The Best Tropical Island Green Smoothie
Don’t let the green color scare you away. This Island Green Smoothie doesn’t taste green at all! A blend of fresh tropical fruit, almond milk, coconut water, banana, and protein powder hides the flavor of the leafy greens, resulting in a healthy green smoothie with delicious tropical flavor.
When it comes to smoothies, the ingredient possibilities are literally endless. This island green smoothie recipe showcases baby spinach, pineapple coconut water, avocado, mango, banana, and whey protein powder, and it is DELICIOUS! Not to mention, the added protein adds an extra muscle-building boost.
I’ve tested dozens of delicious smoothie formulas, but this island green smoothie is absolutely my favorite smoothie. It’s the perfect way to sneak more greens into your diet without tasting said greens. The variety of tropical fruits disguises this green recipe as a protein and dietary fiber-rich snack or quick meal for the kiddos!
While you’re here, don’t miss out on these other green smoothie recipes: chocolate cherry green smoothie and tropical blueberry kale smoothie, but first – let’s give this tropical island green smoothie a whirl!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This smoothie is deceptively nutritious. It’s packed with spinach that you can’t taste!
- It’s the perfect summer smoothie loaded with tropical fruits.
- There’s no added sugar.
- The health benefits. There are so many!
- It’s similar to the island green detox smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this rejuvenating protein green smoothie:
- Baby spinach – Is an excellent source of vitamin K, iron, potassium, and hydration. Feel free to use another leafy green like kale, arugula, or swiss chard.
- Unsweetened vanilla almond milk – To make a sweet and creamy smoothie without dairy or added sugar. You can also use oat milk or coconut milk here.
- Pineapple Coconut water – For electrolytes and tropical fruity flavor (you can also use pineapple juice or plain coconut water)
- Mango chunks – Mango is an antioxidant detoxifying powerhouse and a tasty addition to this smoothie.
- Avocado – Helps thicken and lends beneficial fats. I love the frozen avocado chunks here!
- Banana – Adds a healthy dose of fiber to keep you feeling full.
- Vanilla whey protein powder – Enhances the nutrient content and adds flavor.
How To Make A Tropical Green Smoothie
Step 1: Blend spinach greens with milk and coconut water. Add baby spinach, vanilla almond milk, and pineapple coconut water to your high-speed blender, and blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Blend with remaining ingredients. Then, add the mango, avocado, banana, and protein powder to the blender, and blend until it reaches the density you prefer. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to comply with your dietary lifestyle. For instance, if you are limiting your carb intake, you could omit the pineapple coconut water (or juice), use less fruit, and add more healthy fats.
- If you aren’t concerned about dairy, use whole milk for an ultra-creamy and dreamy smoothie. You can even boost the protein with a higher protein milk, like Fairlife.
- If you are using frozen fruit for your smoothie, you won’t need to add ice.
- This smoothie is naturally sweet, but add a natural sweetener like maple syrup, agave, or soaked dates if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Variations
Following the basic formula for a healthy protein green smoothie, you can customize your island green smoothie from top to bottom. To make the perfect island green smoothie, include at least one ingredient from each of the components listed below:
- Liquid base – Instead of vanilla almond milk, you can use any unsweetened non-dairy milk, coconut water, or extra juice.
- Greens – Fresh baby spinach, kale, romaine, cucumber, zucchini, etc.
- Fresh fruit or frozen fruit – In addition to mango, fresh or frozen passion fruit, guava, coconut, fresh pineapple, papaya, kiwi, etc., are great options.
- Protein Source – Protein powder (whey or plant-based) or Greek yogurt are great options.
- Healthy fat – Avocado, peanut butter, almond butter, chia seeds, coconut oil, full-fat yogurt, flax seed, etc.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: If you have extra island green smoothie, pour it into a container with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. It will thicken as it sits in the refrigerator, so you may need to reblend it with more almond milk.
Freezing: Another option is freezing extra tropical smoothies in an airtight container for 3 months. When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and thaw until the smoothie is soft enough to reblend.
Recipe FAQ
It’s made from a blend of frozen fruit, spinach, a splash of coconut milk, fresh ginger, and no added sugar. The ingredients are aimed at boosting metabolism and aiding digestion.
If you’re using frozen fruit, you do not need to add ice to the blender. If your fruit isn’t frozen and you prefer a chilled smoothie, add a scoop of ice to the blender pitcher.
Nope! The sweet, tart, and tropical fruity flavors overpower the spinach (and the avocado), so all you taste are a blend of tropical flavors.
More Tropical Smoothie Flavors
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Check out these 25 Favorite Green Smoothie Recipes for more green smoothie inspiration!
Tropical Island Green Smoothie
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup baby spinach fresh, not frozen
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk regular or vanilla
- 1/2 cup pineapple coconut water you can also use pineapple juice or regular coconut water
- 1/2 cup mango chunks fresh or frozen
- 1/4 avocado I use about 3 of the frozen avocado chunks
- 1/2 banana use a frozen banana for best consistency
- 30 g vanilla whey protein powder
Instructions
- Blend spinach, almond milk and pineapple coconut water until smooth and blended
- Add mango, avocado, banana and protein powder and blend until desired consistency is achieved.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to comply with your dietary lifestyle. For instance, if you are limiting your carb intake, you could omit the juice, use less fruit, and add more healthy fats.
- If you aren’t concerned about dairy, use whole milk for an ultra-creamy and dreamy smoothie.
- If you are using frozen fruit for your smoothie, you won’t need to add ice.
- This smoothie is naturally sweet, but add a natural sweetener like maple syrup, agave, or soaked dates if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and recipe enhancements from the original post published December 29, 2015.
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Amee! I can just see you sitting at your breakfast table at the kitchen counter sipping this smoothie after your morning run! You inspire me, luv!! Thank you for jumping on the ‘Live on Green’ magic carpet…hugs and love xoxoxo !~ally
You’re most welcome Ally! Thank you for taking time to visit and comment! xo~
I’m allergic to mango. What type of fruit could I replace it with? Cantaloupe?
Hi Vicki! Frozen pineapple would be great!
mmmm I love that you used both pineapple and mango! yum!
Thank you Rachel!
Oh my, what a beautiful color, and I image great taste.