This strawberry banana espresso smoothie bowl is an energizing way to kickstart your morning. Bursting with the sweetness of strawberries and bananas, balanced by a bold espresso finish, it’s an unexpected yet harmonious combination — creamy, fruity, and refreshingly delicious.

Strawberry banana espresso smoothie bowl topped with sliced strawberries, banana, granola, almond butter, and cacao nibs.

Strawberry and banana is a classic combo — but what if you add coffee to the mix?

I recently tried a smoothie bowl at a cute café and was instantly hooked. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so of course I had to recreate it at home.

Just like the café version, this smoothie bowl has a base of frozen strawberries and banana, a hint of espresso, and cashew milk. I also added a little protein boost to make it extra satisfying.

The flavor combo is unexpected but so good — super creamy and fruity, with just the right amount of bold espresso flavor. And of course, we’re topping it with all the fun extras: sliced strawberries and banana, granola, almond butter, cacao nibs, and flaxseeds. I even followed the original topping layout to perfectly recreate the look.

The result? Exactly like the café version, if not better: sweet, smooth, and with that espresso kick that takes it over the top. This bowl is an energizing breakfast that balances bright, fresh flavors with a smooth, rich finish. If you want a café-quality smoothie bowl (and to save some money), this easy homemade version is perfect for you.

If you enjoy this recipe, you’ll also love my strawberry glaze smoothie or my breakfast banana split for more beautifully presented morning treats.

Low-angle view of a thick, creamy strawberry banana espresso smoothie bowl topped with fruit and granola.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Delicious flavor combo: Sweet-tart strawberries, banana, and bold espresso make a surprisingly perfect pairing.
High-protein: Includes a plant-based protein boost for extra staying power.
Energizing: Balanced with carbs, protein, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied and fueled.
Stunning presentation: Top your smoothie bowl like a work of art — arrange fruit, granola, and nut butter for a fun and Instagram-worthy breakfast.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Ingredients for a strawberry banana espresso smoothie bowl: frozen banana, frozen strawberries, vanilla protein powder, instant espresso, and cashew milk, with toppings including banana, strawberries, granola, almond butter, cacao nibs, and flaxseeds.

You only need a handful of wholesome ingredients to make this delicious smoothie bowl:

Frozen banana: Adds natural sweetness — frozen banana is key for a luscious, creamy texture. Use a just-ripe banana for the best flavor. Whenever you have ripe bananas on hand, just peel them, break into chunks, and freeze them in a container or bag so you always have them ready for smoothies.
Frozen strawberries: Adds a touch of tartness and a beautiful magenta hue. Make sure they’re frozen — fresh strawberries will make the smoothie bowl too thin.
Vegan vanilla protein powder (optional): Adds thickness, a delicious vanilla flavor, and makes the smoothie more filling. My favorite is Ora Organic. Feel free to skip it if you prefer.
Instant espresso: Instant espresso adds a bold, energizing kick. You can also use espresso powder, instant coffee, or 1 shot of brewed and cooled espresso. Or leave it out completely for a classic strawberry banana smoothie bowl.
Cashew milk: Helps everything blend together and adds slight creaminess and a nutty flavor. I used homemade cashew milk, but store-bought or any non-dairy milk works well.
Toppings: Add whatever you like! I went for sliced banana, sliced strawberries, chocolate coffee-flavored granola, almond butter, cacao nibs, and flaxseeds. You could also try adding peanut butter, chocolate chips, cashews, or shredded coconut.

Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make a Strawberry Banana Espresso Smoothie Bowl

Making this smoothie bowl couldn't be simpler!

Frozen banana, frozen strawberries, vanilla protein powder, instant espresso, and cashew milk added to a blender.

Step 1: Add all the smoothie ingredients — frozen banana, frozen strawberries, vanilla protein powder, instant espresso, and cashew milk — to a high-powered blender.

Strawberry banana espresso smoothie blended until thick and creamy in a high-powered blender.

Step 2: Blend until smooth. If your blender has a tamper, use it to push the ingredients toward the blades. Otherwise, stop to scrape down or stir as needed. Add extra milk, a splash at a time, if needed to help blend. The smoothie should be very thick and spoonable.

Thick strawberry banana espresso smoothie spread into a bowl.

Step 3: Scoop the smoothie into a bowl and spread the top flat.

Finished strawberry banana espresso smoothie bowl topped with fruit, granola, almond butter, cacao nibs, and flaxseeds.

Step 4: Add your toppings and enjoy!

Chloe's Tips

Want the perfect smoothie bowl? Follow these tips for success:

Use frozen fruit: Make sure your strawberries and banana are frozen. This is key for achieving a thick, creamy smoothie bowl.
Use a high-powered blender: A strong blender with a tamper (like a Vitamix) makes it much easier to blend frozen fruit smoothly. You can push the ingredients toward the blades without stopping to scrape the sides.
Prep your toppings first: Have your sliced fruit, granola, and other toppings ready before making the smoothie. If you haven’t prepped them, place the smoothie in the freezer for a few minutes to keep it thick while you get everything ready.

Close-up of a strawberry banana espresso smoothie bowl with a spoon scooping the thick, creamy smoothie.

How to Store

This smoothie bowl is best enjoyed immediately. If needed, you can store the smoothie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day, but the texture and flavor are at their best when freshly made. Add toppings when ready to serve.

Did you try this recipe?

Let me know what you thought by leaving a ⭐ star rating and comment below and sharing it on Instagram or Facebook!

Thank you!

–Chloe

Strawberry Banana Espresso Smoothie Bowl

By Chloe Martin

Print recipe Pin recipe

PREP TIME:10

TOTAL TIME:10

SERVINGS:

COURSE: Breakfast

CUISINE: American

Ingredients

1 frozen ripe banana peeled and broken into chunks before freezing
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 serving (about ¼ cup or 30g) vegan vanilla protein powder (optional)
1-2 teaspoons instant espresso (depending on how strong you like it; see notes for substitutions)
½ cup cashew milk (I used homemade; more as needed)

Toppings

sliced banana
sliced strawberries
granola (I used a chocolate coffee granola)
almond butter
cacao nibs
whole or ground flaxseeds

Instructions

Add all smoothie ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend until smooth. If your blender has a tamper, use it to push the ingredients toward the blades. Otherwise, stop to scrape down or stir as needed. Add extra milk, a splash at a time, if needed to help blend. The smoothie should be very thick and creamy.
Transfer the smoothie to a bowl, add toppings, and serve immediately.

Notes

Instant espresso substitutions:

If you have an espresso machine, use 1 shot (about 1 oz / 30 ml) of brewed and cooled espresso. You may want to reduce the milk slightly (about 6 tbsp) since the espresso adds extra liquid.
1–2 teaspoon of espresso powder or instant coffee also works. Or, replace all the milk with ½ cup brewed coffee.

Cashew milk: Use store-bought or homemade cashew milk, or any non-dairy milk. I used this homemade recipe.

Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @chloescreativekitchen!