Mango Banana Kefir Smoothie
This kefir smoothie is made with mango, banana, and avocado. It’s such a delicious and filling breakfast smoothie that’s packed with protein and gut-friendly probiotics and fiber.
Looking for recipe ideas with kefir? I’ve swapped out yogurt and nut milk for kefir in this delicious mango banana smoothie – it’s one of my favourite ways to use the fermented dairy product!
While I love adding greek yogurt to my smoothies, sometimes it’s great to change things up. I’m all about diversity in our diets so that we can reap the nutrition benefits of different ingredients AND so that we can prevent food boredom/repetition.
As a dietitian, I’m happy to share that kefir is packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and gut-friendly probiotics. If you’re curious to learn more about kefir, I share a bit more about what it is, how it differs to yogurt, and it’s unique nutrition benefits in this post 🙂
Even better? The other ingredients in this breakfast smoothie are also super nutritious, providing tons of fiber, healthy fats (like omega-3s), and antioxidants!
Feel free to use this as a “base” recipe and modify using other fruits – I’ve included some recipe modification ideas below for you as well. I hope you enjoy starting your day with it as much as I do!
Want more smoothie recipe inspiration? Check out my roundup of easy, healthy smoothie recipes for more ideas!
What Is Kefir?
Kefir (pronounced “kuh-feer”) is a fermented dairy product that originates from the North Caucasus region of Russia.
It’s made by mixing “kefir grains” (which is a starter culture composed of microorganisms, like bacteria and yeast) with milk.
These microorganisms ferment the naturally-occurring sugars in milk (lactose) into an effervescent beverage that has a consistency similar to thin yogurt.
Kefir Vs. Yogurt
While both kefir and yogurt are fermented milk products, they do have some differences!
In terms of consistency, kefir is often a bit thinner than yogurt. It feels more like a beverage, whereas yogurt has a more pudding-like texture.
Plain, unflavoured versions of both products have a similar tart, tangy, and slightly sour flavour. Unlike yogurt though, kefir is slightly effervescent (fizzy).
When it comes to the probiotic content, it’s estimated that kefir has about 2-3x the probiotic content of yogurt. In the grocery store, you’ll want to make sure that the label indicates that the product has “live and active cultures.”
From a protein perspective, kefir provides more protein per serving than regular yogurt. However, more concentrated types of yogurt (like Greek yogurt or Skyr) will provide more protein than kefir.
Kefir Nutrition Benefits
Kefir is a good source of complete protein, providing about 11 grams in a 1-cup serving (although this will vary slightly by brand).
It’s also a source of vitamins and minerals, like:
- calcium
- phosphorus
- vitamin B12
- riboflavin
- magnesium
- vitamin D
- vitamin A
Because it contains beneficial probiotic bacteria, kefir may help to increase the diversity of bacteria in your gut. Bacterial diversity can support gut health and may even help to support a healthy immune system!
Want more ways to use kefir? You might also love this Maple Cinnamon Kefir Chia Pudding!
Ingredients Needed
All you need to make this kefir smoothie are 10 nutritious ingredients:
- kefir, plain + unsweetened
- mango (fresh or frozen)*
- banana (fresh or frozen)*
- avocado (fresh or frozen)*
- chia seeds
- hemp seeds
- vanilla extract
- cinnamon
- lime
- optional: protein powder
Full ingredient measurements and detailed recipe instructions are found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
*Note – if using fresh produce instead of frozen, you will likely have to add ice to get the temperature nice and cold. The beauty of frozen ingredients in smoothies is that it gives the perfect temperature without having to water down the flavours! Plus, you get the added benefit of that smooth, thick texture.
My Favourite Blender For Smoothies
Vitamix Blender
I use this Vitamix almost every day. I bought it about 7 years ago and it still functions perfectly. It makes a super smooth and creamy smoothie in seconds (not to mention many other meals, like soups)!
Recipe Modification & Ingredient Swaps
- Feel free to change up the fruit as desired, instead of using mango and/or banana! This would make a great “base” smoothie that you can switch up whenever you want. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pineapples would taste amazing here as well 🙂
- If you want to make this a green smoothie, feel free to add a couple handfuls of spinach. Promise it won’t change the taste at all!
- If you don’t have both chia and/or hemp seeds on hand, feel free to use just one of them or include other seeds (like flax).
- If you want to increase the protein content of this smoothie, feel free to add a scoop of your favourite protein powder. An unflavoured or vanilla version would work best. I also like using an unflavoured collagen powder – I find it doesn’t change the taste or texture of the smoothie as much as most protein powders.
More Healthy Smoothie Recipes
- Watermelon Banana Strawberry Smoothie
- Papaya Banana Coconut Smoothie
- Lemon Blueberry Avocado Smoothie
- Tofu Smoothie With Banana & Vanilla
- Blueberry Tahini Smoothie
Did you give this Mango Banana Kefir Smoothie Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: Mango Banana Kefir Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups kefir, plain + unsweetened
- 1 medium or large banana (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
- 1/4 cup avocado chunks (fresh or frozen)
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds (hemp hearts)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 a lime, juice only
- Optional: unflavoured or vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender, starting with the kefir.
- Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Feel free to adjust flavours or amounts of liquid until desired taste/consistency is reached. Enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to change up the fruit as desired, instead of using mango and/or banana! This would make a great “base” smoothie that you can switch up whenever you want. Fruits like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pineapples would taste amazing here as well 🙂
- If you want to make this a green smoothie, feel free to add a couple handfuls of spinach. Promise it won’t change the taste at all!
- If you don’t have both chia and/or hemp seeds on hand, feel free to use just one of them or include other seeds (like flax).
- If you want to increase the protein content of this smoothie, feel free to add a scoop of your favourite protein powder. An unflavoured or vanilla version would work best. I also like using an unflavoured collagen powder – I find it doesn’t change the taste or texture of the smoothie as much as most protein powders.
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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2 Comments on “Mango Banana Kefir Smoothie”
Can I get ALL your kefir smoothie recipes pls pls pls sent to my email?
Hi Terri-Ann! Unfortunately, this is the only kefir smoothie recipe I have on my website for now!!
That said, I would LOVE to have you join my email list! I send a quick email out whenever a new recipe goes live on the site (usually twice per week). You can sign up HERE if you’d like 🙂
As well, you can find all the other smoothie recipes on my site HERE. For many of them, you could experiment with swapping the nut milk + yogurt for kefir as well!!