This Insta-worthy dragon fruit smoothie or pink dragon fruit is not just pretty, but also boasts a range of health benefits that will keep you looking and feeling amazing.
Our dragon fruit smoothie combines this exotic pink dragon fruit with simple ingredients that make an ideal healthy snack or breakfast that you can whip up in no time. It can be combined with many other fruits for distinctive flavors.
Our pitaya smoothie was mixed with banana for the added potassium. It’s a great way to get more fruit into your diet and to take full advantage of all their natural minerals and vitamins.
Dragon Fruit
Also known as pitaya, or in this case pink dragon fruit or pink pitaya (due to its outer color), is a unique tropical fruit native to Mexico and Central America and is grown in only three states in the USA.
It may be on the pricier side, but if you can get your hands on one of these bright pink fruits, you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing treat that’s rich in antioxidants, high in fiber and even contains prebiotics that can boost your gut health.
There are two different kinds of dragon fruit available, one with white flesh and one with pink flesh.
The pink-fleshed variety tends to be sweeter, so if you can get hold of it, like we did, you may prefer to use it for this recipe.
If you can’t find dragon fruit in the produce section of your grocery store, it’s worth checking the frozen section where you can get it in pre-cut chunks or purees.
Banana
We added a banana to our pitaya smoothie since it is one of the household favorite. Plus, banana is a great ingredient to include in smoothies as they not only help to sweeten them up but also have a thickening effect.
Plus they are absolutely packed with potassium, which can help to reduce your blood pressure and even counteract the effects of sodium.
Bananas can also help to rebuild damaged muscles, making this pink dragon fruit smoothie a perfect post-workout snack.
If you make a lot of smoothies, you might like to cut up your bananas and freeze them so they are ready for you whenever you need them.
You needn’t defrost them before use, and can simply throw them straight into your blender.
Once frozen, they will keep for up to six months. For the best results, make sure that you are using ripe bananas to get the maximum sweetness in your smoothie
Unsweetened Almond Milk
Almond milk is another fantastic addition to smoothies especially this pitaya smoothie, resulting in a much creamier, more indulgent drink than those made with water or juice.
Plus the one we used for this recipe is unsweetened, therefore the only sugar intake is only from the fruits. Almond milk also has its own nutritional benefits, and is high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that is vital to our immune system.
It’s also naturally dairy and lactose free, making it ideal for those following a vegan diet.
These days there are plenty of almond milks readily available to buy, but you can also easily make your own at home using just almonds and water.
A drop of almond extract in this recipe helps to enhance its subtle, nutty flavor and perfectly complements the taste of the fruit.
Other Smoothies You Might Enjoy
Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Dragon Fruit
- 1 Banana
- 1 Cup Almond Milk
- 1 Tsp. Almond Extract Or Vanilla Extract
- Chopped Ice Optional
Instructions
- Cut the Dragon Fruit in half and scoop it out with a spoon and add it to the blender. Add the milk, banana, ice, and almond extract. Blend until smooth.
- Transfer the smoothie to a glass and serve and enjoy for snack or breakfast.
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