This light and refreshing watermelon banana smoothie will become your new summertime favorite! It's made with four simple ingredients and is super quick to make.
Nothing beats fresh watermelon on a hot summer day. My kids can't get enough of it!
I hadn't thought to serve watermelon as a beverage until a few years ago when I was in Belize. We went to a restaurant known for blended watermelon drinks where we were able to watch them in action.
They scooped out fresh watermelon and blended it right up... adding a few other ingredients of course! It looked so easy, so I gave it a whirl.
It turns out that the water content makes it so that you don't have to add much (if any) additional liquid, which makes watermelon ideal for smoothie making.
And the idea of adding fresh lime was inspired by Chipotle's new Watermelon Limeade. The key ingredients they use are "watermelon, lime, and sugarcane".
When creating this smoothie, I wanted a little more substance and no added sugar, so I opted to for banana. I add just enough, but not too much.
It turns out that watermelon and banana make a delicious combination. And the chia seeds top it off by adding texture, fiber, and omega-3 fats.
Serve this watermelon banana smoothie poolside or as a sweet hydrating beverage on a hot summer day or after practice. You can also pair it with a more filling snack like a Banana Carrot Muffin or Nut-Free Trail Mix.
Or if you're looking for a more filling smoothie, my Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie is always a hit! And, as for another recipe to help you use up your chia seeds, make Chia Seed Pudding - yum!
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Why This Recipe is so Great
- Easy recipe
- Four ingredients (actually three ingredients plus ice)
- No added sugar
- Uses up leftover watermelon
- Easily doubled or tripled, so it can be served to a crowd.
- The bright red color will fit right in with a Memorial Day or 4th of July themed party or barbecue.
Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon 92% water. Good source of various vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients (including lycopene).
- Banana Good source of fiber and potassium.
- Lime Use fresh lime juice. It helps to balance out the sweetness.
- Chia seeds Optional ingredient. Either black or white chia seeds can be used. Traditional black chia seeds will darken the smoothie. Chia seeds contain omega-3 fats, fiber, protein, and various minerals.
Dietitian Tip
Chia seeds are an easy and convenient way to add fiber, protein, and omega-3 fats to a variety of foods, including smoothies.
But because they can affect the color and consistency of smoothies, start by adding a small amount and see if your kids notice.
If your kids don't seem to mind the change, then the next time you could add more.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this watermelon banana smoothie is so easy. You simply blend all ingredients together and you're set!
- Add all ingredients to the blender, starting with the watermelon pieces.
- Blend just enough that all ingredients are incorporated (about 20-30 seconds).
- Serve!
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Expert Tips
- Avoid over-blending for optimal temperature and texture.
- Chia seeds will affect the color and texture of this smoothie. If your kids are not adventurous eaters, I suggest making this smoothie without chia seeds the first time you make it.
- Fresh banana can be used in place of frozen banana.
- When the smoothie settles, there will be a foam like consistency on the top. The foam is caused by the insoluble fiber from the fruit. This is to be expected.
- Stir the smoothie frequently as you drink it to lessen the amount of foam on top.
Recipe FAQ's
One nice juicy lime will give you about two tablespoons of lime juice. Still, there have been plenty of times when I've had a hard time getting even one teaspoon from one lime.
For this reason, I always buy at least one extra lime. If nothing else, I will have some left that I can use to make homemade guacamole!
Banana, strawberries, and tropical fruits like mango and pineapple mix well with watermelon.
This is a thin smoothie. You could thicken it by adding chia seeds, more frozen fruit, or Greek yogurt.
More Easy Smoothie Recipes
Did your kids love this light and refreshing watermelon smoothie? Please leave a 5-star rating below or a review in the comments section!
Don't forget to snap a pic of their bright red smoothie and tag @carrots.and.cookies on Instagram so I can see it. Enjoy!
Watermelon Banana Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 Blender I use a Vitamix
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh watermelon pieces Seedless. Rine removed.
- ½ banana frozen
- ½ cup ice
- ½ lime juiced
Optional Ingredient
- 1-2 teaspoon chia seeds white or black chia seeds
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to the blender in the order listed.
- Blend for about 20-30 seconds, just until all ingredients are blended well.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Avoid over-blending for optimal temperature and texture.
- Fresh banana can be used in place of frozen banana.
- If using fresh banana, it should be ripe or slightly over-ripe.
- When the smoothie settles, there will be a foam like consistency on the top. The foam is caused by the insoluble fiber from the fruit. This is to be expected.
- Stir the smoothie frequently as you drink it to lessen the amount of foam on top.
- Chia seeds will affect the color and texture of this smoothie. If your kids are not adventurous eaters, I suggest making this smoothie without chia seeds the first time you make it.
- This recipe is easily multiplied so your kids and their friends can enjoy it!
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