Can I interest you in a bright pink dragon fruit smoothie? This healthy beverage is not only beautiful, but each refreshing sip takes your taste buds on a tropical vacation.
Recipe Science
- White-fleshed dragon fruit has a mildly sweet, subtle flavor, while red-fleshed dragon fruit is sweeter and more intense in taste.
- Blending dragon fruit breaks down its fibrous flesh, releasing natural sugars and creating a flavorful tropical smoothie.
- For a thick, creamy smoothie, blend frozen dragon fruit and ice cubes; the fruit adds flavor and viscosity while the ice keeps it cold.
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Why It Works
Add a vibrant-colored twist to your day with this easy dragon fruit smoothie recipe. Also known as pitaya, this exotic edible cactus is commonly on the menu at fancy drink shops. It has a beautiful eye-catching magenta color and makes for a delicious blended drink or to use in a dragon fruit smoothie bowl.
This superfruit is not only pretty but also delivers fiber, prebiotics, antioxidants, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium to each sip. I’ll show you how to create a thick and chilly consistency using a blend of frozen and fresh ingredients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Fresh Dragon Fruit: You can purchase dragon fruit fresh or frozen at major grocery stores, Asian, Latin, or specialty markets. Different types of dragon fruit are available. Most stores carry white-fleshed fruit with black seeds, which are less sweet. The red dragon fruit taste is sweeter and more expensive.
- Frozen Dragon Fruit: For convenience, check the freezer section of the grocery store for pre-cut frozen cubes of red dragon fruit (also labeled as pitaya). Brands like Sambazon and Pitaya Plus offer these products, which is what I used in this recipe.
- Banana: The natural starches in ripe bananas add a creamy mouthfeel to the drink. Freezing bananas gives them a thicker consistency.
- Yogurt: To complement the tropical flavor, I use coconut yogurt. It gives a hint of sweetness, elevates the richness, and provides healthy probiotics for digestive health benefits.
- Juice: Add tropical pineapple juice for sweetness and acidity to brighten the taste of the smoothie.
- Ice: Ice cubes add thickness and a chilly taste to the beverage.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
This dragon fruit smoothie recipe is easy to customize! Try these tasty options:
- Fruit Options: If you don’t like bananas, add pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, or mango.
- Juice Swaps: For a more tart flavor, add cranberry, pomegranate, guava, orange juice, or lime juice.
- Yogurt: Use other types of yogurt, such as the Greek variety, which is higher in protein—others like oat, almond, or cashew, keep it dairy-free. Select unsweetened if you’re looking to reduce added sugars.
- Milk: For a creamier consistency, add dairy milk or plant-based milk like oat milk or almond milk.
- Add Protein: Add in a scoop of vanilla protein powder, peanut butter, or almond butter.
- Vegetables: Add baby spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
- Add Fiber: Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp seeds.
How to Make a Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Step 1: Layer the Ingredients
Add the ice cubes first, followed by the frozen dragon fruit. The blades’ direct contact processes the fruit quicker into fine particles. Add the soft ingredients like bananas and yogurt, then the pineapple juice. Here’s my tutorial on how to cut dragon fruit into small cubes.
Experimentation Encouraged: For extra tropical notes, try adding ½ cups of frozen mangoes or pineapples to replace half the ice cubes. To increase the creaminess, replace half of the pineapple juice with coconut milk or almond milk.
Step 2: Cover and Blend
The small, sharp blades of a high-speed blender help effectively break down the frozen ingredients into a super smooth consistency. Blend on medium speed to get the elements moving in the blender cup, increasing to high until thick and sippable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use frozen dragon fruit to prevent the smoothie’s flavor from being diluted. Cut the fresh dragon fruit into ½ to ¾-inch cubes, then place them in a single layer inside a large resealable bag and freeze for at least one day before using.
I use a mix of frozen dragon fruit and ice cubes to achieve a thick smoothie texture. The fruit particles break down in the blender, creating flavorful pieces that suspend in the juice, adding viscosity. The ice cubes help to keep the beverage cold. I also recommend using frozen bananas, as they provide a creamy, rich consistency.
The recipe is a great base for smoothies and smoothie bowls. To make a thick and scoopable bowl, start with ¼ cup of juice, then add more as needed. Top with pieces of fresh fruit and granola.
More Smoothie Recipes
If you tried this Dragon Fruit Smoothie recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 cup red dragon fruit , or white, frozen
- ½ cup sliced banana, fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup coconut yogurt
- ½ cup pineapple juice
Instructions
- Layer the Ingredients – To a blender, add ice cubes, frozen dragon fruit, bananas, yogurt, and pineapple juice.
- Cover and Blend – Cover and process on medium speed for about 30 seconds, using the tamper as needed. Increase to high speed for 15 to 30 seconds until thick and smooth. Adjust with more juice if needed to reach the desired consistency.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Recipe Yield: About 2 cups (16 ounces)
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (8 ounces)
- Purchasing Frozen Dragon Fruit: This may also be labeled as “Pitaya” and typically sold as the red dragon fruit.
- Using Fresh Dragon Fruit: Cut red or white dragon fruit into 1/2″ pieces. Freeze in a single layer until firm, about 6 hours.
- Yogurt Options: Use cashew, almond, or oat yogurt. Add plain or vanilla Greek yogurt.
- To Make Smoothie Bowls: Start with ¼ cups of pineapple juice. Add more liquid as needed, a small amount at a time, until the mixture is thick and spoonable.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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