The Best Superfood Powders for Nutritious, Flavor-Packed Smoothies
If you're looking to amplify the nutritional value of your smoothies, adding a superfood powder is one of the easiest ways to do it. Superfood powders are made from condensed, dried forms of fruits, vegetables, and other plants that contain high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more.
Just a spoonful of superfood powder can transform your standard fruit smoothie into a nutrient-packed powerhouse drink. But with so many options available, how do you know which superfood powders are best for smoothies?
In this article, we’ll cover the 20 best superfood powders that you can add to your smoothies. We’ll look at the key nutrients each provides, how they improve smoothie recipes, and tips for picking the right powders for you. Let's get blending!
20 Best Superfood Powders to Add to Your Smoothie: At a glance
Maca powder
Camu camu powder
Lucuma powder
Flaxseed powder
Wheatgrass powder
Hemp powder
Cacao powder
Spirulina powder
Baobab powder
Moringa powder
Chlorella powder
Acerola powder
Maqui powder
Mulberry powder
Ashwagandha powder
Acai powder
Bee Pollen
Reishi mushroom powder
Greens powder
Collagen peptides
Why Superfood Powders Are Great for Smoothies
Before we dive into the top superfood powders, let’s look at why they work so well in smoothies:
Nutritional Content
Superfood powders are concentrated sources of hard-to-get nutrients. Just one serving can provide a day’s worth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that you’d have to eat cups and cups of whole foods to obtain.
Adding a scoop to your smoothie is an easy way to pack more nutrition into every sip.
Ease of Blending
Since superfood powders are finely ground and dried, they dissolve and blend seamlessly into smoothies. You don’t have to worry about gritty textures or powdery clumps like with some supplements.
Superfood powders make nutrient-dense smoothies without altering the thickness or mouthfeel.
Taste
Another benefit of superfood powders is that they are flavor-neutral. High-quality powders have mild, natural flavors that won’t overwhelm the fruits and liquids used in smoothies.
You get all the added nutrition without significantly changing the original flavor. Some superfoods even enhance the taste!
Now let’s look at 20 of the top superfood powders to stir into your smoothies!
20 Best Superfood Powders to Add to Your Smoothie
1. Maca Powder
Maca powder comes from the root of the Peruvian maca plant. It has an earthy, nutty flavor and adds:
Energy-promoting B vitamins
Antioxidants
Amino acids
Vitamin C, copper and iron
A teaspoon of maca powder gives your smoothie a nutrient-boost without much taste impact. It blends especially well into chocolate or vanilla smoothies.
Maca powder goes well with - Banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder, coffee, vanilla, milk, yogurt
2. Camu Camu Powder
Camu camu powder is derived from a tart Amazonian berry. It contains:
Immunity-boosting vitamin C - One teaspoon provides 100% of your daily needs
Antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavonoids
Amino acids
Potassium, magnesium and iron
Adding a half teaspoon of camu camu powder to your smoothie delivers a mega-dose of vitamin C with a light, citrusy flavor.
Camu camu powder goes well with - Citrus fruits, mango, pineapple, coconut water, leafy greens
3. Lucuma Powder
Lucuma powder comes from a Peruvian fruit with a sweet, maple-like flavor. It supplies:
Fiber for digestion
Antioxidants
Vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and beta carotene
A teaspoon of lucuma powder adds nutrition as well as natural sweetness to smoothies. It works especially well in tropical fruit or chocolate blends.
Lucuma powder goes well with - Banana, mango, pineapple, passionfruit, lime, coconut, vanilla
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4. Flaxseed Powder
Flaxseed powder provides a major fiber and antioxidant boost. Just one tablespoon offers:
7 grams of fiber (a quarter of your daily needs)
Lignans and omega-3s that reduce inflammation
Protein
Vitamins and minerals like manganese, thiamine and copper
Stir a tablespoon of nutty flaxseed powder into your smoothies for increased regularity, heart health and reduced blood sugar levels.
Flaxseed powder goes well with - Berries, banana, spinach, nut milk, oats, nut butter
5. Wheatgrass Powder
Made from dried, juvenile wheat plants, wheatgrass powder contains:
Amino acids
Vitamins A, C and E
Iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium
A teaspoon of wheatgrass powder adds a serious vitamin and mineral boost. The mild grassy flavor blends well into berry or green smoothies.
Wheatgrass powder goes well with - Apple, pineapple, mango, berries, orange, spinach, kale
6. Hemp Powder
Hemp powder provides protein, essential fatty acids and minerals. Just two tablespoons contain:
10 grams of plant-based protein
Fiber, magnesium, iron and zinc
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Add nutty hemp powder to smoothies as a vegan protein source. The subtle flavor works well in berry and green blends.
Hemp powder goes well with - Banana, peanut butter, cocoa, vanilla, berries, mango, yogurt
7. Cacao Powder
Made from crushed cacao beans, cacao powder delivers:
Iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and copper
Fiber
A tablespoon of raw cacao powder adds intense chocolate flavor along with benefits for your heart, brain and mood. It’s delicious in chocolate, banana and nut-based smoothies.
Cacao powder works well with - Banana, coffee, nut milk, peanut butter, berries, cinnamon
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8. Spirulina Powder
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that boasts:
protein
All essential amino acids
Iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and B vitamins
Antioxidants like beta carotene
Just a teaspoon of spirulina powder amps up a smoothie’s nutritional content with vitamins, minerals and protein. It has a distinct seaweed flavor that works well in green or tropical smoothies.
Spirulina powder goes well with - Pineapple, mango, banana, matcha, mint, coconut, ginger
9. Baobab Powder
Baobab powder comes from the African baobab fruit. It contains:
Twice the antioxidants of goji berries
6 times the vitamin C of oranges
Potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and fiber
A teaspoon of baobab powder adds a tangy, tropical flavor along with a hefty vitamin and mineral boost. It works nicely in fruit-based smoothies.
Baobab powder goes well with - Strawberry, mango, orange, grapefruit, lemon, coconut
10. Moringa Powder
Moringa powder comes from the dried leaves of the moringa tree. It provides:
Vitamins A, B6, C and potassium
Antioxidants like beta carotene
Anti-inflammatory benefits
A half teaspoon of moringa powder amps up a smoothie’s nutritional profile without affecting the taste. Its mild, green flavor integrates seamlessly into fruit and green smoothies.
Moringa powder goes well with - Cucumber, melon, citrus fruits, pineapple, spinach, matcha
11. Chlorella Powder
Like spirulina, chlorella is a form of algae. It contains:
A complete amino acid profile
Iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc
Chlorophyll
Chlorella has a strong, emerald-green color that makes it ideal for green smoothies. A teaspoon boosts protein, vitamins and minerals along with antioxidants.
Chlorella powder goes well with - Pineapple, banana, ginger, green apple, kale, spinach
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12. Acerola Powder
Acerola powder comes from the bright red Caribbean acerola cherry. It provides:
Extremely high vitamin C content
Anthocyanins and carotenoids
Vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and iron
A teaspoon of acerola powder gives your smoothie a huge vitamin C boost along with bright, fruity flavor. Combine it with oranges or berries.
Acerola powder goes well with - Citrus fruits, pineapple, strawberry, raspberry, coconut
13. Maqui Powder
Maqui powder is derived from Patagonian maqui berries. It contains:
One of the highest antioxidant levels of any known fruit
Anthocyanins, flavonols and delphinidins
Vitamin C, calcium, iron and potassium
A half teaspoon of maqui powder provides smoothies with an antioxidant mega-dose and tart, vibrant flavor. Try it with berries and citrus fruits.
Maqui powder goes well with - Berries, pomegranate, pineapple, mango, acai, coconut
14. Mulberry Powder
White and red mulberry powders deliver:
Resveratrol antioxidants
Vitamin C
Iron, calcium, zinc and magnesium
A teaspoon of mildly flavored mulberry powder amps up a smoothie’s antioxidant and vitamin C content. It works well in berry and green mixtures.
Mulberry powder goes well with - Banana, cantaloupe, peach, mango, pineapple, blueberry
15. Ashwagandha Powder
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb that contains:
Stress-reducing compounds
Anti-anxiety benefits
Anti-inflammatory properties
Antioxidants like flavonoids and withanolides
Add just a pinch of earthy, bitter ashwagandha powder to help smoothies combat stress and inflammation.
Ashwagandha powder goes well with - Banana, peanut butter, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, milk
16. Acai Powder
Acai powder is made from acai berries, which are antioxidant-rich fruits from the Amazon. Acai powder contains:
Anthocyanins and polyphenols that fight oxidative stress
Healthy fats like oleic acid
Fiber, vitamins A, C, and E
A teaspoon of acai powder adds powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits to smoothies.
Acai powder goes well with - Berries, banana, mango, coconut, nuts, cacao nibs
17. Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is collected from the legs of worker bees as they enter the hive. It contains:
All 22 amino acids
Vitamins A, E, D, and B complex
Minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc
Enzymes and co-enzymes
Antioxidants like flavonoids and carotenoids
A teaspoon of bee pollen adds a nutrient boost along with a mild sweet and floral flavor to smoothies. It provides a range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Some people are allergic to bee pollen. Be sure to start with a very small amount to test for any reactions when first using it.
Bee pollen goes well with - Honey, lemon, berries, banana, nuts, cinnamon, vanilla
18. Reishi Mushroom Powder
Reishi is an adaptogenic mushroom used in Chinese medicine. It contains:
Polysaccharides that regulate the immune system
Anti-inflammatory triterpenes
B vitamins, vitamin D, amino acids
A half teaspoon of reishi powder helps fight inflammation, viruses, and stress when added to smoothies.
Reishi powder - Citrus, pineapple, berries, green tea, almond milk, ginger
19. Greens Powder
Greens powders contain concentrated forms of leafy vegetables. They provide:
Chlorophyll for detoxification
Vitamins A, C, K, B vitamins
Minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium
A scoop of greens powder boosts nutrient levels in smoothies without altering the flavor much.
Greens powder goes well with - Pineapple, mango, orange, berries, banana, coconut water
20. Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides are a protein derived from animal bones/tissues that contain:
Amino acids that support skin, hair, nails, joints
Calcium, zinc, manganese
Anti-inflammatory benefits
A scoop of unflavored collagen peptides amps up the protein in smoothies to promote youthful skin, hair, and nails.
Collagen peptides go well with - Berries, banana, mango, yogurt, nut milk, coffee, matcha
Tips for Picking and Using Superfood Powders
Now that you know the best superfood powders for smoothies, here are some tips for selecting and mixing them effectively:
Choose Quality Brands
Always opt for high-quality superfood powders made by reputable companies. Make sure they are free of sweeteners, fillers or additives. Look for powders that are raw, organic, and non-GMO for the greatest nutritional benefit.
Seek out brands that use minimal processing and drying techniques to preserve nutrients. Stay away from heavily processed "natural flavors" or "proprietary blends" where you don't know the quality of ingredients.
Mix for Nutrient Diversity
Combine 2-3 different superfood powders in each smoothie to get a diverse range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and compounds.
For example, combine collagen peptides for protein with acai powder for antioxidants, camu camu for vitamin C, and maca for extra nutrients. Blending superfoods amplifies the overall nutritional value.
Balance Fiber for Digestion
Since many superfoods are rich sources of fiber, balance smoothies with some lower-fiber fruits/powders. Too much fiber at once can lead to gas or bloating.
Alternate between low-fiber ingredients like oranges, pineapples, and berries with higher-fiber powders like flaxseed, maca and greens.
Boost Protein for Satiety
Superfood powders like hemp, spirulina, and collagen peptides add filling protein to smoothies. This makes them more satisfying meal replacements.
Rotate different protein-rich superfoods instead of using just one daily to prevent building up intolerances.
Store Properly to Retain Nutrients
To preserve freshness and antioxidant levels, keep superfood powders in opaque, sealed containers away from heat, air, light, and moisture. Store opened powders in the fridge or freezer.
Use a Blender for Smooth Texture
A high-speed blender works best to fully integrate powders and eliminate any clumping or grittiness. Blend for 1-2 minutes to mix smoothly. Start with liquids then add powders last.
Drink Immediately After Mixing
To capitalize on the vitamin and antioxidant content, drink superfood smoothies immediately after making them. Waiting allows nutrient levels to degrade over time.
Mask Strong Flavors
If a powder has a potent taste, combine it with strongly flavored fruits like bananas, berries, mango, cocoa or mint to help mask it. Start with small amounts until used to the flavor.
Avoid Overdoing Sugary Fruits
While fruit offers nutrition, too much can spike blood sugar levels. Balance sweet fruits with greens, healthy fats and superfoods to stabilize energy.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can optimize your superfood powder usage for maximum nutrition and enjoyment.
About Author
Gavin is the owner of Tru Foo Juice Bar. He has over 6 years of experience running a juice bar and creating juice and smoothie recipes for the consumer market
His passion for juicing began in his early 20s as he explored natural ways to boost nutrition and energy. Over the years, Gavin has experimented with countless ingredient combinations to create the perfect juice and smoothie blends and bring them to the masses.
