There's nothing like a healthy smoothie to start your day off right. We all have different ways we like to build our smoothies, which is what makes them so popular. So easy to customize as you please!
If you want to give your smoothie a little boost, try making a dragon fruit smoothie! Its amazing magenta color will brighten your morning and probably the rest of your day!
What is Dragon Fruit?
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit native to Mexico and Central America. Its taste is like a combination of a kiwi and a pear. (Healthline)
Dragon fruit, also known as Pitaya, comes in several varieties. Although it can be quite difficult to find near me (US - Midwest) I was once fortunate to find 3 different varieties at a local grocery store.
2 of the varieties appear very similar externally: the skin is bright pink with green scales. They appear to differ only in size, as one is noticeably larger than the other. The third variety has yellow skin with green bumps.
The internal pulp of these fruits shows even more variety.
The yellow skinned variety contains white pulp with large black seeds.
The larger of the pink varieties has white pulp with much smaller black seeds.
The smallest fruit, which has exactly the same color skin, contains a bright magenta-colored pulp. It also contains small black seeds, but you honestly don't notice them in that amazingly colored pulp.
This magenta or red pulp variety is the rarest to find, at least for me. And it's the color we want to make these beautiful red dragon fruit smoothies!
Pitaya Smoothie Packs
Fortunately for us all, it is becoming more common to find dragon fruit smoothie packs in grocery stores. Almost every grocery store in my area seems to stock these regularly.
Another reliable source for the frozen packs is Whole Foods. It really is a great way to get the bright pink pulp without second guessing whether you picked the right fruit variety at the store. Each pouch contains 3.5 ounces (100g) of bright pink fruit puree.
Ingredients Needed
The basic components of a smoothie are fruit and liquid, with possibly a protein source added in. For this version I use:
- Fruit - frozen mango + dragon fruit smoothie pack
- Liquid - almond milk
- Protein - protein powder
See below for substitutions and ideas.
How to make the Pitaya Smoothie
We all have our smoothie preferences so please use these directions as a starting point, and then make adjustments to suit your mood. I firmly believe there is a smoothie for everyone!
Thaw the smoothie pack and place the frozen mango in the blender to partially thaw. When the pitaya is thawed, add it to the blender with the almond milk. By now the mango should be soft enough to blend.
Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
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Substitutions/Ideas
I love mixing things up for smoothies! Here are a few ideas to customize your flavors:
- Coconut milk - use this instead of almond milk for a more "tropical" taste. Full fat coconut milk will also increase the feeling of satiety from your smoothie.
- Coconut water - if you want a lighter option, using this for the liquid will work very well!
- Frozen pineapple - use this instead of or in addition to the mango. I sometimes use half of each so I can enjoy both tastes in my smoothie.
- Banana - add some in to increase the tropical taste! Slice the banana and freeze the slices before use if you can.
- Yogurt - Greek yogurt (in place of or in addition to protein powder) can be a great protein source and will also add to the creaminess of the smoothie.
Feel free to garnish your smoothie with chia seeds, granola, toasted coconut, etc.
As mentioned above, the taste is most commonly described as a combination of a kiwi and a pear. To me, the yellow skinned variety tastes slightly sweeter than the others when eaten alone, but the larger seeds are definitely more noticeable.
In addition to using in a smoothie, dragon fruit is a fun addition to a fruit platter or in a fruit and yogurt or smoothie bowl. I have also eaten it just scooped straight from the skin.
More Healthy Recipe Ideas
Once you've had this smoothie, you'll also want to try a dragon fruit smoothie bowl. Still have some puree packs in stock? Dragon fruit pancakes are a fun way to brighten your day.
And don't forget to vary the flavors in your smoothies so you don't get bored. A simple green smoothie is a great start, and a tomato smoothie is a delicious way to get your veggies! For a light and refreshing option, try an apple strawberry smoothie - only 4 ingredients needed!
📖 Recipe
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Dragon Fruit Smoothie
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup mango frozen chunks
- 3½ ounce pitaya puree packet thawed
- ½ cup almond milk
- 1-2 scoops protein powder vanilla
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to blender.1 cup mango, 3½ ounce pitaya puree packet, ½ cup almond milk, 1-2 scoops protein powder
- Blend on high speed until well mixed.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Time for an adult beverage? Yes, a Dragon Fruit Cocktail is a great idea!
Kay
Wow, the colour is amazing! I will be picking up some dragon fruit next time I see it in the supermarket!
Sula
Dragon fruit is so fun!
Leslie
I can only seem to like sweet fruits and I use to get a chocolate dairy free protein powder at a health store I loved. The thicker the better for me. More satisfying somehow. I do buy frozen cherries when cherries are out of season but never put them in a smoothie. I only hit hooked on cherries the last free years.
Sula
I LOVE sweet cherries, they are delicious in smoothies!
Dannii
Wow! Look at the colour of this smoothie! So vibrant and delicious.
Sula
Thank you!
Beth
Such a delicious easy breakfast. We can't get enough! Thanks for sharing.
Sula
You're very welcome. I never grow tired of it!
Jessica Formicola
We love dragonfruit at our house! The color of this smoothie is just perfect and I can't wait to make one tomorrow morning!
Sula
It truly starts the day off right!
Emily Flint
Not only was this dragon fruit smoothie delicious, but the color is AMAZING!! I added a little kale so I can get my hearty vegies and it was still perfect. Thanks for the tips and recipe!
Sula
Oh goodness I think if you add kale to this you'll have super powers! LOL
Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady
The colour of this smoothie is absolutely gorgeous! I've yet to try dragon fruit, but hear that it is super yummy. I love how convenient those smoothie packets are!
Sula
The smoothie packs were a game changer for me!
Michelle @ Taste As You Go
I love the vibrant color from the dragon fruit! I'm going to have to switch up the morning smoothie routine to take a break from my usual mixed berry smoothie.
Sula
Oh yes, you can just add a little dragon fruit to your mixed berry version and probably get the same color!
Gregory Halpen
The other day I was looking for the purple kind, but couldn’t find them anywhere. I’m going to look for these packs! Thank you!
Sula
Yes, the freezer section is your best bet!!
Jeannie
will share this to my mom, she can grow her own dragonfruits in a pot which is amazing, we love healthy drinks and smoothies
Sula
Wow, growing dragon fruit in a pot? That is inspiring!
Vincit Omnia
After a long day, and I'm draggin', I need a dragon!
Sula
Just call me Khaleesi!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
My mouth is literally watering. My family would love this.
Sula
It tastes just as good as it looks!
Big Trouble
If this tastes even half as good as it looks (and I'm sure it does), then it'll all be worth it. How pretty and healthy!
Sula
Oh yes its very delicious!
Phyllis Bala
Sula, now you've got me very curious about the nutritional properties of dragon fruit. I'll be researching it soon. Another amazing fruit to add to it would be prickly pear. It's the same color & has uber health properties. Wondering what kind of little blender you used in the video? Thank you so much.
Sula
I have a Breville immersion blender, which came with some handy attachments. That's what you see me using in the video 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!