Looking for a refreshing start to your day or a pick-me-up in the afternoon? My healthy Kiwi Smoothie is just the thing. Packed full of vitamin-rich kiwi and iron-dense spinach, this smoothie recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious. This tropical-tasting smoothie is kid approved too!
If you love healthy and great-tasting smoothies, make sure to also check out this mixed berry smoothie which is made with oats and yogurt, you will also love my strawberry watermelon smoothie, and my favorite banana oatmeal smoothie.
Why You’ll Love This Smoothie
- Nutrient-packed: This smoothie is filled with vitamins and minerals, thanks to the power-packed combo of kiwi, pineapple, and spinach. It’s a great way to kick-start your day or re-energize in the afternoon.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can whip up this smoothie in minutes.
- Delicious Taste: Despite being so healthy, this smoothie doesn’t compromise on taste. The natural sweetness of kiwi, pineapple, and banana balances the spinach’s freshness, resulting in a delightful green smoothie you’ll look forward to drinking.
Ingredients Needed
- Kiwis: These tangy fruits are packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants. Make sure to pick ripe kiwis for their natural sweetness and vibrant green color. If kiwis aren’t in season, you can use frozen ones or substitute them with green grapes or green apples.
- Pineapple: A cup of frozen pineapple adds a tropical twist and boosts the vitamin C content. Frozen pineapple helps chill the smoothie and adds sweetness. If you don’t have frozen pineapple, you can use fresh or canned pineapple chunks – just be sure to add some extra ice.
- Banana: Adds creaminess and natural sweetness to the smoothie. Using a frozen banana will make your smoothie extra thick and refreshing. If you’re not a fan of bananas, you can substitute it with half an avocado.
- Spinach: Spinach brings a punch of iron, fiber, and additional vitamins to this smoothie. If you’re not a fan of spinach, you can replace it with other leafy greens like kale.
- Almond Milk and Greek Yogurt: These contribute to the smoothie’s creamy texture while adding a dose of protein, and the yogurt adds gut-loving probiotics. Feel free to substitute with any other milk or yogurt of your choice, dairy, or non-dairy.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Optional sweeteners if you prefer your smoothie a tad sweeter. You can also use dates or agave syrup.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Kiwi Smoothie
In a blender (I used this Vitamix blender and love it!), blend together kiwis, banana, spinach, almond milk, Greek yogurt, and frozen pineapple until smooth. Taste and add honey or maple syrup if needed. Add a handful of ice cubes, blend until crushed, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- Use Frozen Fruits: To make your smoothie extra cold and creamy, use frozen banana, kiwi, or pineapple.
- Adjust to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit your taste. If you prefer a thicker smoothie, add more banana or yogurt. If you like it thinner, add more almond milk.
- Prep Ahead: You can prepare smoothie packs ahead of time by portioning out the banana, kiwi, spinach, and pineapple into zip-top bags and freezing them. When you’re ready to make a smoothie, dump the contents of the bag into your blender, add your liquid and yogurt, and blend away!
Storing Tips
Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately after they’re made, as they start to lose nutritional value over time. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store your kiwi smoothie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
If you notice separation or changes in texture, just give your smoothie a good stir before drinking. You can also freeze your smoothie in ice cube trays for longer storage. When ready to enjoy, just blend the smoothie cubes with a little extra liquid until smooth.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! Feel free to add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or a tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds for an extra protein boost.
You can use frozen spinach instead of fresh. The taste should be similar, and the color will remain vibrant green.
Yes, if you’re not a fan of bananas, you can substitute it with half an avocado or increase the amount of Greek yogurt for creaminess.
Definitely, you can use your preferred sweetener. Other options could include agave nectar, stevia, or even a pitted date. Remember that the banana and pineapple will already add some natural sweetness, so add extra sweetener gradually.
Making Smoothie Packs
One of the smartest ways to ensure you always have the ingredients on hand for a quick and nutritious smoothie is to make “Smoothie Packs”. These are pre-portioned packs with all the fruits, veggies, and add-ins you need for a single smoothie.
Simply portion out your smoothie ingredients (like spinach, kiwi, banana, and pineapple for this recipe) into individual zip-top bags or reusable silicone bags and freeze them. You can prepare several packs at once when you have fresh produce available.
When you’re ready to make a smoothie, you just grab a pack from the freezer, dump it into your blender, add your liquid, and blend until smooth. Not only does this make the smoothie-making process quick and effortless, but it also means your ingredients are as fresh as possible, and you reduce food waste because you’re only using what you need. Plus, using frozen fruits and veggies helps create a thick, frosty smoothie texture without needing to add ice.
Recipe Pairings
This Kiwi Spinach Smoothie is versatile and can be enjoyed with various foods depending on the time of day and your dietary preferences. The key to any good meal pairing is balance. You want to ensure you’re getting a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Here are a few suggestions:
Breakfast Pairings:
- Whole Grain Toast with Avocado: The healthy fats in the avocado and the complex carbs in the whole grain toast will keep you full and satisfied.
- Scrambled Eggs or Tofu Scramble: Adding a protein-rich component like scrambled eggs with cottage cheese or scrambled tofu for vegans will make for a well-rounded and nourishing breakfast.
- Oatmeal or Overnight Oats: A warm bowl of oatmeal or a cool serving of overnight oats (try my chocolate overnight oats!) can provide heart-healthy fiber and pair well with the fruity, vibrant smoothie.
Lunch or Snack Pairings:
- Fresh Salad: A light and refreshing salad full of veggies would be a nice balance to the sweet, fruity smoothie. Try my strawberry feta salad, veggie packed lentil salad, or this delicious pearl couscous salad.
- Hummus and Veggie Sticks: The protein and healthy fats in the hummus, combined with the crunch from the veggies, make a great pair with the smoothie. Another great idea is my hummus veggie wrap which is made with a wholemeal tortilla wrap.
- Grilled Chicken Wrap: A lean protein source like grilled chicken wrapped in a whole-grain tortilla with plenty of fresh veggies would balance the sweetness of the smoothie. Try my grilled chicken wrap recipe!
More Healthy Smoothies To Try
I can’t wait for you to try this refreshing Kiwi Spinach Smoothie. Don’t forget to rate and review the recipe to let me know how it turned out. If you loved it, please pin this recipe on Pinterest and share the green smoothie love with your friends and family. Happy blending!
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Kiwi Smoothie
Recipe Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 kiwis ripe
- 1 medium banana
- 1 cup (165 g) frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup (30 g) fresh spinach leaves tightly packed
- ½ cup (120 ml) milk of choice I used almond milk, or use water
- ½ cup (120 g) Greek yogurt for a vegan option, use a dairy-free yogurt
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey or maple syrup, if extra sweetness is desired
Instructions
- Peel the kiwis and place them in a blender. Add the banana, pineapple, spinach leaves, almond milk, and Greek yogurt.
- Blend on high until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth. If the smoothie is too thick for your liking, add a bit more almond milk and blend again.
- Taste the smoothie. If you’d like it to be sweeter, add honey or maple syrup to taste and blend once more.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy it immediately.
Notes:
- Ripe Fruit: Ensure your kiwi and banana are ripe before using them in the smoothie for the best natural sweetness.
- Frozen Fruit: Freeze your fruit ahead of time for a thicker, colder smoothie.
- Spinach: Make sure that the spinach you’re using is RAW (fresh or frozen). Cooked spinach does not taste good in smoothies.
- Smoothie Packs: Prepare smoothie packs with pre-portioned ingredients and freeze them for a quick and easy smoothie preparation.
- Sweetness: Adjust the level of sweetness to your liking. Remember, the ripeness of your fruits will impact the sweetness of your smoothie.
- Dietary Restrictions: This smoothie is easily customizable to various dietary needs. Swap out dairy for non-dairy milk and yogurt for vegan options.
- Storage: Smoothies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If storing, give it a good stir before drinking.
- Additional Add-ins: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or a tablespoon of seeds (like chia or flaxseeds) for an extra boost.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Leon Lark says
wowwww.. love it
Little Sunny Kitchen says
I’m so happy to hear that!