Pina Colada Protein Shake

This pina colada protein shake is packed with summer flavors and is naturally sweetened with pineapple, banana, and coconut. It resembles the classic piña coladas without all of the added sugar! The perfect refreshing tropical smoothie recipe for a hot summer day! (Vegan, dairy-free & gluten-free)

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Healthy Pina Colada Protein Smoothie

If you’re craving the taste of summer, you gotta try this healthy pina colada protein shake! It tastes like you’ve jetted off to a tropical island, yet is naturally sweetened, non-alcoholic, and so easy to make at home!

The kids love it, too, and it’s such an easy way to add more fruit to your diet while increasing your protein intake at the same time.

Be sure to try my Strawberry Mocktail and Watermelon Cucumber Refresher for more refreshing summer drinks.

Why We Love This Tropical Drink

4 ingredients: That’s right. You only need 4 simple ingredients to make this smoothie!

Quick and easy: It takes no more than 5 minutes to make up a batch of this pina colada protein shake recipe. Just pop the ingredients into a blender and you’re good to go!

No added sugar: The banana and pineapple add the perfect amount of natural sweetness which eliminates the need to add any sugar or other processed ingredients to add those tropical flavors.

Nutrient-rich: This smoothie is a great way to get a boost of fiber, in addition to vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, A, manganese, and potassium!

Packed with protein: Each serving has 16 grams of protein to start your day off right! It’s such a delicious breakfast, and it travels well, too, for those busy mornings!

Ingredient Notes

Pineapple: I like to use frozen pineapple chunks. They add a nice thickness to the drink and are also super convenient! You can also dice up fresh pineapple and store it in the freezer for later use or use canned pineapple that’s been strained if that’s all that you have.
Banana: Use an overly ripe banana which will be naturally sweeter, eliminating the need to add a sweetener.
Unsweetened coconut milk: I prefer to use lite coconut milk for this smoothie recipe to keep the calories in check, but you can use a full-fat one if preferred. Canned is better than the cartons to achieve that rich taste and consistency, but you can use either one depending on personal preference.
Protein powder: This will add a nice kick of protein to energize your day. I like to use vanilla protein powder or an unflavored variety. Whey protein works great, but you can use any type of protein powder you like.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Add all ingredients to a high power blender.

Gradually turn the blender up to high speed and blend until smooth and creamy.

Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later use.

The pina colada smoothie being poured into a glass.

Expert Tips for the Best Taste

I highly recommend using frozen pineapple chunks rather than pineapple that’s thawed or at room temperature. The frozen contributes a nice thickness to the smoothie that mimics that classic refreshing pina colada taste.

You don’t have to use a frozen banana, but you can if you’d like. If using a frozen banana, I suggest cutting it into smaller chunks as it may be tough to blend otherwise.

Use an overripe banana since it will contribute more sweetness. There is no added sugar in this smoothie, so you’ll want as much sweetness as possible coming from the fruit.

I recommend using canned coconut milk in this smoothie. I used the light canned coconut milk, but you can also sub in full-fat if you want even more creaminess. I originally tried this smoothie with coconut milk in the carton and it just didn’t have that same rich taste and consistency, but it still works if that’s what you have.

Blending Tips

Achieving the ideal smoothie consistency is all about finding that sweet spot—where it’s frozen enough to be refreshing yet still flows smoothly. How you layer your ingredients in the blender plays a crucial role in achieving this balance.

Start by placing the coconut milk closest to the blender blade to prevent the frozen fruit from jamming up the blade. If you’re using a blender that flips over after ingredients are added, like a mini Ninja blender or Magic Bullet, add the coconut milk last. For a standing blender with the blade at the bottom, pour the coconut milk in first.

If possible, use a high-speed blender (I love the Ninja) since the frozen fruit requires enough power to break it down. If you don’t have a high power blender, you may wish to add the frozen fruit in smaller batches to prevent the engine from burning out.

Allow your frozen fruit to thaw slightly at room temperature for about 10 minutes before blending; it should remain frosty but not rock-solid. This simple step can help the fruit break down a lot easier.

If your smoothie stubbornly refuses to blend smoothly, don’t worry! Just pour in a few extra tablespoons of coconut milk and give it another go.

Overhead shot of an umbrella and slice of fresh pineapple in the smoothie.

Storage Guidelines

You can store the smoothie covered in the fridge for up to two days.

That being said, I find it generally tastes best when it’s freshly blended since the frozen pineapple makes it extra smooth, creamy and refreshing. It doesn’t quite have the same taste and consistency if left for a few hours.

If you can’t drink it all at once, you can freeze the shake in popsicle molds for a tropical treat later! The kids love eating these as part of their summertime breakfast!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this smoothie with alcohol?

For sure! If you’re looking to take your smoothie to the next level, you can add some rum, vodka or other desired alcohol.

Do I need to add ice?

Because we use frozen pineapple, there is no need to add ice. If you add ice to the blender, it may dilute the drink and result in a smoothie with a more watery consistency.

If you don’t use frozen fruit, you can add a few ice cubes or pour the smoothie over ice to chill it.

Is a pina colada smoothie healthy?

That depends on the specific recipe you use. Many smoothie recipes are loaded with sugar, which will spike your blood sugar and make your energy crash a few hours later. This particular pina colada protein shake helps balance your blood sugar by adding protein powder, using coconut milk which contains some fat and avoiding any added sugars. You just need 4 simple ingredients: protein powder, coconut milk, frozen pineapple, and banana.

To make it even more filling, you can add some ground flax seed, ground chia seeds, or even avocado for extra fiber.

Protein Powder Alternatives

If you don’t have any protein powder or prefer not to use it, you can still make this smoothie using other sources of protein.

Try adding any of the following to incorporate extra protein:

Plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
Cottage cheese
Silken tofu for some plant-based protein

Serving Suggestions

Each smoothie has plenty of carbs, fat, protein, and fiber to set you up for a great day. It’s great as a breakfast option or pre or post workout.

To tide yourself over even longer, serve it with an extra dose of fiber-rich foods, like my Healthy Banana Oatmeal Waffles or one of these 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars.

Recipe Variations

Make it sweeter: Add some honey, maple syrup, or sub in a bit of pineapple juice for the coconut milk.
Make it even creamier: Stir in a bit of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt or a little splash of coconut cream.
Incorporate more fiber and healthy fats: Add some chia seeds or hemp hearts.
Add some greens: Add a handful of baby spinach or kale.
More coconut flavor: Add a splash of coconut extract for an even stronger piña colada flavor.
To make into a pineapple smoothie bowl: Pour into a bowl and serve with desired toppings. You could try a sprinkle of coconut flakes, diced fresh pineapple, slices of banana, and a sprinkle of hemp hearts.

The smoothie garnished with coconut flakes and a pineapple wedge.

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