This Blueberry Mango Smoothie with Chia Seeds skips the banana to preserve the most antioxidants from the berries while delivering amazing flavor! The chia seeds are packed with fiber, which can help you feel full for longer. This smoothie is dairy-free, with a protein-rich option.
For more delicious and healthy smoothies, try my Mango & Spinach Green Smoothie, as well as this longevity-boosting Smoothie with Flax. You might also enjoy this Chia Seed Jam recipe with ground chia seeds! This recipe was inspired by my Juice with Chia Seeds and this Lemon & Ginger Tea recipe on my site.
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🍌 Why Skip the Banana?
Did you know that adding bananas to berry smoothies may reduce the health benefits? Blueberries are packed with flavanols which may lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure, and promote heart health. Bananas contain polyphenol oxidase which breaks down one of the flavanols so you get less! Why spend so much on blueberries only to potentially reduce the health effects? (Note: The reduction of flavanols becomes more significant if your smoothie sits out for a while.)
In addition, preliminary research suggests that adding dairy, especially high-fat dairy, including yogurt, may significantly reduce the absorption of berry nutrients.
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- Almond, soy, oat, or any milk works for this Blueberry Mango Smoothie recipe. Soy and oat milk are creamier, whereas almond milk is lighter. (Soy milk has the most protein.) Coconut milk has a rich, tropical flavor and a creamy consistency, but it is higher in saturated fats. Rice milk is a good option for allergies, as it is free from common allergens like nuts, soy, and gluten. Hemp milk has a slightly nutty flavor and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, but may not be as readily available as other non-dairy milk.
- Use peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter. Almond butter is rich in heart-healthy fats and protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Chia seeds: Just two tablespoons of chia seeds contain around 10 grams of fiber, almost 40% of the daily recommended intake! Grinding them increases the bioavailability of omega-3s and may promote weight loss. The seeds are ground by blending. They make this smooth satisfying and add a creamy texture.
- Berries, including blueberries, are the healthiest fruit largely due to their plant pigments. Anthocyanin-rich foods–those with this bright-colored pigment–are associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time, particularly blueberries.
- Frozen mango chunks replace the banana and add the perfect consistency to this chia smoothie.
See the printable recipe card below for quantities.
🫐 Substitutions
- Blueberries - instead of blueberries, use frozen raspberries, blackberries, or mixed berries
- Mango - use frozen pineapple instead
- Almond butter - omit for nut-free and use one-half tablespoon more chia seeds for texture
- Banana flavor - add freeze-dried bananas for a banana flavor without polyphenol oxidase
- Protein - use 1 scoop of unsweetened protein powder and ¼ cup more nondairy milk
Visit my Healthy Breakfast Recipes for more healthy smoothies on my site!
📖 How to Make Blueberry Mango Smoothie without Banana
For the full recipe with quantities, scroll down to the bottom of the post. This is an overview.
- Combine: Transfer the milk, chia seeds, mango, blueberries, almond butter, and cinnamon to the canister of a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high until just smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
✔️ Expert Tips
- Add the milk before adding the chia seeds otherwise they stick to the canister of the blender.
- Use a combination of frozen pineapple and mango. Add a touch of maple syrup for sweetness.
- To add more protein, use 1 scoop of protein powder and ¼ cup more milk. I use this one-ingredient unsweetened protein powder linked here. It is the cleanest protein powder I have found.
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🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Use a coffee grinder and blend them separately before adding the milk, or add them to a high-speed blender with the other ingredients.
Frozen mango, frozen pineapple, cooked sweet potato, soaked cashews, rolled oats, chia seeds, and yogurt are good substitutes for bananas in smoothies.
Mangoes are a healthy addition to any diet. Their antioxidant power is 108, higher than apples with an antioxidant power of 56, and bananas with a score of 27.
🫙 More Smoothie Recipes
👩🏽🍳 Made this recipe?
Let me know your thoughts on Blueberry Mango Smoothie without Banana by leaving a ⭐️ rating below or sharing it on Instagram.
📖 Recipe
5-Minute Blueberry Mango Smoothie (No-Banana)
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Ingredients
- 1 cup nondairy milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- ¾ cup frozen blueberries
- 1 tablespoon unsalted almond butter
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Transfer the milk, chia seeds, mango, blueberries, almond butter, and cinnamon to the canister of a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high until just smooth. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Notes
-
- Add the milk before adding the chia seeds otherwise they stick to the canister of the blender.
-
- Use a combination of frozen pineapple and mango. Add a touch of maple syrup for sweetness.
-
- To add more protein, use 1 scoop of protein powder and ¼ cup more milk. I use this one-ingredient unsweetened protien powder. It is the cleanest protein powder I have found.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Armida says
The mango chia smoothie is my favorite especially because it doesn’t include bananas which I prefer to eat by themselves.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad you like this recipe! Thank you:)
Chelsea says
My favorite smoothie! Almost like a PB&J but healthy! I do add protein powder, a little water, and 3 dates (soaked in hot water to soften them first). Soooo yummy!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So happy you are enjoying it. Thank you. Love your additions.
Alicia says
This has become a firm favourite in my house. I use ground flaxseeds rather than chia and a whole cup of blueberries. It comes out very thick and is a great alternative to ice-cream.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Great substitutions. Thank you for sharing.
Felisa says
I love this recipe! I confess I do put banana in mine but the recipe masks the flavor of the banana that I don’t enjoy. The ground chia makes the smoothie so creamy with little effort. Thank you for both the education and the yummy recipe!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So happy you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to read the nutrition info.
Susan says
I learn something every day about nutrition….and much of it from you on this site! Who knew that the bananas I add to smoothies decreased the flavonols in my berries? Wah! I will be trying this asap.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I'm so glad that my posts are adding value! Thank you for taking the time to read them so thoroughly!
Kate says
Love love love this. I used 1T of hemp seeds instead of almond butter and added a scoop of protein powder. I also added a date as frozen fruit in the UK is never ripe. I used a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of cardamom, and was wondering about adding some Thai basil.
I love your recipes. Thank you so much for sharing.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Wow Thai basil will be so interesting! Thanks for sharing your version.
Poulina Kalushner says
I love ,love your great respies!!!!!!!!. I got your book. Thank you.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you so much for your support. Have a lovely week.
Rhonda says
Had to add some water as the mixture was too thick to blend. Soooo smooth and has a delicious velvety texture. Added peanut butter instead of almond because that is what I had on hand. Delish! Will try some protein powder next time to increase the protein. Is it worth adding spinach too?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Hi! Yes adding some spinach is a great idea!
Claudette Erickson says
Super yummy! Can’t wait to try the pineapple and mango 😋.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you! Pineapple is delicious too:)
Agnes says
Delicious! Used oat milk and it tasted very creamy. I’m not sure this is truly 2 servings though. I think it makes one large one or two kids sized servings.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
The serving size is an more of an estimate:) I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe. Oat milk must be delicious in this.
Maria says
Very tasty smoothie! My 6-year-old also loved it! She said it was like eating ice cream 🍨
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So glad! My kids love this one too!