Smoothies, bowls and dips.

The concept of smoothies has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until the invention of the refrigerator and the blender in the 1930s that they became more widely available. When health food stores on the American west coast, pioneered by a lactose intolerant Robert Kuhnau, started selling fruit smoothies in the 1970s, a new movement was born. Since then, smoothies have gained in popularity as they combine healthy ingredients in a tasty, easy to make drink.

Purists may want to go for fruit and vegetables only, but there’s always scope to play around with milk or vegan alternatives, yoghurt or nuts for delicious results. Here, we share inspiring recipes, tips and tricks for your favourite smoothies  – all tried and tested with our Bosch blenders.

They say fresh is best. So try to select fruit and vegetables that are in season. But if you can’t get your hands on fresh strawberries, pineapple or spinach, there is often something delicious in the frozen section at your local supermarket. The rule is, there is no rule, so experiment with flavour, textures, liquid-to-solid ratios and more.

To ensure your blender delivers the best smoothie, it’s important to add your ingredients in the right order. For example, with liquid at the bottom, the centrifugal forces push it up for a better mix. Please note: if you’re using a ToGo bottle, simply reverse the order as the container will be up-side-down when you fill it.

1. Liquids like fruit juice, milk, milk alternatives or (coconut) water

2. Dry ingredients like matcha powder, vanilla or cardamom

3. Fresh fruit and vegetables

4. Leafy greens

5. Frozen fruit, ice, nuts or other hard ingredients

Children love sweets. And smoothies often taste sweet as they contain natural sugar. The good news is they are also full of vitamins, so it’s the perfect way to give children the nutrients they need. These recipes should convert any child to have their 5 portions of fruit or vegetables a day.

Our top tip: use ripe bananas (also known as the ones that they wouldn’t normally touch) as they taste sweeter.

It’s hard to beat home-made ice-cream on a hot day. Especially if it’s made with your favourite ingredients. Simply prepare your smoothie as usual, pour it into a freezer-safe container and freeze until solid.

Alternatively, combine your favourite frozen fruit with cream or yoghurt, add some icing sugar and blend for about 40 seconds. Voilà – your truly indulgent ice-cream.

This is a great way to maximise the health benefits of your smoothie. With green leaves and vegetables at their base, green smoothies provide a rich source of vitamins and minerals. They’re full of antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Their high fibre content also supports the digestive system. But that’s not all – green smoothies can boost energy, promote bone health and help maintain a healthy weight.

Green smoothies are a fantastic way to detox and to recharge. Buy ready-mixed wild herb salad or try gathering herbs in the wild. Milder herbs such as chickweed, bishop’s weed or wild mint work well. Very bitter herbs such as dandelion or very pungent herbs like wild cress enrich the mixture but should only be added in small quantities. And don't forget: if you have any left overs or vegetables that are past their prime, they make a great addition to your smoothie. With a little bit of practice you’ll soon create your own personal favourite.

Most people associate green smoothies with spinach, kale and avocado. And that’s a great place to start. But when it comes to creating your individual favourite, why not try some more exotic ingredients like onions, chilli, cayenne or ginger? There are many health benefits and they taste extra delicious. Or go further still and add some aloe vera for fantastic flavour and great skin!

Healthy, delicious, and a great way to prevent food waste. If a banana looks a bit brown, or a few strawberries are a little too soft to eat -  fruit and vegetables that are past their prime make a great addition to any smoothie. In fact, overripe bananas taste sweeter than the greener variety. So it’s a win-win for you, your health and the planet.

If you want to know exactly what goes into your almond milk, why not create your own vegan version? After all, it’s so simple to make with your Bosch blender. Want to add some extra delicious flavour? Stir three to four dates into the almond milk or add four tablespoons of maple syrup or coconut blossom sugar and season with a little ground vanilla. Yum!

Smoothies are much more than just a breakfast treat. Why not take them with you for a healthy snack after the gym or on your lunch break? Most Bosch blenders can be paired with a handy ToGo bottle, and some – like the Vita Power Mini blender – already feature a blending jug that can also be used as a bottle. Simply seal with the lid and put it in your bag for later.

A smoothie with crushed ice is an ideal thirst quencher – and extra delicious. Look out for blenders with enough power, some Bosch models even feature a dedicated ice crushing programme.

Top tip: use the right amount of ice – too little can make your drink slushy, too much dilutes the flavour. So it’s worth adding the ice gradually to get the right balance. Of course, crushed ice is also great for creating frozen lemonade or a fruit mocktail!

Blenders with ice crushing programme Series 4

If you want to take your smoothie to the next level, we recommend these delicious bowls. They are based on smoothie recipes but tend to be slightly thicker. Served in a bowl and topped with tasty dry ingredients like granola, seeds, nuts or dried fruit, smoothie bowls are ideal for breakfast. So get creative with your favourite fruit, vegetables and toppings. The vibrant colours (and healthy ingredients!) are guaranteed to get you off to a great start.

Probably the most famous of the smoothie breakfast bowls, this recipe uses açai purée made from frozen açai palm fruit. If you can’t find açai, you can always substitute it with blueberries – both are full of antioxidants and rich in colour. 

For extra creamy results, leave oats to soak overnight before adding them to your blender in the morning.

Bowls are healthy, delicious and simply a beautiful sight. Who doesn’t want to tuck into a breakfast that looks this amazing? For extra wow factor, add some special toppings like edible flowers, pistachio nuts, chia seeds, almond flakes or goji berries. Finish it off with some fresh herbs like mint or basil. And voilà, your bowl is both Insta-ready and irresistibly tasty.

There’s no limit to what your blender can do when it comes to setting you up for the day. The humble cottage cheese is turned into a breakfast treat, featuring fruit and vegetables. For extra crunch you can always sprinkle it with some granola.

For the most fragrant fresh taste, try making these irresistible dips and spreads at home. Whether you like savoury hummus, tangy pesto or sweet chocolate spread, your blender – paired with your creativity – will make it happen.  

If you love hummus with a twist, this is the version for you. While the vibrant pink colour brings joy to every plate, the humble beetroot also packs plenty of anti-oxidants and vitamins – a winner all-round.

Top tip: if you pre-cook the beetroot, let it cool down before you peel it. This will retain the intense pink colour in your hummus.

Looking for fresh ideas for the BBQ? It couldn’t be any easier with the right blender. Try creating delicious marinades for meat and fish, fragrant sauces and salsa, pesto or dips. You can even whip up home-made ketchup in a flash. After all, BBQs are all about big flavours and little hassle.

Fresh pesto always beats the supermarket variety. For truly authentic, home-made flavours, you could go one step further and grill your own peppers. Simply put bell peppers under the grill until the skin is charred, cover with a damp cloth and peel off the blackened skin once it’s cooled down.

You might think they’re a guilty pleasure, but nut butters contain lots of healthy fats and help absorb fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin K and E. With a blender you can create your own tasty version, often at a fraction of the price. So why not have a go and create spreads and butters just the way you like them.

Making your own chocolate spread couldn’t be any easier or smoother whipped up in a blender. Plus, you know exactly what goes into your chocolatey treat so it's a healthy alternative to shop-bought versions.

Top tip: roasting the nuts in the oven gives the spread a distinctive warm and nutty flavour, but you can also use plain hazelnuts to save time. 

When it comes to making the most of your blender, the options are sheer endless. Think whizzing up baby food, chopping nuts, heating soup... Did you know you can even make dough and chop parmesan cheese with selected models? Here is more inspiration for convenient and delicious food preparation.

The best way (and often the simplest) is to make home-made baby food, so you can ensure your little ones get the nutrients they need. Whether it’s carrot mash, avocado dip or banana purée  – your blender helps you whizz up your favoured recipe in seconds.

Top tip: prepare bigger batches and freeze them, so you have more time to rest in between baby duties.

Simple, delicious and healthy, soups are the perfect hassle-free meal. Especially, if you use a blender to create a silky smooth consistency. Try making a cold gazpacho, blend raw vegetables or previously cooked warm ingredients. Bosch high speed blenders can even heat up your soup. So play with meat, vegetables, or go vegan. Add spices from all over the world, herbs and nuts. Your soup options really are limitless.

Blenders are multi-talented. They can even help you prepare a dough, especially light and fluffy ones which are ideal for pancakes or waffles. Simply add all the ingredients to the blender, set to maximum for about 20  seconds and get ready to flip mouth-watering pancakes.

If you want to preserve as many nutrients as possible, we recommend milling your own flour. And yes, you can do this with many Bosch blenders like the VitaPower Series 4 thanks to their strong stainless steel blades. It’s not only healthier but tastes better, too. Experiment with different types of grains or gluten-free options to create your favourite flour for bread, cakes or pancake dough.

Hard ingredients like nuts, chocolate or even parmesan cheese are easy to chop with a blender – even when they’re not combined with liquids. So whether you want to enjoy them on their own or added to home-made spreads or smoothies, your blender saves you time and effort. Plus: freshly chopped and ground ingredients always taste that little bit better.

When choosing a blender, always consider what you will be using it for. Your daily smoothie, occasional soups, crushed ice? As a general rule, more power means more options: all Bosch models are great for making smoothies, while blenders with at least 1000 watts are even better at blending hard or fibrous ingredients like frozen fruits or spinach leaves. And more power also equals less mixing time.