Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie is made with sweet blueberries, juicy pineapple, plant milk and naturally sweetened with banana. This dairy-free and gluten-free smoothie is high in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins and perfect for healthy breakfast or snack.
When it comes to smoothies, I’m a firm believer that fewer ingredients make better tasting smoothies. Sure, you can blend together banana, apple, pear, orange, papaya, strawberries, kale, cocoa powder, bee pollen, coconut water and peanut butter and whatever else you want AND enjoy it but to me this kind of smoothie tastes like everything and nothing at the same time.
For best tasting smoothies, I found that mixing 2-3 frozen and fresh fruits and sometimes adding leafy greens like kale or spinach works better. This Cucumber Spinach Smoothie is a great example of this philosophy (made with cucumber, banana and spinach).
This Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie features two main ingredients: blueberries and pineapple and you can definitely taste both in it. To make it sweeter, I added some banana (you can swap it for a different sweetener) and I threw in some hemp hearts for increased thickness, protein and healthy fats.
If you like fun recipes sweetened with frozen bananas, check out this list of 27 Best Recipes Using Frozen Bananas or 25 Best Low-Calorie Banana Recipes.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- This delicious smoothie is super simple, quick and easy to make
- No complicated ingredients (skip the hemp seeds if you don’t have any)
- Not too sweet
- Easy breakfast or snack
- Super healthy and rich in antioxidants
- High in fiber - this smoothie is included in this roundup of 15 High Fiber Smoothie Recipes
- Kid-friendly recipe (my little testers labeled this one as “delicious”)
Ingredients and substitutions
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Blueberries: you can use fresh or frozen blueberries for this recipe. My go to for smoothies are frozen Maine wild blueberries from Wyman’s. If you’re looking for budget friendly blueberries, get a large bag of regular frozen blueberries at Costco or Sam’s Club.
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Pineapple Chunks: if you have fresh pineapple, make sure it’s ripe, juicy and sweet. Unripe pineapple tends to be tart and won’t work well in this smoothie. Frozen pineapple chunks can also be used. I buy mine at Trader Joe’s.
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Milk of Choice: use whatever milk you like: dairy or plant-based (almond, coconut, oat, soy, or hemp milk). I used unsweetened oat milk from Chiobani.
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Banana: I always have random peeled banana halves in baggies in my freezer because they come in handy for making smoothies and oatmeal. Fresh banana can also be used if your other fruit is frozen.
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Seeds: to add some protein and omega-3’s to your smoothie, throw in some hemp hearts, chia seeds or flax seeds. Hemp seeds are my preferred seeds in smoothies – they’re an easy way to add some nutrition and thicken the smoothie without adding more fruit.
Expert Tip: for thick and creamy smoothie texture, I recommend that 2 of the 3 fruit in this smoothie be frozen. I had a large fresh pineapple so I added frozen blueberries and frozen banana. Any other combo will work – fresh blueberries, frozen pineapple and frozen banana or frozen blueberries, frozen pineapple and fresh banana.
Looking for more smoothie inspiration? Try this Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie, Strawberry Smoothie Bowl, Blue Spirulina Smoothie Bowl and this Vanilla Coconut Smoothie Bowl.
How to make a Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie
- Place all ingredients in a blender. I like to start with plant milk and then add pineapple, blueberries, banana and hemp seeds.
- Blend all ingredients until completely smooth.
- Taste and adjust flavor and consistency as needed. I always recommend tasting the smoothie before pouring it in a glass.
- If it’s not sweet enough, add a little more banana, maple syrup or a date.
- If you would like it thicker, add more frozen fruit or a couple ice cubes.
- For a creamier smoothie, add ¼ cup of vanilla or plain Greek yogurt (or canned full fat coconut milk for a non-dairy version)
- Serve on its own or topped with more hemp hearts for extra texture.
Why I prefer wild blueberries
All blueberries are delicious and proven to have amazing health benefits thanks to high fiber to low sugar ratio and a ton of antioxidants they provide. However, Maine wild blueberries are extra special and I am not saying that just because I live in Maine and I love my state.
Here's how wild blueberries compare to cultivated blueberries:
- Higher antioxidant content: Wild blueberries have a higher concentration of antioxidants than regular blueberries. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage by neutralizing free radicals in the body.
- More intense flavor and color: Wild blueberries have a more intense flavor than regular blueberries. This is due in part to their smaller size and higher skin-to-flesh ratio, which gives them a more concentrated flavor.
- Higher nutrient density: Wild blueberries are more nutrient-dense than regular blueberries, meaning they contain more vitamins and minerals per serving.
- Grown without pesticides: Wild blueberries are grown without the use of pesticides, as they are naturally resistant to pests and diseases. This means they are free from harmful chemicals that can be found in some conventionally grown fruits.
Fresh wild blueberries are almost impossible to find when not in season but most grocery stores in the US carry Wyman's frozen wild blueberries and that's what I use almost everyday, too!
Storage & freezing tips
Storing leftover smoothies is a great way to save time and avoid waste. Here are some tips on how to store your smoothie properly:
- Refrigerate immediately: If you're not going to drink your smoothie right away, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it as soon as possible.
- Use a glass container: Glass containers are the best for storing smoothies because they are non-reactive and won't affect the taste or quality of your drink. Mason jars are a great option!
- Fill the container to the top: To minimize the amount of air in the container, fill it to the top with your smoothie. This will help prevent oxidation and keep your smoothie fresh.
- Shake well before drinking: Separation is natural with smoothies, so give your container a good shake before opening and pouring it out.
- How to freeze: pour your smoothie into an airtight container, leaving a bit of room for expansion. When you're ready to drink it, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight or use a microwave to defrost it.
Note: Some smoothies may separate or change in texture after being refrigerated or frozen. This is normal and it doesn't mean the smoothie went bad. If you add an emulsifier such as a banana, avocado, or nut butter to your recipe, it will help prevent the separation.
Recipe FAQs
There are many blenders available on the market, but the best blender for making smoothies depends on your specific needs, preferences and budget.
Some popular blender brands for smoothie-making include:
1. Vitamix: Vitamix blenders are known for their powerful motors, durable construction, and versatile performance.
2. Blendtec: Blendtec blenders are also highly powerful and durable, with features such as pre-programmed settings and digital displays.
3. Ninja: Ninja blenders offer a range of models at different price points, with features such as powerful motors, multiple blades, and single-serve attachments.
4. Oster: Oster blenders are affordable and reliable, with models that range from basic to high-performance.
Yes, they are a great flavor combination. The tart sweetness of the pineapple can complement the tangy sweetness of blueberries, making for a tasty flavor combination. They can be used together in a variety of recipes such as fruit salads, smoothies, or even baked goods like muffins or cakes.
You can but it will miss the sweetness and creaminess. If you don’t want to use banana, add half a small green apple instead. You may need to sweeten the smoothie with some maple syrup, honey or dates if it’s not sweet enough.
I think it may work but I would stick to fresh or frozen pineapple for this recipe.
A ripe pineapple should have a sweet, tropical aroma at the base of the fruit. If it doesn't smell like anything, or smells musty or fermented, it's not ripe yet. Another thing is color: pineapples should be mostly yellow when ripe, with some green on the leaves at the top. Avoid pineapples that are mostly green or have too much brown color, as these are likely underripe or overripe. Gently squeeze the pineapple to see if it yields slightly to pressure. If it feels very firm or hard, it may be underripe. If it feels too soft or mushy, it may be overripe. Finally, a ripe pineapple should feel heavy for its size.
More smoothies and smoothie bowls
Recipe
Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie
Ingredients
- ¾ cup pineapple chunks fresh or frozen (see Note)
- ¾ cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- ½ banana frozen
- ¾ cup unsweetened oat milk or milk of choice
- 1-2 tablespoon hemp hearts
Instructions
- Add the frozen blueberries, fresh pineapple chunks, frozen banana, milk of choice, and hemp hearts to a blender.
- Blend all ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
- If the mixture is too thick, you can add more plant milk or water to reach your desired consistency. If it's too thin, add more frozen fruit.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.
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