Tropical Dragon Fruit Smoothie

A light and refreshing smoothie recipe that’s so easy to make! It gets it’s pretty pink color from the dragon fruit which pairs so perfectly with all of those tart and tangy tropical flavors!

I live off smoothies during this time of the year! And after discovering dragon fruit a few months agao, I’ve been loving adding it to all of my breakfast smoothies! (Not only does it give your smoothie that gorgeous bright pink color, but it’s also loaded with so many health benefits too! What’s not to love about that right?!) But I have to say this tropical dragon fruit smoothie is probably my most favorite one yet! It’s sweet and creamy, dairy free and a great way to keep cool during this spring and summer!

Ingredients

• Fresh dragon fruit: Subtly sweet in flavor and gives your smoothie it’s pretty color. You can use white or red dragon fruit for this recipe! Just know that if you’re using white, your smoothie won’t turn a pretty bright pink color. (Most stores also sell frozen dragon fruit too which is always a great option if your short on time or don’t want the hassle.)
• Fresh pineapple: Adds flavor and really gives your smoothie that tropical feel. (Can be replace with frozen pineapple too!)
• Fresh mango: Adds even more tropical flavor! (Can also be replaced with frozen mango cubes.)
• Almond milk: Makes your smoothie so creamy! (I personally love using original unsweetened almond milk for this recipe, but feel free to use any type of milk you like! Regular, cashew, coconut or even oat milk are all great options!)
• Lime juice: Adds tartness and really compliments your tropical flavors!
• Sweetener: I used maple syrup as my sweetener because a little goes a long way in terms of sweetness. You can also use agave or honey instead too!

This month you can get a taste of the tropics at Sprouts! I absolutely love shopping there during this time of the year because they have all of my favorite tropical fruits available and huge variety of new ones to try too! Make sure to stop at your local Sprouts soon to see what they have in store!

What is a dragon fruit?

A dragon fruit (also called pitaya) is mostly known for it’s bright pink skin with green “scales” and speckled looking pulp. (You’ve probably seen it at your local grocery store and just never knew it!) It’s slightly sweet in flavor and is also nutrient dense which is why the health community has dubbed it a new superfood!

Fun Fact: Dragon fruit is actually a type of cactus flower!

How do I pick a dragon fruit?

Look for fruits that have a bright pink and smooth skin with no brown spots. You’ll know your dragon fruit is ripe if it “gives in” slightly when you give it a gentle squeeze. If your dragon fruit is too firm, just let it ripen at room temperature until it’s ready.

How to make a tropical dragon fruit smoothie

1. Cut your dragon fruit, pineapple and mango into cubes and place the in the freezer for at least 2-3 hours. (For the best results, freeze overnight.)
2. Once frozen, add your dragon fruit pieces, pineapple, mango, lime juice, milk and sweetener of choice to a blender and blend until smooth. (You might need to add a little extra milk until you reach your desired consistency.)
3. Serve immediately!

I hope you all enjoy this recipe just as much as we do! And stay cool this week loves – it’s supposed to be a hot one!

More recipes you might like:

• Protein Mocha Smoothie
• Raspberry Chocolate Chip Sorbet
• Winter Fruit Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
• Summer Peach and Blueberry Kale Salad
• Baked Nectarines with Cinnamon Honey Sauce

[Made one of my recipes? Make sure to tag my social media @kalefornia_kravings – I love seeing what you create!]