KID-FRIENDLY COCONUT MILK SMOOTHIE RECIPE: SIMPLE AND SWEET
As a parent, planning meals and snacktime can feel overwhelming. How do we find things that the kids will enjoy but that are also full of nutritious and wholesome ingredients? For busy mornings or post-play snacks, smoothies are ALWAYS my go-to. They’re easy to make, require little-to-no cleanup, and are packed with good-for-you ingredients. And, above all, they’re kid-approved! (Most of the time, at least.)
I tend to stick to a familiar lineup: yogurt, fruit, a splash of milk, and maybe a handful of spinach if I’m making myself a post-workout treat. But recently, I began making these kid-friendly smoothies with coconut milk, and let me tell you… it’s been a game-changer. It’s naturally sweet, perfectly creamy, and adds a tropical twist that always gets the kids excited.
Whether you’re a dairy-free household or looking for a few new recipes, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing a few coconut milk smoothie recipes that are both delicious and nutritious. Because who said you can’t have both? Let’s get blending!
Kid-Friendly Coconut Milk Smoothie Recipe: Simple and Sweet
If there’s one thing I love doing, it’s finding simple ingredients and turning them into “wow-worthy” snacks and meals. For example, this homemade snack bar recipe requires six simple ingredients, but it never disappoints! Or even these frozen yogurt cups that require only three ingredients but always feel like a little healthy delicacy.
These smoothies have become a regular in my weekly rotation—especially on warmer days outdoors or after lots of active play. They’re naturally hydrating, not too sweet, and as yummy as they are healthy.
But before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk a little bit more about coconut milk. Like, is coconut milk truly healthy for kids? And how much is an appropriate amount to add in? Let’s discuss it!
Is Coconut Milk Good In Smoothies For Kids?
Coconut milk is great for kids in smoothies! Let’s first discuss the health benefits, and then we can explore why they love the taste so much.
Thanks to the electrolytes, coconut milk is a fantastic source of hydration. It also promotes heart health, supports the immune system, and is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The only thing to watch out for is the high saturated fat content. But as with everything else, it’s a good alternative in moderation!
Now, why do kids LOVE the taste so much? Coconut milk is rich, creamy, and naturally sweet—no ice cream or added artificial sweeteners necessary. This is particularly beneficial if you’re trying to cut back on sugar or are a dairy-free household. Aside from this, you can fill a coconut milk smoothie with any kind of fruit and veggies you want. Fresh bananas, a handful of strawberries, a little bit of kale or spinach—your options are endless!
There is one thing to be mindful of: you should wait until a baby is at least 1 year old before giving them coconut milk. Because those little digestive systems are still developing, their tummies may not handle it too well!
How Much Coconut Milk Can You Put In A Smoothie For Kids?
For kid-friendly coconut milk smoothies, ½ to 1 cup of coconut milk per serving tends to be the perfect amount. That provides them with all the necessary nutrition, and the flavor won’t overpower the other ingredients.
As I discussed in my kid-friendly strawberry banana smoothie recipe, you can always adjust ingredients and serving sizes. If you want a creamier smoothie, add in a little extra coconut milk. And, if you want it thinner, reduce the amount of milk and add a little more water!
So, without further ado, let’s get into a handful of yummy and nutritious coconut milk smoothie recipes! They’re sure to bring big smiles and full tummies all around.
How To Make A Coconut Milk Smoothie For Kids
Banana Coconut Milk Smoothie
Naturally, different kids enjoy different fruits. So, this banana coconut milk is for all the parents of banana-loving little ones! For a strawberry smoothie alternative, jump to recipe two. And if you’re looking for a yummy tropical twist, head over to recipe three!
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 ripe banana (or a frozen banana if you don’t have ripe ones on hand!)
½ cup ice cubes (if you already have a frozen banana, you can skip this step or reduce the amount of ice)
(Optional): 2-4 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder
(Optional): 1-2 teaspoons of honey
Instructions:
Step 1: Add the coconut milk to your blender to serve as the base. This helps everything else blend evenly.
Step 2: Toss in your bananas. And, if you’re using protein powders and sweeteners, you can add them here.
Step 3: Add in your ice cubes. This is what gives the smoothie a nice, thick consistency.
Step 4: Pulse the mixture until it is smooth and creamy. This should only take about a minute!
Step 5: Pour the banana smoothie into a cup and serve. Feel free to top the smoothie with banana slices, a drizzle of honey, chia seeds, or yogurt for added fun!
Smoothie bowls are another simple way to incorporate more banana-filled treats into your daily routine. For an easy-to-follow recipe, check out this post: Banana Smoothie Bowl Recipe. You can use plant-based milk (such as coconut, cashew, oat, or almond milk) or regular whole milk.
Strawberry Coconut Milk Smoothie
This recipe follows the same steps as before; we’re just switching out ingredients for a delicious strawberry twist.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 cups frozen or fresh strawberries
(Optional): 2-4 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
½ cup ice cubes (if you’re using frozen fruit, feel free to skip this step)
(Optional): 1-2 teaspoons of honey
Instructions:
Step 1: Add your coconut milk to the blender to serve as a base.
Step 2: Toss in your strawberries. If you’re using fresh strawberries, don’t forget to remove the strawberry crown!
Step 3: Add in the protein powder or vanilla extract. If you also want to add a touch of honey, you can add it now.
Step 4: Add in the ice cubes if necessary. Even if you are using frozen fruit, a couple of ice cubes can help give the smoothie a thick and creamy consistency.
Step 5: Pulse the mixture for 30-60 seconds or until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Pour the smoothie into a cup and serve. If you want, you can also top it with fresh strawberry slices, a drizzle of honey, or small pieces of granola.
Tropical Coconut Smoothie
Coconut milk already has a subtle tropical flavor, so why not enhance it with other fruity, tropical additions? It’s like sipping a beachside smoothie from the comfort of your own kitchen!
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 large fresh or frozen banana
1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple chunks
1 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
(Optional): 2-4 tablespoons of vanilla protein powder
½ cup ice cubes (if you’re using frozen fruit, you can skip this step!)
(Optional): 1-2 teaspoons of honey
Instructions:
Step 1: Pour your coconut milk into the blender to serve as a base.
Step 2: Toss in your bananas, pineapples, and mangos. For a simple and time-saving hack, you can buy a bag of frozen tropical fruit from any local grocery store!
Step 3: If you’re using protein powder or honey, add that in now.
Step 4: If you’re using fresh fruit, go ahead and toss in some ice cubes. Otherwise, all of that frozen fruit does the trick just as well!
Step 5: Pulse the mixture for 30-60 seconds or until smooth and creamy.
Step 6: Pour into a cup and serve. You can also top the smoothie with pineapple chunks, mango slices, and a drizzle of honey!
These coconut milk smoothies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
On days you want something simple and nutritious, you seriously can’t go wrong with these coconut milk smoothies. Not only are they super easy to make, but they’re full of nutritious ingredients. And, like I said before, you can also sneak in a handful of greens to really pack a punch. Kids will have no idea that this delicious sweet treat is actually good for them! Everyone wins.
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Check out the Mothercould blog for more super yummy recipes and endless engaging sensory play activities! And, for more in-depth tutorials, helpful cleaning tips, and exciting activity packs, download the Mothercould in Your Pocket resource.