Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl (Pitaya Bowl)

This 4-ingredient dragon fruit smoothie bowl (aka pitaya bowl) is super thick, creamy, sweet, vibrant, and fully customizable with your favorite toppings! It's ready in just 5 minutes and is a dairy-free, gluten-free, and delicious start to the day!

What is Dragon Fruit and What Does it Taste Like?

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya or ‘strawberry pear,’ is a fruit that comes from cactus plants and is grown in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Australia, and the United States. It has a pear-like shape with a thick, inedible vibrant pink peel (sometimes yellow) that hides a white or pink-fleshed seedy fruity center with a mild pear-kiwi flavor (and texture thanks to the black, crunchy seeds).

While the flavor is mild, this fruit contains plenty of prebiotics, antioxidants, and various vitamins (like vitamins A and C) and minerals (like calcium, iron, and magnesium). More so, making a smoothie bowl with dragon fruit (the red-fleshed variety) will make a gorgeous fuchsia smoothie that’s a joy to look at.

Sweet and Creamy Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipe

With summer approaching quickly, I find myself ditching regular smoothies for a smoothie bowl thanks to their super refreshing thick, creamy, soft-serve ice cream consistency.

Just like my strawberry smoothie bowl, this dragon fruit smoothie bowl looks great (perfect for encouraging kids to consume more fruit), tastes great, is so much cheaper than buying out, takes just minutes to prepare, and makes for an absolutely delicious, nutritious, refreshing breakfast or snack.

It’s loaded with fiber, antioxidants, and several vitamins and minerals while remaining fairly low on calories and fat. Best of all, you can load it with all your favorite toppings to fit your flavor, dietary, and nutrition goals!

The Ingredients

• Dragon fruit: You can use frozen dragon fruit smoothie packets (found in many major grocery stores, health food stores like Whole Foods, and international markets). Two packets = ¾ cup dragonfruit and frozen dragonfruit cubes work, too.
• Strawberries: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries, though the latter is best for the ice-cream-like consistency of the pitaya smoothie bowl. Raspberries work, too.
• Banana: I love keeping sliced, frozen bananas on-hand for whenever smoothie cravings kick in. Frozen banana, in particular, is great for a super thick, creamy pitaya smoothie bowl consistency.

Alternatively, try frozen mango or pineapple instead or a combination of the three. I particularly like a dragon fruit mango smoothie.

• Sweetener: (optional) If you don’t find the dragon fruit banana smoothie sweet enough, add a small amount of maple syrup, agave, or other sweetener (including sugar-free options).
• Plant-based milk: A little dairy-free milk will help blend the ingredients. I.e., almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc. Alternatively, use coconut water or pineapple juice for even more of a tropical flavor.

Optional Add-Ins & Recipe Variations

Boost the flavor of nutrients in this dragon fruit smoothie bowl recipe with:

• Plant-based protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder for a protein smoothie bowl. Use unflavored, vanilla, or berry-flavored powder.
• Seed/Nut butter: A tablespoon of seed or nut butter is rich and creamy, providing satiating protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
• Lime juice: (or orange/lemon juice) to add bright, tart flavor. Add zest for more flavor.
• Chia seeds: For an omega boost in the pitaya bowl recipe.
• Cauliflower: Replace some fruit with frozen cauliflower for less sugar and to sneak in veggies.
• Beets: This enhances the fuchsia color while adding extra nutrients to the pitaya bowl.
• Avocado: ½ an avocado adds antioxidants and healthy fats. Add it alongside or instead of some of the banana (fresh or frozen).

How to Make a Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl?

• 1) Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender and process until smooth and creamy, gradually adding in plant-based milk until it achieves your desired consistency. Pause to scrape down the sides of the jug as needed.

Taste and adjust the dragonfruit smoothie recipe as needed. I.e., more berries for extra flavor, banana for sweetness, plant-based milk for texture and creaminess, etc.

• 2) Transfer the dragon fruit smoothie to a bowl and top with all your favorite toppings (listed below). Enjoy immediately!

Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl Toppings

With the right smoothie bowl toppings, you can easily create a more complete meal with extra fiber, healthy fats, and protein to keep you full until your next meal.

• Fresh or frozen fruits (kiwi, berries, mango, pineapple, etc.)
• Coconut shreds or flakes (or fresh coconut)
• Granola or muesli (nutty or coconut granola pair particularly well with pitaya bowls)
• Hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, etc.
• Coconut butter or seed/nut butter—almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter, etc.
• Cacao nibs (for antioxidants and crunch) or vegan chocolate chips
• Goji berries

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• To freeze fruit for smoothies: Chop them into even-sized pieces and spread them across a tray, not touching, to flash freeze until solid. Then transfer to a Ziplock/Stasher bag and freeze (usually up to 3 months).
• Using a blender vs. food processor: A food processor is preferred, as it can usually blend the ingredients with no additional liquid required. If using a blender, a high-speed blender is required; even better if it has a ‘tamper.’
• Pitaya stains: So be careful when preparing the dragon fruit smoothie recipe and immediately rinse any tools/chopping boards.
• When blending: Pause to scrape down the sides of the jug often and to keep the blades from overheating (which will melt the ingredients).
• Don’t add too much liquid: If your machine struggles to blend the frozen ingredients, add liquid, one spoonful at a time. This way, you won’t accidentally add too much and ruin the super moreish ice-cream texture.

Can I store Dragon Fruit Smoothies?

Once assembled, it’s best to consume this pitaya bowl immediately before all the ingredients thaw and the texture changes.

If you accidentally make too much dragon fruit banana smoothie, you can freeze the leftovers. I like to spread it thinly in Ziplock-style/Stasher freezer bags (or in ice cube molds) and freeze it for up to 2 months.

More Vegan Smoothies

• Easy Strawberry Smoothie Bowl
• Simple Blueberry Banana Smoothie
• Strawberry Smoothie with Yogurt

If you try this easy dragon fruit smoothie bowl recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating.

Photos by Alfonso Revilla