This easy and delicious kiwi smoothie requires just two ingredients - kiwis and coconut milk! The result is a taste of the tropics that's filled to the brim with bright and tangy kiwi flavor. Ready in just minutes!
The winter months are always a tricky time of year for me. By that point I've had enough of the cold weather and I'm so ready for summer! Inevitably I start dreaming up fruity, tropical dishes that will make me feel like I'm sitting on a beach somewhere instead of putting on yet another layer before venturing outside.
This healthy kiwi smoothie is the perfect way to bring summertime into my day! Its natural sweetness and creamy texture are so refreshing, plus it's made with just two simple ingredients - perfect for a busy mornings!
In this recipe, I use frozen kiwi which you can find in the freezer section at the grocery store just like any other frozen fruit. Alternatively, you can slice the kiwis in advance and freeze on a baking sheet. Either one works!
This naturally thick smoothie is almost like sorbet, and you can easily serve it as a smoothie bowl with a spoon and some homemade granola sprinkled on top! Honestly, it is so good with just the kiwi by itself but I add coconut milk for even more tropical flavor and to help the blender along. If you ever make coconut whipped cream, save the excess coconut liquid from the can and use it in this smoothie!
Why You'll Love this Kiwi Smoothie
- Easy recipe - just two ingredients!
- Great way to use kiwis
- Tropical vibes for any time of year
- Flexible recipe - feel free to add other kinds of fruit as well
- Delicious!
What to Know about Kiwi
Kiwis have a rough, fuzzy exterior (which technically you can eat!) but they're juicy and sweet on the inside. They also have a bit of tart flavor which is what makes them so unique.
While shopping, look for kiwis with a slightly firm texture and rough, fuzzy skin. Ripe kiwis will yield to gentle pressure while hard kiwis mean they are underripe. Store them at room temperature, preferably in a darker area like the pantry or under the sink.
Kiwis are low in calories and fat while being high in dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
How to Peel a Kiwi
There are all kinds of tricks out there to peel the fuzzy skin off a kiwi to get to the juicy, tart fruit inside! I usually do it in one of two ways:
- Cut off the end of the ends of the kiwi and then slice the skin off vertically; or
- Cut the ends off, then gently wiggle a spoon between the skin and the fruit and push it around the outside. The kiwi will slide right out!
How to Make this Kiwi Smoothie Recipe
If using frozen kiwi, skip ahead to the steps below.
If using fresh kiwi, use a paring knife to cut them into quarter-inch rounds and freeze in advance. To do so, arrange the kiwi slices into a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Allow space between each slice so they do not freeze together. Place the baking sheet in your freezer overnight (or until the kiwi is frozen solid).
- Blend. Place frozen kiwi slices and coconut milk in a high-speed blender. Blend from low to high speed while using the blender's tamper/plunger to push the frozen kiwis into the blades until the smoothie reaches a creamy smooth texture.
- Add optional ingredients. Add lime zest, lime juice and mint, if using. Blend again until well incorporated.
See the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Additional Ingredients to Consider
I kept this recipe super simple to truly highlight the kiwi flavor and texture, however I encourage you to make it your own. As an author of a smoothie cookbook, I definitely know how to spruce it up!
More fruit: Try adding frozen banana, fresh strawberries or frozen mango (hard to beat a mango kiwi smoothie!).
Extra protein: I often add chia seeds and hemp seeds to my smoothies. You can also add a scoop of your favorite protein powder.
Adjusting the flavor: Depending on the tartness (especially if you add lime), a little maple syrup is a great addition for the perfect amount of sweetness to balance it out.
This delicious smoothie recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. It's a great change of pace from the more common fruit smoothies and I can't wait for you to give it a try!
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
2-Ingredient Tropical Kiwi Smoothie
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy and delicious kiwi smoothie requires just two ingredients - kiwis and coconut milk! The result is a taste of the tropics that's filled to the brim with bright and tangy kiwi flavor. Ready in just minutes!
Ingredients
- 12 kiwis, skin removed, sliced into ¼ inch rounds
- ¼ cup unsweetened, plain light coconut milk
- Optional: 1 lime zested and juiced
- Optional: handful of fresh mint leaves (large stems removed)
Instructions
- (Skip if using store-bought frozen kiwi) Cut and freeze kiwi. Arrange kiwi slices in one even layer on a large baking sheet linked with parchment paper. Allow space between each kiwi slice so they do not freeze together. Place the baking sheet in your freezer overnight (or until kiwi is frozen solid).
- Blend. Place frozen kiwi slices and coconut milk in a high-speed blender. Blend from low to high speed while using the blender's tamper/plunger to push the frozen kiwis into the blades until the smoothie reaches a creamy smooth texture.
- Add optional ingredients. Add lime zest, lime juice and mint, if using. Blend again until well incorporated.
Notes
Make sure to use a baking sheet that can fit inside your freezer.
If using lime, you may need to balance out the sour/tart lime flavor with a drop of maple syrup. This will depend on how sweet your kiwis are. Taste and adjust flavors to your liking.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: Tropical
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