Blueberry Vanilla Kefir Smoothie for Gut Health

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

• Yield: 2 servings (about 12 fl oz / 350 ml each)
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 10 minutes

Quick Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) plain unsweetened kefir, chilled
• 1 cup (140 g) frozen blueberries
• 1 small ripe banana (about 100 g), sliced
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats (optional, for thickness)
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds (optional)
• 3–4 ice cubes (optional, for extra frostiness)
• Pinch of fine sea salt

Do This

• 1. Add kefir, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla to a blender.
• 2. Add frozen blueberries, banana, oats, flax or chia (if using), ice, and a pinch of salt.
• 3. Blend on low speed to start, then increase to high and blend until completely smooth and creamy, 30–60 seconds.
• 4. Pause and scrape down the sides of the blender if needed to catch any blueberry or oat bits.
• 5. Taste; add a little more honey/maple for sweetness or a splash of kefir for a looser texture, then blend briefly to combine.
• 6. Pour into 2 chilled glasses, garnish with a few blueberries if you like, and serve immediately.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tangy, lightly sweet, and creamy with bright blueberry flavor and warm vanilla notes.
• Packed with probiotics from fermented kefir to support a healthy gut.
• Ready in about 10 minutes with simple, everyday ingredients.
• Easily customizable: make it thicker, add protein, or adjust sweetness to taste.

Grocery List

• Produce: Blueberries (fresh or frozen), 1 small ripe banana.
• Dairy: Plain unsweetened kefir.
• Pantry: Honey or maple syrup, pure vanilla extract, rolled oats, ground flaxseed or chia seeds, fine sea salt, optional ground cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish.

Full Ingredients

Blueberry-Vanilla Kefir Smoothie

• 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) plain unsweetened kefir, well chilled
• 1 cup (140 g) frozen blueberries
• 1 small ripe banana (about 100 g), sliced (frozen slices if you like a thicker smoothie)
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons rolled oats (optional, for extra body and fiber)
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds (optional, for healthy fats)
• 3–4 ice cubes (optional, for a frosty texture)
• 1 small pinch fine sea salt (about 1/16 teaspoon) to enhance flavor

Optional Garnishes

• A few fresh blueberries
• Light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg
• Drizzle of kefir on top for a swirl effect

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Get Your Ingredients Chilled and Ready

For the best texture and flavor, start with very cold ingredients. Make sure your kefir is well chilled. If you can, slice the banana ahead of time and freeze the slices on a small tray or plate; this gives you a thicker, creamier smoothie without needing as much ice. Measure out the kefir, blueberries, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, oats, flax or chia (if using), and a small pinch of salt.

Set out your blender and two serving glasses. If you want an extra-cold drink, pop the glasses into the freezer while you blend.

Step 2: Add the Liquid Base to the Blender

Pour the 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) kefir into the blender first. Liquids at the bottom help everything blend more smoothly. Add the 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. This ensures the sweetener and vanilla disperse evenly through the smoothie rather than getting stuck on top of the frozen fruit.

Step 3: Add Fruits, Oats, Seeds, and Ice

Add the 1 cup (140 g) frozen blueberries and the banana slices to the blender. Follow with the 2 tablespoons rolled oats and 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia, if using. Drop in the 3–4 ice cubes if you prefer a thicker, frostier drink. Finally, add a small pinch of fine sea salt; you will not taste it as “salty,” but it subtly lifts the sweetness and blueberry flavor.

Step 4: Blend Until Silky Smooth

Secure the lid on the blender. Start blending on low speed for about 10–15 seconds to help the blades catch the frozen fruit and ice. Gradually increase to high speed and blend for 30–60 seconds, or until the mixture looks completely smooth, creamy, and evenly purple with no visible chunks of fruit or oats.

If your blender struggles, pause, remove the lid, and scrape down the sides with a spatula to pull any dry bits back into the center. Blend again until everything is fully incorporated.

Step 5: Taste and Adjust Sweetness and Thickness

Give the smoothie a quick taste. If you prefer it sweeter, add another 1–2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup and blend briefly to combine. If the smoothie is thicker than you like, add a small splash (1–2 tablespoons) of kefir or cold water, then blend again for a few seconds. If you want it extra thick, add a few more blueberries or a couple more ice cubes and blend again until smooth.

Step 6: Pour, Garnish, and Serve

Remove your chilled glasses from the freezer, if using. Pour the blueberry-vanilla kefir smoothie evenly into both glasses. For a simple but pretty finish, drizzle a teaspoon of kefir on top of each glass and gently swirl with a toothpick or skewer to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with a few fresh blueberries and a light dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg if you enjoy warm spice notes with vanilla.

Serve immediately while the smoothie is cold and frosty for the best texture and the brightest flavor.

Pro Tips

• Use plain, unsweetened kefir: This keeps the smoothie from becoming overly sweet and lets you control the sweetness with honey or maple syrup.
• Frozen fruit = thicker smoothie: Using frozen blueberries and frozen banana makes the smoothie creamy and milkshake-like without needing much ice.
• Layer smart for easier blending: Liquids on the bottom, soft ingredients in the middle, frozen items on top help prevent stalling and overworking your blender.
• Do not over-sweeten: Start with the listed amount of sweetener, then adjust. The tang of kefir is part of the charm and keeps the drink refreshing.
• Blend long enough: Give the smoothie a full 30–60 seconds on high; this helps oats and seeds fully break down for a smoother texture that still feels substantial.

Variations

• High-Protein Version: Add 1/2 scoop (about 15 g) vanilla or unflavored protein powder and an extra 2 tablespoons kefir or water to keep the texture smooth. Blend well to avoid any grittiness.
• Green Blueberry Kefir Smoothie: Add a small handful (about 1/2 cup loosely packed) baby spinach before blending. It will turn the smoothie a deep bluish-green but the flavor stays mostly blueberry-vanilla.
• Nutty Crunch: Replace ground flax or chia with 1–2 tablespoons of almond butter or peanut butter for a richer, nuttier smoothie with extra staying power.

Storage & Make-Ahead

This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately because kefir can separate a bit as it sits. If you need to store it, pour leftovers into an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir well before drinking; the texture may be slightly thinner but still tasty.

For easy make-ahead prep, assemble smoothie “packs”: add blueberries, banana slices, oats, and seeds to freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When you are ready to blend, empty a pack into the blender, add kefir, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt, then blend until smooth.

Nutrition (per serving)

Approximate values per serving (1 of 2), including oats and flax but excluding garnishes:

Calories: ~260 kcal; Protein: ~7 g; Carbohydrates: ~43 g; Dietary Fiber: ~6 g; Total Fat: ~6 g; Saturated Fat: ~3 g; Sugars: ~28 g (includes natural sugars); Sodium: ~80 mg. Actual values will vary based on specific brands, the type of kefir (low-fat vs. whole), and the amount of sweetener used.