Pineapple Coconut Lime Smoothie – Creamy coconut meets tropical tang in this delicious pineapple lime smoothie recipe! (Paleo or Vegan)

Sometimes, the simplest things are best, right?

I’ve been gravitating more toward simple recipes in the last few years, and I really keep things simple when it comes to smoothies.

I really prefer smoothies without too much fuss or too many frills. You can totally make great-tasting drinks with lots of ingredients, but I’ve found that by keeping things pretty simple–just a handful of ingredients–you get to really savor and enjoy the flavors more than when things get more complicated.

This Pineapple Coconut Lime Smoothie is the perfect example. In this pineapple lime smoothie, you can really enjoy each of the ingredients individually. The pineapple brings a tangy tropical flavor, the coconut adds silky creaminess and a good dose of healthy fats, and the lime brightens things up.

It’s a tangy, creamy, bright match made in heaven, perfect for cooling off on a hot day, or a healthy snack that sticks with you. Here’s all you need to get started…

HERE’S WHAT GOES INTO MY PINEAPPLE COCONUT LIME SMOOTHIE:

FROZEN PINEAPPLE. I love using frozen pineapple in this pineapple coconut lime smoothie because it gives the smoothie a frosty, almost milkshake-like texture that’s incredible. Plus, frozen pineapple is just as healthy as fresh! (You *can* use fresh, I just recommend adding some ice, if you do.).

LIME ZEST & JUICE. For a bright punch of citrus flavor, I add both lime zest and fresh lime juice to this smoothie. It doesn’t compete too much with the pineapple and coconut. It just beautifully rounds out the flavors!

COLLAGEN PROTEIN, OR CHIA SEEDS. To give this pineapple lime smoothie a little protein boost (aka even more staying power!), I like to add a few tablespoons of collagen or chia seeds. (Collagen is paleo-approved and dairy-free, but not vegan. Chia seeds are a great plant-based option!)

COCONUT MILK. I like to use full-fat canned coconut milk for this smoothie. You can use lite coconut milk or even the refrigerated coconut milk beverage, but I love how creamy and satisfying the smoothie is with the full-fat coconut milk. It also helps balance out the macronutrients a bit more.

OPTIONAL: SPINACH OR GREENS. Almost all the time, I toss in a handful (or two or three) of spinach to turn this pineapple coconut lime smoothie green. My kids don’t mind at all (pineapple is the BEST at masking greens!). You can also leave it out to keep its sunny yellow color if you prefer.

TIPS & TRICKS FOR THIS PINEAPPLE LIME SMOOTHIE RECIPE:

MAKE IT GREEN! Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits for making green smoothies work with little ones. It seems to mask any strong taste from spinach or kale, which makes it easy to ease kids or picky eaters into green smoothie territory. Feel free to toss in as much or little spinach (or greens) as you like!

CAN I USE LOW-FAT COCONUT MILK? You can. I just love the creamy texture and how much longer it keeps my kids full to use the full-fat kind. Lite canned coconut milk or the refrigerated coconut milk beverage will work if you’re trying to lighten it up!

CAN I USE SOMETHING BESIDES COCONUT MILK? If you’re allergic or intolerant to coconut, you could probably get by with another milk that works for you. It just won’t be as creamy and won’t have quite the same tropical vibes.

FUN TWIST: MAKE IT INTO A POPSICLE! I’m a huge fan of smoothie popsicles for snacks. This is a great one to freeze in a popsicle mold for a super refreshing, healthy treat. You can make popsicles out of the whole batch, or just freeze any leftovers if you’re just making a smoothie for one. Pour the smoothie into your popsicle mold, insert sticks, and freeze 3-4 hours or until totally solid.

CRAVING MORE YUMMY SMOOTHIES? YOU MIGHT LIKE…

HELPFUL FOR THIS PINEAPPLE COCONUT LIME SMOOTHIE: