Strawberry Smoothie with Almond Milk

This strawberry smoothie is made with almond milk. It not only has strawberries, but also melons to give it an incredibly fresh strawberry flavor which is perfect for hot summer days!

This is by far my favorite strawberry smoothie!

While all you taste are the strawberries, by adding the melons, it makes the strawberry taste extra fresh.

I also like adding a little banana because even though you can’t taste its flavor in this smoothie, it does make it naturally a little sweeter.

If you like this recipe, you may also like my banana smoothie with almond milk and my strawberry banana smoothie with almond milk.

HOW TO FREEZE FRUIT FOR SMOOTHIES

To make smoothies even easier, freeze fresh fruit into portions. 

Cut fruit into pieces and arrange, in one layer, on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Slide the baking sheet into the freezer and freeze until hard (two to three hours).

Smaller fruit like berries I often just freeze whole. It’s easier to do this if you know how much you’re going to need for a recipe and divide it up into bags.

Do Smoothies have Dairy?

Smoothies don’t have to, but they usually contain dairy because they usually are made with milk and/or yogurt.

What you need for a smoothie is not necessarily milk, but actually a liquid. This means that all you have to do is switch the milk out for another liquid in order to make it dairy free.

Is almond milk better for smoothies?

Almond milk is better for smoothies if you are looking to cut out some calories or if you are dairy free.

What is the best almond milk to use for smoothies?

Any almond milk will work, but I personally recommend unsweetened barista styled almond milk.

The smoothie is already sweet and the barista version will make the smoothie creamier like milk would.

Is it better to make a smoothie with water or almond milk?

If you are using regular almond milk, it really makes little difference because they have a similar texture.

However, if you are using barista styled almond milk, then the almond milk is better because it will make the smoothie creamier.

What Type of Dairy Free Yogurt Should I use?

You should use a neutral or vanilla flavored dairy free yogurt.

Yogurt made from soy, almonds, coconut, and oats all will work fine here.

Can I leave out the yogurt?

Yes, but the smoothie will be less creamy if you do. If you want to leave out the yogurt, replace it with more almond milk.

Sugar

The primary role of sugar is to be a sweetener. However, sugar also contributes to the tenderness and moistness of the baked good by absorbing and retaining moisture and helps create the golden brown color when baking as it caramelizes.

Recipes with more sugar often result in softer, moister textures. However, I learned the hard way that too much sugar leads to a sticky mess.

When it’s heated, sugar caramelizes, resulting in a rich, complex flavor and a brown color. This adds both flavor and color to baked goods and is also the process in which caramel sauce, dulce de leche, caramel candies, and regular candies are made.

When used in recipes containing yeast, the sugar is eaten by the yeast, producing carbon dioxide and causing the dough to rise.

Sugar also acts as a preservative in jams, jellies, and fruit preserves by reducing water activity and preventing microbial growth.

There are many different types of sugar, including white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla sugar, powdered sugar, turbinado sugar, and demerara sugar.

When a recipe calls for “sugar” without specifying anything else, it’s referring to regular white sugar.

White Sugar

White sugar (sometimes called granulated sugar, table sugar, or white granulated sugar) is made of either beet sugar or cane sugar, which has undergone a refining process.

It is the easiest to find and most commonly used.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses added to it.

It is commonly used in chocolate chip cookie recipes, and it’s rare for a recipe that calls for brown sugar not to also call for white sugar as well.

When a recipe calls for “brown sugar” but doesn’t specify what type (light or dark), it is referring to light brown sugar.

In my recipes, you can use whatever type of brown sugar you have on hand, whether it is dark brown sugar, light brown sugar, or demerara sugar – which is very common in Israel.

Just keep in mind that the flavor and color will be slightly different, depending on what you choose to use.

Turbinado Sugar

Turbinado sugar is better known as “raw sugar.” But, despite this name, the sugar is not really “raw.”

Instead, it’s partially refined sugar that retains some of the original molasses.

The term “raw sugar” may also give off the impression that it is somehow healthier.

In reality, turbinado sugar is nutritionally similar to white sugar.

Demerara Sugar

Demerara sugar is very popular in Israel and is especially delicious in tea, but is also used for baking.

Unlike white sugar, demerara sugar undergoes minimal processing and retains some vitamins and minerals.

However, it is still not much healthier than white sugar.

Vanilla Sugar

Vanilla sugar is not very common in the States. However, it is common in Israel and parts of Europe.

This is sugar that sat for an extended period of time with vanilla beans, giving it a vanilla flavor.

Caster Sugar

This type of sugar is common in the United Kingdom.

It has a grain finer than white (granulated) sugar and larger than powdered sugar.

Caster sugar is often called for in recipes for delicate baked goods like meringues, souffles, and sponge cakes.

You can use a 1:1 conversion rate between caster sugar and white (granulated) sugar.

Powdered sugar

Powdered sugar, sometimes known as confectioners’ sugar, is a sugar with a powdered texture.

This sugar is rarely used for baking. Instead, it is used for dusting desserts and making frosting, icing, and glazes.

In some countries, you can also find powdered vanilla sugar.

It is made the exact same way regular vanilla sugar is made. However, the sugar used is powdered instead of granulated.

Vanilla Extract vs Vanilla sugar

In my recipes, I don’t specify what kind of vanilla to use.

The reason for this is that in the States, vanilla extract is exclusively used.

Meanwhile in Israel, along with many European countries, vanilla sugar is common.

In most, if not all recipes, both vanilla extract and vanilla sugar can be used.

In recipes where vanilla sugar can be used instead of extract, you can replace them 1:1.

Replacing Sugar with Honey

If you’d prefer to use honey instead of sugar, you can do so with pretty good results.

Honey can be two or even three times as sweet depending on the honey, so for every 1 cup of sugar, you can use 1/2 to 2/3 cup honey.

Since honey adds liquid, you need to remove some to balance it out.  For every cup of honey, remove a 1/4 cup of liquid.

Also, it burns faster than granulated sugar, so you want to lower the baking temperature by 25 F.  In addition, check it early and often to avoid burning or overbaking.

How to Store Sugar

Sugar should be stored in an airtight container to prevent clumping and moisture absorption, and kept in a cool, dry place.

WHY USE OVERRIPE BANANAS?

There are a few benefits to using overripe bananas. 

First and foremost, older bananas give a stronger flavor than fresh bananas – the darker the better.

Secondly, it allows you to repurpose them instead of having food wasted. 

Make Ahead of Time

You can easily make this recipe ahead of time.

All you have to do is put all the ingredients in the blender except the milk (and oats, if desired).

Blend it up until it is nice and smooth. Then, pour the smoothie into a freezer safe resealable bag.

Once you’re ready to use the smoothie, let it sit out until it’s defrosted enough to put into the blender.

Place the smoothie in the blender, add the milk and oats, if desired, then blend until smooth again. Once it has a nice pourable consistency, put it in a cup, and serve.