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Kiwi and Banana Smoothie in a Blender
Instructions
Lay out all the necessary ingredients on a clean countertop within easy reach. Peel both kiwi and both bananas. The skins of kiwi can be tricky to remove cleanly, so use a sharp paring knife and remove only the thin outer layer to keep as much green flesh as possible for the smoothie.
Cut the peeled kiwi into small pieces and trim away the slightly woody stem at the top of each fruit. Tip the chopped kiwi straight into the blender bowl and spread it across the base so the blades have direct contact with the fruit when you switch the appliance on.
Add the chopped banana on top of the kiwi pieces. Banana is the natural thickener of the smoothie and gives the drink its signature creamy body, so do not be tempted to skimp on the quantity called for in the recipe even if your bananas are unusually large.
Pour the 400 millilitres of cold milk over the fruit. Cold milk straight from the refrigerator is essential here, since lukewarm milk will quickly thin the smoothie and rob it of its appealingly thick milkshake-like texture.
Scoop the 200 grams of ice cream into the blender bowl as the final addition before whirring. Vanilla ice cream gives the most classic flavour, but strawberry or even pistachio work beautifully too if you fancy a more adventurous variation on the standard recipe.
Lock the lid securely in place, switch the blender on at maximum speed and run it for one full minute. If your blender has a dedicated smoothie programme, that works just as well and saves you from holding the button down by hand throughout the entire blending time.
The kiwi and banana smoothie is now ready to enjoy. Pour it straight into tall chilled glasses, decorate with a thin slice of kiwi balanced on the rim of each glass, and serve immediately while the foam is still light and airy. Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- 1
Frozen banana chunks bring an extra-thick milkshake-like consistency to the finished drink and reduce the need for as much ice cream as the recipe originally calls for. Peel ripe bananas, slice them into rounds, and freeze on a tray before transferring to a sealed bag so you always have some ready for spontaneous smoothie sessions.
- 2
Use the highest quality vanilla ice cream you can afford for the most luxurious texture and flavour in the finished drink. For another smoothie that builds on the same kiwi base, try our deeply nutritious vitamin smoothie in a blender with celery and apple juice for a green refreshing alternative on hot days.
- 3
A small handful of fresh mint leaves dropped into the blender just before whirring adds a beautifully cooling note that pairs especially well with the tropical kiwi character. Avoid dried mint here, since it tends to taste musty and bitter rather than fresh, and never adds quite the same lift to the finished glass.
- 4
Serve the smoothie in chilled glasses with a long-handled spoon if you used plenty of ice cream, since the texture can sometimes be too thick for a regular straw to handle properly. Looking for another fruit-based blender treat? Try our beautifully simple strawberry-banana smoothie for a pink dairy-friendly alternative.
FAQ
Can I make this smoothie without ice cream? +
Yes, replace the ice cream with an extra frozen banana cut into chunks, a generous scoop of thick Greek yoghurt, or a handful of frozen mango for a lighter healthier version of the drink. The texture will be slightly less indulgent than the original recipe, but the flavour stays bright and the smoothie still feels reassuringly thick. Adding a small drizzle of honey or maple syrup compensates for the lost sweetness from the missing ice cream.
Are kiwi seeds safe to consume? +
Absolutely. Kiwi seeds are tiny, completely edible and packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fibre. They blend invisibly into the finished smoothie and add a pleasant nutritional boost without altering the texture or the flavour at all. Some people occasionally find the seeds slightly bitter when eaten in large amounts on their own, but blending them with sweet banana and creamy milk masks any trace of bitterness completely in the final glass.
Can I use dairy-free milk in this recipe? +
Of course. Almond milk, oat milk and coconut milk all work brilliantly in this smoothie and create a fully vegan version when paired with dairy-free ice cream from the freezer aisle of any decent supermarket. Each plant-based milk contributes a slightly different flavour: oat milk feels creamiest, almond milk stays lightest, and coconut milk adds a faintly tropical note that pairs especially well with the green kiwi and ripe banana base of the drink.
How long can I keep this smoothie? +
Drink within twelve hours when stored sealed and chilled in the refrigerator. The colour darkens noticeably after a few hours, since the kiwi flesh oxidizes when exposed to air, but the flavour stays remarkably good and the texture remains pleasantly thick if it included frozen banana or ice cream from the start. Always shake or stir well before pouring, since the layers will inevitably separate over time as the smoothie sits undisturbed in the fridge.
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