Are you making these common mistakes with your smoothie?
We’re huge smoothie fans at WOT, and after lots of trial and error, we’ve found some common mistakes that can make or break the perfect smoothie. A good smoothie should be thick, creamy, and full of flavor, but if yours are turning out too watery, too chunky, or just not quite right, a few small tweaks can make all the difference.
You’re Using Too Many Liquids: If you’re adding juice, milk, and yogurt all at once, your smoothie can end up too thin and watery. While liquids help with blending, too much can dilute the flavor and make it less satisfying.
WOT TIP: Stick to one liquid base. Some good options are:
- Almond, oat, or dairy milk for a creamy texture
- Coconut water for hydration
- Fresh juice
If you want a thicker smoothie, use a natural thickener instead of more liquid (more on that below).
You’re Not Adding Enough Liquid: If your smoothie is so thick that your blender struggles to mix it, you probably haven’t added enough liquid. This can leave chunks of fruit or greens unblended, and you’ll have to stop and stir constantly.
WOT TIP: Start with ½ to 1 cup of liquid and adjust as needed. If your blender isn’t moving things around properly, add small splashes of liquid (a tablespoon or two at a time) until it blends smoothly.
You’re Using Too Much Ice: While ice makes your smoothie cold, too much of it waters everything down, especially as it melts. This can make your smoothie thinner and less flavorful.
WOT TIP: Instead of relying on ice, use frozen fruit or other natural thickeners to keep it cold and creamy:
- Frozen banana slices for sweetness and a smooth texture
- Frozen avocado chunks for a rich, buttery feel
- Frozen yogurt cubes (just freeze some yogurt in an ice cube tray)
If you really like using ice, keep it to just a few cubes and pair it with a creamy ingredient to help maintain thickness.
You’re Skipping a Creamy Ingredient: A smoothie without something creamy can turn out grainy, thin, or separated—especially if you’re blending fibrous greens, seeds, or protein powder.
WOT TIP: Adding one of these will give you a smoother, more velvety texture:
- Greek yogurt for thickness and extra protein
- Half a frozen banana for natural sweetness and creaminess
- Avocado for a rich, smooth consistency
- Nut butter for a thicker smoothie
You’re Blending Your Ingredients in The Wrong Order: If your smoothie isn’t blending evenly, you might be layering your ingredients the wrong way. Dumping everything in at once can lead to chunks of food getting stuck while other parts become too liquidy.
WOT TIP: We suggest laying your ingredients in the order below.
- Liquids first (milk, water, coconut water) – This helps the blender blades move freely and creates a smooth base.
- Greens next (spinach, kale) – If you’re adding leafy greens, placing them early ensures they blend completely without getting stuck.
- Soft ingredients (yogurt, nut butter, fresh fruit) – These blend easily and help mix with the liquid before the frozen ingredients go in.
- Powders (protein powder, collagen, spices) – This prevents them from sticking to the bottom or sides of the blender.
- Frozen fruit & ice last – Heavier, harder-to-blend ingredients should be on top so they get pulled down into the blades, ensuring an even mix.
Looking for some smoothie inspiration? Check out some of our favorite recipes HERE!
Enjoy!
Making one of these recipes? Be sure and share it with us on the WOT Instagram or on Facebook!
