9 Common Smoothie Mistakes (+ 1 Bonus Tip)

#1 You're using only fresh fruit

The secret to thick, creamy smoothies? Frozen fruit and vegetables.
Whenever I spot a few overripe, brown bananas sitting on the counter, I slice them up straight away, place them in a freezer-safe container and pop them in the freezer.
Ripe fruit makes the creamiest, most delicious smoothies — and you’ll save it from going to waste.

#2 You're adding too much liquid

For a thick, ice-cream-like texture, the rule is simple: use less liquid.
Start with no more than 60 ml (2 fl oz) of milk, plant milk or fruit juice.
If the blender struggles, you can always add a little more — but once it’s in the jug, you can’t take it out.

#3 You're choosing watery fruits

High-water-content fruits like apples, pears and oranges create thin, runny smoothies.
If you still want to use them, freeze them first and pair them with creamier fruits.

Examples:

⅔ frozen banana + ⅓ frozen pear
⅔ frozen mango + ⅓ frozen orange

Best creamy bases: banana, mango, pineapple, peach, papaya — or (when cooked then frozen) pumpkin and cauliflower.

#4 You're adding ice cubes

Ice melts quickly and waters down the texture. A couple of cubes are fine for a thinner, drinkable smoothie — but for a thick, spoonable smoothie bowl, skip the ice entirely.

#5 You're not stirring while blending

If your blender has a tamper, use it right from the start: gently push the fruit towards the blades so the machine can create a smooth, even blend.
If your blender doesn’t include one, stop the machine occasionally and scrape down the sides with a spatula.

#6 You're skipping thickening ingredients

For a creamy, satisfying consistency, add natural “thickeners”:

Protein powder – adds thickness and keeps you full for longer
Yoghurt – replace milk with two tablespoons of yoghurt for a much thicker result
Chia seeds – blend in 1 tablespoon for extra creaminess and better texture

#7 You're not freezing fruit long enough

To achieve an ice-cream-like texture, freeze your fruit for at least 2 days before using.
A helpful routine: buy a few extra bananas each week. When they’re perfectly ripe, slice and freeze them — you’ll always have the perfect smoothie base ready to go.

#8 You're letting the fruit thaw

Before taking your frozen fruit out of the freezer, set everything else up first:

Blender ready
Tamper or spatula nearby
Liquid measured
Bowl or glass ready
Toppings chosen

Even a few minutes of thawing can ruin the texture.

#9 You're waiting for the “perfect blender”

High-end blenders like Vitamix are amazing — but not necessary.
If you follow these steps, you can easily make thick, creamy smoothies with a mid-range blender or even a food processor.

+1 Bonus Tip — Be patient

Smoothie bowls take a bit of practice. It might feel tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature — and you won’t want to stop.