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Are you trying to follow a smoothie recipe that uses yogurt, but you don’t have any yogurt in the fridge? Or maybe you need a dairy-free alternative?
Whatever your reason for making a smoothie without yogurt, you can still make a delicious smoothie simply by swapping yogurt for a substitute ingredient.
I’m going to share 17 yogurt substitutes for smoothies that will allow you to enjoy the benefits that yogurt brings to a smoothie, even when you don’t have any yogurt.
We also have a list of smoothie recipes without yogurt if you want to save yourself some time and make one of these!
7 Benefits of Yogurt in Smoothies
Aside from its taste, there are seven reasons you might want to add yogurt to a smoothie.
- Creamy texture – Yogurt is one of our favorite smoothie ingredients for making creamier smoothies.
- Sweetness – If your smoothie lacks flavor or is packed with bitter vegetables, a dollop or two of yogurt will add much-needed sweetness. Some of these yogurt alternatives for smoothies are also on our list of ways to sweeten smoothies.
- Thickness – Yogurt is often used instead of milk, water or fruit juice to make smoothies thicker.
- High protein – Yogurt contains a lot of protein. Half a cup of Greek yogurt adds approximately 12 grams of protein to your smoothie. It’s the #1 ingredient on our list of high protein smoothies without protein powder!
- Probiotics – Adding yogurt to your smoothie increases your intake of “good bacteria”, which can aid gut health – that’s why it’s super common for colon cleansing smoothies.
- Calcium – Along with protein and probiotics, yogurt also contains lots of calcium, giving you healthier teeth and bones. This is one of the best smoothie health benefits.
- Vitamin B12 – Another nutritional benefit of yogurt is the amount of vitamin B12 it contains, which helps to keep your blood and nerve cells healthy.
When choosing a yogurt substitute for your smoothie, you’ll want to choose an ingredient that delivers as many of these benefits as possible.
17 Substitutes for Yogurt in Smoothies
No yogurt substitute will ever be exactly the same as adding yogurt to your smoothie, but all of the ingredients below offer at least some of the same benefits.
1. Non-dairy Yogurt
Non-dairy yogurt is a great substitute for yogurt in a smoothie because it has a similar consistency and tangy flavor. Coconut based yogurt or almond based yogurt are great alternatives that taste just as delicious! This is a great way to add protein to smoothies!
Non-dairy yogurt can also be a good source of protein (soy yogurt is the most protein-packed non-dairy yogurt), as well as calcium and probiotics to aid gut health. Some great brands to choose from are So Delicious, Yoplait Oui, Silk, Forager, and Kite Hill.
2. Protein Powder
Yogurt is a rich source of protein, so if you’re looking for one or more ingredients to replace yogurt in your smoothie, it’s worth adding some protein powder. It is available in different flavors and is made from whey, soy, pea, and other sources. Protein may not be used much in whole30 smoothies, but it’s a great option for paleo smoothies!
3. Bananas
Bananas are commonly used as a base in smoothies due to their creamy texture and natural sweetness. They are one of the best yogurt substitutes for smoothies because they are a good source of potassium and fiber. I recommend freezing the bananas before blending them to make your smoothie even thicker!
Bananas are one of the most affordable smoothie ingredients which is why it’s super common on our list of cheap smoothies!
4. Avocados
Avocado is a creamy and nutrient-packed fruit that makes a great yogurt substitute. It’s rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, and potassium. Like the other fruit and vegetables on this list, avocado can be blended from frozen to make smoothies smoother!
If you’re looking for low sugar smoothies, avocado is great because it’s sugar free! It’s one of the best ingredients for weight loss green smoothies because it balances out the greens!
5. Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is a rich and creamy ingredient that can add a tropical flavor and texture to your smoothie. It’s also high in healthy fats and can help you feel full for longer. If you want a bit less calories you can use coconut milk, which is one of the best milks for smoothies!
6. Nut Butter
Nut butter, such as almond butter or peanut butter, can add creaminess and flavor to a smoothie as a yogurt substitute. It’s also high in healthy fats and protein. Pecan butter is another delicious option that has a hint of sweetness. Peanut butter is great if you’re making breakfast smoothies for weight loss!
7. Oats
Oats are a good yogurt substitute in smoothies because they add thickness and texture, as well as fiber. They are particularly good in high fiber breakfast smoothies, providing sustained energy throughout the morning.
Oats are great for packing in the carbs so if you’re trying to make some high calories smoothies for gaining weight, give oats a try! Soaking oats for half an hour can be a great for meal replacement smoothies as well!
8. Flax Seeds
Like oats and chia seeds, flax seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, making them a great yogurt substitute. They also thicken the texture of your smoothie and add a subtle nutty flavor.
9. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are fantastic at thickening and adding texture to smoothies. Like yogurt, they are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Chia seeds are also one of our favorite banana substitutes for smoothies!
10. Frozen Fruit
Frozen fruit, such as berries or mango, can add thickness and sweetness to a smoothie as a yogurt substitute. It also provides natural sugars, vitamins, and minerals. Blending frozen fruit into your smoothie will make it thicker. Just be sure to drink it before all the ice melts and dilutes your smoothie.
Frozen fruit helps compliment harsher green veggies so it’s super common in our list of kale smoothies!
The only downside of too much fruit is that the insoluble fiber can make smoothies separate.
11. Soy Milk
Soy milk can be used as a yogurt substitute in smoothies to add creaminess and protein. Its nutritional benefits also include calcium and vitamin D.
If you prefer almond milk, check out our list of almond milk smoothies or dairy free smoothies!
12. Frozen Cauliflower
Frozen cauliflower is on our list of the best vegetables for smoothies! It’s one of our favorite yogurt substitutes for smoothies. When blended, it has a neutral flavor and a creamy texture that blends well with other ingredients. Cauliflower is also low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Cauliflower is also a popular ingredient in our list of keto friendly smoothies and smoothies for diabetics.
13. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a protein-rich ingredient that can help to thicken and add creaminess to a smoothie as a yogurt substitute. It’s also full of calcium and vitamin B12.
The high protein content makes it one of the best yogurt substitutes for smoothies!
14. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese can add creaminess and tanginess to a smoothie as a yogurt substitute. It’s also a good source of protein and calcium.
15. Cooked Sweet Potatoes
Cooked sweet potatoes are a great substitute for yogurt in smoothies because they have a creamy, velvety texture that makes them ideal for adding body to a smoothie. They are also packed with vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber.
Cooked sweet potatoes add a thick texture that helps keep smoothies from getting foamy!
16. Kefir
Kefir is similar to yogurt in terms of its tangy flavor, probiotic content, protein, and calcium. The probiotics make kefir a particularly good choice if you value the gut health benefits that yogurt brings to your smoothie.
17. Koumiss
Koumiss is a fermented milk drink similar to kefir, making it a good substitute for yogurt in smoothies. Like both kefir and yogurt, koumiss is an excellent source of probiotics and protein.
Common Questions About Yogurt in Smoothies
You do not have to use yogurt in smoothies. You can replace it with other dairy products, such as kefir or cottage cheese, or you can use a non-dairy product to thicken your smoothie, such as bananas or coconut cream.
Oats, nuts, and seeds are a great way to make smoothies thicker without yogurt. Alternatively, try another dairy product, such as sour cream, or a non-dairy product, such as frozen fruit.
You can use milk instead of yogurt in a smoothie. However, as milk is a liquid, your smoothie will be much thinner and will have a less creamy texture. You may therefore want to add some other ingredients to help make your smoothie thicker.
The main purpose of dairy in a smoothie is to add a thick and creamy texture. The same effect can be achieved with dairy alternatives, such as almond or soy milk, combined with thickening ingredients such as oats, nuts, and seeds.
Our Choice: The Best Yogurt Substitute for Smoothies
The best yogurt substitute would be an ingredient that’s thicker and offers a creamy texture to your smoothies! Ideally it would also be dairy free and high in protein.
Our favorite yogurt substitutes for smoothies are:
- Bananas – Bananas are sweet and add a super creamy texture like yogurt does! The main difference is the protein content. Yogurt will have more protein. But bananas are cheaper and you can easily freeze them for later!
- Avocado – Avocados are great for replicating the texture benefits of yogurt. They’ll help your smoothies be thicker, creamier, and smoother. Avocados are almost purely a source of fat content while yogurt will have more carbs and protein.
- Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes can add a super creamy texture to your smoothies and they can make them thicker! They’re also a great source of healthy carbs. They won’t have as much protein as yogurt does.
- Cottage cheese – If you don’t mind the dairy, cottage cheese is the best high protein option on this list.
