🌸 Dragon Fruit & Banana Chia Smoothie Parfait
📖 Description
This Dragon Fruit & Banana Chia Smoothie Parfait is a vibrant, tropical, and nutrient-packed treat that layers creamy chia pudding, banana, and dragon fruit smoothie for a refreshing parfait. The pink hue of dragon fruit makes it visually stunning while the natural sweetness from banana balances the tang. It’s perfect as a breakfast, snack, or even a healthy dessert.
🥣 Ingredients for Dragon Fruit & Banana Chia Smoothie Parfait
For Chia Pudding Base (make ahead):
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3 tbsp chia seeds
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¾ cup almond milk (or any milk of choice)
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1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
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½ tsp vanilla extract
For Smoothie Layer:
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1 cup dragon fruit (fresh or frozen, cubed)
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1 ripe banana
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½ cup Greek yogurt (or coconut yogurt for vegan option)
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¼ cup orange juice (or almond milk for creaminess)
Toppings (optional):
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Fresh dragon fruit cubes
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Banana slices
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Granola
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Coconut flakes
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Chia seeds
👩🍳 Instructions
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Prepare the chia pudding:
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In a jar, combine chia seeds, almond milk, vanilla, and honey/maple syrup.
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Stir well and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir again to prevent clumping.
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Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until thick and pudding-like.
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Blend smoothie layer:
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In a blender, add dragon fruit, banana, yogurt, and orange juice.
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Blend until creamy and smooth. Adjust liquid for consistency.
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Assemble the parfait:
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In a glass or jar, layer chia pudding at the bottom.
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Add the dragon fruit–banana smoothie layer on top.
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Garnish with toppings like granola, coconut flakes, or extra fruit.
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Serve immediately for a refreshing parfait, or refrigerate for up to 1 day.
📝 Notes
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Use pitaya powder if fresh dragon fruit is not available.
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The chia pudding can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for 3–4 days.
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Adjust sweetness with honey, maple syrup, or agave if your dragon fruit is mild.
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For a thicker smoothie, freeze the banana before blending.
💡 Tips
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Always stir chia pudding twice within the first 10 minutes to prevent clumps.
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For a layered look, pour smoothie slowly over the chia pudding.
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Add a crunchy granola topping just before serving to keep it crispy.
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For extra protein, mix protein powder into the smoothie blend.
🍽 Servings
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Makes 2 parfaits (medium-sized jars or glasses).
📊 Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.)
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Calories: 260
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Protein: 8g
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Carbohydrates: 45g
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Fiber: 10g
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Fat: 6g
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Sugar: 22g
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Calcium: 180mg
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Vitamin C: 50% DV
🌟 Health Benefits
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Dragon Fruit: Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber for digestion and immunity.
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Banana: Provides potassium for heart health and natural energy.
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Chia Seeds: High in omega-3s, fiber, and protein for satiety.
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Greek Yogurt: Adds probiotics for gut health and boosts protein.
❓ Q/A
Q: Can I make this parfait vegan?
A: Yes! Use coconut or almond yogurt instead of Greek yogurt and maple syrup instead of honey.
Q: Can I meal-prep this smoothie parfait?
A: Yes, prepare chia pudding in advance and store smoothie ingredients frozen. Blend before assembling.
Q: How do I keep the layers separate?
A: Make sure the chia pudding is fully set before adding the smoothie layer.
Q: Can I replace dragon fruit with something else?
A: Yes, use strawberries, raspberries, or mango for a similar tropical parfait.