When you want a thick smoothie that will keep you full for a while, this coconut milk smoothie recipe is exactly what you’ve been looking for.
It’s perfect for after a workout or even as a meal replacement since it’s packed with nutrition and you can add more protein for recovery.
Are Coconut Milk Smoothies Healthy?
While coconut milk is not a low-calorie food, it does contain some nutritional benefits worth mentioning, including but not limited to being a good source of vitamins and minerals, such as iron, copper, magnesium, selenium, and manganese.
Smoothies made with canned, full-fat coconut milk are higher in fat than smoothies made with other dairy-free alternatives, such as almond milk. However, there are benefits to adding healthy fats into one’s diet in moderation.
While this smoothie might not be a low-calorie smoothie, it’s perfect as a meal replacement, post-workout snack, or for people who need to add calories to their day in a healthy way.
Ingredients
Before you print the recipe below, make sure to check your kitchen for these ingredients to make this coconut milk smoothie:
- Bananas: you’ll need 2 large or 3 medium bananas for 4 servings. If using frozen bananas, omit the ice.
- Cashew or peanut butter: adds a rich texture to this recipe.
- Canned coconut milk: the base for this recipe. To reduce the fat content, you can use light, canned coconut milk.
- Unsweetened coconut flakes: add coconut flavor and fiber.
- Vanilla extract: makes it taste like dessert.
- Ice: to chill it and thicken it.
How to Make a Coconut Milk Smoothie
After a quick ingredient scan and realizing you’ve got what you need to make this coconut milk smoothie, head over to your blender and:
- Fill the jar
Measure out your ingredients into the blender jar. - Blend
Slowly begin to blend the ingredients until smooth. Add additional liquid if needed. - Serve
Serve this smoothie immediately and save any leftovers for later. Notes on this below.
Is Coconut Milk or Water Better for Smoothies
Coconut milk is great for making smoothies thicker, giving smoothies a creamy taste, and providing healthy fats to the nutritional value of the recipe. Coconut water, while it has hydrating properties and some minerals, will only add liquid to the recipe as well as coconut taste.
If you’re looking to get that coconut taste without the calories or fat, coconut water or refrigerated coconut milk (a watered-down version) might be better. If you need the added nutritional benefits, including calories and fat, use canned coconut.
How to Save Smoothie Leftovers
Coconut smoothie leftovers can be kept in the blender jar, in the refrigerator, for up to 2 days. When ready to use, give it a quick pulse or two to re-blend the ingredients, or add a couple of ice cubes, to chill it and thicken it further.
You can also freezer smoothie leftovers in single-serve, freezer-safe cups and enjoy them later by partially thawing and re-blending a little.
How to Pack a Smoothie for Lunch
To pack a smoothie for lunch, you can pour it into an insulated drink container or a thermos, both are made of several layers of stainless steel and can keep drinks cold anywhere between 5 and 12 hours, depending on the brand.
Smoothies are terrific additions to school lunches that add both nutrition and keep kids full for later. Learn all the ins and outs of how to pack a smoothie for lunch in the video below.
Best Coconut Milk Smoothie Recipe
Rich, creamy coconut smoothie with just the right amount of sweetness!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blender
Ingredients
- 3 bananas
- 2 tablespoons cashew or peanut butter
- 1 13-ounce can of coconut Milk
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup ice
Instructions
- In a blender, combine bananas, cashew or peanut butter, coconut milk, coconut flakes, vanilla, and ice.
- Blend well. If it’s too thick, add a little water to thin it out.
Notes
In the video I use almond butter since it’s a less expensive alternative. If you have a high powered blender, you can use raw cashews as well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 291
- Sugar: 12.3 g
- Sodium: 44.9 mg
- Fat: 21.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 16.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25.7 g
- Fiber: 3.7 g
- Protein: 4.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Rachel
Delicious!!! Thanks for the great recipe. I added a handful of spinach as well. It was so good!
★★★★★
Laura Fuentes
great idea!!
Ashlyn
OMG! Yummy! my daughter will love this.
Jill
Can you use cow or almond milk or does it need to be coconut. Or is the coconut milk something diff. then what’s found next to the almond and soy? Thanks
Laura Fuentes
Yes, you can absolutely use another “milk”… it just won’t taste like coconut pie 😉
Melody
I made a batch of these last night and enjoyed one today at lunch. I just wanted to tell you how delicious it was! I used peanut butter as my nut butter, and I was worried that it might taste too peanut-y to taste like coconut pie. I am glad to say that I was wrong. Thanks for the recipe; I look forward to more.
Laura Fuentes
Awesome! I’m thrilled you were able to enjoy it. More to come for sure.
Collette. Seders
This looks amazing. I would really like to try it. Is there a nut free alternative to the almond or cashew butter? We have allergies to tree nuts, and our schools are also peanut free because of allergies.
Laura Fuentes
You can purchase soy butter or sunflower seed butter if you can tolerate them. Enjoy!
grace
Laura,
thank you for this yummy recipe …. except we couldn’t use it for my son. Apparently he has banana allergy .. super bummer. Hope to see more healthy recipes (lunch for school especially) that doesn’t involve banana or peanut … thank you so much!
Laura Fuentes
Oh man! more recipes are coming your way. Don’t worry!
Crystal
Can’t wait to taste this one! If I use raw cashews do I substitute it for equal amount – 1/4 cup raw cashews? Thanks!
Laura Fuentes
I use about the same amount as well. somewhere between 1/4 – 1/3 cup. Enjoy!
Lynn
Can you use peanut butter?
Laura Fuentes
Of course! Enjoy.
Juliana
Is the butter mandatory in this recipe? Is there a healthy non dairy alternative? It’s a bit hard to find cashew butter where we are
Laura Fuentes
Juliana, use peanut butter or almond butter.
Nina
Could I use raw cashews instead? Butter is a little pricier and I have a Vitamix… Thoughts?
Laura Fuentes
Nina, yes. you can!
Ann
Thanks for the reply!
Ann
Looks great! Is the coconut in the recipe Sweetened or unsweetened?
Laura Fuentes
I use unsweetened.
yogabug
This looks great! What kind of cups do you use and are they leakproof?
Laura Fuentes
I use these and yes they are leakproof.