Piña Colada smoothies have become my new favorite — creamy, tropical, and surprisingly simple.
As a child I was famously picky about textures and flavor combinations. My mother likes to joke now that I was “gourmet” before I knew what that meant. Back then I avoided pineapple because of its stringy texture and coconut because the only versions I’d encountered were overly sweet candy or macaroons. Piña coladas were definitely off my list.
Fast forward a few decades, and my feelings have changed. I now crave both pineapple and coconut. I enjoy pineapple’s bright, tangy flavor and satisfying texture. Coconut milk, fresh coconut, or unsweetened coconut flakes are all welcome additions to my kitchen — though I still avoid heavily sweetened coconut flakes.
Another barrier was that I associated piña coladas with alcoholic drinks, and I’m not a fan of boozy smoothies. The obvious solution was to leave the alcohol out. The result is a velvety, coconut-forward pineapple smoothie that tastes indulgent without any added sugar.
Frozen bananas do all the heavy lifting here: they thicken the drink to a milkshake-like consistency and provide natural sweetness, so no extra sugar is needed. The recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free, making it suitable for people avoiding dairy or following a plant-based diet.
With warmer weather coming, this is a refreshing, easy option to add to your summer rotation.
Bonus idea: any extra smoothie can be poured into ice pop molds and frozen for delicious, fruity popsicles.
XO
Rebecca
Piña Colada Smoothies | Vegan and Dairy Free
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 1 can crushed pineapple in juice 20 ounces
- 1 can coconut milk 13.5 ounces
- 3 bananas peeled and frozen
Optional Garnish:
- A slice of pineapple
- a dusting of shredded coconut
Instructions
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Add the crushed pineapple (with juice), coconut milk, and frozen bananas to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy.
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Pour into glasses and serve immediately. If desired, garnish with a pineapple slice and a sprinkle of shredded coconut.
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Leftovers can be frozen in ice pop molds for fruity popsicles.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate values using the exact ingredients you use if you need precise nutrition data.
did you make this recipe?
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