This Pineapple Banana Smoothie is refreshingly fruity and delicious, and absolutely perfect for summer. An easy-to-make tropical mixture of fresh banana, pineapple, and lime with just a hint of earthiness from cucumber. Fortified with protein powder, it makes a healthy, dairy-free breakfast or snack that will give you a boost any time of day.
Summer is the perfect time to sip on smoothies. Whether it's breakfast, pre or post-workout energizer, or just an afternoon snack they're both healthy and delicious.
And I have so many smoothie favorites to choose from that provide a serving or two of my daily fruit and vegetable requirements. Favorites like my Coconut Mango Smoothie Bowl to my Chocolate Blackberry Smoothie to this delicious Pineapple Banana Smoothie. Sometimes it's hard to decide which one to enjoy.
Table of contents
Health Benefits of Smoothies
Some smoothies, including this pineapple smoothie, are loaded with antioxidants and rich in Vitamin C and important antioxidants. They can also provide a serving or two of the daily requirement of fruits and vegetables.
In the case of this pineapple and banana smoothie, there are no added sugars, keeping it lower in calories and no yogurt, making it naturally dairy-free.
Ingredients
- Bananas - add creaminess to the smoothie. They are high in potassium and fiber and low in fat. In fact, only 4% of a banana’s calories come from fat, and what fat they do contain help to block the absorption of cholesterol.
- Fresh Pineapple & juice - provides the sweet tropical touch. They offer an abundance of Vitamin C for boosting the immune system and its fair share of antioxidants and manganese for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
- Cucumbers - are high in antioxidants and important vitamins and minerals such as Vitamins C, K, potassium and magnesium. They are also low in calories. Since they contain about 96% water, they promote hydration which is especially important in the summer heat.
- Mint - is added for its refreshing taste but also provides Vitamin A and antioxidants to the smoothie.
- Lime - is a great source of Vitamin C and antioxidants that boost immunity.
- Protein Powder - helps satiety, reduces hunger and builds lean muscle mass.
Variations & Add-ins
There are a number of ways you can change this smoothie up to make it your own. Here are some suggestions that are just as delicious as the original.
- Strawberries - for a Pineapple Banana Strawberry Smoothie that is sure to be popular during strawberry season. They add a fresh berry flavor to the mix and the resulting color is gorgeous. Fresh or frozen strawberries both work fine. The cucumber can be omitted if desired.
- Mango - is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, low in calories and gives this smoothie a tropical twist. Sub for pineapple chunks but keep pineapple juice.
- Almond butter - or cashew butter will add a little healthy fat. I use about 1 tablespoon.
- Kale - or spinach in lieu of the cucumber for a green smoothie boost of iron, calcium and Vitamins C & K. The color isn't very appealing but the health benefits are obvious.
- Yogurt - for a creamier smoothie and an added boost of protein and calcium. Add carefully after the other ingredients have been blended to prevent the pineapple juice from curdling the yogurt. Feel free to leave out the protein powder. (use a non-dairy or plant-based yogurt for dairy-free/vegan)
- Orange Juice - for a Pineapple Banana Orange Smoothie. Just replace the pineapple juice with orange juice or one fresh orange.
- Ice - about 1 cup can be added to make a thicker, frothier-textured smoothie.
- Chia Seeds - offer an extra protein boost. It is low in calories, high in antioxidants and calcium, and rich in fiber. It is also the richest plant-source of omega 3s.
How to Make
- Place cutup cucumbers and bananas in blender or blender cup.
- Add pineapple chunks, either fresh or frozen, and mint to blender.
- Pour in pineapple juice and lime juice.
- Sprinkle in protein powder.
- Blend until smooth. Serve this pineapple juice smoothie garnished with a cucumber slice, a piece of pineapple and a mint sprig. And don't forget the straw!
Smoothie Storage
A smoothie is best eaten immediately after making but it can be made the evening before and stored in the refrigerator overnight. It may separate, which is totally OK, just give it a good shake and you're ready to go. As an option, you can also make several at a time and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
This Pineapple Banana Smoothie will have you dreaming of tropical islands. It's creamy and naturally sweet, with all the fruity flavor you could want. The touch of herbal earthiness from the mint and cucumber makes it totally refreshing too. It's the perfect summer breakfast to start your day.
How to make it gluten-free and vegan
This smoothie with pineapple is naturally dairy-free and refined sugar-free. To make it vegan and gluten-free just switch to a protein powder that is specified for that particular diet.
More healthy smoothies
Chocolate Caramel Smoothie Bowl - A rich chocolaty combination of yogurt, almond butter, bananas, caramel coffee,e and a healthy serving of greens.
Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie from Natalies Health - All natural, delicious and loaded with nutrients to start the day off right.
Carrot Cake Smoothie - All the flavors of your favorite carrot cake with plenty of healthy sprinkled in!
Find more delicious smoothies here on 2CM!
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Pineapple Banana Smoothie
Ingredients
- ½ frozen banana
- ½ cup fresh or frozen pineapple
- ¼ cucumber peeled (unpeeled if organic)
- 2 mint leaves
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- 1 lime juiced or 2 Tablespoons
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (about 1-½ tablespoons)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in blender or single serve cup and pulse until smooth.
Notes
- Strawberries - for a Pineapple Banana Strawberry Smoothie that is sure to be popular during strawberry season. They add that fresh berry flavor to the mix and the resulting color is gorgeous. Fresh or frozen strawberries both work fine. The cucumber can be omitted if desired.
- Mango - is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, low in calories, and gives this smoothie a tropical twist. Sub for pineapple chunks but keep pineapple juice.
- Almond butter - or cashew butter will add a little healthy fat. I use about 1 tablespoon.
- Kale - or spinach in lieu of the cucumber for a green smoothie boost of iron, calcium, and Vitamins C & K. The color isn't very appealing but the health benefits are obvious.
- Yogurt - for a creamier smoothie and an added boost of protein and calcium. Add carefully after the other ingredients have been blended to prevent the pineapple juice from curdling the yogurt. Feel free to leave out the protein powder. (use a non-dairy or plant-based yogurt for dairy-free/vegan)
- Orange Juice - for a Pineapple Banana Orange Smoothie. Just replace the pineapple juice with orange juice or one fresh orange.
- Ice - about 1 cup can be added to make a thicker, frothier-textured smoothie.
- Chia Seeds - offer an extra protein boost as well as being low in calories, high in antioxidants and calcium, and rich in fiber. It is also the richest plant-source of omega 3s.
Nutrition
This post has been updated to include better instructions, more information, and new photos. It was first published on March 18, 2015.
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