This is the tropical and refreshing Vegan Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl that my family has been requesting all summer long! It's a zesty and ultra creamy key lime smoothie with a sweet, crunchy, and nutty pie crust topping that makes it feel like such a treat.
One of my favorite things about developing and testing recipes at home is seeing which dishes my kids love! They're my first and favorite taste-testers, and this Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl is their recent favorite. I think it's the sweet and crunchy pie crust topping that makes them such big fans! As a parent, though, I love making it because it's filled with good-for-you ingredients that fuel and nourish my entire family.
As always when developing a new recipe, I headed to Sprouts for fresh ingredients! They have the widest variety or produce I've ever seen, and this time of year, I'm absolutely dazzled by their selection of tropical items. Think papaya, gooseberries, star fruit...it's like a vacation in the produce aisle! I grabbed a bunch of key limes for this recipe and was so happy with how juicy and flavorful they were. I also love the Sprouts bulk bins for pantry staples like coconut, oats, nuts, and seeds.
Key Lime Pie Smoothie Recipe
This is a vibrant, flavorful smoothie that's also filled with really awesome nutrition!
- Key limes - You'll both zest and juice eight key limes for this bowl. Like I said...it's bursting with lime flavor! There should be about two tablespoons of key lime zest.
- Frozen cauliflower - This is an Eating by Elaine smoothie secret ingredient! Frozen cauliflower gives your smoothie a creamy texture and adds dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folic acid...and I promise you can't taste it at all.
- Avocado - Like the cauliflower, avocados add creamy texture while offering health benefits while they're at it. Avocados have healthy fats, dietary fiber, and potassium, folate, vitamin E, C and B6.
- Medjool dates - I love using dates for natural and subtle sweetness, especially in smoothies! They are a natural stone fruit and loaded with nutrients.
- Almond milk - Any plant-based milk will work in this smoothie! I love to make my own almond milk, and it's delicious in this Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl.
- Vanilla extract - Just a splash of vanilla makes such a difference! I think it perfectly rounds out the key lime flavor and is traditionally used in key lime pie recipes.
All About Key Limes
What's the difference between limes and key limes? Key limes are smaller and sweeter than Persian limes, which are the ones you'll generally see in grocery stores. Key limes have a rind that's thinner and more yellow in color, while Persian limes are thicker-skinned and deeper green. Limes are high in vitamin C while being low in calories! I love using their tartness in recipes.
Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl Topping
Everyone's favorite part of this smoothie bowl is the crunchy pie crust topping! It's made with macadamia nuts, pecans, maple syrup, and coconut, along with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a dash of vanilla. My favorite way to serve this Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl is to sprinkle the topping around the perimeter so it looks like a pie crust!
This vegan and gluten-free recipe post is sponsored by Sprouts, a store I shop at often and a company I admire! If you make an enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a review below, and don't forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations!
More Smoothie Bowls
Vegan "Nutella" Smoothie Bowl
Wild Blueberry Pie Smoothie Bowl
Creamy Pink Smoothie Bowl
Sweet Potato Pie Smoothie Bowl
Frozen-Inspired Smoothie Bowl
Healthy Birthday Cake Smoothie Bowl
Creamy Vanilla Acai Smoothie Bowl
Need even more Key Lime Pie flavor in your life!?
Try my Vegan Paleo Key Lime Pie Bars and my Key Lime Pie Pudding Parfaits!
PrintThe Best Vegan Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This is the tropical and refreshing Key Lime Pie Smoothie Bowl that my family has been requesting all summer long!
Ingredients
For the pie crust (to sprinkle overtop the smoothie)
- ½ cup raw macadamia nuts
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup raw pecans
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon fine salt
For the smoothie
- ½ cup unsweetened, plain almond milk
- 1 cup frozen cauliflower
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted, chopped
- 8 key limes, zested and juiced (about 2 tablespoons key lime zest)
- 4 soft pitted Medjool dates
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups ice
Optional Smoothie Boosters
- 1-2 handfuls baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder or moringa powder
Garnishes
- homemade easy vegan coconut whipped cream (or sub thick coconut yogurt such as Culina brand - vanilla flavor would be great here)
- key lime zest
- key lime wedges or wheels
Instructions
- Add macadamia nuts, coconut flakes, pecans, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a 7-cup food processor and process until fine and crumbly (about 20 seconds). Set aside.
- Add almond milk, frozen cauliflower, avocado, key lime zest and juice, dates, maple syrup, and vanilla to a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Add any desired optional smoothie boosters and blender again. You may need to use the blender's plunger/tamper to help it along. If your blender does not have a tamper/plunger or if it is not a high speed blender you can add more almond milk but this will change the texture of the smoothie (it will be thinner).
- Add ice cubes and blend again until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust flavors if desired. Pour into two adult-sized bowls (or make three mini bowls for kids). Use the back of a spoon to smooth the top of the smoothie and make peaks and valleys (just for fun!).
- Sprinkle the pie crust overtop the smoothie bowls with your fingers. I like to put it along the perimeter of the bowl so it looks like a real key lime pie. Next, add your garnishes: a dollop or two of coconut whipped cream, key lime zest and key lime wedges or wheels. Enjoy immediately with a spoon.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
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