It only requires a few ingredients and you can add a little protein boost if you'd like. You can do this by adding protein powder or collagen powder (my favorite way to add protein).
It has no added sugar, plus it's dairy-free, Paleo, AIP, and Whole30 friendly. Omit the collagen powder to make it vegan.
For other fruit smoothie recipes, check out my Beet Berry Banana smoothie recipe.
If you're looking for breakfast and snack ideas, check out my 100+ AIP Breakfast and Brunch Ideas and AIP Snacks posts.
**Just a quick heads up- this post contains affiliate links which means if you click on them and buy something, I will earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you) to help continue maintaining this site.
Reasons Why You'll Love This Banana Watermelon Smoothie
- It's gluten-free and dairy-free- no milk or yogurt is needed
- Just 4 ingredients
- No Added Sugar
- Good Source of Vitamin C
- It's a refreshing drink- perfect for a hot day
- It's a great way to satisfy sugar cravings with natural sugar from fruit
- Great for digestion- Pineapples are a good source of bromelain, an enzyme combination that breaks down protein.
- Protein Boost- Since this is a collagen smoothie, you'll get a good protein boost from collagen powder.
Watermelon Banana Smoothie Recipe Ingredients
This easy watermelon smoothie recipe is pretty self-explanatory with a few simple ingredients that can be found at pretty much any grocery store:
- Pineapple- This should be preferably frozen. If you want to use fresh or canned, that's fine but you'll likely need to add some ice to make it frosty and thick.
- Watermelon Chunks- These will be fresh (not frozen). Use a seedless watermelon if possible.
- Banana- I think using frozen slices is the best way to make a smoothie because I don't have to water down the smoothie with ice cubes. However, you can just use a regular fresh banana if you want. Add about ½ cup of ice to add a little frostiness to it.
- Collagen Powder- This is an optional ingredient but can add a little protein boost to the smoothie. *Omit for vegan.
*For best results, at least one of the fruit components of the smoothie should be frozen with the rest being fresh fruit. Two frozen components are better though. Otherwise, you can compensate with some ice. Just keep in mind, that it will water down the flavor slightly as you add more ice.
How to Make It
- Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. The watermelon should be closest to the blades for easier blending.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
Notes and Tips
- Drink the Smoothie Immediately- It will only stay cool and frosty for so long so it's best to enjoy this healthy drink right away.
- There is No Liquid in This Recipe - Since the watermelon has so much liquid in it, additional liquid isn't needed.
- Use Ice if Not Using Frozen Bananas- To achieve a thicker smoothie, the recipe calls for frozen banana slices. If you just want to use a regular banana, you can do this. However, you may want to add a half cup of ice if it's not "frosty" enough.
- Thin it Out With Liquid If Needed- If the smoothie ends up thicker than you would like, just add a little bit of liquid to it. This can be water, coconut water, fruit juice, coconut milk (or any other milk like almond milk, for example), etc.
- Put Non-Frozen Fruit Near the Blender Blades- This is a very easy smoothie recipe. Putting the non-frozen fruit (the watermelon and maybe a banana if not frozen) closest to the blender blades will make it even easier. This is because it'll quickly break down the fresh fruit before getting to the frozen fruit.
- For a Sweeter Smoothie- If you want it sweeter, add one more banana. This delicious smoothie has a really nice tropical taste to it and my husband and I loved it with one banana.
Our kids didn't think it was sweet enough though. I added one more banana to it and they loved it. However, I will say that the additional banana makes the banana flavor stronger and the watermelon flavor less prominent. This is fine but it depends on what flavor you're going for.
If you don't want to add more bananas, just add a small amount of honey or maple syrup to add some natural sweetness.
- Use Fairly Ripe Bananas- Make sure your bananas are relatively ripe for optimal sweetness. If they still have green on them, they're not ready for smoothies.
*You can find these notes and step-by-step instructions in the recipe card as well.
How to Freeze Bananas for Smoothies
I like to have frozen bananas in the freezer and ready to go when I want to make a smoothie. So, I prep them ahead of time. They stay good in the freezer for a pretty long time. Usually, if I have some bananas getting too ripe on the counter, I'll prepare them for the freezer for smoothies later.
Here's how to do it:
- Slice them into ½ inch slices and spread them out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Put the baking sheet in the freezer for at least an hour.
- Put them in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or container and store them in the freezer. Alternatively, you can add them to the blender for your smoothie.
Variations
Yes, pineapple watermelon smoothies are amazing. However, there are lots of other fruits you can combine with watermelon and banana to make a delicious drink. You can add fruits/vegetables like:
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Mangos
- Cucumbers
- Oranges
- Blueberries
- Mangoes
- Raspberries
You can also add other ingredients like:
- Dairy-Free Yogurt or Greek Yogurt if not sensitive to dairy- choose a compliant coconut yogurt for AIP
- Chia Seeds or Flax Seeds- for an added protein or fiber boost (note- avoid seeds for strict AIP)
FAQs
Are banana and watermelon a good combination?
Yes, they're a great combination! The banana contributes the perfect creamy consistency when combined with the watermelon. It's a great idea to add bananas to most smoothies because also makes them thicker without watering down the flavor. With this smoothie, we go a step further and make it a watermelon and pineapple smoothie as well. The pineapple adds a great tropical twist to it.
What are the benefits of watermelon and banana smoothies?
Watermelon is super hydrating, a good source of electrolytes, and, packed with vitamins and minerals. Bananas are full of antioxidants and of course a great source of potassium.
Can You Freeze Watermelon for Smoothies?
Yes, you can. You would use a similar method to freezing bananas. Cut the watermelon into chunks and freeze it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. This being said, I prefer to use fresh watermelon for this smoothie because it provides a natural liquid. If you use frozen watermelon, you'll need to add a liquid.
Can You Put Yogurt in This Smoothie?
Sure. Add a little at a time until you get the right consistency. Use a dairy-free yogurt if you're lactose intolerant. Use a compliant coconut yogurt for AIP.
Can Watermelon Smoothies Help with Weight Loss?
Potentially. Watermelon is thought to be helpful with weight loss because it is largely made up of water. 90 percent of watermelon's weight is water, hence the name. This means you can eat/drink an amount that's filling and satisfying without taking in a ton of calories.
Keep in mind though, that watermelon (and all fruit) does have natural sugar. We still want to limit sugar intake to some extent even if it is "natural". In particular, if doing the autoimmune protocol, it's best to keep intake to about 2-3 fruit servings per day.
Pineapple "weight loss smoothies" are a thing as well. This is because pineapple is a good source of fiber which is filling and satisfying. It also has enzymes (such as bromelain) that help with digestion. This can reduce bloating leading to a flatter belly.
Conclusion:
I hope you love this collagen smoothie! If you tried it, please leave a rating and/or comment. I'd love to hear from you!
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Banana Watermelon Pineapple Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon chunks
- 1 cup frozen banana slices about 1 small banana
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 scoop collagen powder optional
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a high-speed blender. The watermelon should be closest to the blades for easier blending.
- Blend on high speed until smooth.
Video
Notes
- Optional- Add 1 additional banana for a sweeter smoothie
- *For best results, at least one of the fruit components of the smoothie should be frozen. Two is better though. Otherwise, you can compensate with some ice. Just keep in mind, it will water down the flavor slightly as you add more ice.
- There is No Liquid in This Recipe because the watermelon has so much liquid in it, it’s not necessary. It’s just not needed.
- Use Ice if Not Using Frozen Bananas and/or Pineapple- To achieve a thicker smoothie, the recipe calls for frozen banana slices. If you just want to use a regular banana, you can do this too but may want to add a half cup of ice if it’s not “frosty” enough.
- Thin it Out With Liquid If Needed- If the smoothie ends up thicker than you would like, just add a little bit of liquid to it. This can be water, coconut water, coconut milk (or any other milk)
- Put Non-Frozen Fruit Near the Blender Blades- Put the non-frozen fruit (the watermelon and maybe a banana if not frozen) closest to the blender blades for easier blending.
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