Sunshine in a glass
When I returned from my THIRD trip to Costa Rica, I could not stop dreaming of those fresh piña coladas!
In an attempt to appease my craving in a much healthier way, I created this Pineapple Coconut Smoothie! It has all of the flavors of a fresh pina colada but made with good-for-you ingredients like fresh pineapple chunks, dairy-free coconut milk, and a banana.
The Best Things About This Smoothie
- It’s ready in 5 minutes
- Prep it ahead of time by adding ingredients to a freezer-safe bag.
- Take it on-the-go with you for breakfast or a quick snack.
- This basic recipe is customizable. You can add a TON of different ingredients to up the nutrition and make it your own.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Pineapple. It’s best if you use frozen pineapple chunks to keep the texture perfect. You can buy it frozen at the store or cut a pineapple and freeze it fresh.
- Banana. A fully ripe banana is sweetest and therefore best for this recipe. Make sure to use a room temperature banana so the ingredients can blend together more easily.
- Milk. Coconut milk is what gives this smoothie that Piña Colada flavor. If you just want the pineapple flavor, feel free to substitute with other milks. Regular, oat, soy, or another nut-based milk such as cashew or almond milk, will work. For the creamiest texture, opt for full-fat coconut milk.
- Yogurt. Plain, unflavored, and unsweetened yogurt is ideal, such as Greek yogurt. You can also use a nut or plant-based yogurt if you’re avoiding dairy. Flavored varieties, like vanilla yogurt, increase the sugar count, so be aware.
- Sweetener. This is optional. Make the smoothie first and test the flavor to ensure the perfect amount of sweetness. Then add some if you would like it sweeter. You can choose honey or maple syrup for something natural.
Why use fresh and frozen fruit? Using a combination of fresh and frozen fruits makes blending the smoothie together so much easier! You can also thaw previously frozen fruit for 15-30 minutes in order to make it softer and easier to blend.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Combine the ingredients.
Add the ingredients to the blender.
Any blender will work for this smoothie—personal-sized (blade on top) or traditional (blade on bottom). Just layer ingredients based on blade placement: bananas and yogurt near the blade, frozen pineapple farther away for the smoothest blend.
Blend it up.
Blend for 1-2 minutes. Watch for your ideal smoothie consistency. It should be smooth and creamy.
You might need to add more liquid if the smoothie isn’t blending well.
Possible add-ins.
Serve with diced pineapple, shredded coconut, and a straw!
This recipe is a blank canvas for you to work with. Up the nutritional value by adding in any of these easy smoothie ingredients:
- Nuts and seeds
- Fish or flax seed oil
- Turmeric powder
- Gluten-free oats
- Protein powder
- Avocado
- Leafy greens
- Other fresh or frozen fruits
FAQs
Save yourself some time on busy mornings with a little prep. Measure out the frozen fruit and yogurt in freezer safe bags. Freeze for up to 3 to 4 months. When you’re ready to make your smoothie, let the ingredients thaw for about 30 minutes, then blend with your liquid of choice.
You should absolutely freeze pineapples to make smoothies. When the fruit is frozen, it creates the cool, smooth, creamy texture without using ice cubes, which can affect the flavor.
In general, opt for your favorite variety of milk when making a fruit smoothie. However, you can choose another liquid, such as coconut water or juice. Keep in mind these alternatives may up the sugar content.
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Pineapple Coconut Smoothie Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen pineapple thawed for 5 minutes
- 1 medium banana cut into 1-inch chunks
- ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon sweetener optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender such as a Vitamin or Nutribullet. Place the softer ingredients closer to the blade and the frozen ingredients further from the blade.2 cups frozen pineapple, 1 medium banana, ½ cup full-fat coconut milk, ¼ cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon sweetener
- Blend for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Serve with diced pineapple, shredded coconut, and a straw.
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Video
Notes
- Yield: This recipe makes enough for two 8-oz. smoothies or one large, 16-oz. smoothie.
- Milk: Regular, oat, cashew, almond, or soy milk can be used if you do not like coconut.
- Yogurt: Greek yogurt, goat yogurt, or any other plant or nut-based yogurt may be used.
- Prep-ahead: To prepare in advance, you can measure out ingredients and place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Store for up to 3-4 months in the freezer. Let it sit out for 20-30 minutes so the ingredients can thaw, then blend before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Frozen Fruit Smoothies
Learn the basics for How to Make a Fruit Smoothie, or check out one of these favorite smoothie recipes:
