Pitaya Smoothie Bowl

Name: Pitaya Smoothie Bowl
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup frozen pitaya cubes (or one frozen pitaya packet); 1 frozen banana; 1 cup frozen mixed berries; ¼ to ½ cup coconut water or almond milk; fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, and nut butters

by Lisa Bryan

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Updated Apr 01, 2024

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The sweet flesh of pitaya (also known as dragon fruit) makes for a delicious, nutritious and vibrant pitaya smoothie bowl.

This is the breakfast that got me obsessed with breakfast smoothie bowls. Yep, it all started with pitaya while I was exploring all the nooks, crannies, volcanoes and rice fields of Bali.

I still have to pinch myself that I spent two whole months on the little island – and motorbiked around the vast majority of it. But having those two wheels gave me ample time to sample pitaya smoothie bowls from several locations – you know, for research purposes.

But if you’re from the US, you may be a pitaya smoothie bowl newbie. So first, let’s review all you need to know about pitaya.

What is Pitaya?

Pitaya is grown predominantly in Central America and Southeast Asia, but can also be found in Hawaii, Northern Australia, Southern China and Cyprus.
It’s the fruit of a cactus.
There are both sour and sweet, as well as white-fleshed and pink-fleshed varieties (with little seeds reminiscent of kiwi fruit). Most of what you’ll find in the US or what you’ll eat abroad is the sweet variety with pink flesh.
The flavor is not vibrant like the flesh. In fact, it’s surprising mild – more similar to melon.
Pitaya is loaded with antioxidents, Vitamin C, Vitamin B’s, fiber and magnesium.
Some laud it as a superfood (similar to acai), but I like to think of it as one more delicious fruit in my rainbow colored fruit repertoire.

How to Make a Pitaya Smoothie Bowl

Now, you might be wondering how you’re gonna make this recipe if you haven’t recently traveled to an exotic location. But I’ve got good news for you! You can buy frozen pitaya online in the US. Even better? You’ll receive frozen pitaya packs of the flesh, so there’s no work and messing around with the fruit. Seriously, it couldn’t be easier.

You literally put a pack (or two) in your high-powered blender with a few other ingredients and within seconds you’ve got a pitaya smoothie bowl. Then, simply sprinkle your garnishes on top for a cool, refreshing and vibrant breakfast.

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