Dragon Fruit Smoothie
0
Last updated on Aug 28, 2023
This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
This 5-ingredient dragon fruit smoothie has a vibrant pink color and is packed with over 20 grams of protein. It’s creamy, healthy and makes for the perfect quick and easy breakfast or post-workout snack.
If you’ve never had dragon fruit before here’s your sign because this dragon fruit smoothie (also known as pitaya smoothie) is so good!
Not only is this smoothie delicious, but it’s super easy to make with just 5 simple ingredients. It’s also loaded with tons of nutrients thanks to the dragon fruit and is packed with over 20 grams of protein, making it a great smoothie option for an on-the-go breakfast or a post-workout snack.
Why You Gotta Try This One
I bought frozen dragon fruit on impulse once and didn’t touch it for weeks. Then I threw it in the blender with a few basics, and suddenly I had this ridiculously pink smoothie that somehow tasted clean, smooth, and just a little tropical. No strong flavors, no weird texture. Just a really good blend that I keep coming back to. I’ve made a lot of smoothies over the years, and most of them don’t surprise me. This one did.
Ingredients Needed
- almond milk – the liquid base for this smoothie. I like to use unsweetened vanilla almond milk for extra flavor, but you can substitute it with any other plant-based milk. My second choice would be oat milk, which adds some creaminess, but feel free to use your favorite type of dairy-free milk. If you don’t want to use milk you could also use water, coconut water or orange juice as the liquid base for this smoothie.
- dragon fruit – I used the Pitaya Foods frozen dragon fruit cubes for this smoothie, which can typically be found in the frozen section of grocery stores. If you can’t find the cubes, you can use the frozen smoothie packets.
- banana – frozen banana adds creaminess and natural sweetness. You can follow my guide on how to freeze bananas for smoothies. If you’re not a banana fan, see below for some ideas for substitutions.
- vanilla protein powder – the main source of protein. I personally love Nuzest protein powder. It’s vegan, has minimal ingredients and tastes delicious. (Use code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order). That said, feel free to use your favorite brand of protein powder.
- almond butter – adds a dose of healthy fats and a subtle nutty flavor. Feel free to swap it with another nut or seed butter of your choice.
Other Ways to Add Protein
No protein powder? No problem. Here are a few easy ways to boost the protein in your smoothie:
- Greek yogurt: Adds 10–15 grams of protein per ½ cup.
- Cottage cheese: Adds 7–14 grams per ¼–½ cup.
- Nuts, seeds, or nut butter: Try chia, hemp, almonds, or sunflower seed butter for a protein bump and extra creaminess.
How to Make
This dragon fruit smoothie recipe doesn’t get much easier!
Step 1: Place all the ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Taste and adjust the consistency as needed, adding ice for a thicker smoothie or more liquid for a thinner smoothie.
Recipe Tip!
The banana does add sweetness to this recipe, so if you’re not replacing it with another frozen fruit (more ideas below) you might want to add a touch of sweetness in the form of medjool dates, maple syrup, honey or stevia.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 cup frozen dragon fruit cubes or 1 packet
- ½ frozen banana
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 25 grams
- 1 Tablespoon almond butter
- Toppings: fresh dragon fruit and fresh mint
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a high speed blender. Blend until smooth.
- Pour smoothie into a glass, add favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- If you’re using fresh dragon fruit instead of frozen, add a handful of ice to help thicken the smoothie.
- Feel free to swap the protein powder for Greek yogurt or cottage cheese if you prefer a more whole-food option.
- I used pink-fleshed dragon fruit for that vibrant color, but white-fleshed works too—it just won’t be as bright.
- You can use any milk you like here. I usually go with almond milk, but coconut milk or oat milk also work great.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Equipment
FAQs
Yes! Follow my dragon fruit smoothie bowl recipe if you want to enjoy your smoothie with a spoon! The best part about smoothie bowls are the toppings, IMO. Top it with slices of fresh dragon fruit, blueberries, granola, coconut flakes and a drizzle of honey or agave nectar. The options are endless!
Dragon fruit is often considered a superfood due to its rich content of antioxidants, fiber, and beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Dragon fruit has a mild sweetness and a slightly tart flavor, somewhat between a kiwi and a pear. Its texture is similar to a kiwi due to its small, crunchy seeds.
Dragon fruit can be found in the produce section of many grocery stores, especially those that carry a variety of tropical fruits. You can also find it in frozen form in the freezer aisle.
Yes, you can use fresh dragon fruit in this smoothie recipe. If you choose to use fresh fruit, you may want to add some ice to make the smoothie colder. If you do want to use fresh dragon fruit here is a guide on how to cut dragon fruit.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Easy Blackberry Smoothie
- Carrot Cake Smoothie
- Tropical Green Smoothie
- Clementine Smoothie
- Cottage Cheese Smoothie
- Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie
Be sure to check out all the smoothie recipes and the full collection of drink recipes on EBF!
