I created this bright and peppy dragon fruit smoothie bowl to spice up a home spa date with my daughter Clare. We had so much fun blending up this hot pink fruit, we started looking for other creative ways to use this unique ingredient. I can’t wait to share these impressive dragon fruit recipes with you!
5 Dragon Fruit Recipes
This spiky fruit originated in Central America, and has recently gained worldwide fame. Toss frozen fruit cubes into your next glass of water for a fruit-infused detox water, or get even more adventurous with one of the 5 recipes below.
While I started with the dragon fruit smoothie bowl below, I quickly fell in love with eating this fruit, whether plain or in a fun dish.
Dragon fruit sorbet
Sorbet is a beautifully refreshing way to enjoy fruit on a hot summer day. This dragon fruit sorbet by The Spruce Eats is no exception; its gorgeous color will make it a standout dessert.
Pro tip: sorbet needs sugar to bond correctly. If you are looking for a more natural sugar to add, then swap out the white sugar in this recipe for maple syrup or honey. These dragon fruit recipes are all full of flavor and flare!
White dragon fruit smoothie
This tropical smoothie can be made with either white or pink fruit, and is a lovely afternoon pick-me-up. Use coconut milk to keep things tropical, or swap up the liquid with oat milk or almond milk for an equally delicious smoothie.
This unique fruit contains iron, fiber, and magnesium. If cutting up a fresh one is a little intimidating, then look for it in the frozen section. Also known as Pitaya, it’s a cactus fruit that’s loaded with antioxidants. Pick one of these dragon fruit recipes for a flavor and nutritional win.
Dragon fruit tacos
I did a double take when I first saw this hot pink dragon fruit taco recipe. It’s right up my alley (and my love for tacos!). Pitaya Foods is a great brand for frozen dragon fruit, as well as a fun website to check out for tantalizing dragon fruit recipes.
These tacos are corn tortillas with dragon fruit in them, and will make your next Taco Tuesday one to remember.
Immunity smoothie with dragon fruit
I’m trying to be as proactive about my health as possible, and this immune-boosting smoothie gives me a great boost at the first sign of unwelcome germs. The elderberry syrup mixed with pink dragon fruit gives it a vibrant purple color.
If you feel a sore throat coming on, whip this recipe up in the blender, then pour into popsicle molds. It works great as a soothing popsicle recipe that helps with symptoms as well as gives your whole immune system a bump. This dragon fruit recipe can be made in or out of flu season to keep you energized.
Tropical fruit compote
Who doesn’t love a good pancake or waffle brunch? Enter this tropical pancake recipe and you’ve got an upscale meal to share with family and friends. Corina turns regular pancakes into a gourmet breakfast in this dragon fruit recipe.
I love the idea of turning ingredients for a fruit salad into a pink compote, and the taste is 10/10. If you’re looking for a swap for stevia, just add in a bit of maple syrup or honey. This syrup can also be used on gluten-free crepes as well as baked oatmeal.
Dragon fruit smoothie bowl
The below recipe is what started my journey into dragon fruit recipes. One of my fav ways to spend time with my daughter Clare is painting our nails together and talking about life. What a better way to let those new nails dry than to indulge in a festive snack?!
Smoothie bowls are an easy snack-win because you can top them however you want. Some like to add in a crunch from granola or freeze dried fruit, while others load up the top with more fruit. This dragon fruit smoothie bowl is the perfect base for a bowl full of berries.
Different varieties
The most common variety of dragon fruit I find in grocery stores have white flesh and are either pink or yellow on the outside. There are also pink-fleshed versions with pink or orange skin. You can use any variety in these dragon fruit recipes.
All are equally delicious, yet the color is more a preference of how you want your dish to turn out visually. Obviously a pink dragon fruit will turn pretty much any dish hot pink… but there’s nothin’ wrong with that!
Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dragon fruit frozen
- 1 banana large frozen
- ½ cup pineapple frozen
- ½ cup cauliflower florets frozen
- ¼ cup water plus more if needed, for blending
Toppings:
- cashew cream for swirling
- fresh berries
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients together.
- Use a tamper to push down and encourage blending if getting stuck.
- Spoon mixture into a bowl.
- Swirl in coconut cream.
- Top with fresh berries.
Notes
- Coconut cream is added for visual affect, yet not needed!
- Make sure not to add in too much liquid. You want this to be yogurt consistency.
Nutrition
FAQs
So many things! From syrups to sauces, taco shells to smoothie bowls, this tropical fruit is incredibly versatile. Use the white fleshed variety to keep it subtle, or go for the pink flesh to make a bright statement dish.
This unique fruit can be intimidating to peel looking at its spiky exterior. To peel, I cut off both ends then slice the fruit in half length-wise. Then using a spoon, I scoop out the fresh fruit inside.
To me, dragon fruit is similar in taste to kiwi. It’s fairly mild in flavor and slightly sweet, making it a great ingredient to toss into your next smoothie bowl.
Dragon fruit has always seemed intimidating. Thanks for so many great recipes!
From the vibrant color of this smoothie to it’s deliciousness. I particularly love that its just 215 calories per serving. Thanks for sharing this bright deliciousness
You’re so welcome Abiola!!!
I would love to make it but I can’t find the dragon fruit puree. How do I do it with the fresh fruit?
Hi Morvelle, I would prepare your smoothie bowl the same way but using fresh dragon fruit instead of the frozen puree. Cut the dragon fruit into smaller slices or chunks first, and then cut off the peel.
Can’t wait to make this! I have dragon fruit in my freezer right now My Sprouts had the chunks and purée packs.
Awesome! I love this one because the color is so vibrant!
That is a beautiful looking photo!
Thanks for the photo love, Ben! We’re so lucky to have our amazing photographer, Lindsey as part of our team!
This looks delicious… however, I am worried about the 62 grams of carbs!!! wowza. May have to wait on this one… or take out the banana and 1/2 the dragon fruit and add some greens…
Hi Nancy,
Thinking about swapping out the banana? Go for it! Some great substitutes are mango, papaya, pears, unsweetened applesauce, nut butters, chia seeds, fresh dates + my personal favorite – AVOCADO!
Definitely have to try this recipe out as soon as possible. Thanks for the share, love checking out your blog.
Hi Kim,
Reach back out + let me know what you think!
Dear Jen!
I love you you’re teaching your daughter life lessons with the help of fruit. Who would have thought a Dragon fruit could teach about beauty,but the more thought I put into it the more sense it makes! A dragon fruit looks fierce and colorful on the exterior-which is how we should be and yet on the inside it has more of a pure and clean vibe to it which is very beautiful to look at. Beauty comes from within and I love your idea!
Although I do have a query. Is the smoothie sweet without any sugar included because of the coconut cream ? Or do you add sugar later if needed to be sweetened?
XOXO
Hi Ushmana,
No added sugar needed. The fruit (especially banana) adds plenty of natural sweetness. Want even more sweetness? Some of our favorite natural sweeteners are Medjool dates, honey, and maple syrup and all make a great sweet addition to any green smoothie. Learn more about them here…
Dear Jen!
I love you you’re teaching your daughter life lessons with the help of fruit. Who would have thought a Dragon fruit could teach about beauty,but the more thought I put into it the more sense it makes! A dragon fruit looks fierce and colorful on the exterior-which is how we should be and yet on the inside it has more of a pure and clean vibe to it which is very beautiful to look at. Beauty comes from within and I love your idea!
Although I do have a query. Instead of Dragon fruit puree , is it possible to use a fresh blended dragon fruit from the market?
Would love to hear from you!
XOXO
Hi Ushmana Rai,
I love your take on dragon fruit! Don’t have puree, then definitely use fresh!! I’d reach for fresh too if it was more available here.
Looks delicious! Where do you buy dragon fruit puree? I doubt any local store in my small town would carry that!
Hi Kayla,
Dragonfruit is hard to find for me too! But sometimes it’s worth the splurge! I purchase it from Pitaya Plus. Learn more here…