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Riddle time: what’s a fruit that’s always sitting right there at the grocery store, always in stock, always available, yet somehow never actually makes it into your cart? Answer: papaya.
Papaya is one of those fruits I walked right past for years. I wasn’t sure how to tell if it was ripe, how to cut it, and def wasn’t sure I’d even like it. (Just like plantains.) So it just stayed on the display while I grabbed my usual bananas and berries. But once I tried this Papaya Banana Smoothie, I was hooked.
I’ve added extra nutrients to make this a powerful smoothie while staying under 300 calories. I’ll walk you through how to blend it up and enjoy this tropical fruit. Grab a papaya on your next grocery trip and let’s expand your smoothie game!
If this papaya smoothie has you hooked, be sure to check out my Spinach Papaya Smoothie next!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Papaya: Ripe papaya gives this smoothie its sweet, tropical flavor and silky texture. The riper the papaya, the sweeter your smoothie will be. Papaya is one of the lower sugar tropical fruits.
- Banana: Adds natural sweetness and makes the smoothie extra creamy. Frozen banana works especially well if you want a thicker and frostier blend.
- Frozen Carrots: Carrots add a subtle sweetness, extra fiber and nutrients without overpowering the tropical flavors.
- Coconut Milk: This dairy-free liquid brings a creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor that pairs perfectly with the papaya and banana.
- Turmeric powder: Any chance to make an anti-inflammatory smoothie— I’m in! Turmeric is a rich spice that enhances the orange color in this smoothie. You can swap with ginger root or ground ginger.
- Collagen Peptides: An easy way to add protein to your smoothie. They dissolve right into the blend, making this smoothie a little more satisfying and filling.
How to tell If a Papaya is Ripe
A papaya is ripe when its skin turns mostly yellow-orange and it gives slightly when you press it gently with your thumb, similar to a ripe peach. If it’s still green and firm, just leave it at room temperature for a few days to finish ripening.
Recipe Tips
- Freeze extra papaya: Chop the entire papaya and freeze extra for a future smoothie.
- Adjust the coconut flavor: For a richer tropical taste, use full-fat. For a lighter smoothie, use refrigerated coconut milk beverage instead that’s mostly water.
- Add collagen last: While collagen peptides blend easily, adding them after you’ve blended the other ingredients to prevent the smoothie from getting frothy.
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Slice the papaya in half, scoop out the seeds, remove the skin, and cut the fruit into cubes.
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Add the papaya, banana, frozen carrots, and coconut milk to a high-speed blender.
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Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy, then add the turmeric and collagen peptides and blend again until combined.
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Pour into your favorite glass and enjoy.
- Frozen papaya works great: If you’re using frozen papaya instead of fresh, increase the coconut milk to 1 cup to help everything blend smoothly.
- Make it more filling: Add a scoop of homemade protein powder or a tablespoon of nut butter to give this smoothie even more staying power.
- Choose the ripest papaya you can find: A ripe papaya should have yellow-orange skin and feel slightly soft when squeezed. This gives your smoothie the sweetest flavor and smoothest texture.
- Let your blender run a little longer: Papaya becomes incredibly silky when blended thoroughly. An extra 15–20 seconds can make a noticeable difference in texture.
Serving: 16 oz | Calories: 292 kcal | Carbohydrates: 38 g | Protein: 20 g | Fat: 7 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1 g | Sodium: 249 mg | Potassium: 671 mg | Fiber: 6 g | Sugar: 21 g | Vitamin A: 12060 IU | Vitamin C: 94 mg | Calcium: 52 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Common Questions
Yes! The collagen peptides add protein, but the smoothie will still taste delicious without them. You can also swap in your favorite plant-based protein powder if desired.
Not really. The sweetness from the papaya and banana does a great job of masking the carrot flavor. Most people won’t even notice they’re there.
This smoothie is naturally creamy thanks to the papaya, banana, and coconut milk. For a thinner smoothie, add more coconut milk. For a thicker smoothie, use frozen fruit or reduce the liquid slightly.
Usually, yes. A ripe papaya and banana provide plenty of natural sweetness. If your fruit isn’t fully ripe, you can add a date, small drizzle of honey, or your choice of natural sweeteners.