Papaya Banana & Coconut Smoothie (Vegan)

Ingredients Needed

You need less than 10 simple, healthy ingredients to make this papaya smoothie recipe:

• unsweetened almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
• papaya
• banana
• canned coconut milk
• lime
• hemp seeds
• ground ginger (or fresh)
• vanilla extract
• optional: protein powder or unflavoured collagen powder, ice

Recipe Modifications & Ingredient Swaps

While this smoothie tastes great as is, here are some ways you can switch up the ingredients to meet your needs:

1. Instead of almond milk, you can use any milk or milk alternatives that you like. Just aim for an unsweetened one, if possible.
2. 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.
3. The coconut milk in this recipe adds a subtle coconut flavour, but it can easily be swapped with a plain greek yogurt or a coconut yogurt to keep things vegan.
4. Instead of hemp seeds, you can use other seeds like chia or flax.
5. While it will change the nice orange colour of this smoothie, feel free to add a handful of spinach for some extra greens. Spinach has a super neutral flavour and won’t alter the flavour profile too much!

Storage Notes (Fridge or Freezer)

If your mornings are a rush, rest assured that you can make a smoothie the night before! This smoothie will keep for about 1-2 days in the fridge. Simply pour it into a jar with a lid and refrigerate.

Note: separation is normal – just give the jar a good shake before drinking.

In case you’re wondering – yes, you can freeze green smoothies! It’s a great way to include them in your breakfast meal prep.

One way to do this is by pouring any extra smoothie into silicone ice cube trays or muffin tins and placing them in the freezer.

Once frozen, you can pop out the smoothie “cubes” and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Just thaw them for a few hours or the night before you want the smoothie.

My Favourite Blender

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)!

View Product

Papaya Smoothie Nutrition Benefits

Papaya Nutrition:

• rich in vitamins + minerals, like:
  • vitamin C
  • vitamin A
  • folate
  • potassium
• high in carotenoids like lycopene (an antioxidant)
• a good source of fiber

Banana Nutrition:

• a great source of fibre
• a good source of micronutrients like:
  • potassium
  • vitamin C
  • vitamin B6
  • magnesium

Coconut Milk Nutrition:

• rich in vitamins and minerals, like:
  • manganese
  • copper
  • magnesium
  • selenium
  • potassium
  • iron
  • folate
  • vitamin C
• a good source of fats, which help with the development of our brains, hormones, and all cells throughout our bodies. Fat also helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and helps to keep us feeling full and satisfied
  • despite being higher in saturated fats, research shows that coconut intake may actually improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Hemp Seed Nutrition:

• one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in heart health, brain health, and reducing inflammation throughout the body
• a great source of plant-based protein
• a good source of vitamin E and minerals like:
  • zinc
  • iron
  • calcium
  • potassium
  • magnesium

Lime Nutrition:

• a great source of vitamin C – one lime provides 22% of your daily needs!
• a source of other micronutrients in smaller amounts, like:
  • iron
  • calcium
  • B6
  • thiamin
  • potassium
• a good source of antioxidants