make the smoothie cold.
PinDescription
This naturally sweet smoothie is not only hydrating with the high-water fruits like grapes and cantaloupe, but it’s also heart healthy. Omega-3s found in flaxseed support brain development, and they help lower your risk of heart disease.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cantaloupe* (ripe and rind removed)
- 1 cup grapes*
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (unrefined)
Instructions
- Blend spinach, almond milk, and water
- Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth
Notes
*Freeze at least one of these fruits to make the smoothie cold.
A good substitute for bananas in smoothies
If you’re allergic to bananas (or just can’t stand the taste), some great banana substitutes are:
- Mango
- Papaya
- Pear
- Chia seeds
- Fresh dates
- Nut Butters
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Avocado (won’t add the sweetness, but will definitely add the thick and creamy texture)
For more banana-free green smoothies recipes, => click here. Want to know more about superfoods like chia seeds and flaxseeds? Read about the 10 superfoods you should be eating.
P.S. Freeze your bananas before adding to smoothies– the banana taste will not be as strong.
Join the conversation!
What’s your relationship with bananas? Love ’em or hate ’em? Share what you use as a banana alternative in the comments below.
I have been making smoothies with bananas and have come across, for the second time, bananas are to be avoided. I am looking forward to trying these new recipes, and have appreciated reading the comments posted. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Maggie! Hope you enjoy these recipes. 🙂
Used the cantelope. Liked it and the texture.
I can’t have coconut, what do you substitute for it?
Hey Rita,
If you cannot have coconut oil a great substitute would be MCT oil.
Hope that helps!
I literally add anything and everything, I don’t aim for taste.
Blueberries 25g
Blackberries 25g
Raspberries 25g
Strawberries 25g
Avocado chunks 70g
Spinach 25g
Kale 25g
Cucumber 2 inches
A bit thick but I just down it every morning after my oats/flax seed breakfast
Thanks for sharing!!
How much applesauce would you use in place of a banana? Should you freeze the applesauce in portions?
Hi Kathy,
I usually swap in 1/4 – 1/2 cup of applesauce. And nope, no need to freeze. Add the apple sauce either chilled or room temperature to your green smoothie!
Its me again. Forgot to mention that I
m allergic to peaches a well.
Just found out have allergies and allergic to banana, avocado, pears, and apples. Any suggestions for replacement.
Hi Arlene,
Thanks for reaching out! Looking for banana substitutes? Some great options that meet your allergy restrictions are mango, papaya, chia seeds, and nut butters.
Pears? Swap in Nectarines + Plums
Avocado? Swap in another healthy fat! Here are a few of our favorites…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/tips/healthy-fats
Apples? Swap in Red Grapes, Black Grapes, Cherries, Blackberries, or Blueberries
Peaches? Swap in Nectarines, Mango, or Apricots
Looking for more substitution ideas? Check out our Rawkstar Substitution Guide…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/tips/substitution-guide
Just want to share my substitute for frozen bananas in smoothies: frozen green papaya.
Use one cup of peeled and chopped frozen green papaya for one frozen banana.
I’m sensitive to bananas and always react to them, so I’ve experimented with a lot of substitutes. I tried some combos — like mixing frozen cucumbers with frozen avocados — but the best, simplest substitute is green papaya.
The green papaya fruit is usually very large. So you can buy one, peel it, seed it and cut it up, and measure out one cup increments into baggies and freeze them.
One green papaya fruit will yield many cups. I’m not sure how many, but maybe a dozen — a lot, anyway.
Green papaya is supposed to have enzymes that are very good for your digestion. I haven’t noticed any special effect, but that’s what they say.
They’re also less sweet than bananas, which is good, from my point of view. I don’t like things to be too sweet.
I’m sure green papaya is cheaper than bananas when you use them this way, too.
cheers
Hi GraffitiGrammarian,
We love using papaya as a banana substitute! Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your experience using green papaya. We love the idea of freezing it, to have on hand for your next green smoothie!
Cheers 🙂
Hello! Are sweet potatoes an appropriate substitute for bananas to get a creamy texture?
Hi Afua,
That’s a great idea! If you’re looking for that creamy texture we suggest roasting your sweet potatoes prior to blending. Learn more about our love for sweet potatoes here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/tips/sweet-potatoes
Can I sauté spinach in a skillet with a little bit of water first, then put in smoothies to avoid bacteria contamination?
Hi Shell,
Worried about bacteria in spinach. We love blendin’ our leafy greens raw they’re delicious + there is no loss of nutritional value. Giving your leafy greens a good wash prior to blendin’ is key! Check out our tips here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-eating/washing-produce
I love your beginners green smoothie. It was so awesome and love you can give modifications. I read where a dietician stated she wouldn’t eat raw spinach due to the possibilities of it being contaminated with bacteria. Do you think I could sauté it first then put in a smoothie.
Thanks
Hi Shell,
Worried about bacteria in spinach. We love blendin’ our leafy greens raw they’re delicious + there is no loss of nutritional value. Giving your leafy greens a good wash prior to blendin’ is key! Check out our tips here…
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/healthy-eating/washing-produce
I ended up using about 1 1/4 cup. Also added some raw organic walnuts. Delicious, thank you!
Perfect, Lisa! So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
hi, for , is that 1/2 a cantaloupe, or 1/2 cup cantaloupe? Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
Great question! We suggest using half a cantaloupe! Too much? Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking!
Cheers 🙂
Hello Err’body :),
If I am using frozen peaches would I use 2cups in place of 2 peaches?
Thanks
Hi Dee,
Yum, we love reaching for frozen fruit! Using 2 cups of peaches in place of 2 fresh peaches sounds perfect!
I really like bananas, just make the smoothies tooooo thick. Thanks for tips of other alternatives, I will try them as well.. 🙂
Hi Dee,
Yay! We’re so happy we could help!