15 Yogurt Substitutes For Smoothies

Are you vegetarian, maybe lactose-intolerant, or on a diet, and you want to keep making creamy and thick smoothies with dairy-free foods? Do not worry, it can be done and you may find using these substitutes way better to use in making yummy smoothies.

Whether you love making thick and creamy, or fresh fruit smoothies or whole-food mixtures, there are many smoothie combinations to try without using yogurt. Also, do not be afraid to keep experimenting! 

Some yogurt substitutes for smoothies to make creamy, thick, and delicious smoothies are coconut cream, banana, non-dairy milk (soy milk, cashew milk), almond milk yogurt, chia seeds, nut butter, and protein powder, avocado, or frozen fruits. 

Read on, while we explain how to make delicious and dairy-free smoothies without using yogurt or dairy milk. 

15 Yogurt Substitutes For Smoothies

Interestingly, yogurt or dairy milk is not the only ingredient for making delicious, thick smoothies, it goes to say that there are many other healthy substitutes to try out when making your smoothies. Using this article as a guide, we encourage you to try out these healthy substitutes mentioned below and give us feedback.

Here are the best alternatives for yogurt in your smoothies:

  • Avocado for creaminess.
  • Plant-based kinds of milk (coconut milk, cashew milk, almond milk, or soy milk).
  • Use non-dairy yogurts (almond milk yogurt, soy yogurt, coconut-based yogurt).
  • Flavoring substitutes (vanilla, chocolate, cherry, pineapple flavors, etc.).
  • Coconut cream.
  • Chia seeds help as a thickening agent too.
  • Protein Powders.
  • Fruit juice like (apple, pineapple, and strawberry juice).
  • Coconut water or teas like herbal tea, green tea, or chai.
  • Cultured milk (buttermilk, coconut kefirs, koumiss) for probiotics.

For thickness or added texture in your smoothie, you can use: 

  • Frozen fruits and Bananas.
  • Flaxseed.
  • Nut butter like peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower butter.
  • Sweet Potatoes or pumpkins.
  • Oats.

The Best 4 Yogurt Substitutes In a Smoothies

Want to replace the use of yogurt in your smoothies? Here are the best alternatives to try.

1. Almond milk yogurt and other non-diary yogurts

As using diary-based or Greek yogurt is a no-no, non-diary-based yogurts are the best to go with. importantly, almond milk yogurt is a healthy and thickening alternative to your smoothie. It also gives it a smooth nutty flavor 

Almond milk in the refridgerator
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com

2. Coconut Cream

This is a thick, smooth and healthy substitute for yogurt, it is also high in nutrition, healthy fats, and calories. Although coconut milk is also a good diary replacement it’s not as thick as coconut cream, in case you prefer a thicker smoothie.

3. Protein Powders

This helps to boost energy, helps your muscles grow, and has a filling effect to it. It is a worthy additive to add to your smoothie, but ensure to buy healthy plant-based powders instead of whey powders, as we keep it dairy-based free.

4. Chia seeds

Chia seeds are healthy and thickening agents for your smoothies, especially when packed with Omega-3. They have a delicious, nutty flavor and help to boost your energy. Add a tablespoon of it to a 3 tbsp of water for 15 minutes. They will help thicken your smoothie smoothly. 

Yogurt and Milk Substitutes for Smoothies

Here are more options to even get rid of milk in your smoothies.

1. Avocado and plant-based milk

They can be paired together to give you the right creaminess you get from yogurt and the plant-based milk like coconut, soy, or cashew milk would make for a good alternative to dairy-based milk. With this, you have a creamy and delicious smoothie to go. 

2. Fruit Juice

selective focus photography of pure orange juice
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Frozen fruits are a good base for making your delicious fruit smoothies and can be easily paired with avocado for creaminess. 

3. Cultured Milk Alternatives

Using other types of cultured milk like (buttermilk, kefir, or koumiss), helps to add probiotics to your smoothie making it healthy and good for your body organs’ health. 

Lastly, Flavorings and fruit juice help to add a delicious mix to your smoothie as you opt to use yogurt or diary-based produce. They help as sweeteners or give diverse flavors to your smoothie. You can also add a bit of coconut water or herbal tea for healthy liquid alternatives to dairy-based milk. 

Healthy Thickener Substitutes for Yogurt In a Smoothie 

Chia seeds or Oats are a healthy choice to help thicken your smoothie. Although they don’t taste like yogurt, they can help thicken the consistency. Just remember to mix with water to thicken before imparting it to your smoothie mixture. 

Nut butter (peanut, almond, or hazelnut butter) or Flaxseeds are also delicious, nutty, and high in fiber to help make your smoothie thicken and delicious. Always remember moderately is key when adding yogurt or diary-based milk substitutes to your smoothie.

Grind your flaxseed or buy cracked ones to enjoy a smoothie loaded with fiber, minerals, and proteins. 

Lastly, Frozen fruits like banana, pineapple, or cherry help to add sweetness and thickness to your smoothie. While cool Sweet potatoes or pumpkins are also good thickening agents for smoothies that contain nuts, maple syrup, or applesauce.  

Noteworthy tip: Always remember balance is key for a non-diary-based smoothie, make all your ingredients moderate to have a sweet yet thick and creamy smoothie. Check labels for ingredients that contain preservatives or expiry date, and go for a substitute that suits your taste buds. 

How to fix a watery smoothie? 

You can add a bit of salt or cinnamon, or you thicken it using coconut cream, banana, chia seeds, flaxseeds, or nut butter like peanut, almond, or hazelnut butter.

Is there an alternative to using yogurt

Yes, there are many recommended substitutes like avocado, protein powders, frozen fruits, almond milk yogurts, plant-based kinds of milk, nut butter, or flavorings.

How do you make super thick smoothies? 

Use frozen fruit, banana, sweet potatoes, oats, flaxseed, or chia seeds. Blend with your mixture for a thick consistency. 

How long can I store my smoothies?

It’s best to make small portions and drink up when fresh. But you can store it in your refrigerator or freezer for 3-7 days, till you are ready to drink. 

Wrapping up 

In summary, there are so many recommended and healthy substitutes to achieve a sweet, creamy, and thick smoothie. They help to keep you filled on the go, or for a good breakfast and brunch diet.

Remember to keep the ingredients based and start first with your fruits, ice, non-dairy milk, or yogurts before adding up other substitutes to make a thick and creamy smoothie. 

You can try up recipes like almond and protein, fruit-based smoothies, simple mango smoothies, pear and avocado smoothies, or carrot, apple, and ginger smoothies.