Smoothies are great. They’re a convenient way to get your daily dose of fruits and veggies, they don’t take long to make, and they’re refreshing on warm days. 

But sometimes, the smoothie doesn’t hit the spot, and that’s where substitutes for yogurt in smoothies come in.  

The yogurt you used might be a little tart or flat. Or maybe you just want something different. Here are five substitutes for yogurt in smoothies that will change your life! 

Let’s dive right in! 

Top 5 Substitutes for Yogurt in Smoothies

1. Use Frozen Fruit

Frozen fruit is one of the best substitutes for yogurt in smoothies. The cold, creamy texture of frozen fruit adds a layer of richness to your drink without the added sugar or calories.

Frozen berries are best, but you can use any frozen fruit you have on hand. For example, bananas and mangoes are also good choices. 

Just be sure to choose the unsweetened variety if possible. Otherwise, your smoothie will taste too sweet because the smoothies are so high in natural sugars.

You should be able to find frozen fruit at pretty much any grocery store these days. It’s one of those pantry staples that’s always stocked up by health-conscious people everywhere.

So you should add it as one of the substitutes for yogurt in smoothies. 

2. Add Nut Butter

Smoothies are a great way to get your daily fruits and vegetables. But they can also be made with yogurt, a good protein source. 

However, if you’re trying to avoid dairy, are vegan, or don’t want to spend money on yogurt smoothies, just add nut butter. It can add creaminess and protein to your smoothie without using yogurt.

Nut butter, like peanut butter and almond butter, offers protein while adding an extra layer of creaminess to any smoothie. 

It’s not just the creamy texture that makes nut butter so appealing in smoothies. They also enhance the flavor profile by giving it a rich taste. 

You could even use a combination of nuts, such as peanut butter and cashew butter, for added richness.

3. Use Mango or Avocado

Mango is a good alternative to yogurt because it’s high in vitamin C and potassium, both essential for digestion. 

Avocado is also a great choice because it contains healthy fats that your body needs for energy and metabolism. 

But only use half of the avocado if you’re not sure how much fat your body can handle at one time.

Also, consider the sugar content of your smoothie when using mangoes. Mangos may be high in vitamins, but it’s also very sweet.

That means you’ll probably need to add more fruit or vegetables to balance out all that sugar if you’re making a fruit smoothie.

4. Add Chia Seeds and Hemp Seeds

You can add chia seeds and hemp seeds to your smoothie to boost protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Both are great for thickening up a smoothie as well as providing some extra thickness.

If you’re looking for something more neutral in flavor, try coconut milk or almond milk instead. These two options are much thinner than yogurt, so they’re good for creating a thinner consistency.

5. Use Canned Coconut Milk

If you don’t see yogurt or kefir making it onto your grocery list anytime soon, try swapping out the dairy-based product with coconut milk. 

Coconut milk is one of the best substitutes for yogurt in smoothies because it’s high in protein and fat. And that can help to keep you feeling full longer. 

It also contains calcium, vitamin C, and iron, all essential nutrients to keep your energy and stay healthy.

6. Use Flaxseeds 

Even though they’re small, flaxseeds pack a powerful thickening punch. Smoothies and sauces for pasta and cereals can benefit from their use.

Even though flaxseeds are typically sold whole, you need to break or grind them before using them for smoothies.

That will ensure you get the full nutritional potential. 

You can get numerous health benefits from eating flaxseeds, including high fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein content.

Due to their high absorption rate, you should add the flaxseeds to your smoothie in small increments while grinding to achieve the ideal consistency. 

Flaxseeds give your smoothie a light nuttiness without being overpowering.

7. Add Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a convenient substitute for yogurt in smoothies because you can eat them without grounding. 

They complement the taste of just about any fruit or vegetable smoothie base because of their mild flavor.

However, chia seeds have exceptionally high absorption rates. So you won’t need too many to thicken your smoothie noticeably.

Chia seeds are a great addition, whether your smoothie base is juice, coconut water, or something else entirely. 

Also, chia seeds, with their high levels of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, are an added bonus to your diet.

8. Add Buttermilk

Buttermilk is remarkably similar to yogurt, with the main differences concerning the nutrients each provides. 

Buttermilk is superior to yogurt in several ways, including its higher calcium, vitamin C and A content.

There are fewer calories in this milk than in yogurt. This is because buttermilk has more carbohydrates and lipids than yogurt. 

But if blended with other high-protein foods, it might be seen as an advantage if you use it as a meal replacement.

Buttermilk tastes a little sour and is thicker than plain milk. So the two are usually confused. Buttermilk is commonly used in baking but also works well in alcoholic beverages. 

However, it’s one of the best substitutes for yogurt in smoothies! 

Final Thoughts

If you want the best substitutes for yogurt in smoothies, use this guide as a step in the right direction.

Then, as with all recipes, experiment with these suggestions and see what works for you! 

You might even find that some make a better base than others. The most important thing is to keep trying until you find something that satisfies your taste buds and health goals.

Lastly, the ingredients discussed in this guide make suitable substitutes for yogurt in smoothies.

However, if you fail to add liquid to your smoothie, you’ll end up with a glob that will jam your blender’s blades. 

There’s no need to add milk. Instead, you can add water, coconut milk, or spicy chai tea as alternatives to dairy that balance flavor and texture.