Refreshing on a hot day, enjoy tropical flavors with this mango pineapple smoothie, bursting with the vibrant flavors of ripe mango, pineapple, and lime juice. Skip the fast food version that's loaded with sugar and make this healthier alternative at home in minutes. Naturally sweetened with whole fruit, it's also packed with protein from Greek yogurt and fiber, making it a great way to start the day.
Ever order a McDonald's mango pineapple smoothie? Just reading the nutrition label could send you into sugar shock. It's the kind of smoothie that gives smoothies a bad name. A medium mango pineapple smoothie at the golden arches has a whopping 57 grams of sugar (14 teaspoons) and almost no protein (3 grams). Let's fix that right now so you can enjoy this tropical smoothie at home.
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Why You'll Like This Recipe
- Make it in minutes or make it ahead for a grab-and-go breakfast.
- High in protein and fiber, a healthy mango pineapple smoothie recipe.
- Use frozen fruit or fresh fruit.
- Way less sugar than a fast food mango pineapple smoothie.
If you love mango in smoothies, try this bright green smoothie with mango and spinach. Sounds crazy but it's terrific and a beautiful color.
Recipe Ingredients
While this smoothie is a tropical delight, it is still a higher sugar smoothie. Be careful how much fruit you add. If you eat low carb or watch your sugar intake, keep this smoothie recipe as a treat, not an everyday smoothie.
- Milk: Coconut milk adds more of a tropical touch, but almond milk, hemp seed milk, dairy milk, or cashew milk all work.
- Yogurt: Buy unflavored plain Greek yogurt for the best protein.
- Protein powder: Use your preferred. I generally use whey protein.
- Mango: Fresh mango or frozen mango. Frozen mango chunks make it frosty and thicker.
- Pineapple: Use fresh pineapple or frozen pineapple.
- Lime: A little fresh lime juice lifts the flavor and tempers the sweetness.
- Turmeric: Just a little adds golden color (optional), plus it's good for you.
- Vanilla: What's more tropical than vanilla? Add a little vanilla extract or vanilla paste, if you are not using vanilla protein powder.
For lower sugar smoothies, try berry smoothies and check out my smoothies recipe index page.
Chef's tip: One tropical fruit I skip in a mango pineapple smoothie is banana. Often used in smoothie recipes to make them creamy, this smoothie recipe doesn't need more sugar, as it gets nice creaminess from the yogurt. Can you add banana? Yes, fresh banana or frozen banana. I don't think it is needed, but it's up to you.
Substitutions and Variations
- It might sound crazy but a little mild curry powder is nice!
- Swap lemon juice for lime juice.
- Use either all protein powder or all yogurt to meet your protein needs.
- For more fiber and protein, add a tablespoon of ground flax seed.
- If you want it sweeter, try a little maple syrup, honey, or monk fruit (for no added sugar).
- Try coconut water for your liquid, but read the labels for added sugar.
- Add a vanilla extract, ground vanilla, or use vanilla protein powder.
Fresh pineapple mango salsa is terrific with chicken, fish, shrimp, and many other dishes. It's brightly flavored and delicious if you've never made it.
Chef's tip: What NOT to use in a pineapple mango smoothie? Skip any mango puree concentrate, pineapple puree, pineapple juice, fruit juice concentrate, or orange juice concentrate. Why? They are pure sugar as the fiber is gone, and they really spike your blood sugar. Use whole fruit that still has the fiber and you'll do much better.
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Another good combination with pineapple is frozen cucumber. Sounds crazy but it's really refreshing! Look at my cucumber smoothie post for how to cut up and freeze the cucumber.
Smoothie Instructions
Any blender will do but a high-speed blender purees better and works faster.
To the blender container add the milk first, then the yogurt, fruit, protein powder, lime juice, and turmeric (if using). Blend away, start low to grind up the fruit, then turn it up to high to puree.
Serving Suggestions
Serve right away or soon after blending. Keep it refrigerated if you are not drinking it right away, or in an insulated thermos if on the go.
You can make a mango pineapple smoothie the night ahead of time and shake well to re-blend in the morning or after a workout. They are a great quick breakfast.
For another classic smoothie, try this strawberry banana smoothie with yogurt.
Recipe FAQs
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare it in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake, stir, or re-blend before drinking.
To increase the protein, try adding protein powder, Greek yogurt, silken tofu, or a handful of nuts and seeds (hemp seeds, chia seeds) to increase the protein level. Use a combination of options to round out your protein needs. One more tip, compare milk protein levels and try a higher protein option such as homemade hemp seed milk.
No, sweeteners are not needed in a smoothie including tropical fruit as they are naturally higher in sugar. If you feel you need it sweeter, use an alternative sweetener without sugar such as monk fruit.
You can make a smoothie with almost any blender. A high-powered blender creates a smoother texture, but a regular blender or personal blender also work. You might need to blend longer or add a little more liquid to achieve the desired consistency.
More Healthy Fruity Smoothies
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📖 Recipe
Mango Pineapple Smoothie
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- ½ cup chopped mango fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup pineapple fresh or frozen
- ½ scoop protein powder plain or vanilla
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder optional
- 1 lime juiced
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
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Instructions
- Add liquid to the blender first, then yogurt, then all other ingredients and blend on high until smooth and creamy. For a frostier smoothie add a few ice cubes.
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