What Are the Best Plant Alternatives for a Smoothie?

Rohit Panwar

Looking for the best vegan milk for smoothies? You’ve landed at the right place. 

In this blog, I am sharing with you some of the most nutritious vegan options for making smoothies. So, read till the end. 

14 Best Vegan Milk for Smoothies for Nutrition & Taste

Smoothies are some of the best and easy go to snack and breakfast options for many including me. For vegans, I am listing out the best milk alternatives for smoothies. 

1. Almond Milk 

One of the most commonly consumed and available vegan milk is almond milk. It is  low in calories and is available in a variety of flavours. In my opinion, for smoothies you should choose the unsweetened ones or make it at home.

The slightly nutty  flavour of almond milk goes with a lot of flavors which makes it a go to choice for smoothies. Some of my favourite smoothie combinations with almond milk are – 

  • Peanut Butter + Cocoa Powder
  • Strawberries + Banana
  • Berries + Oats
  • Avocado + chia 
  • Mango + Pineapple

2. Coconut Milk 

Coconut milk is a great choice for smoothies as well. It is easily available in the market and very easy to make at home. It is also a great source of essential minerals (potassium, magnesium and phosphorus) and good fats. 

The natural sweetness and creaminess of coconut milk make it a good vegan option for smoothies. Have you tried the following combinations with coconut milk – 

  • Mango + Chia seeds
  • Pineapple + Dragon Fruit
  • Pineapple + Banana
  • Matcha powder + Banana
  • Spinach + Kale

3. Rice Milk

Rice milk is one of the safest options for vegans because it is the least allergic milk out there.  It’s also quite easily available and can also be made at home. 

The neutral taste of rice milk blends well with the added flavours, without masking their taste. Here are some smoothie options you can try with rice milk – 

  • Peanut butter + Cocoa powder
  • Banana +  Chia seeds
  • Strawberry + Banana
  • Papaya + Mango
  • Kale + Avocado 

4. Oat Milk 

Oat milk is another popular non dairy option. It is high in fibre and rich in a variety of minerals and vitamins. 

What makes oat milk a good choice for smoothies is the fact that its mild flavour goes very well with most fruits. I would recommend trying out the following combinations with oat milk –  

  • Shredded coconut + Pineapple
  • Chocolate + Dates
  • Peanut Butter + Banana
  • Baby Spinach + Maple syrup 
  • Blueberry + Strawberries

5. Pea Milk 

Slowly becoming my favourite, pea milk is a high protein vegan milk made from yellow peas. The milk is also low in calories and fat while being high in fibre. 

It has a creamy consistency and its flavour is quite similar to cow’s milk. If you are new to it, try the following combinations with pea milk in smoothies – 

  • Banana + Cinnamon
  • Spinach + Kale 
  • Cocoa Powder + banana 
  • Peanut Butter + Oats 
  • Raspberry + Chia

6. Macadamia Milk 

A delicious substitute for cow milk, macadamia milk has the right nutty kind of creaminess that a smoothie deserves. The only downside is that macadamia nuts and milk can be pretty expensive

Macadamia milk is rich in minerals & vitamins which makes your smoothies a nutrition packed food. Here are some flavours you can add to your macadamia milk smoothie – 

  • Banana + Oats
  • Mixed berries 
  • Cherries + chia seeds
  • Spinach + Green Apple 
  • Pineapple + Banana

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7. Soy Milk 

Soy milk is rich in proteins and low in calories. This makes soy milk a great option for fitness enthusiasts plus it is readily available which makes it convenient as well.

The mild and sweet taste of soy milk closely resembles cow milk, which helps with your vegan transition. These are some ingredients that you can blend in with your soy milk – 

  • Banana + Cinnamon
  • Pineapple + Strawberries
  • Blackberries + blueberries
  • Cocoa Powder + Tofu
  • Strawberries + Oats

8. Cashew Milk

Cashew milk is another wonderful vegan option for preparing smoothies. It is rich in good fat and fibre and has a thick, smooth consistency

The challenge with cashew milk may be finding it in the local stores. But as with other vegan milk, cashew milk too can be prepared at home. Try cashew milk with these ingredients and you will fall in love with it – 

  • Banana + Vanilla 
  • Strawberries + cherries
  • Cocoa powder + oats 
  • Blueberries + blackberries 
  • Matcha Powder + Strawberries

9. Hemp MIlk 

If you are looking for a nut-free, soy-free option, hemp milk can be a good option. Rich in protein and omega 3 fatty acids, hemp milk is also very sustainable.

Hemp milk has an earthy flavour and a thick consistency, making it ideal for smoothies. If you get your hands on some hemp milk, try these combinations with it – 

  • Cocoa Powder + Banana
  • Pineapple + Spinach 
  • Matcha Powder + Spinach
  • Blueberries + Banana
  • Avocado + Kale 

10. Flax Milk 

A seed milk that is growing in popularity is flax milk. Rich in fibre and nutrients, flax milk is an excellent plant based milk for smoothies. 

Flax milk has an earthy, nutty taste that can be paired up with a variety of fruits and flavours. Here are some great smoothie options for flax milk – 

  • Strawberries + Chia Seeds 
  • Peanut butter + Cocoa powder 
  • Apple + Cinnamon
  • Strawberries + Banana
  • Mango + Baby Spinach

11. Pistachio Milk

If you still haven’t tried pistachio milk, you must. Rich in antioxidants and heart-healthy fats, pistachio milk is a nutrient rich food. 

This pastel green coloured drink has a nutty and rich flavour that brings out the best in your smoothies. Some of my favourite additions to pistachio milk are – 

  • Banana + Baby Spinach
  • Spinach + Pear 
  • Mango + Pineapple
  • Cocoa Powder + Kale 
  • Spinach + Green Apple

12. Walnut Milk

One of the top reasons to include walnut milk in your diet is because it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. These make it a wonderful drink for preparing a nutritious smoothie. 

Walnut milk has a subtle nutty flavour and can blend in very well with many flavours. Try out these combinations for walnut milk in smoothies –

  • Banana + Cinnamon 
  • Oats + Baby Spinach
  • Cherries + Banana
  • Cocoa Powder + Dates
  • Strawberries + oats

13. Pecan Milk

Pecan milk might not be easily available but it is definitely worth a try. Pecans are rich in many essential nutrients including minerals magnesium, and potassium. 

Pecan milk has a nutty and creamy flavour making it an ideal vegan smoothie choice. Here are a few combinations you can try –

  • Cocoa Powder + Dates
  • Banana + Cinnamon
  • Oats + Apple
  • Mango + Pineapple
  • Avocado + Pineapple

14. Hazelnut Milk 

Hazelnuts are not just the star in Nutella, they can also make some sweet creamilicious milk that gives you super smooth smoothies. 

Hazelnuts are rich in good fats which are responsible for the rich nutty taste. Blend hazelnut milk with one of these options –    

  • Chocolate + Dates 
  • Banana + Cinnamon
  • Banana + Chocolate 
  • Blueberries + Oats
  • Banana + Strawberries

Give these wonderful plant based milks a try in your smoothies to enjoy the best of nutrition & taste.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Vegan Milk for Smoothies

  • What is the best milk for smoothies for weight loss?

Ans. Almond milk is one of the best options since it is easily available, low in calories and low in fats 

  • Which is the best vegan milk smoothie on a keto diet?

Ans. Almond milk, coconut milk and hazelnut milk are some of the best options for making smoothies as they have a very low carb content. 

  • What can I substitute for almond milk in smoothies?

Ans. If you are looking for low calorie vegan milk options the best choices are hemp milk, pea milk, etc. 

Rohit Panwar

Hi! I'm Integrated Nutrition Coach Rohit Panwar. I hold twin Certifications from IIN, New York & SAFM, Massachusetts. I am a passionate vocalist of holistic lifestyle and have fully committed the past several years to educate & empower people towards their wellbeing. Despite a successful yet hectic corporate stint of 21+ years, I have prioritised nutriment in my life. I truly hope my personal journey from illness to wellness helps everybody reading this forge their own path.