Kiwi Smoothie

Cool down with a healthy 5-minute kiwi smoothie. Made with just 5 ingredients, this simple drink is naturally sweet and tart.

Recipe Highlights

• Satisfying and sweet, this healthy kiwi smoothie is made by combining almond milk, spinach, kiwi, banana, and frozen pineapple in a blender.
• The combination of kiwi, banana, and pineapple makes this drink taste like a tropical treat.
• Kiwi and spinach give the smoothie a natural bright green color.
• Made in just 5 minutes with 5 ingredients.

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5 Kiwi Smoothie Benefits

1. Supports Immune Function

Kiwi is an excellent source of vitamin C. This nutrient is essential for good immune function. In the body, vitamin C helps your cells destroy germs that might make you sick. Spinach and pineapple are also good sources of vitamin C.

2. Contains Antioxidants

Vitamin C, which is found in kiwi, is a powerful antioxidant. This means it can protect cells from damage. Kiwi also contains antioxidants like chlorophyll, vitamin E, and beta-carotene.

3. Promotes Good Digestion

As a rich source of fiber, kiwi is excellent for digestion. This fiber supports digestive regularity and comfort. It also benefits the good bacteria in your gut, which is important for digestive health. There’s also fiber in banana and pineapple.

4. Increases Satiety

Thanks to the high fiber content of this smoothie, it’s great for reducing hunger. The body takes some time to digest fiber. As a result, the fiber keeps you full and satisfied.

5. Enhances Brain Health

This smoothie contains baby spinach, a type of leafy green. Leafy greens contain large amounts of brain-friendly nutrients. Examples include vitamin K, folate, and lutein. When eaten regularly, leafy greens can protect your brain function as you get older.

RELATED: Benefits of Eating Spinach

Ingredient Notes

• Unsweetened almond milk: Unsweetened almond milk is an excellent neutral milk to add to smoothies. You can also use other milks, like oat milk, hemp milk, or coconut milk from a carton.
• Baby spinach: Fresh baby spinach is one of the healthiest ingredients you can use in a smoothie. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
• Kiwis: Sweet and tart, kiwi’s slightly acidic flavor adds brightness to the drink. Kiwi is also very juicy, making this recipe very hydrating.
• Banana: Fresh banana adds thickness and creaminess. Its mild sweetness tones down the tartness of kiwi as well.
• Frozen pineapple: The combination of pineapple and kiwi creates a satisfying tropical flavor.

For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Variations

Protein powder: Protein powder is a great supplement for building muscle. It also makes smoothies more filling. Unflavored protein powder will ensure the kiwi shines. But you can also try vanilla protein powder for a unique flavor profile.

Collagen powder: Another option adding collagen powder, which is good for skin and joint health.

Seeds: To make this drink more nutritious, add 1 tablespoon of flax seeds, hemp seeds, or chia seeds. Seeds are high in plant-based protein and fiber, which are very filling. They also contain anti-inflammatory fats.

Extracts: To enhance the flavor of your smoothie, add ½ teaspoon almond extract. Coconut extract is a great choice for intensifying the tropical taste.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Blender Tips

Cut fruits into chunks.

Chop the kiwi and banana into smaller pieces before adding them to the blender. For powerful blenders, the chunks can be the same size as a quarter of an apple. But if you have a less powerful blender, cut them smaller.

It’s also important to cut pineapple into cubes before freezing. This will protect your blender’s blades.

Add the lightest ingredients first.

When loading ingredients into the blender, pay attention to the order.

Start with the liquids. Next, add liquid add-ins, followed by any powders, nut butters, and seeds. Continue with leafy greens and fresh fruits. The last ingredients to go in should be heavy items, like ice and frozen fruit. By using this technique, you’ll be able to reduce air pockets.

Gradually increase the blender speed.

Don’t blend on low for too long, as this can overheat the blender’s motor. Instead, blend on low speed for about 10 seconds. Then blend on high for about 1 minute until the ingredients are pureed.

Avoid air pockets by using a tamper.

The lid of your blender has a hole in the center. This allows you to insert a tamper into the container as the blades move.

Don’t worry about the tamper touching the blades. It has a stopper that stops it from going too far in. While the tamper is in the blender, move it in a circle, hitting all 4 sides of the container. This pushes ingredients toward the blades and reduces air pockets.

Use a blade scraper.

After pouring the smoothie into a glass, there will likely be some leftover. You can remove the last bit with a blade scraper. This tool is designed to reach underneath the blades and remove the rest of the smoothie.

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Expert Tips

• For the best texture and flavor, use a ripe banana. Look for one that is yellow with some brown spots.
• Avoid using spinach that is wilted or slimy.
• If the smoothie is too thick, add some almond milk and blend for 10 seconds.
• Smoothies are tastiest when enjoyed fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, but be sure to drink it within 2 days.

Questions You May Have

Related

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• Spinach Smoothie
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• Cucumber Smoothie
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