This delicious 4-ingredient Papaya Smoothie is dairy-free and loaded with vitamins and fiber. It combines fresh papaya, strawberries, bananas, and coconut milk for a refreshing tropical treat ideal for summer!
Trust me, you’ll be making this recipe on repeat all summer long! And if you want more easy smoothie recipes, check out my Pineapple Mango Smoothie or Blueberry Banana Smoothie next.
There’s nothing better than a delicious, frozen smoothie made with simple ingredients to stay cool during these hot summer days!
Papaya is a juicy and sweet tropical fruit that always brings me amazing childhood memories from Brazil. My mom used to make papaya smoothies for me and my sister all year long. We lived in a very tropical city, so papaya and coconut were easy to find everywhere you went.
So, when I moved to Canada, I was so glad to see all these fruits here as well. I’m always happy to have a little taste of home whenever I can!
Now that it’s strawberry season, I knew I had to add them to this papaya smoothie. The combination of sweet papaya and strawberries is so refreshing and delicious. Then, the frozen banana and coconut milk make this smoothie so irresistibly creamy.
Benefits of Papaya
Papaya can sometimes go unnoticed in the produce section, but it’s a super-fruit with tons of health benefits! Papayas are a great source of vitamins A, C, and E, which boost your skin and immune system. They’re also rich in antioxidants, specifically lycopene, that neutralize free radicals and help support your cardiovascular system.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Papaya — The star of the show! Papaya gives the smoothie a sweet tropical flavor. If you can’t find fresh papaya, you can use frozen papaya chunks or swap it for fresh mango.
- Strawberries — I like to use fresh strawberries when they’re in season – remember the redder they are, the riper they are! But frozen strawberries work just as well here.
- Frozen banana — The key to achieving the perfect thick and creamy consistency is to freeze the banana before making the smoothie. If you don’t have a frozen banana, simply add some ice cubes to your smoothie.
- Coconut milk — I love using coconut milk in this smoothie because it complements the tropical flavors so well. But, you can easily swap it for your preferred milk (dairy milk or non-dairy like almond milk).
- Cinnamon — Optional, but I find that it adds just the right amount of spice. You can also add a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract too or even a squeeze of lime juice.
When is papaya in season?
If you live in a tropical climate, papaya is usually available year-round. Otherwise, they’re in season and perfectly ripe from about May to September. Perfect for summer smoothies!
How To Make A Papaya Smoothie
This recipe is short and sweet! Follow these 3 easy steps and you’ll be sipping on the best papaya smoothie in no time.
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender.
- Blend for about 30 seconds or until it’s smooth.
- Taste and adjust the flavor or consistency as needed.
- (Okay, technically 4 steps). Pour your creamy texture smoothie into a glass and enjoy!
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- Add more coconut milk for a thinner consistency and ice or less milk for a thicker consistency.
- For the best results, use a high speed blender like a NutriBullet or Vitamix
- When blending your smoothie, start on low to break up the chunks. Then, you can turn up the speed until it’s nice and smooth.
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Feel free to add some peanut butter or almond butter for a creamier texture and extra flavor.
Give Your Smoothie A Boost
- Protein powder — Make your papaya smoothie more filling with a scoop of protein powder. I’d recommend unflavored or vanilla for this recipe.
- Greek yogurt — If you don’t have protein powder on hand, try using plain or vanilla Greek yogurt instead.
- Greens — Smoothies are a great way to sneak in greens like spinach or kale.
- Chia or flax seeds — Both are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Collagen peptides — Great for your hair skin and nails!
How To Store and Meal Prep Smoothies
To Store: Smoothies are best enjoyed immediately, but you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for an extra day. They tend to separate over time, so be sure to mix the smoothie before serving it. Airtight mason jar with a lid is especially helpful for storing smoothies!
To Meal Prep: You can freeze pre-made smoothies in a freezer-safe container and thaw until they reach the consistency you like. Or, portion the ingredients for a papaya smoothie into freezer bags and then pop them in the blender with a splash of liquid when you’re ready to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for papayas that are mostly yellow or golden with smooth skin and no bruises or soft spots. A ripe papaya will also smell nice and sweet and have a little give when you press on it.
First, cut the papaya in half lengthwise. You’ll see seeds in the middle, similar to a melon, that you’ll scoop out with a spoon. Then, peel the papaya and cut the fruit into chunks.
Absolutely! Papaya freezes very well, especially if you’re using them for smoothies. It’s best to cut them into chunks first, then place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
I typically don’t add sugar, as the fruit adds a lot of natural sweetness to this smoothie. But, if you want your papaya smoothie on the sweeter side, you can add honey, agave, or even a pitted date.
If you make this Papaya Smoothie, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments! And be sure to check out the full collection of Smoothie Recipes here at Primavera Kitchen, including my favorite Healthy Strawberry Summer Treats!
Leftover Strawberries? Try These Recipes!
Papaya Smoothie with Strawberry Recipe
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup papaya peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 frozen banana
- 2 cups coconut milk (more or less depending how think you like your smoothie)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon optional
Instructions
- In a blender, combine all the ingredients.
- Cover and blend until smooth for about 30 seconds or so.
- Taste to adjust flavor and serve immediately. Enjoy.
Tips
- You can freeze the banana the night before or for a few hours before making the smoothie. A frozen banana adds a lot of creaminess, so don’t skip it!
- Be sure to always wash your fruit before adding it to smoothies.
- Enjoy immediately for the best flavor and consistency.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Leanne says
Loved the smoothie, but found it was a little thick, I ended up adding some unsweetened iced tea I had brewing in the fridge to ‘thin it out’ a little. I used all frozen fruit though. Loved it and will be making more for the kids when they get home from school today!