This Key Lime Smoothie tastes so thick and rich, it’s like having dessert for breakfast! It's easy to make, healthy to eat, and tastes just like a piece of key lime pie in a glass! Plus the combo of key lime juice, coconut milk, bananas, yogurt, protein powder, and chia seeds give you a supercharged boost to start your day.
Smoothies are my go-to breakfast or lunch in the summer. I’ve made everything from Coffee Smoothies for an extra kick in the morning, to Chocolate Almond Butter Smoothies to satisfy my chocolate craving, to Orange Creamsicle Smoothies that remind me of my favorite ice cream treat. They are all deliciously healthy, simple to whip up and so refreshing on a hot day.
Table of contents
Of course, being a former Floridian, I love key limes in everything. From a cool, Florida Keys original, Key Lime Colada cocktail, to their famous Key Lime Pie, to a magic Key Lime Pudding Cake. So when I want a reminder of the lazy days I spent in the Keys, but in a healthier option, I make this easy and super delicious Key Lime Smoothie recipe.
Key Limes vs Persian Limes
If you’re not familiar with key limes you might wonder what the difference is between key limes and a regular or Persian lime. Firstly, they are smaller, about the size of a golf ball, and secondly, they are more aromatic and have a much stronger, tarter taste than a Persian lime. They are also yellowish in color so don’t let anyone tell you a green key lime pie is authentic! Nope, it should be yellow.
Best Key Lime Juice
It is hard to find key limes outside of Florida but, if you can find them, they are well worth the extra squeeze effort. If not, when looking to purchase a key lime juice, I always opt for Nellie & Joes Famous 100% Key Lime Juice.
Ingredients
This Coconut Lime Smoothie is not just about the incredible flavor but all the healthy ingredients that go into it. And bonus, just in time for bathing suit season!
- Yogurt – supplies protein and packs plenty of probiotics that support digestion and heart health.
- Coconut milk – contains healthy fats which are believed to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. This high fat content also prolongs the feeling of satiety and is easily converted to energy. In this coconut lime smoothie, it provides the coconut flavor often found in tropical drinks. If you don’t care for the coconut flavor, you can also use almond milk, oat milk, or your favorite regular milk.
- Key lime juice – is a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants. These compounds help cells fight damage caused by free radicals.
- Banana – frozen sliced banana is a great addition to any smoothie. Besides adding that frozen consistency it provides plenty of potassium, aiding in controlling blood pressure, and fiber to help with satiety.
- Protein powder – is totally optional but beneficial if you workout. The protein helps build muscle, repair tissue and produce hormones and enzymes.
- Chia seeds/powder – again this ingredient is totally optional but they offer massive amounts of antioxidants, fiber and protein. They may improve digestions and have a high quantity of omega-3 fatty acids that may improve risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.
How to make a lime smoothie
- Collect all the ingredients before beginning as this smoothie breakfast goes together quickly.
- Pour lime juice into a blender carafe or blender cup. You can use fresh lime juice or bottled. See recommendation above.
- Add key lime-flavored yogurt. For dairy-free, choose an almond or coconut-based version.
- Sprinkle in protein powder. This is totally optionally but gives this breakfast a boost that's great before or after a workout.
- Add chia seeds, if desired.
- Finally, top with frozen bananas and blend.
Pour blended smoothie into a mason jar. Or make it into a key lime smoothie bowl by adding ice prior to blending. If you're feeling a little indulgent, garnish with whipped cream and a few sprinkles of graham cracker crumbs, or just settle for a slice of lime.
This key lime pie smoothie is always a treat in the morning. It takes just minutes to blend and I feel so good about myself knowing I’m eating healthy. I love to pour it into a mason jar as is or, if I'm feeling indulgent, top it with some whipped cream or whipped coconut cream and dive in.
Not only does it keep me full until lunch but I feel like I’m having dessert for breakfast and that’s never a bad thing! Enjoy!
Variations
- Key Lime Pie Shake - A light dessert a la nice cream. Replace the yogurt with key lime frozen yogurt and the ice cubes with key lime ice cream.
- Blueberry Lime Smoothie – Replace the yogurt with frozen blueberries or change it to a blueberry yogurt and add a little agave or maple syrup to sweeten. Increase the coconut milk or your favorite milk to ½ cup.
- Mango Lime Smoothie – Replace the coconut milk with a mango cut into chunks. Add a little agave or confectioner’s sugar to sweeten.
- Strawberry Lime Smoothie – Change out the key lime yogurt with strawberry yogurt, add a little honey to sweeten and replace ice cubes with a handful of frozen strawberries.
More summer smoothies
Green Pina Colada Smoothie Bowl is a tropical blend of mango, pineapple, bananas and coconut with some healthy avocado and spinach thrown in to make a powerful breakfast to start the day.
Chocolate Blackberry Mojito Smoothie is a chocolaty-flavored smoothie with blackberries and a hint of mint that packs a healthy punch. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or a snack.
Peach Pie Smoothie is like a slice of peach pie in a glass! And it’s good for you too!
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Key Lime Smoothie
Ingredients
- 5.3 oz key lime yogurt (see notes on how to make your own from vanilla yogurt)
- 1 banana, frozen
- ¼ cup coconut milk or your favorite go-to milk
- 2-3 teaspoons key lime juice, depending on tartness desired
- 4 ice cubes
- 2-3 teaspoons chia powder (optional)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into blender and combine well.
- Pour into glass or mason jar and garnish with slice of lime.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on March 12, 2014 and has been updated with new photos and step-by-step instructions.
This is such a perfect easy healthy breakfast! So refreshing!
I always feel so good after having this for breakfast but then I start dreaming of vacation and beaches and wish I didn't have to go to work. lol
I need to make one of these asap! Key lime pie is my favorite!
Key Lime Pie is one of my faves too! This way I can have the taste I love without feeling guilty.
This sounds great... I love Key lime pie... and in a smoothie.. YUM
My thoughts exactly! Enjoy!
I'd just use chia seeds instead of the powder, will that mess with the thickness, I've never even seen chia powder.
Hi Lori, Chia seeds will work but the texture will be slightly different. If you want to try Chia powder you can grind your own by placing in a coffee grinder. Enjoy!