Mango Smoothie

Smoothies remind me of happy, easy mornings when my kids were toddlers and they’d fight over who got to push “start” on the blender.

Two of my favorites in the morning are strawberry pineapple smoothie and banana coffee smoothie (don’t worry, I don’t share the coffee one with my kids!).

And this mango smoothie is one you’ll make again and again! It’s ultra creamy, bursting with sweet, tropical flavors, and it’s perfect to enjoy to breakfast or as an afternoon pick me up.

As a bonus, this tropical drink is dairy free, and made with just three clean ingredients, so it’s great for anyone following a Paleo or Vegan diet, too!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here are the only ingredients you need to enjoy an absolutely fabulous, ultra creamy and dreamy smoothie!

• Mango: You can use either fresh or frozen fruit. When fresh mangoes are perfectly ripe, they should feel firm, but give a little when you gently press on them. The stem should also smell sweet.
• Banana: I like to slice and freeze the bananas to create an almost shake-like consistency.
• Coconut milk, or substitute any dairy or dairy-free milk that you like. Almond milk and hemp milk are both fantastic choices.

Optional Ingredients

Choose one or more extra ingredients to add nutritional value and flavor! Any of these would work wonderfully in a mango smoothie:

• baby spinach leaves: Not everyone enjoys a green smoothie, but adding spinach will give your body a boost of iron.
• oranges: (See my tips on freezing oranges!)
• turmeric and fresh ginger: If it's cold and flu season, definitely make a turmeric and ginger smoothie! Both of these ingredients will boost your immune system.
• avocado: This ingredient is a good source of healthy fats.
• chia seeds: These pack a powerful punch of fiber and protein.
• collagen peptides: The peptides are not vegan, but collagen is fantastic for your skin.
• protein powder: Vanilla or chocolate protein powder would be a fantastic and yummy addition!
• Greek yogurt: You can use this instead of milk, or add a little bit to the mango banana smoothie for a boost of protein.
• sweetener: Fruit smoothies are pretty sweet on their own, but if you want some additional sweetness, add some honey or maple syrup.
• nuts: cashews, almonds, walnuts, and even pistachios would be delicious

Sometimes for an extra special treat we'll top our smoothies with homemade maple pecan granola or chai spice granola.

How to Freeze Mango and Banana for Smoothies

While you don't have to use frozen fruit, it gives the smoothie a creamy, ice cream-like texture. Using fruit that isn't frozen will give this a juicier texture.

You can buy store-bought bagged frozen fruit, or you can freeze your own! To freeze mangoes and bananas, just follow these simple steps:

1. Wash, peel, and dice/slice the fruit into bite-sized pieces. Note: Be sure your fruit is ripe before prepping it.
2. Arrange the mango chunks and bananas in a single layer on a parchment lined sheet pan, spreading the pieces apart so they touch as little as possible. Set the pan in the freezer.
3. Freeze for 1 hour.
4. Transfer the fruit to a Ziploc freezer bag. Use a spatula to loosen the pieces of fruit from the parchment paper and place them in the freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it closed.
5. Freeze for up to 4 months. Use the frozen fruit within 2-4 months for best quality.

Add the fruit and coconut milk to the blender. Place the cover on the blender and use High power to blend it into a creamy, smooth consistency.

How to Store Leftovers

Pour any leftover smoothie into a silicone ice cube tray, and set in the freezer overnight, or until it's frozen solid. Then, just pop out the frozen cubes and transfer them to a freezer storage bag.

Squeeze the air out of the bag, close it, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Whenever you make another smoothie, add a few smoothie cubes to the blender for extra flavor.