Pitaya Smoothie Bowl (2 Options)

Enjoying cheat days with mouth-watering meals is a delicious treat, but the aftermath of feeling guilty and unhealthy definitely takes us down. So why not look for options that serve as a delightful addition to our diet while giving us the pleasure of a delectable meal without negatively impacting our clean and healthy eating routine — just like the pitaya smoothie bowl? It is a beautiful-colored, fruity, refreshing, and vegan meal that is not only delicious but also offers multiple benefits for the skin and body. 

What Is A Pitaya Bowl?

In simple terms, pitaya bowls are smoothie bowls made of ingredients like pitaya powder, bananas, berries, and milk. 

Pitaya, also called dragon fruit, tastes like a combo of kiwi and pear. Its dark red (and sometimes dark pink) color gives the dragon fruit smoothie bowl a vibrant and fresh appearance. Being available all year round, pitaya can be used as a healthy addition to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the 4 seasons. 

Pitaya Bowl Ingredients 

Pitaya, simple fruits, berries, and nut milk. That’s all you need. 

• Pitaya. Both frozen and pitaya powder will work. Tip: Frozen pitayas can be found in the frozen section of the grocery store, while pitaya powder will be in the herbs section. 
• Banana (frozen). This ingredient contributes to a thick and creamy texture. Tip: Ripe bananas with yellow peels and brown spots will work best for this recipe. 
• Berries (frozen). Any berries that you think pair well with the rest of the ingredients can be added. Options like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries can deepen the color of the pitaya bowl. You can use mixed berry packages which can be found in the frozen foods section. 
• Nut milk, like unsweetened almond milk. Dairy-free options like oat milk or coconut milk are good too. For extra sweetness, add a liquid like orange juice, pineapple juice, or coconut water. 
• Toppings, such as granola granola, pitaya pieces, and berries. 
• Optional add-ins, such as, chia seeds or protein powder. 

How To Make A Pitaya Bowl With Frozen Pitaya 

1. Cut the pitaya and banana into dice-sized cubes. Pro Tip: If the fruit is fresh, cut it one night before you prepare the smoothie bowl and freeze the cubes overnight. 
2. Add the frozen fruit and nut milk to a food processor. 
3. Continue processing until the fruit “fluffs” and forms a soft consistency. 
4. Pour the dragon fruit smoothie into a bowl and cover it with your favorite toppings before serving. 

How To Make A Pitaya Bowl With Powdered Pitaya 

Making a pitaya bowl with powdered pitaya is almost the same as when preparing it when frozen pitaya. 

• Add the ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor. 
• Vary the proportion of milk as per the desired consistency. 
• Blend till you achieve a thick and creamy texture. Pro Tip: Make sure to pause and push the ingredients toward the blades for efficient blending and smooth results. 
• Transfer the pitaya smoothie into a bowl, sprinkle it with your favorite toppings, and enjoy! 

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Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl: FAQs

Let’s enhance the taste and simplify the pitaya bowl recipe even more with the FAQs answered below! 

How do you thicken a smoothie bowl? 

To achieve the perfect consistency for your pitaya smoothie bowl, you’ll need to follow some smart tips, including:

• Use frozen fruits. This will crystallize the high water content, which then breaks down in the blender to create a creamy texture. 
• Choose high-fiber fruits. The thicker flesh of high-fiber fruits, such as bananas and strawberries, adds a thick body to the
• Use the right liquid type in small amounts. Liquids like almond or oat milk work better instead of juice or water. Add the liquid gradually and add small amounts for a richer texture. 
• Add chia seeds. This magical ingredient absorbs water from the dragon fruit smoothie bowl and expands to create a thick texture. 

What fruit goes well with dragon fruit? 

Sweet fruits, like bananas, mangoes, pineapples, strawberries, and blueberries, are a great combination for the mildly sweet taste of bananas. 

The best part? They contribute to preparing a thick smoothie texture! 

Are pitaya and dragon fruit the same thing?

Yes. Pitaya and dragon fruit are the same thing. Both names are used interchangeably to refer to the same fruit. 

Any recipe that includes “dragon fruit” can be swapped for “pitaya.” So when collecting the ingredients for the pitaya bowl in a grocery store, don’t stress out when you see dragon fruit instead of pitaya — they’re the same!  

What are the best toppings for the dragon fruit smoothie bowl? 

While the toppings can be varied as you like, here’s a list of some delicious options that create a fantastic combo with the dragon fruit smoothie bowl. 

• Fresh fruit, such as dragon fruit, papaya, star fruit, guava, pineapple, or any other tropical fruit. 
• Coconut, either shredded or flaked. 
• Granola for an extra crunch. Like this pistachio granola or superfood granola. 
• Nut butter like peanut, almond, cashew, or any variety. 

How to meal prep the pitaya bowl? 

The pitaya bowl is best when enjoyed fresh. In case you want to meal prep the smoothie, pour the smoothie base into freezer bags or ice cube trays and place it in the freezer without the toppings. 

Thaw the smoothie bowl for 12 to 15 minutes before consuming and stir thoroughly before adding the toppings. 

Pitaya Health Benefits

The pitaya bowl is super delicious, but what makes it even more special is the incredible benefits it offers. Pitaya, a low-calorie tropical fruit, transforms this smoothie into a nutrient-packed and healthy meal with the following vitamins. 

• Antioxidants. To fight chronic diseases
• Fiber. To fight obesity and protect against heart disease
• Iron. To combat anemia
• Prebiotics. To boost the growth of good bacteria
• Vitamin C. To boost the immune system, fight early aging, and maintain healthy hair. 

Pitaya vs Acai 

Both acai and pitaya bowls have amazing benefits for your skin and body. Below is a concise comparison to help you decide which option best suits your everyday needs and health requirements.

• Flavor. Pitaya tastes similar to watermelon and kiwi. Sweeter than acai, but Acai tastes more like watermelon and blackberries.
• Nutrition. Pitaya s higher in carbohydrates and sugars than acai, but Acai is higher in calories than pitaya. Acai is also packed with more protein, fats, and fiber.  
• Available Forms. Pitaya comes in fresh, powdered and frozen forms. Acai is available only in powdered and frozen types.

Retrieve the benefits of pitaya in the mouthwatering dragon fruit smoothie bowl with our fun and easy recipe — and don’t forget to rate our recipe and share your experience with us in the comments below!