No banana? You can still make a creamy blue spirulina smoothie. Frozen pineapple adds body and a bright fruit flavour; coconut yogurt and milk make the drink smoother and lighter in colour. Add the blue powder little by little, because the final shade depends on the ingredients you use.
This is a useful option when you want a cold, colourful drink without the taste or texture of banana. It makes approximately one large glass or two smaller glasses.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen pineapple pieces
- ⅓ cup plain coconut yogurt or another plain yogurt
- ½ cup milk or an unsweetened plant-based milk, plus more if needed
- A small amount of AimGrow Blue Spirulina, following the package directions
- Optional: a little vanilla or maple syrup to taste
- Optional: a few coconut flakes to serve
Choose the yogurt and milk you like. A pale base shows the blue colour more clearly than a dark berry blend. Pineapple is yellow, so the drink may look turquoise or greenish rather than a pure blue.
Make it in three steps
- Add the frozen pineapple, yogurt and milk to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick to move, add a splash of milk and blend again.
- Add a small amount of blue spirulina, blend briefly, and check the colour. Add a little more only if it fits the package directions and your preference. Pour and enjoy promptly.
How to make it creamy without banana
Frozen fruit supplies the icy body that banana often provides. Yogurt adds a creamy texture, while the liquid determines how easily it pours. Start with less milk and add more only as needed.
For a spoonable bowl, use less liquid and pause to scrape down the blender. For a thinner drink, add another splash of milk. If your blender struggles with frozen fruit, follow its instructions and let the fruit soften slightly before blending.
Why isn’t my smoothie bright blue?
Blue spirulina gets its colour from phycocyanin, but the finished drink also reflects the colour and acidity of the fruit and other ingredients. Pineapple can shift a blue mixture toward turquoise or green. A research review explains that phycocyanin can be affected by acidity, heat and light; it does not predict an exact colour for a home recipe.
For a paler look, try a white yogurt and milk base, start with a small amount of pineapple, and add darker toppings after blending. Colour is a matter of appearance rather than a measure of nutrition.
Easy variations
- More tropical: Add a few frozen mango pieces. The yellow fruit can make the colour greener.
- More tangy: Use plain yogurt and taste before adding a sweetener.
- No coconut: Substitute the milk and yogurt you prefer, checking labels for allergens.
- Prefer banana after all? Try our blue spirulina banana smoothie.
Questions people often ask
Is blue spirulina the same as green spirulina powder? No. Blue spirulina is an extract containing the blue pigment phycocyanin; green spirulina is the whole dried material. They differ in colour and use. See our comparison.
Can I make it ahead? It is best enjoyed soon after blending because the texture and colour can change. If you save a portion, refrigerate it promptly and follow the storage directions for the perishable ingredients.
How much powder should I use? Colour strength varies by product. Start small and stay within the directions on your own package; this recipe makes no claim that a particular amount will produce a health benefit.