Dragon Fruit Smoothie (Pitaya Smoothie) is a healthy and delicious vibrant smoothie loaded with tropical flavors. Freeze the fruits in advance and make the smoothie in under 5 minutes (vegan, gluten-free).
Here are a few more smoothie recipes that you can try for your weekday breakfast – Mango Magic Tropical Smoothie, Berry Blast Smoothie, Pineapple Banana Smoothie, Green Goddess Smoothie, Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, Watermelon Smoothie, and Mango Kale Smoothie.
Jump to:
About Tropical Dragon Fruit Smoothie (Pitaya Smoothie)
Tropical Dragon Fruit Smoothie (Pitaya Smoothie) is a healthy and delicious blend of fresh dragon fruit (pitaya), juicy mangoes, ripe bananas, and almond milk. This smoothie is loaded with tropical flavors, has a vibrant color, thick & creamy texture, and a very refreshing taste!
Loaded with antioxidants and vitamins, the dragon fruit mango smoothie is a healthy and quick breakfast option to serve on a busy morning. You can also enjoy it as a healthy snack whenever hunger strikes.
This drink is vegan and gluten-free too. You can easily scale the recipe if making it for a crowd.
About Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, is the fruit of a cactus species native to Central America.
The bright pink or red fruit is roughly the size of a softball and has a leathery scaly exterior.
Inside, the flesh is white or pink (bright magenta color) and studded with tiny black seeds. Dragon fruit is sweet and mildly acidic, with a flavor that has been described as a cross between a kiwi and a pear.
These days, you also get yellow dragon fruit and white dragon fruit. I have not personally tasted them so cannot comment much on them.
Health Benefits Of Dragon Fruit
The high levels of vitamin C, carotene, and polyphenols in dragon fruit make it an excellent food for boosting immunity. These nutrients help to protect the body against infection and disease by scavenging harmful free radicals.
This tropical fruit is a good source of fiber, which is important for keeping the digestive system healthy. Fiber helps to bulk up stools, making them easier to pass and helping to prevent constipation. It also helps to reduce the risk of stroke.
The antioxidants and vitamins in the dragon fruit help to protect the digestive system from damage and also help to promote heart health by reducing cholesterol levels and protecting against heart disease. They also improve brain function by protecting cells from damage and reducing inflammation.
The B vitamins in dragon fruit can help to boost energy levels by converting food into energy and improving cognitive function.
Dragon fruit is also a good source of iron, which is important for carrying oxygen to the cells.
Ingredients
Fruits – This smoothie is a combination of tropical fruits like dragon fruit, mangoes, and bananas. I used the fruit with pink flesh but you can use the ones with white flesh too.
Fresh dragon fruit and mangoes are easily available in summer. In case you can’t find fresh fruits, you can use frozen fruits as well.
You will find frozen fruits in the frozen section of grocery stores like trader joe, whole foods, etc. You can also buy dragon fruit puree in the frozen section of your grocery store.
You can also add other tropical fruits like pineapple, kiwi fruit, pear, etc to this smoothie.
Milk – To make it vegan, I have used almond milk. You can use any other plant-based milk such as coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, oats milk, etc.
Regular dairy milk can also be used if vegan is not your concern.
You can also replace the milk with coconut water, orange juice, or pineapple juice.
Maple Syrup – If the fruits are not sweet enough or you like your smoothie sweeter, then add a little maple syrup. You can also use honey (not vegan) instead.
Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder or whey protein to serve it as a pre or post-workout snack.
You can also add seeds like chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, etc to it for added nutrition.
Nut butter like cashew butter, almond butter, and peanut butter are also a great addition to this dragon fruit smoothie recipe.
How To Make Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Add
- 1 cup peeled cubed and frozen dragon fruit (pink or white)
- 1 cup peeled, cubed, and frozen mangoes
- 2 large bananas(peeled, sliced, and frozen)
- 1 cup chilled almond milk
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
to a high-speed blender jar or a food processor, and process until very smooth.
Note – If the frozen fruits are very hard, then thaw them on the counter for 10 minutes before processing.
Add more almond milk as necessary to thin the smoothie to desired texture.
Pour in tall glasses and serve immediately. You can also add a few ice cubes to the glasses to keep the smoothie chilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make a pitaya smoothie bowl, skip adding the milk and make a thick smoothie. Transfer the smoothie to a large serving bowl and top with your choice of topping. Check out the detailed recipe to make pitaya smoothie bowl here.
To peel pitaya or dragon fruit, rinse the fruit and pat it dry using a paper towel. Cut the fruit in half lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh using a spoon and discard the skin.
Cut the fruits into small pieces and arrange them on a baking tray in a single layer. Freeze for 2-3 hours until nicely frozen. Gather the frozen fruits and transfer them to a zip-lock bag. Use as desired.
Serving Suggestions
Pitaya smoothie is a perfect “on the go” breakfast for busy days. You can also enjoy it as a mid-day snack in between meals or whenever the hunger strikes.
Make the smoothie thicker and serve it as a smoothie bowl with a topping of fresh fruits, granola, nuts, seeds, nut butter, or coconut flakes.
You can also enjoy it as a healthy dessert after your everyday meals.
Storage Suggestions
Smoothies taste the best when served fresh, right out of the blender. However, the leftover pitaya smoothie can be stored in an airtight container for one day. Stir it well before consuming it.
You can also freeze the leftover smoothie in popsicle molds and serve it as a summer treat.
You Might Also Like
Recipe Card
Tropical Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipe (Pitaya Smoothie)
Ingredients
- 1 cup peeled, cubed, and frozen dragon fruit (pitaya)
- 1 cup peeled, cubed, and frozen mangoes
- 2 peeled, sliced, and frozen bananas
- 1 cup chilled almond milk (or any other plant based milk)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or any other sweetener)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender jar or a food processor, and process until very smooth.
- Note – If the frozen fruits are very hard, then thaw them on the counter for 10 minutes before processing.
- Add more almond milk as necessary to thin the smoothie to desired texture.
- Pour in tall glasses and serve immediately.
Harini Vino
HI, This looks amazing.