Watermelon Banana Smoothie

The light, sweet flavor of watermelon combined with the creamy, subtle taste of banana creates the smoothie you need to try this summer. It's surprisingly delicious with only four dairy-free ingredients and no added sugar. And its bright pink color makes it a little more fun to drink.

This recipe contains just enough protein powder to get your morning off to a satisfying start, without creating a gritty texture. But if you just want a tasty treat without the protein, feel free to leave it out.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

frozen watermelon chunks: I removed the seeds from my watermelon before chopping it up, but you could just get a seedless watermelon, or leave the seeds in (they'll get blended up and are safe to eat).

To freeze the chunks, I use a reusable freezer bag and place the chunks inside in a single layer, and lay them flat in the freezer to prevent chunks from sticking together. You could also freeze them on a parchment-lined baking tray, then transfer to a freezer bag or container.

If you don't want to freeze your watermelon, you can use fresh chunks, but your smoothie won't be as thick.

frozen ripe banana: The more ripe your banana is, the sweeter it will be. Cut your banana into chunks that your blender can handle (I usually cut quarters or thirds), and then freeze it the same way I described freezing the watermelon chunks.

plain, unsweetened almond milk: You can use any non-dairy milk you like here. For more protein, soy milk is a good choice. Or use coconut milk for a nut-free, soy-free option. For a lighter summer smoothie, try using coconut water instead.

protein powder: I used pea protein powder, but you can use any vegan protein powder you like. For unflavored protein powders like pea, soy, or hemp, use 2 tablespoons. For flavored blends, you can increase the amount to 3-4 tablespoons without affecting the texture.

Smoothie Boosters and Mix-Ins

For added nutrition or protein, there are several options that would work well in this smoothie:

• a handful of baby spinach (although this will affect the color)

• 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butter of your choice

• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or hemp seeds

• rolled oats

• soaked raw cashews or almonds

If you'd like to enhance the flavors with other fruits or ingredients, here are some options that taste great in this smoothie:

• berries

• nut butter

• vanilla extract

• mint leaves or mint extract

Storing Leftovers

This smoothie is best when served fresh, but it will hold up well for a day or two in the refrigerator. You may notice some discoloration due to oxidation, but it's still safe to drink and won't affect the taste. I recommend using an airtight container like a mason jar or reusable zip-top bag to keep as much air out as possible.

You can also store this smoothie for up to 3 months in the freezer, in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. When you're ready to defrost it, you can put it in the refrigerator at night, and it should be ready by morning (although timing may vary depending on your refrigerator's temperature settings). I usually like to let it defrost partially, then blend it up again for a thick, creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adjust the thickness of this smoothie? This smoothie is quite thick because of the large amount of frozen fruit. If you want to make it a little thinner, you can either use fresh watermelon instead of frozen, or add a little more milk. You could also make this smoothie more filling by adding rolled oats or soaked raw cashews (I'd start with 1/4 cup).

What should I do if my blender isn't blending this smoothie? This is a very thick smoothie, so if you don't have a high-speed blender, you may run into difficulties getting it to blend. You can try using a tamper to push down the ingredients, but if your blender is really struggling, you may need to add extra non-dairy milk.

Can I add a sweetener to this smoothie? This smoothie is naturally very sweet because of the banana and watermelon, so I recommend tasting it before adding any sweetener. Agave, maple syrup, pitted dates, or stevia will all work well in this smoothie if you do want to add a sweetener.

Can I use fresh fruit (not frozen) in this smoothie? You can, but you'll get a smoothie with a thinner texture. It will still be delicious, though!

More Summer Smoothies & Drinks

• Strawberry Açai Smoothie

• Pineapple Ginger Açai Smoothie

• Peanut Butter Açai Smoothie

• Passion Fruit Iced Tea

• Coconut Margarita