Banana Mango Kiwi Smoothie
Banana mango kiwi smoothies taste just like summer in a glass. This tropical mango kiwi banana smoothie is thick, creamy and perfect for breakfast, as a snack or as a post workout meal! This recipe is packed with protein and is super refreshing.
Why you will love this recipe
- Packed with protein – this banana mango kiwi smoothie is made with protein powder, which helps to make this smoothie more filling and a great option for breakfast, a light lunch or even as a post workout meal. It’s also packed with potassium so is great for muscle recovery for after those workouts.
- Easy to make – smoothies are always a great option when you don’t feel like cooking or need something quick and easy. This smoothie with kiwi and banana is ready in just 5 minutes and requires very little work.
- Great way to get in some veggies – thanks to the frozen spinach (or kale or cauliflower rice), this smoothie is packed with fruits and veggies, making it a great way to start your day.
Ingredients
- Frozen mango – mango is naturally sweet and great for smoothies. I recommend using frozen mango to help create the creamiest, thickest smoothie. Frozen mangos are also so much easier to use because you don’t have to cut the mango up, it’s already ready to go. If you are going to use fresh mango, add ½ cup of ice to help create that creamy consistency.
- Frozen banana –banana helps to naturally sweeten the smoothie, so the riper the banana, the sweeter the smoothie will be. Note: Using frozen banana really helps to create a thick, creamy smoothie. If you don’t have frozen, add in about 1/4 cup of ice to create the same texture.
- Kiwi – Kiwi are easy to find, budget friendly and so yummy. Kiwi are sweet but have a slight tart citrus note that pairs perfectly with the mango. Be sure to remove the flesh of the kiwi from the furry skin, as the skin can make the smoothie have a weird texture once blended.
- Chia seeds – chia seeds absorb liquid and help to thicken the smoothie. They are also a great source of fiber and healthy fats. If you don’t have chia seeds, you could use ground flax seeds. Note: if you don’t have a super strong blender, I recommend buying chia protein, which is just finely ground chia seeds that easily mix into your smoothie.
- Dairy free milk – to keep this recipe vegan and dairy free friendly, I recommend using any kind of dairy free milk you have on hand. You can use almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk (in the carton or in the can), flax milk, etc. If you are not dairy free, feel free to use regular milk here.
- Protein powder – I recommend using a vanilla protein powder for this smoothie. Protein powder helps to make this smoothie super filling and a great option for breakfast or as a post-workout snack! I recommend using a vegan protein powder since they tend to help thicken the smoothies, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Protein powder also helps to sweeten the smoothie, so if you are not using protein powder, be sure to add some honey or maple syrup to help sweeten the smoothie slightly.
- Frozen spinach (or frozen kale or frozen cauliflower rice) – frozen spinach is blanched quickly before freezing, so it’s already been cooked down. This means that a lot of spinach is packed in just a small ½ cup serving. You can also use fresh baby spinach (about 2 handfuls). If you don’t love spinach, you can also use frozen kale or frozen cauliflower rice.
How to make banana mango kiwi smoothie
- Start by measuring out the ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.
Top tips
- Use frozen mango and banana for a super thick and creamy smoothie. If you are using fresh fruit only, add about 1/2 – 1 cup of ice to get the same texture.
- You can use fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe. The spinach boosts the nutrition of this smoothie and helps to give it the prettiest green hue. You could also use frozen kale or even cauliflower rice if you don’t want to see the green color.
- Vanilla protein powder helps to thicken the smoothie and also adds a subtle sweetness to the smoothie. You can omit the protein powder and add about 1/4 cup of rolled oats to get the same thick, creamy texture. Note: you may want to add a tablespoon or two of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add more liquid. If the smoothie seems to thin, you can add 1/4 cup of oats or 1/2 cup of ice and re-blend the smoothie until thick.
Other additions
- Spices – Fresh ginger, dried ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom
- Coconut flakes to go along with the tropical flavors
- Avocado – add 1/2 of an avocado for added fiber and healthy fats
- Coconut water in place of dairy free milk to add to the tropical feel and add more electrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium) which are great for muscle recovery or hydration during the hot summer months
- Fresh mint or basil
Topping ideas
This mango kiwi banana smoothie is great as a smoothie or can easily be made into a smoothie bowl because of how thick and creamy it is. If you want to make this into a kiwi smoothie bowl, some great toppings would be:
- Fresh fruit – mango, kiwi (peeled), banana, strawberries, blackberries
- Drizzle of maple syrup or honey
- Granola or cereal for crunch (See this delicious homemade granola recipe)
- Bee pollen
- Chopped nuts or seeds
- Coconut flakes (regular or toasted)
- Drizzle of tahini, sunbutter, cashew butter or almond butter
Common questions
How to tell when kiwi are ripe
When looking for kiwi in the grocery store, you want to pick the kiwi that are soft (but not mushy). Rock hard kiwi will be tart and make the smoothie taste less sweet.
Tip: If you need to ripen your kiwi, treat them like avocado and store them next to bananas (or in a bag with bananas). The gas the bananas let off help to ripen other fruit.
Once the kiwi is ripe, put it in the fridge to slow down the process. Overripe kiwi can taste off, as it starts to ferment as it over-ripens.
How to prep a kiwi for smoothies
I do not recommend adding the skin from the kiwi, as it can add a weird texture to the smoothie. Instead, cut the kiwi in half, then use a spoon to spoon out the kiwi from the furry skin before adding it to the smoothie.
Can you use fresh mango in this smoothie
Yes, if you want to use fresh mango in the smoothie, you can. Frozen mango helps to add a creamy texture and helps make the smoothie super cold. Be sure to add ¼ -1/2 cup of ice to the smoothie if you aren’t using frozen mango.
You can also freeze mango yourself to use in smoothies. Simply cut the flesh into squares and freeze on a parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.
Can you use fresh bananas in smoothies?
Yes, you can use fresh bananas, however frozen bananas really help to create a super creamy texture. If you choose to use fresh bananas, you will want to add some ice to help create the same thick, creamy consistency.
How to freeze bananas for smoothies
Slice the banana into coins then put the banana coins on a parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheet to flash freeze the banana. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer safe bag or container.
What if you don’t have protein powder on hand?
If you don’t have protein powder, there are other ways to add protein to the smoothie to ensure that it’s super satisfying. Be sure to check out all my favorite ways to add protein to smoothies for some ideas.
The vanilla protein powder not only adds protein but also slightly sweetens the smoothie even more. If you aren’t going to add protein powder, you may need to add a tablespoon of honey, maple syrup or 1-2 pitted medjool dates to get the same sweetness from the smoothie.
An easy swap would be to add some Greek yogurt (about ½ cup and reduce the dairy free milk from 1 cup to ½ cup) or add about 3 tablespoons of hemp hearts to the smoothie.
Storing leftovers
- Fridge: This mango banana kiwi smoothie is best served immediately but leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 24 hours. If you love really cold smoothies, you may want to blend the leftovers with ice before enjoying.
- Freezer: Pour leftover banana and kiwi smoothie into ice cube trays or pour them into popsicle molds to enjoy later. You can use these frozen smoothie cubes in other smoothies to add flavor or make a new smoothie by blending them with dairy free milk until smooth.
Substitutions
- Mango – if you don’t have mango on hand, you can substitute strawberries, banana or dark sweet cherries in place of the mango.
- Banana – if you don’t have banana on hand, you can replace them with ½ an avocado + 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup or full fat Greek yogurt (or dairy free yogurt) + 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
- Kiwi – if you don’t have kiwi on hand, you can use orange or mandarins (peeled) or frozen strawberries in place of the kiwi.
- Chia seeds – chia seeds help to thicken the smoothie. You can also use ground flax seeds in place of the chia seeds. You can also use ground chia seeds (sometimes called chia protein powder).
- Dairy free milk – Is you don’t have dairy free milk, you can use water, coconut water or regular dairy milk in place of the dairy free milk.
- Protein powder – if you don’t have protein powder on hand, you can use rolled oats and 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup.
- Frozen spinach – you can use fresh baby spinach (1-2 handfuls), frozen kale, frozen cauliflower rice in place of the frozen spinach. If you don’t want a green smoothie, you can simply omit this.
If you love protein smoothies, you should try
Banana Mango Kiwi Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mango
- 1/2 banana - medium
- 2 kiwi - medium
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup frozen spinach - or frozen cauliflower rice
- 1 serving vegan protein powder - or protein powder of choice
Instructions
- Start by measuring out the ingredients into the blender in the order listed.
- Blend until smooth.
Equipment
Notes
- Use frozen mango and banana for a super thick and creamy smoothie. If you are using fresh fruit only, add about 1/2 – 1 cup of ice to get the same texture.
- You can use fresh or frozen spinach in this recipe. The spinach boosts the nutrition of this smoothie and helps to give it the prettiest green hue. You could also use frozen kale or even cauliflower rice if you don’t want to see the green color.
- Vanilla protein powder helps to thicken the smoothie and also adds a subtle sweetness to the smoothie. You can omit the protein powder and add about 1/4 cup of rolled oats to get the same thick, creamy texture. Note: you may want to add a tablespoon or two of honey or maple syrup for sweetness.
- If the smoothie is too thick, add more liquid. If the smoothie seems to thin, you can add 1/4 cup of oats or 1/2 cup of ice and re-blend the smoothie until thick.
