This brightly colored Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl packs a nutritious punch.
With just 5 minutes and a few ingredients, you can have an amazing frozen treat that can be served with a wide variety of toppings.
This recipe can be made vegan with plant based milk, such as unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk.
Do you love a frozen indulgence? Try our Keto Berry Smoothie and our Keto Avocado Smoothie.
Why you'll love this recipe
It's an energy pick-me-up and a fantastic start to your day.
Loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals you can feel good about enjoying this smoothie bowl as a breakfast, dessert, or snack.
This Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl is delicious and child approved!
This recipe is easy to prepare with minimal cleanup.
This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored for up to three days in the refrigerator as a grab-and-go smoothie.
What is Dragon Fruit?
A member of the cactus family, dragon fruit is a tropical fruit native to Mexico, Central, and South America. It is also known as pitaya, pithaya, or strawberry pear.
It tastes like a mix of kiwi and pear with a kiwi flesh-type texture. This exotic fruit comes in a variety of colors.
Color combinations include pink on the inside and the outside (this is the type used in this recipe); or yellow skin on the outside and white flesh on the inside. Another variety has white flesh and white skin.
Pink outer skin and white flesh is yet another type. The richer the hue the more nutritional benefits. Dragon fruit with a pink inner flesh is thought to contain more antioxidants.
All types have small, edible black seeds scattered throughout the flesh - similar in size to strawberry seeds.
Recipe ingredients
Cubed frozen dragon fruit - Available in many supermarkets. Often found in the frozen fruit section, it comes pre-cut for ease of use.
Strawberries - Fresh or frozen strawberries can be used in this recipe.
Mango - Frozen mango is readily available in most supermarkets. Mango adds sweetness and creaminess to this recipe.
Milk - Any milk of your choice can be used in this recipe, plant-based or regular milk will work. Adding a small amount of milk allows the other ingredients to blend into a uniform mixture.
Hemp seeds (optional) - Hemp seeds provide additional protein and healthy fats to this recipe.
Chia seeds (optional) - Chia seeds deliver fiber and omega-3 fatty acids without altering the flavor of this recipe.
If you have any questions about the ingredients, please comment below and we will get back to you.
If you enjoy a treat or breakfast packed with nutrition try our Almond Flour Crepes and our Keto Banana Bread.
Step by step instructions
To a high-speed blender, add cubed frozen dragon fruit, halved strawberries, cubed mango, and milk. If you wish, also add the optional hemp seeds, and chia seeds to the blender.
Start blender on low, gradually increasing speed and using blender tamper as needed until a smooth and uniform mixture is achieved.
The finished product will be thick. Use a spatula to transfer into a bowl. Layer with toppings as desired.
These steps match the photos above. Please see the printable recipe card below for specific measurements of the ingredients.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.
Best Tips
Dragon fruit is often found packaged in the frozen section of the grocery store. The inner flesh of this fruit is either cubed or packaged in smoothie packs. For this recipe, three 100 gram (3.5 ounce) smoothie packs will substitute for the 1.5 cups of cubed dragon fruit.
As this smoothie bowl has a thick consistency it is best to use a "low and slow" method of blending. Once the ingredients begin to form a uniform texture gradually increase the blender speed until a thick, yet smooth consistency as pictured below.
Serving suggestions
Easily enjoyed on its own or sprinkled with toppings such as granola, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, or shredded coconut.
Sliced fresh fruits, such as bananas or strawberries, can be layered with chopped nuts for added texture.
For a twist of citrus flavor lime juice can be added. Begin with one teaspoon and add more until reaching your preferred taste.
Spooning on pumpkin seeds provides additional protein and delivers the trace mineral zinc. Dried mulberries and goji berries are potent superfoods that add a satisfying chew.
Blueberries and raspberries will add extra fiber and make your skin glow.
Any desired topping can be added to create a unique and filling meal or snack.
Pouring into popsicle molds creates a fun warm weather homemade snack or dessert.
How to make this recipe a grab-and-go smoothie
Follow the recipe as written but substitute ¾ of a cup of your choice of milk instead of ¼ cup for a thinner consistency. Adding additional liquid will enable this smoothie to be consumed through a straw or the opening of a travel drink cup.
FAQs
What if I want to add protein?
For a protein rich Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl, adding protein powder is a simple option. There are many types of protein powder on the market.
For plant based protein hemp, pea, and brown rice protein based powders can be added. Non-vegan protein powders include those made with whey, casein, and egg whites.
Peanut butter or other nut or seed butters can be used to add protein and satiating healthy fats. Two tablespoons is the standard serving of peanut butter.
What milk should I use?
Any preferred milk can be used in this recipe. To achieve a dairy free and vegan smoothie bowl, plant-based milks are a great option. Look for unsweetened plant-based milk, as the fruits in this recipe provide natural sugars for a sweet finish.
There are many alternative milk products on the market including those using cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, and almonds as a base. Oat, soy, flax, hemp, coconut, and pea protein based milks are nut free options.
Unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk are popular choices.
Can I use fresh fruit in this recipe?
Fresh fruit can be substituted in this recipe, as fresh mangos and strawberries are readily available when they are in season. Fresh dragon fruit can also be used but it is usually harder to find. Some specialty grocery stores carry it in their exotic fruit section.
If using fresh fruit it is recommended to add several ice cubes if you wish to achieve a cold and icy end product.
Is dragon fruit healthy?
Packed with fiber and low in calories, dragon fruit boasts an impressive list of health benefits:
The vibrant color of the pink flesh is due to the antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene, both abundant in this super fruit. Antioxidants assist in protecting the body from chronic disease and also have anti-inflammatory properties.
It is rich in polyphenols and betacyanins which may defend the body from carcinogens and protect the cardiovascular system.
This fruit is immune boosting and can support energy levels. It contains iron and vitamin C - an ideal combination to enhance the absorption of iron into the system.
Dragon fruit is a prebiotic that produces "good bacteria" in the gut, thus supporting the microbiome and overall digestive health.
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📖 Recipe
Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup cubed frozen dragon fruit
- ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- ½ cup of fresh or frozen cubed mango
- ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon of unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon of hemp seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon of chia seeds optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in to a blender.
- Start blender on low, gradually increasing speed and using blender tamper as needed until smooth.
- Serve cold.
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