Pineapple Smoothie

Smoothies are my preferred on-the-go breakfast alternatives or post-workout snacks. This pineapple smoothie is creamy, refreshing, and ready in just five minutes; I usually add a scoop of protein powder for the perfect post-workout tropical drink.

pineapple smoothie with lime wedges next to it

I always like to add something unique to my recipes that you will not find in others. In this one, I add lime juice and zest to balance the sweet tropical flavors. Thanks to this combination, this smoothie is perfectly sweet and refreshing.  If you want to get your greens in, just toss a handful of spinach or try my nutritious green smoothie.

I am always looking to get more vitamins into my two kids, and the best way is by making them delicious food and drinks. I aim to develop the same love I have for good food in them. My older one is already a fan of beef tartare and sushi, and now we are working to show my little one how fun it is to try new things. This smoothie is one of her favorites, as she also loves all the ingredients separately as well.

pineapple smoothie on a board with many tropical fruits next to it

Why you will love this recipe

  • Tropical drink, breakfast, or snack: So healthy and nutritious, I feel good about serving these as a quick breakfast or snack to the kids. But they are also great tropical drinks to serve by the pool in the summer.
  • They are fast and easy to make: I am a busy mom of two kids, and I run a few business, so a recipe that takes me less than five minutes is always a winner!
  • I just need a few ingredients: On occasion I may make something with special ingredients, but day to day I prefer basic ingredients, that I already have at home. All I need are some frozen fruit, juice, and yogurt. I usually have all those in the fridge.
  • They are so much cheaper to make at home: I spend between $7 and $12 on a pineapple smoothie depending on where I buy it. Making two of them at home costs me less than $5.

What you will need

pineapple smoothie ingredients in bowls on a table

I recommend making this smoothie with juice instead of water, I always use no-sugar added pineapple juice. The vanilla extract is optional, but it works nicely with the tropical flavors. I use a bunch of tropical fruits, and my secret ingredients: lime juice and zest. Here is what else goes in:

  • Banana – Again, I always use organic fruit from my farmers’ market. I freeze my fruit, so I do not have to use ice cubes to make my smoothie thick.
  • Pineapple chunks – It is easier to buy organic pineapple chunks than to cut them myself, so I usually buy them unless I plan to make something else with the rest of the pineapple soon.
  • Pineapple Greek yogurt – Use the best yogurt since it is one of the main ingredients. I also use organic yogurt here and my secret is to use pineapple flavor to give it a more pineapple taste. However, other flavors or plain would also work.
  • Lime juice – I like lime juice in my smoothie for a bright refreshing addition that complements the sweetness of the pineapple.
  • Lime zest – For a burst of zesty tanginess to add to the lime juice appeal. I love the underlying hint of zing there is in every sip.

How to make it

Well, smoothies are always easy to make, to save time, I add the ingredients to the blender in the evening, and put it in the fridge. In the morning I just have to blend everything! Such a time saver trick!

Blend until smooth: First, I put all the ingredients into a high-speed blender.

photo collage of steps how to make pineapple smoothie in the blender

Pulse: Next, I pulse until it is smooth.

blended pineapple smoothie in the blender

Pour and serve: Then, I pour it into two or three serving glasses and serve.

creamy pineapple smoothie

Expert tip

What NOT to put in smoothies

I avoid anything with high calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. For instance, my recipe calls for pineapple juice, but look at the sugar; I always use the no-sugar-added version.

I am not a fan of adding ice to my smoothies; it makes it too watery and bland. Most of the time, I recommend using frozen fruits to get a cold and refreshing smoothie but still preserve the flavor.

Also, adding nut butter can thicken the smoothie, but avoid those with sugar. I also do not recommend adding whole nuts. If the blender is not very powerful, small bits will be left.

More tips to consider

  • Using frozen fruit instead of ice will make the drink smoother and thicker.
  • The riper the banana the sweeter the smoothie. To make it sweeter, add a bit of honey or maple syrup.
  • Add the liquid first to help the blending go smoother. Putting the fruit first leaves air pockets around the blades and makes it more difficult to blend. With the liquid at the bottom, it pulls the ingredients down.
  • Also, use a high-powered blender and press the ingredients nearer the blade with a tamper to help.
pineapple smoothie in two glasses with tropical fruits in the background

Recipe variations and add-ins:

  • Add other fruits: Some of my favorite additions are strawberries, blueberries, maraschino cherries, papaya, and mango.
  • Or toss in some veggies: Another way to jazz up this smoothie is to add veggies. I really like it with spinach, carrots, or beets because of the colors and the flavors are actually quite sweet. The kids certainly have no idea they are eating vegetables.
  • Make it more tropical: To make this smoothie even more tropical, I sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes on top before serving. 
  • Make it heartier: To make it heartier and add some fiber, I almost always stir in a bit of flaxseed, oats, wheat germ, chia seeds, coconut butter, or protein powder.

Serving suggestions:

As I have said, these make the perfect quick breakfast or snack. I make these chia cheesecake puddings in advance and serve them with the smoothie in the morning. The kids love to sip on these in the car on their way to school; they are full of fruits and vitamins. It is a great way to start the day. 

When I have a BBQ during summertime, I like to triple this smoothie recipe and serve it with my grilled pineapple chicken. Everything is fast and easy to make in minutes and tastes incredible. For dessert, my pineapple cake goes so well with these smoothies; it is like they were made for each other. This fruity cake is loaded with pineapple bits and is easy to make from scratch. 

How to store leftovers:

  • Refrigerate: They taste best within 24 hours. After that, they start to lose their thickness and become watery. 
  • Freezing: That being said, I have stored leftovers for up to a month in a freezer-safe container (a jar or freezer bag). They do not have the same consistency as they did when they were fresh, but they are still delicious.    
  • Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor. Shake before drinking to incorporate. 
Creamy Banana Pineapple Smoothie

Frequently asked questions

Why is my pineapple smoothie watery?

Using too much liquid is the most common culprit. Measure everything carefully. But the second most common problem is using fresh fruit. Fresh pineapple has a lot more liquid than frozen. I always use frozen fruit because it not only has less liquid, but also means I don’t have to use ice cubes, which just add more liquid. That is the third most common cause of watery smoothies. 

Why does my pineapple smoothie taste bitter?

Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain, which breaks down the proteins in dairy products. This can curdle the yogurt (or any dairy product) when mixing them together and cause a bitter taste. The solution? The only way to get rid of the bromelain is to heat up the pineapples or use canned pineapples, which have been heat-treated. Frozen pineapples still have bromelain. However, I find that adding vanilla extract works, so I add it to my recipe. 

Why is my smoothie so chunky?


It could be that the blender is not strong enough to chop the frozen pieces of fruit. For this recipe, a high-powered blender is needed. A food processor would also be a good choice. Another problem could be from not putting the ingredients into the blender in the right order. To make blending easier, put the liquid in before the fruit. Otherwise, the fruit will leave big gaps of air at the bottom where the liquid cannot reach. 

More smoothie recipes:

pineapple smoothie with lime wedges next to it

Pineapple Smoothie

Pineapple Smoothie is sweet, creamy, and full of fresh tropical flavors. Made with juicy pineapple chunks, juice, banana, and Greek yogurt.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: Pineapple Smoothie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 425kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups no-sugar added pineapple juice cold
  • 1 banana cut in half
  • 2 cups pineapple chunks fresh or frozen
  • 1 pineapple Greek yogurt or plain
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 lime – juice
  • zest of 1 lime
  • fresh pineapple wedges and mint sprigs for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and mix until smooth.
  • Divide into serving glasses and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 132g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 1219mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 111g | Vitamin A: 320IU | Vitamin C: 84.2mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 2.5mg
5 from 3 votes

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11 Comments

  1. I love pineapple in my smoothies! Banana is a good way to balance it out too. I’ve never tried all the different seeds in my smoothies, but I want to give it a try – I could benefit from their nutrients.

  2. This pineapple smoothie sounds delicious. I have to admit I think lime zest is a bit of a secret weapon in all recipes!

  3. Pineapple is my favorite fruit – but I have never tried it in a smoothie. A frozen cocktail, yes! But, a smoothie? Never! I will have to try it.

  4. This smoothie looks so fresh and delicious! I am obsessed with all things pineapple. Saving this for a summer treat for the kids and I.