How to Make a Dragon Fruit Smoothie (2024)

• Fresh Dragon Fruit: You can purchase dragon fruit fresh or frozen at major grocery stores, Asian, Latin, or specialty markets. Different types of dragon fruit are available. Most stores carry white-fleshed fruit with black seeds, which are less sweet. The red dragon fruit taste is sweeter and more expensive.
• Frozen Dragon Fruit: For convenience, check the freezer section of the grocery store for pre-cut frozen cubes of red dragon fruit (also labeled as pitaya). Brands like Sambazon and Pitaya Plus offer these products, which is what I used in this recipe.
• Banana: The natural starches in ripe bananas add a creamy mouthfeel to the drink. Freezing bananas gives them a thicker consistency.
• Yogurt: To complement the tropical flavor, I use coconut yogurt. It gives a hint of sweetness, elevates the richness, and provides healthy probiotics for digestive health benefits.
• Juice: Add tropical pineapple juice for sweetness and acidity to brighten the taste of the smoothie.
• Ice:Ice cubes add thickness and a chilly taste to the beverage.

See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).

Ingredient Substitutions

This dragon fruit smoothie recipe is easy to customize! Try these tasty options:

• Fruit Options: If you don’t like bananas, add pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, or mango.
• Juice Swaps: For a more tart flavor, add cranberry, pomegranate, guava, orange juice, or lime juice.
• Yogurt: Use other types of yogurt, such as the Greek variety, which is higher in protein—others like oat, almond, or cashew, keep it dairy-free. Select unsweetened if you’re looking to reduce added sugars.
• Milk: For a creamier consistency, add dairy milk or plant-based milk like oat milk or almond milk.
• Add Protein: Add in a scoop of vanilla protein powder, peanut butter, or almond butter.
• Vegetables: Add baby spinach or kale for extra nutrients.
• Add Fiber: Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of chia seeds, flaxseeds, or hemp seeds.

Step 1: Layer the Ingredients

Add the ice cubes first, followed by the frozen dragon fruit. The blades’ direct contact processes the fruit quicker into fine particles. Add the soft ingredients like bananas and yogurt, then the pineapple juice. Here’s my tutorial on how to cut dragon fruit into small cubes.

Experimentation Encouraged: For extra tropical notes, try adding ½ cups of frozen mangoes or pineapples to replace half the ice cubes. To increase the creaminess, replace half of the pineapple juice with coconut milk or almond milk.

Step 2: Cover and Blend

The small, sharp blades of a high-speed blender help effectively break down the frozen ingredients into a super smooth consistency. Blend on medium speed to get the elements moving in the blender cup, increasing to high until thick and sippable.

How do you make the best-tasting dragon fruit smoothie?

Use frozen dragon fruit to prevent the smoothie’s flavor from being diluted. Cut the fresh dragon fruit into ½ to ¾-inch cubes, then place them in a single layer inside a large resealable bag and freeze for at least one day before using.

How do you make a smoothie thicker in consistency?

I use a mix of frozen dragon fruit and ice cubes to achieve a thick smoothie texture. The fruit particles break down in the blender, creating flavorful pieces that suspend in the juice, adding viscosity. The ice cubes help to keep the beverage cold. I also recommend using frozen bananas, as they provide a creamy, rich consistency.

Can I make a pitaya smoothie bowl?

The recipe is a great base for smoothies and smoothie bowls. To make a thick and scoopable bowl, start with ¼ cup of juice, then add more as needed. Top with pieces of fresh fruit and granola.

If you tried this Dragon Fruit Smoothie recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!