If you like to start your day with a fresh, cold smoothie for one, an immersion blender (also called a hand or stick blender) may be the missing element to your mornings. Instead of filling a full-sized standard blender, you can blend your fresh ingredients directly in your glass. Read on to learn if immersion blender smoothies can help bring fresh flavors to your mornings.
How to make an immersion blender smoothie
Can you make smoothies with an immersion blender?
Yes. Smoothies make an immersion blender shine. You can blend up your favorite smoothie recipes right in your drinking glass or on-the-go container, turning fresh ingredients into a fresh drink while limiting leftovers. Plus, cleanup is easy if your hand blender has a dishwasher-safe removable arm.
The immersion blender smoothie process will be slightly different than blending in a standard blender: add the ingredients into your container in the opposite order, so the blades come into contact with the ice first and the fruit last. See below for a step-by-step recipe on how to make an immersion blender smoothie and learn more about why you might need an immersion blender.
Immersion blender smoothie recipe
Making smoothies with a hand blender is a simple process with a lot of room for experimentation. There are many ingredients to choose from and flavor profiles to work with. Use this basic immersion blender smoothie recipe to learn the process and get creative.
Ingredients
2 parts ice
2 parts fresh or frozen fruit (e.g. berries, leftover bananas, mango, pineapple)
1 part vegetables (e.g. spinach, kale, arugula, cauliflower)
¼ part liquids (e.g. cow milk, alternative milks, coconut water, juice, kombucha)
¼ part fat ( e.g. avocado, nuts, nut butters, oils)
Flavor & nutrition boosters (e.g. cinnamon, honey, protein powder)
Tools
Yields
1 serving
Total Time
5 minutes
Step 1: Add the fruits and vegetables
Ingredients can be added directly into your drinking glass or the blender jar your hand blender may have come with. Take your pick of popular smoothie ingredients, but be careful with quantities depending on the size of your container. Wash and peel the fruit as needed and cut it into 1-inch cubes for a smoother blending process. All these ingredients can be added fresh or frozen if you want to avoid adding ice.
Fruit: Truly anything goes when it comes to fruits you can put in a smoothie. Bananas lend a sweet creaminess many people can’t go without. Berries add a tart flavor and often some color. Tropical fruits like mango and pineapple are also bursting with flavor and nutrition.
Veggies: Greens that pack a nutritional punch are great for smoothies because you can get your greens in smaller portions. Kale and spinach are popular options for that reason, while arugula can add peppery kick.
Step 2: Add liquid
You also have options to explore when it comes to liquids. Try fruit juice, nut milks, plain water or even coconut milk or cream for a little extra indulgence. For a morning energy boost, try adding cold brew coffee or tea. There’s an ever-expanding selection of non-dairy milks and other non-traditional liquid ingredients to choose from as well. Start small by adding less than you think you might need. You can always add more if you need to.
Liquids: Water, coconut water, cold-pressed juice, kombucha, cow milk, goat milk, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cold coffee, tea.
Step 3: Add fats
If you’re looking for a little extra protein, fat and creaminess, throw in some of these ingredients: avocado, seed or nut butter, yogurts, raw nuts or seeds, or oils like flax, coconut or olive oil.
Step 4: Blend
Blending the liquid with the fruits and vegetables before you introduce ice will help make it all come together more smoothly. Attach the basic multipurpose blade to your blender. Add a pan guard if you have one and you’re concerned about the blades coming into contact with your glass. As you blend, move the blender up and down in the cup to ensure you’re catching all the ingredients.
Step 5: Add ice, blend and boost
Add in the ice cubes and blend until smooth. Start with a lower speed, and move up as needed so you don’t lose control of your smoothie. Add in any extra ingredients to boost flavor or nutrition like spices, honey or powders. The possibilities are endless, so let your creative juices flow. Learn more about everything an immersion blender can do and how they can act as a substitute for a countertop blender.
Immersion blender smoothie recipes
Get more inspiration for smoothie ingredient combinations with these recipes that take refreshing and nutritious to the next level. Make sure to reverse the order of ingredients so you’re blending the food ingredients first, then putting the ice on top and blending it all together afterward.
Peach cobbler smoothie
Inspired by the classic, comforting dessert, this recipe is a better-for-you, drinkable version with plenty of grains and flavor.
Rosemary watermelon strawberry smoothie
This simple smoothie uses herbs to create a complex flavor profile. Skip the ice here and instead use frozen strawberries. Watermelon adds plenty of water for hydration and texture.
Date and cocoa smoothie
Think of the flavors of a peanut butter cup turned into a nutritious smoothie. It's sweetened with dates, potassium-rich bananas give it body, and peanut butter plus yogurt adds protein.
Cranberry blueberry fruit smoothie
Refreshing and nutritious, this berry-based smoothie is enriched with banana, protein-fueled with silken tofu, and sweetened with honey. Its electric berry color and bright flavors will make your day.
Can you use an immersion blender to make milkshakes?
Yes. Making a milkshake is much like making a smoothie in an immersion blender. Simply blend whole milk with your desired ice cream flavor and any delicious mix-ins. Start on a low speed and slowly raise it, being very careful not to overblend and therefore melt the milkshake.
You can even make whipped cream with your stick blender for a special topping: put some whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla or other flavorings in your container and blend on a medium to high speed for about 30 seconds. Check out these recipes for a classic milkshake, frosty berry cream milkshake or raspberry cheesecake milkshake for inspiration.
Can an immersion blender replace a blender?
Immersion or hand blenders can do many of the same tasks as a standard blender. They are particularly helpful when pureeing hot soups or other dishes right inside the pot where they’re cooking. However, if you regularly make large batches of smoothies or other foods with ice or hard ingredients, you may want to have a standard blender you can simply turn on and let gravity do the work for you. Learn more about what type of tasks your immersion blender can accomplish in the kitchen.
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