Why You’ll Love This Green Apple Kiwi Smoothie

• A True Flavour Bomb. This isn’t a shy, one-note smoothie. The combination of tart green apple and sweet-yet-tangy kiwi creates a complex flavour profile that’s seriously exciting with every sip.
• It’s Incredibly Hydrating. Starting your day with this feels like giving your body a tall glass of goodness. The high water content from the fruits, especially if you add a splash of coconut water, makes it perfect for rehydrating after a workout or on a hot day.
• Ready in Under 5 Minutes. Honestly, the hardest part is peeling the kiwis. It’s the ultimate fast food for busy mornings when you need something nutritious but are short on time.
• Endlessly Customizable. Feel like adding a handful of spinach for extra greens? A tablespoon of chia seeds for fibre? A sprig of mint for freshness? This smoothie is a fantastic base for all your healthy additions.

Ingredients & Tools

• 2 large, ripe kiwis
• 1 medium green apple (like Granny Smith)
• 1/2 ripe banana (preferably frozen)
• 150 ml unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 50 ml cold water or coconut water
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1/2 a lime)
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (optional, depending on sweetness preference)
• A handful of ice cubes

Tools: A good-quality high-speed blender, a sharp knife, and a cutting board.

The quality of your fruit really makes a difference here. Using a ripe banana—especially a frozen one—is the secret to achieving that wonderfully creamy, almost milkshake-like texture without any dairy. And that squeeze of fresh lime juice? It’s not just for flavour; it helps keep the vibrant green colour from oxidizing and turning brown too quickly.

Serves: 1 large or 2 small | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• The Power of Frozen Fruit. Using a frozen banana is a game-changer. It eliminates the need for so much ice, which can water down the flavour, and gives the smoothie a luxuriously thick and frosty consistency. If you have time, peel and slice your banana the night before and pop it in a freezer bag.
• Choosing Your Kiwis. You want kiwis that yield slightly to gentle pressure—they should be soft but not mushy. If they’re too hard, they’ll be overly tart. If they’re too soft, the flavour can be a bit fermented. A perfectly ripe kiwi is sweet and fragrant.
• To Peel or Not to Peel the Apple? I highly recommend peeling your apple for this recipe. The skin can sometimes create a slightly gritty texture and tiny flecks in your otherwise beautifully smooth drink. However, if you love the extra fibre and don’t mind the texture, feel free to leave it on!
• Taste as You Go. The sweetness of your fruit can vary. Blend everything except the sweetener first, then taste. You might find the natural sugars from the banana and kiwi are perfect, and you can skip the honey altogether.

How to Make Green Apple Kiwi Smoothie

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• Avocado Toast on Sourdough — The creamy, rich fat from the avocado provides a lovely counterpoint to the sharp, refreshing smoothie, making for a perfectly balanced breakfast.
• A Handful of Toasted Almonds — For a mid-morning snack, sipping this smoothie alongside some crunchy almonds adds a satisfying protein and healthy fat element that keeps you full for longer.
• A Simple Spinach and Feta Omelette — The savoury, salty notes of the omelette contrast beautifully with the sweet-tart smoothie, creating a light yet complete meal.

Drinks

• A Glass of Sparkling Water with a Lime Wedge — Sometimes, all you need is something clean and bubbly to cleanse the palate between sips and keep the experience feeling light and hydrating.
• Earl Grey Tea, Chilled — The bergamot in the tea has a subtle citrusy flavour that echoes the lime in the smoothie, making them a surprisingly elegant pairing for an afternoon treat.

Something Sweet

• A Small Square of Dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa) — The bitterness of the dark chocolate is a fantastic foil for the fruity sweetness of the smoothie. It feels like a decadent treat without being overwhelming.
• A Few Buttery Shortbread Fingers — The simple, crumbly sweetness of shortbread is a classic companion to fruity, acidic flavours. It’s a comforting and effortless pairing.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using under-ripe or over-ripe kiwi. An under-ripe kiwi will make your smoothie unpleasantly sour and astringent, while an over-ripe one can taste a little off. That perfect, just-yielding texture is key for the best flavour.
• Mistake: Skipping the acid. Forgetting the lime juice might not seem like a big deal, but it is! The acid not only brightens all the flavours but also acts as a natural preservative for that beautiful green colour. Without it, your smoothie might turn a murky brownish-green quicker.
• Mistake: Overloading the blender with ice. If you don’t have a frozen banana, it’s tempting to add more ice to get that cold thickness. But too much ice can dilute the flavour and make the texture watery as it melts. Stick to a small handful and rely on frozen fruit where possible.
• Mistake: Not blending long enough. A few pulses might break up the big pieces, but for a truly silky smooth texture, you need to let the blender run on high for at least a full minute. Patience is a virtue here!

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make Smoothie Packs. To make your morning even faster, prepare individual freezer bags with the pre-chopped apple, peeled kiwis, and banana slices. In the morning, just dump the frozen contents into the blender with the liquids and blend. It’s a huge time-saver.
• Tip: Boost the Nutrition. This smoothie is a great vehicle for added nutrients. A handful of spinach blends in undetectably. A tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseed will add fibre and omega-3s. A scoop of unflavoured protein powder can turn it into a post-workout recovery drink.
• Tip: Adjust the Thickness. Prefer a drinkable smoothie? Add a bit more liquid. Craving something you can eat with a spoon, almost like soft-serve? Use less liquid and make sure your banana is frozen solid. You have complete control.
• Tip: Garnish for Impact. For a special occasion or just to treat yourself, garnish your glass with a thin slice of kiwi on the rim or a few tiny mint leaves on top. It makes the whole experience feel a little more luxurious.

FAQs

Can I make this smoothie ahead of time?
You can, but it’s best enjoyed fresh. If you must prepare it in advance, store it in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Give it a really good shake or a quick re-blend before drinking, as separation is natural. The colour might darken a bit due to oxidation, but the flavour will still be great. I wouldn’t recommend freezing the fully blended smoothie as the texture can become icy and grainy upon thawing.

My smoothie turned out too tart. How can I fix it?
No worries, this is an easy fix! The tartness usually comes from the green apple or under-ripe kiwi. The simplest solution is to add a bit more sweetener. Blend in another teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. If you have another ripe banana on hand, you can add half of it—the natural sweetness will balance the tartness beautifully. A pinch of salt can also help round out sharp flavours.

Can I use a different type of apple?
Absolutely, but it will change the character of the smoothie. A green apple like Granny Smith provides a necessary tartness that balances the kiwi. If you use a sweeter apple, like a Gala or Fuji, your smoothie will be much sweeter and less zingy. You’ll likely not need any added honey. It’s a matter of personal preference—try both and see which you like best!

Is the banana absolutely necessary?
It’s not strictly necessary, but it plays a crucial role in creating a creamy texture and adding natural sweetness. If you need to omit it, I’d recommend adding a quarter of a ripe avocado instead to get that creaminess back. You might also need to add a touch more sweetener to compensate for the lost sweetness from the banana.

My blender isn’t very powerful. Any tips?
Yes! A less powerful blender needs a little help. First, make sure you chop your apple and kiwi into smaller pieces. Second, add the liquids first, followed by the softer ingredients (banana, kiwi), and the hardest ingredients (apple, ice) last on top. Start on the lowest setting and gradually increase the speed. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a couple of times with a spatula to ensure everything gets blended evenly.