This mango kefir smoothie is full of delicious flavor and is packed with nutritious frozen fruit and probiotic rich milk kefir. A delicious and healthy breakfast that is perfect for making on those busy mornings. This is a delicious treat you can feel good about!
Milk kefir is a great way to get some beneficial probiotics into your diet, without paying for pricey supplements or eating gallons of sauerkraut every day (although a few tablespoons are easy enough!).
By far the most delicious (and easiest) way to enjoy the benefits of milk kefir is to drink kefir smoothies! I have many many recipes for such smoothies, but this Mango Kefir Smoothie is what I recommend for beginners and newcomers to the world of fermented and cultured foods.
While milk kefir is delicious for those of us who are acclimated to it, it can be on the tangy or sour side for those who aren't used to fermented flavors. Combining it with sweet, strongly flavored fruits is the perfect way to "mask" the stronger flavors a bit and learn how to enjoy this healthy and nutrient dense traditional food!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's made with just a few simple ingredients, meaning it's easy to put together on those busy mornings!
- Uses frozen fruit, which is often a bit cheaper to buy. This makes this healthy breakfast/snack super budget friendly!
- Includes probiotic rich milk kefir, which is great for gut health and contains 8-9 grams of protein per cup.
- A tropical inspired smoothie that works well for breakfast, snacks, or even a refreshing and healthy dessert after dinner.
Ingredients
- Milk Kefir: You can use store bought milk kefir, or you can use milk kefir that you've made at home. If you're using homemade milk kefir, I recommend chilling it first for best results but its not necessary.
- Frozen Mango Chunks: I was able to pick these up at Costco for a great price. If you don't have frozen mango chunks, you can substitute the same amount of fresh, cubed mango.
- Frozen Pineapple Chunks: This was another Costco find, and for a great price too! If you don't like pineapple, you can just double the amount of mango used.
- Maple Syrup: While both the mango and pineapple are sweet fruits, I like a little extra touch of sweetness. If you don't like things very sweet, feel free to reduce or forgo the maple syrup. If this is your first time trying milk kefir, definitely keep the maple syrup in and try it that way first. Once you have adapted a bit more to the tartness of milk kefir, you can tailor your desired level of sweetness to your taste.
Instructions
How to Make a Mango Kefir Smoothie:
- Add your milk kefir to the jug of a high powered blender.
- Add in the frozen (or fresh) mango chunks.
- Then, add in the frozen (or fresh) pineapple chunks (if using).
- Add in maple syrup or honey according to your taste.
- Place the lid on and blend on high until the fruit is fully broken down into a smooth texture.
- Pour into a glass and serve with a straw. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions
Dairy free: To make this recipe dairy free, substitute the milk kefir with coconut kefir. This can be found at health food stores, or can be made using rinsed kefir grains and coconut milk.
Just mango: Substitute the pineapple for additional mango, and include some maple syrup for sweetness. Since mango is not as sweet as pineapple, it needs a little bit of help.
With fresh fruit: If you are using fresh instead of frozen fruit, simply add 3-5 ice cubes to help thicken the smoothie.
Other fruits: You can use any other fruits to make any variety of kefir smoothie that you like! Just note that some fruits are sweeter than others, and so you might need to add maple syrup (or honey) for sweetness for fruits that are not naturally very sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
While kefir can be disguised in a smoothie, you will still taste some of the tanginess of kefir in your smoothie. This can be greatly reduced by using strongly flavored fruits like pineapple, mango, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Adding a bit of natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup helps as well.
Mango pairs well with many tropical fruits including papaya, kiwi, and guava. But the best pairing for mango happens to be pineapple. The intense sweetness of pineapple pairs perfect with mango and creates a delicious flavor combination that is perfect in smoothies, frozen yogurt, and sorbets.
Yes, you can mix kefir with fruit. Whether you want to make a kefir fruit smoothie, or do a second fermentation with fruit, it's a great way to boost both flavor and nutrition. The sweetness of fruit pairs nicely with tangy, strong flavored kefir and makes delicious smoothies, shakes and more!
Mango Kefir Smoothie
If you're looking for a healthy breakfast or snack, you have to try this easy Mango Kefir Smoothie recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups milk kefir
- 1 cup frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup frozen pineapple chunks
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Add the kefir to the jug of a high powered blender.
- Then, add in the frozen mango and frozen pineapple chunks.
- Add in maple syrup or honey (if using) to your taste and desired level of sweetness.
- Blend on high until smooth and the frozen fruit has been completely blended.
- Pour into one large or two medium glasses. Serve with a straw and enjoy!
Notes
Fresh Fruit: If you opt for using fresh fruit instead of frozen fruit, add a few ice cubes to help thicken and chill the smoothie.
Dairy free: Use coconut milk kefir in place of the milk kefir.
Just mango: If you don't like pineapple, feel free to substitute it for double the amount of mango. Since mango is not as sweet as pineapple, it would be a good idea to include the optional maple syrup or honey.
Other fruits: Feel free to substitute the frozen fruit for the same quantity of any other fruit of your choice. Note that some fruits are sweeter than others, so adjust sweeteners to your taste.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: ½ of RecipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 322Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 360mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 3gSugar: 67gProtein: 10g
Nutrition information is an estimate only.
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